Malihom Private Estate
168 Kiri N/T, Balik Pulau, Penang Island 11000 Malaysia
Lowest prices for your stay
US$134
Free cancellation until 07/04/23
US$134
US$127
Free cancellation until 01/04/23
US$134
US$127
Free cancellation until 01/04/23
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About
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Malihom, a private estate, perched on the crest of the southern end of Penang, offers a tranquil getaway. Our unique location offers stunning and uninterrupted panoramas from every room, providing all our guests with ever-changing but always immense and breathtaking views. The fresh air, myriad sounds of the birds and stunning views are a feast for your senses whilst delighting in our array of home cooked cuisine and carefully selected collection of wines. We are an intimate boutique Retreat offering a more personal style of service and an intimate atmosphere that is only found in boutique establishments. The estate comprises a cluster of traditional Thai rice barns which have been carefully converted with modern comforts while respecting traditional charms. There are generous indoor and outdoor seating areas to allow guests to soak in the views and the cool breeze from the horizon as well as yoga and holistic therapies offering an array of relaxing treatments. At the hub of the estate lies the main wing which centers the reception, dining and living areas. The barns are linked to the main wing by way of footpaths. Each barn, with its own unique character has a private garden or a deck. This arrangement provides guests with privacy and seclusion. Our unique picturesque settings will provide that unforgettable difference to any occasion whether a romantic stay for two, group vacation, a Conference venue with an edge or a unique Wedding reception to reminisce.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Public wifi
Pool
Restaurant
Hiking
Airport transportation
Meeting rooms
Massage
Parking
Infinity pool
Outdoor pool
Taxi service
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Shops
Ironing service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Flatscreen TV
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Languages Spoken
English, Malay
Location
Contact
168 Kiri N/T, Balik Pulau, Penang Island 11000 Malaysia
Getting there
Car HireSee all Balik Pulau car hire
196Reviews12Q+A57Room tips
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+1
I’d been aware of Malihom for a few years and on paper, it’s just the sort of place I’d choose to stay at in a heartbeat … slightly off-the-beaten-track with interesting features like its salvaged Lanna teak rice barns. It’s a privately-run estate - a retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban living. I was prepared for a slower pace at the retreat, the outdoor bathrooms (the bedrooms have a toilet and a sink, but bathroom/showers are mostly out the house and down a flight of stairs), the bugs and chance of wildlife encounters from the surrounding plantation. So far so good. It is however, not suitable for anyone with mobility issues as most of the barns require a fair amount of climbing up and down stairs, often in semi-darkness with few handholds. We visited with my parents, both in their 70s and all the climbing up and down just to have a wash became a bit much for them. The dark teakwood makes it very difficult for anyone to spot obstacles. Guests are requested to remove shoes on entry into the barns and with the low light, creepy crawlies (and there will be some) are hard to see. That’s where my husband got stung on the foot by a dying wasp which was very painful. Another disappointment was the food, which was boring and repetitious. We stayed 3 nights, and had breakfasts and dinners there. The cook’s repertoire was poor - we had the same breakfast twice in 3 days, and a repeat of dishes between the first and the final night’s. We had contemplated staying all day in the retreat and having our lunch catered too, but were informed by Zaki the front desk reservations manager on our first day that the kitchen didn’t have enough food to supply us with that meal. While many reviewers keep going on about how remote Malihom is, if you have your own vehicle, you’re not really very cut off from any part of Balik Pulau or even Penang for that matter. It was just as well we didn’t have any lunches at Malihom because we probably will have been served dishes not dissimilar to what we got at breakfast and dinner. We’ve stayed in other luxury home stays (and at Malihom’s cost, it has to be held at that level) in Malaysia, and had previously had simple, yet delicious home-cooked meals - the Balik Pulau area is agricultural, with seafood, fruits and vegetables in abundance, but what we got were processed, deep fried frozen gyozas (twice!) for dinner, a lot of chickpeas and a lot of eggs in various forms (they have a chicken coop on the estate, so the eggs are fresh). Some other issues are out of the control of the estate but need to be highlighted - we seemed to be staying during a period of heavy maintenance in the nearby farms and plantations below the hill. There was the incessant sound of strimmers and leaf blowers during our time there, so it was not very peaceful. And the estate seemed to be having an issue with the electric grid in the area. The barns we stayed at kept tripping even on dry nights, so I was woken up in the middle of one night as electricity had been cut off in both my parents’ and my barn - which I had to go sort out. SF, the estate’s manager had anticipated this and showed me where the breaker was earlier in the day. There are no staff on duty after dinner has been cleared - the estate’s staff live down the hill near the “Foothills” section of the estate, so if you’re on your own in one of the barns on top of the hill, you really are on your own. Kitchen and dining room staff kind of pressure you to have as late a breakfast and as early a dinner as you can, so they don’t have to start too early or end too late. And despite the estate being “non-smoking” for the guests, the cook was pretty much a chain smoker and the smell of cigarette smoke creeping into our barn was quite annoying. The 2 pools in the estate are superb - the lap pool at the top of the hill and the more “natural” pond-like pool near the Foothills co-living spaces at the bottom of the hill. I’m not opposed to a return to Malihom as it does have its plus points, but at the kind of price it charges, I know a more satisfying “rustic” experience can be had elsewhere.…
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Date of stay: July 2022
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Had a great weekend at Malihom Retreat Balik Pulau shooting B-roll and drone footage. This place is just filled with insta worthy spots, I am sure we missed plenty of them. This place is incredible. Many thanks to the staff for the excellent food and hospitality, can't wait to come here again.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Check with staff for sunrise or sunset views!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Malihom Private Estate, Guest Services / Front Office at Malihom Private Estate
Responded 7 Apr 2022
Dear Tony, Thank you for taking your time to leave this great feedback regarding your stay. We are grateful to know that you and your beautiful family enjoyed your stay with us. We would like to express our special gratitude for your wonderful video featuring Malihom that was shared in Facebook. Also, thank you for the kind words about our meal and staff service. We put a lot of thought into every dish we served and are proud of our excellent staff. Your kind words mean a lot to us. Thank you for choosing Malihom as your retreat destination and we look forward to welcoming you again soon. Sincerely, Zaki Zainol, Reservation Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The place was Great, Quiet n Relaxing. I went with my daughter. We stayed there for 3days 2nights. The road up at certain point was winding but Don't Worry even an Amateur driver can handle it. It's really a Great place to Stress out n charge Ur Battery 😂 I must say a Big Thank You to the Staffs n Manager Sheau Fung. Very Friendly n Helpful. The Breakfast n Dinner was Yummy. The portion is Big for both of us. If u guys wanna go stay for 3days 2nights is Best. 1 night stay is not enough. Am going again this coming June as it's Durian season 😂
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Don't Worry there's Spring Water n Mosquito coil for u.
Bring some snacks if u want
Ah.. just...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Malihom Private Estate, Guest Services / Front Office at Malihom Private Estate
Responded 23 Mar 2022
Dear guest, Thank you for taking your time to leave this great feedback regarding your stay. We are grateful to know that you enjoyed your stay with us. Also, thank you for the kind words about our meal and staff service. We put a lot of thought into every dish we served and are proud of our excellent staff. Your kind words mean a lot to us. Thank you for choosing Malihom as your retreat destination and we look forward to welcoming you again soon. Sincerely, Zaki Zainol, Reservation Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
It is a perfect getaway from the city, as Malihom is very close to Nature, Up the Hill with perfect sceneries. The Accomodation is well maintained for a place close to Nature, we are delighted with the swings and plenty of sitting spots to Enjoy the Serene Place and Tranquility. Most importantly, very very good service from RANA and team members, so thankful to them for being mindful in details and pre-inform us with the driving tips in advance. We decided to spent our dining moments at the dining area and enjoy the company of sounds in nature. If mosquitoes are one of your major concern, you may wanna bring along a repellent but all is well in the room as mosquito net is provided. Will be back again🙏🏻🤗🌟
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Malihom Private Estate, Guest Services / Front Office at Malihom Private Estate
Responded 23 Mar 2022
Dear Shan, Thank you for your kind and helpful feedback regarding your stay. We are glad to know that you enjoyed your stay with us. Also, thank you for the kind words about our maintenance and staff service. We put a lot of effort into maintaining our site and are proud of our excellent staff. Your kind words are highly appreciated. Thank you for choosing Malihom as your retreat destination and we look forward to welcoming you again soon. Sincerely, Zaki Zainol, Reservation Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Before I experienced Malihom myself, I've read multiple positive reviews on the service and place overall. In preparation to the estate, I packed some food and drinks, worried I might not have access to enough food due to the secluded location of Malihom. However, I cannot be more surprised by the generous servings of food (prepared so deliciously and healthy too!) and the service which was provided by the staff. Shoutout to Masud for going above and beyond to provide us assistance in any way possible, and the receptionist staff (did not get his name unfortunately) for being so helpful during our check-in process. The hospitality they've provided is truly mind blowing!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Malihom Private Estate, Guest Services / Front Office at Malihom Private Estate
Responded 24 Mar 2022
Dear guest, Your kind feedback regarding your stay with us is highly appreciated. We are glad to know that you enjoyed your stay with us among the nature. Also, thank you for the kind words about our meal and staff service. We put a lot of thought into every dish we served and are proud of our excellent staff. Thank you for choosing Malihom as your retreat destination and we look forward to welcoming you again soon. Sincerely, Zaki Zainol, Reservation Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Malihom offers a terrific way to experience the sheer beauty of this special part of the island. Having read the reviews, we were prepared for the (very) steep drive up the hill, but felt comfortable with the ability of the driver - who was arranged by Malihom - to deliver us safely. In fact I would say that the journey there is part of the experience, marking the transition from the busy urban development of Georgetown and the main highway through to the airport, through to a uniquely imagined and realised escape. We were lucky enough to be the only guests for the two nights we were there, and we revelled in the chance to soak up the many qualities of Malihom - its lovely rustic accomodation, the beautifully designed and maintained landscaping, the pure air and water, and the host of peaceful spaces in which to lounge, relax and dream. The staff are special too. They clearly share a love and commitment to the place while also demonstrating warmth and professionalism. It was a privilege to be looked after by Rana in particular, who is a lovely person and did an excellent job of anticipating and looking after our needs. The food was a perfect match for the surroundings - honest and healthy, homey but also refined, with large servings that were meticulously prepared and presented. Thank you Malihom. This was a treasured part of our first trip to Penang.…
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Malihom was everything we hoped - private, peaceful, beautiful, even magical. Its buildings, traditional wooden rice barns, have character and charm. They involve steps, in most instances, and mosquito nets (we were actually not troubled by bugs of any kind), and some rooms - though not the bedrooms - are open-sided, so you need to be prepared for that degree of rusticity. You also need to be prepared for a very steep, very sharply zig-zagging drive to get there. But what rewards await you! The air is cooler and fresher, because of the height, and the views are sensational. The pool is crystal clear and the gardens are meticulously kept, full of plants that are an absolute joy for any horticultural enthusiast. So even before you settle down to a meal in the lovely, open-sided restaurant, you feel relaxed and at home - and that feeling is only enhanced by the charm of the people looking after you. We would go again in a heartbeat.…
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Date of stay: July 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Everything is a plus here. You know you are in for a treat when you get an informal, friendly welcome as though you are walking into a friend's house. Every staff is trained to go above and beyond to give the best of hospitality. My son felt at home during our short stay here. The valley view from the property is a must-see. A special shout out to the manager.
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
This resort is a good 10-minute ride up a hilltop in Balik Pulau - while it offers crisp country air and beautiful sunset or city view depending on which barn you are staying at, it is a greatly incovenient place if you do not own a car. You need to wait for the manager to be available before you can get out of this resort or to go back to it. Most taxi/GRAB car drivers do not have the skills to drive up this challenging hill with many twisty turns. There is also no food available if you did not give ample notice for lunch or dinner. We had a 5year child in our group and she was sharing her parents' bed, yet there was a charge of RM50 per night (this was not mentioned to us although we inform them during booking that we have a 5year child coming. However, they made up for it with generous portions of servings when we ordered dinner for 6pax. Also, as durians were in season, we were given more than enough for our group to sample this fruit grown around the resort. Overall a nice place to stay at if you are in Balik Pulau. …
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Date of stay: July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this rustic hilltop hideaway. The views are absolutely epic on both sides, the cabins charming and mostly spaced enough for privacy and the pool is surprisingly sizeable considering the location. If you’re driving you will firstly need to get up the precipitous driveway, which is an adventure in itself. There are some short, pleasant walking trails nearby. Food, as remarked by others, is limited in choice - basically home-cooked Malaysian Chinese staples. The staff do their best to make one welcome and be accommodating to guests’ needs. There is a genuine human warmth which can be lacking elsewhere. It’s important to bear in mind that one is in the jungle, hence insects are to be expected. The team does provide all the necessary means to minimise mosquito bites, but they will happen regardless. Connectivity is limited - cellular and moderately slow WiFi, but fast enough for uploading photos. Housekeeping we OK but left our balcony door at one point (cue insects). There was a curious lack of hooks in the bathroom, which was inconvenient yet easily avoidable. Poolside safety is definitely an issue for children as there is no railing despite a sizeable drop off the side. This should be addressed. Overall, we enjoyed our stay in this charming, laid-back, friendly, private rustic hill-top retreat and would gladly stay again. …
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$124 - US$155 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
malihom private estate hotel penang island
LOCATION
MalaysiaPenangPenang IslandBalik Pulau
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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Frequently Asked Questions about Malihom Private Estate
Which popular attractions are close to Malihom Private Estate?
Nearby attractions include Laser Battle (7.9 km), Queensbay Mall (7.9 km), and Saanen Dairy Goat Farm (4.6 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Malihom Private Estate?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Malihom Private Estate?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a mosquito net.
What food & drink options are available at Malihom Private Estate?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Malihom Private Estate?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Malihom Private Estate?
Conveniently located restaurants include Kampachi, Hotel Equatorial Penang, Spade's Burger i-Avenue, and The View.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Malihom Private Estate?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Malihom Private Estate have airport transportation?
Yes, Malihom Private Estate offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Malihom Private Estate?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Malay.
Are there any historical sites close to Malihom Private Estate?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Penang War Museum (7.3 km) and Penang Hill Corporation (5.1 km).
Does Malihom Private Estate have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.