Rooms

There are 16 Kampung-style villas dotted between the trees and boulders, complementing the natural landscape and providing plenty of privacy. Each is rustic-chic unique and feels impossibly luxurious. Bathrooms all feature powerful rainfall showers.

We were in a Tree Top Chalet and spent a lot of time on the terrace, curled up in our suspended wicker chair. We often had monkeys perched on our windowsill and the jungle provided a soothing soundtrack. Sea Cliff Chalets are similar, but they jut out over the canopy, with mesmerizing views of the ocean.

The Sarang rooms are more luxurious. Jungle Luxe Sarangs have a living area and an outdoor tub. Split-level Hillside Sarangs have a veranda, a living space and a plunge pool. Seaview Sarang is super-secluded and chic inside, but for ultimate romance, opt for the spacious Beach Sarang, where you can gaze out to sea from your private plunge pool and raised terrace.

The more modern two-storey Penghulu’s House can be found at the end of the resort, right on the beach. It has a double and a twin bedroom, lots of living space, and its own pool.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• DVD player
• Extra beds
• Family friendly
• Fan
• Minibar
• Terrace
• TV

Eating

There are two restaurants and one very special bar at JapaMala: beachfront Tamarind Tioman (Asian, with a focus on Thai cuisine); poolside Italian restaurant Il Tempio; striking Mandi Mandi cocktail pavilion, perched directly above the turquoise water.

Come sunset, everyone gathers at Mandi Mandi at the end of the jetty for complimentary cocktails. It’s the definition of romantic. They also host the occasional barbecue here.

We took dinner at Tamarind Tioman, where spicy Thai fusion is served by candlelight. Spring rolls were crisp, stir-fried vegetables spicy, and lemongrass prawns plump and juicy.

Our lunchtime pizza at Italian Il Tempio was light and full of flavour, but we got serious food envy as we watched plates of grilled fish and bruschetta pass us.

An indulgent and leisurely breakfast, served at Tamarind Tioman, was a sprawling spread of fruit, yoghurt, pastries and cakes. An a la carte menu of hot dishes includes eggs, pancakes and some local dishes.

Fresh juices, coffee and cocktails are served throughout the day at all three locations, and drinks and nibbles can be ordered to your sun spot.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Coffee / tea making
• Family friendly
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• You can easily spend hours chasing colourful fish through the corals; we saw blacktip reef sharks, clown fish and parrot fish. Dive excursions can be arranged, too
  
• Jump in the kayak and paddle along the coast line, discovering hidden coves; on your return, curl up in a cabana, or sprawl on the bamboo mats on sand, with a book in hand (there’s a huge selection available in the book-swap library)
  
• Take a trek to Genting, keeping your eyes peeled for tropical birds, monkeys and monitor lizards
  
• The hotel's activity provider Travels with Samadhi can arrange excursions to waterfalls, visits to Monkey Bay Marine Park, and round-island cruises, plus interesting side trips to enliven the transfer if you're heading next to sister property Villa Samadhi in KL

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Scuba diving courses
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Well being
• Wildlife

Kids

This is predominantly a grown-up resort for couples, and children under 16 are not permitted.

Family friendly accommodation:

Two-storey Penghulu's House is the resort's only family villa, right on the beach. The double bedroom has a vast living space opening to a spectacular view of the sea; the twin has direct access to a beautifully decked plunge pool.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Location
Tioman island is a 1.5 hour boat journey off the east coast of Malaysia.

By Air:
Systematic Aviation Services, operate 10-seat Cessna Grand Caravan from Kuala Lumpur Subang Airport to Tioman island (not daily), as well as chartered planes at any time on request (slightly more expensive).

Land transfers:
Japamala offers a land transfer by shared mini van from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing, and from there you board Japamala’s private speed boat for the 45-mile crossing to Tioman Island - though note that it doesn't run during monsoon season (Nov-Feb). Instead, you can catch the public ferry (see below). The hotel also offers private car transfers from both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and can provide transfers just from Mersing to the hotel, too.

By Bus and Boat:
If you'd rather travel under your own steam, you can jump on a boat (operated by Blue Water Express Ferry) from Mersing jetty in Malaysia. These take around 1.5hrs - aim to travel in the morning as ferries are sometimes cancelled in the afternoon, when the water becomes choppier. It's worth noting that if during monsoon season (November-February) bad weather causes JapaMala's own boat service and the public ferry not to operate and transfer guests, refunds for cancellations or unused stays are not permitted.

Daily buses go from both Kuala Lumpur (5-6 hours) and Singapore (3 hours) to Mersing bus station. From here it's a few minutes in a taxi, or a 10-minute walk, to the jetty.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Malaysia and getting around