The Sanskrit word ‘Mangala’ means ‘blessed’, referring to something that brings positive energy—which is exactly what awaits each visitor to the Mangala Estate Boutique Resort. Nestled amidst the landscapes of Kuantan, Pahang, and just two and a half hours’ drive from Kuala Lumpur is a luxury lake resort that offers the perfect blend of relaxation and natural beauty that instantly soothes the soul.
A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and a winner of the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Award 2020, Mangala Estate Boutique Resort sits on a sprawling 400ac site with lush greenery and palm plantations. It was a 20-year labour of love for Dato’ Franky Chua, the founder of the resort, who transformed the land from abandoned tin mining grounds into a resplendent tropical paradise.
Abundant flora and fauna flourish amidst a thriving ecosystem, where fishing and deforestation are not allowed. As audited by Taman Negara, the resort is home to more than 100 species of birds, and nature lovers can awake to the chirping of rare migratory birds. Sixty-seven well-appointed villas dot the land, incorporated into nature along with luxury, rather than the reverse. Among these are 10 stilted Jala Villas, resting majestically above the shimmering lakes with a spellbinding view only nature can produce, each containing a jacuzzi bathtub to luxuriate in.
The most stunning quarters is the Bungalow Villa, inspired by Japanese design, which utilises premium balau and merbau wood. This unfolds over two levels to house 12 adults and five children, complete with a rooftop terrace and secluded pool for an intimate getaway for the whole family.
Although there is only a single dining establishment on the resort, the Estate Dining restaurant impressed with every dish, such as fragrant Thai Fried Rice with farm-to-table delights incorporating ulam raja and daun kesum, all served with generous portions.
Otherwise, you can opt to dine from the comfort of your own room with the Floating Afternoon Tea—including delectable treats and refreshing beverages like fresh coconut juice, harvested from trees grown onsite—served in your private pool.
For those wanting to incorporate recreation and exercise into their stay, listing all the activities that Mangala Estate Boutique Resort offers would be both impossible and overwhelming. With nature as the locus of all activity here, wake up at sunrise to cycle around the property or bask in the afternoon sun by paddling around the lake in the complimentary kayak. Otherwise, play a round of pétanque with friends or channel your inner Olympian with a game of archery.
If pampering is what you’re after, one of the resort’s biggest draws is the spa. Indulge in the Mangala Spa’s menu, which features a range of restorative and rejuvenating treatments, including body massages, facials, detox baths, and body wraps. I was tended to by an extremely skilled therapist, who managed to greatly relieve a muscle strain that had been bothering me for weeks.
Whether seeking adventure, relaxation or a blissful retreat, this award-winning haven ensures an experience that lingers long after you’ve left. Mangala is not merely a destination—it’s a journey into serenity and rejuvenation, leaving you refreshed and yearning to return.
Photography: Law Soo Phye
