17 Most Sustainable Eco Lodges in Malaysia
One of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful countries, Malaysia deserves every bit of attention. With green sceneries and a breathtaking landscape, this tropical haven is bound to wow every visitor. Tourists can now spend their vacations in Malaysian eco-lodges built and designed to cater to only their but the environment’s needs. Many lodges offer sustainable accommodation and actively work to reduce their carbon footprint and give back to the environment.
If you’re planning on spending a few weeks in Malaysia and want to explore its rustic beauty without harming the environment, you can book a stay with these beautiful eco-lodges.
What are eco-lodges?
Eco-lodges are accommodations in undisturbed, remote natural areas where both construction and operation have the lowest impact possible on the environment. They are not only part of the local community, but they are active participants in protecting nature and culturally sensitive areas.
Bamboo Village
Kuala Lumpur is a hot spot for tourists. While most appreciate its hustling lifestyle, tourists seeking a more intimate and calmer experience can make their way to the Bamboo Village, where time becomes a fragment of your imagination.
Imagine huts made from bamboo stilts, standing firmly against the winds that rattle the trees outside. Imagine experiencing nature in its prime, waking up to a fresh breath of air, and sleeping in a night sky full of stars. These experiences become a reality for the guests staying at the Bamboo Village.
The resort offers bungalows adorned with bamboo furniture and pulls out all the stops to please guests. Bamboo Village is a primitive step into sustainability; it offers AC-less accommodation and invites guests to experience raw nature.
The lodging offers various sustainable activities and even helps guests interact with the community, all without impeding the exciting hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur.
Batu Batu
Offering a literal escape from life’s monotonous and exhausting routines, Batu Batu lies on the isolated Tengah Island, where your imagination runs wild and knows no limit. The island boasts cerulean waters and an unspoiled natural landscape, and the Batu Batu resort only pays its homage.
The eco-resort lies close to the island’s beaches, so guests have unlimited access to the golden white sand and the sea’s crashing waves. The Batu Batu Resorts believes in a sustainable stay and offers accommodations aligned to respect the island’s stunning landscape.
Guests will find stunning villas adorned with the most exquisite furniture and basic amenities. The villas offer a breathtaking glimpse into the island’s gorgeous landscape, some overlooking the beach while others nestled against the backdrop of lush green trees.
Despite offering luxurious accommodations, Batu Batu supports local biodiversity, partakes in conservation activities, and employs sustainable tools at its villas to ensure a low carbon footprint.
The Datai
Langkawi in Malaysia is one of the finest tourist hotspots, and for a good reason: the archipelago is enriched with natural bounties, including a geopark, mangrove forests, limestone formations, and a vast expanse of water.
The Datai is set deep into the heart of Langkawi and offers guests a rare chance to choose from three types of accommodation: the Canopy collection offers first-class suites adorned with luxurious amenities overlooking the forest; the Rainforest collection offers elegant lodges settled amid the dense rainforest, while the beach collection offers villas and lodgings nestled against the shore.
If its multidimensional lodgings weren’t enough, the Datai also offers an entirely sustainable and eco-friendly experience. This is only possible due to Datai’s commitment to sustainability; it employs various strategies, including sustainable water and energy sourcing and activities to improve the environment. It even invites guests to dabble in sustainability by offering catch-and-release fishing, nature tours, and beekeeping activities.
Frangipani Langkawi
Another stunning eco resort set in the heart of Langkawi, Frangipani isn’t just a step into nature; it’s a promise of an exotic stay and a serene lifestyle that makes most guests forget about the mundane activities of daily life.
Frangipani offers beautiful villas and rooms, each overlooking the stunning landscape and inviting guests to crash into the softest bedding after an exhausting day of tours and excursions. The resort blends with the environment with its simple architecture but refuses to compromise on luxury, inviting guests to experience comfort at its finest.
Frangipani Langkawi implements green strategies to ensure it complies with ecotourism standards. It offers low-energy fixtures and even locally sources its furniture and bedding to promote communal businesses. In fact, Frangipani’s efforts have been recognized by the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard & Malaysian Tourism Awards, making it an award-winning promise of satisfaction.
Gaya Island Resort
Gaya Island Resort invites tourists to explore and unravel the mysteries of Malaysia’s natural landscapes. Enriched with amazing bounties, including rainforests, mangrove trees, swamps, and local hub spots for flora and fauna, the Gaya Island resort is every naturalist’s dream.
The resort is nestled deep into the heart of the Gaya island, where it ever so lightly blends in with the background and offers guests a rustic and raw experience. The resort provides idyllic villas with the finest bedding and overlooking the dense tropical haven. The villas are all lined with luxurious amenities, but don’t worry; everything is sourced locally. The resort even offers spa facilities, allowing guests to let down their hair and wade negative energies.
The resort pairs with YTL Sustainability to protect the environment. It engages in numerous sustainability practices and even invites resort guests to learn about the environment and partake in conservation activities.
Sukau
Imagine listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops as they slowly slide from the roof while you roast marshmallows inside and hold a cup of hot chocolate. This dreamy sight becomes a reality for guests staying at Sukau, a gorgeous retreat in Malaysian Borneo.
Sukau isn’t just an eco-lodge; it’s a promise of serenity and an experience that leaves you craving more. Sukau Lodge lies just at the core of the rainforest, where tropical birds greet you in the morning, and glimmering stars peek out from behind the leaves. Sukau Lodge is designed to mimic its environment, but inside lies the most luxurious abode you’ll ever step into, making this gorgeous accommodation worth every minute.
The resort doesn’t stop there; guests can avail of various services, including wildlife safaris, river and rainforest tours, and exciting excursions. The resort utilizes green practices like rainwater harvesting and efficient waste management to promote sustainability.
The Dusun
Only a few resorts in Malaysia stand out against its immense beauty, and The Dusun is one of them. Staying at the Dusun is equivalent to stepping close to royalty; the staff eagerly greets guests with open arms and invites them to a stay of utmost content.
The Dusun offers lodgings in houses; each house stands far from the other and overlooks the rainforest, offering guests a 360 bird’s eye view of the tropical paradise. Although Dusun is unapologetically beautiful, the resort doesn’t compromise sustainability and allows guests to explore regality without harming Mother Nature.
The resort allows guests to explore local wonders and employs innovative, green initiatives to keep its carbon footprint minimal. Guests can enjoy tropical excursions and low-energy consumption activities or gaze over the forest with tea.
The Kasturi
A rustic resort set in the heart of Chandor, Pahang, The Kasturi is more than just a stay in Malaysia; it is an awakening for tourists who crave satisfaction, perfection, and closeness with mother nature. Adorned with stones and surrounded by lush green trees, Kasturi Lodge mimics the classical beauty of cobblestone trees and a romantic ambiance. The resort offers secluded accommodation, perfect for introverts.
Kasturi offers stunning chalets, each set a certain distance apart. The chalets overlook the beach but open to a rainforest backyard, allowing guests the best of both worlds. The resort hosts touring activities like walking, hiking, trekking, and fishing, offering a rare chance to indulge in tree bathing.
Kasturi is a satisfactory abode for those looking to stay in a sustainable place. But what makes it truly stand out is its commitment to sustainability; the resort utilizes solar-assisted aircon and energy-efficient lights and is gradually building its path toward a sustainable future.
Langsura Geopark / Gemalai Village
Just a three-minute walk from Cenang Beach, Langsura Geopark’s Gemalai Village offers travelers an exotic stay that traverses fine lines of comfort and luxury. The resort lies secluded in the rainforest and stands dressed as all-natural wooden huts, allowing travelers to unwind and immerse in the stunning blessings of mother nature.
Gemalai is a luxurious simpleton; although the resort offers an unparalleled experience with mother nature, it provides guests with luxurious amenities, all impressively managed through sustainable practice, making it the perfect guilt-free destination.
Guests at Gemalai Village can expect luxurious activities and exciting ventures into the Malaysian wilderness; the resort even guides guests to the local night market and nearby restaurants to enhance their experience.
Of course, guests rarely want to leave Gemalai; the resort may look simplistic, but it provides the perfect intimate settings to initiate long-lost sparks and romantic escapades.
Bon Ton Resort
Unpack your suitcase and crash into the comfortable cloud-esque beds at the Bon Ton Resort, an unbelievably luxurious eco-lodge nestled right into Mother Nature’s palm. The Bon Ton resort is designed to complement Mother Nature’s blessings; each villa and laguna is built from pure wood and utilizes locally sourced furniture to complete its stunning decor. Some sections of the villas look out into the open sky, allowing guests to breathe in fresh air and wake up to chirping birds in the morning.
Guests staying at the Bon Ton resort can visit its eco-friendly Nam restaurant, where fresh produce and organically sourced fruits provide them with mouth-watering delicacies day through night. The resort offers guests the chance to explore the rugged terrain traversing the resort, making each visit much closer to nature than expected.
Mutiara Taman Negara
Drop your bags and shut down the engines; Mutiara Taman Negara invites guests to one of the least explored sections of the rainforest. Although getting to the resort takes a little effort, the site becomes a sight for sore eyes. Mutiara Taman Negara invites guests to stay at luxurious chalets and bungalows, all nestled deep into the rainforest, where birds and insects chirping become your closest friends.
Mutiara Taman Negara might look like a simpleton, but this classical retreat wows guests with unparalleled luxury. The resort offers various outdoor activities, including hiking, trekking, camping, and animal observation tours.
Mutiara Taman Negara offers LED TVs, air conditioners, and hot showers, but don’t worry because the hotel is committed to an eco-friendly experience and allows guests to unwind without impacting the environment.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Borneo Rainforest Lodge offers tourists visiting Sabah, Borneo, the perfect chance to interact with wildlife and explore Malaysia’s rustic wilderness while keeping a firm grasp on luxury. The company provides a number of lodging options spread across Sabah to ensure a multidimensional and unique experience.
These lodgings are perfect for guests wanting to explore wilderness and nature at its peak; the company directs travelers and guests to learn about the local wildlife through wildlife safaris and even takes them across Borneo’s rainforest through planned expeditions.
While Borneo Rainforest Lodge is more suited for adventurers and naturalists, it’s also the perfect place for romance-seekers who want to reignite sparks. The resort is committed to sustainable tourism; it supports local communities, utilizes energy-efficient lighting, and uses water conservation systems to run its resorts.
Guests can also learn to explore wildlife without disrupting local flora and fauna and discover more about the resort’s sustainability efforts.
ECHO Resorts
ECHO is a resort family offering lodgings across parts of Malaysia, allowing travelers to explore the country through unique, individualized experiences. ECHO includes three main resorts: Gayana Marine Resort, Borneo Eagle, and Bungaraya Island Resort. All three allow guests to peek into nature and learn about their natural surroundings without imposing on the environment.
Gayana Marine Resort
You’ll find Gayana Marine Resort by ECHO just off the coast of Sabah on Gaya Island. Surrounded by pristine waves that crash along the golden white sand, Gayana Marine Resort is a delightful destination for tourists hoping to escape routine exhaustion.
Gayana Marine Resort allows tourists to settle and bask in luxury; the resort offers opulent lodges, each dressed in magnificence and offering a luxury you won’t even find at 5-star hotels. Resort suites have the finest amenities and overlook the beach, offering the perfect intimate setting.
Despite being one of the most luxurious resorts in Malaysia, Guyana is incredibly sustainable; the resort has taken numerous initiatives to conserve energy and practices energy-efficient strategies.
Guyana also practices water management and efficiency and actively recycles to protect the environment. Gayana is an active participant in local biodiversity conservation programs.
Borneo Eagle Resort
Make your way to the island of Pulau Tiga in Sabah, and you’ll find a stunning eco-lodge inviting you to enter its excellent territory. Borneo Eagle stands tall with its impeccable architecture, which pays homage to its roots and reflects its breath-taking nature.
Borneo Eagle may overlook an isolated island, but it doesn’t hold back from a luxurious stay; it is dressed head to toe with luxury amenities and even includes an onsite spa and wellness center where guests can soak in hot tubs to wash the burdens off their shoulders. The resort offers a holistic experience, allowing guests to dabble with nature and learn about their and the island’s spirituality.
Despite all these experiences, Borneo Eagle commits to sustainability and refuses to back down. It practices green initiatives like low-energy lighting, water conservation, and waste management.
Bungaraya Island Resort
Just a little distance from Gayana Marine Resort stands Bunga Raya, a low-key exotic resort that allows travelers to explore the stunning hillside of Polish Bay. Located deep into the rainforest and situated close to the local beach, Bunga Raya Island Resort is an award-winning destination where every traveler wants to halt and spend the rest of their lives.
Bunga Raya Island Resort invites guests to spend their nights in various villas cocooned in the rainforest, allowing them to explore it up close. Guests can wake up early to catch the sunrise or stay up late to see the starry sky; all you need to do is choose your dream and wake up to an even better reality.
The resort efficiently participates in water and energy conservation; it utilizes low-energy lighting and fixtures, uses a rainwater harvesting system, and is gradually moving toward an even more sustainable future.
Belum Eco Resort
Settled on the edge of the world’s oldest rainforest, Belum Eco-Resort offers guests a rare chance to explore some of Malaysia’s oldest and most unspoiled bounties. From lush green trees that echo with the sounds of tropical birds and smaller critters to a vast expanse of algae-tinted water, the Belum eco-resort offers the perfect place to become Zen with mother nature.
The eco-resort is the only private island in the forest, offering guests a literal once-in-a-lifetime experience. The resort is designed to camouflage against its natural backdrop, allowing guests to explore the forest without standing out. The accommodation includes comfortable chalets, each offering a stunning glimpse into the landscape and paired with luxurious amenities.
The resort offers onsite activities like fishing and kayaking and provides many nature-oriented tours and excursions. It lives up to its promise of sustainability; the resort was hand-built without heavy machinery and relies on simple, low-effort practices.
Danz Eco Resort
Head to Danz Eco-Resort, and you’ll find a unique and homely experience awaiting you. The eco-resort, nestled in a small and excluded section near the Tembeling River, offers an inescapable venture into nature.
The resort accommodates guests in pointed chalets, each covered with thriving vines to emulate the intense glory of its surroundings. The chalets are all equipped with basic amenities and even locally sourced luxurious bedding. The resort offers many nature-oriented activities, including mystic campfires, fishing, kayaking, guided tours, and the Taman Negara National Tropical Park excursions.
Guests can make their way into the city hubbub, but most prefer to stay with the Danz eco resort, where they can interact with the local community and learn about Malaysia’s impeccable bounties.
The resort is committed to providing sustainable accommodation; although it offers many amenities, it utilizes low-energy consumption strategies to keep a low carbon profile.
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As you can see, there are plenty of unique and beautiful eco-lodges in Costa Rica, and you will be spoiled for choice if you are searching for a sustainable holiday.
BROWSE THROUGH our directory for the most sustainable eco-lodges around the world if you want to experience something unique, authentic, and exciting.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.