Kembara Resort, Terengganu - Cosy yet cheap

It doesn’t cost much to have a quiet beach holiday in Terengganu if you stay at the Kembara Resort. KEMBARA Resort is a budget resort in an “exclusive” setting. It faces one of the most beautiful beaches in Terengganu and in the distance, one can see the famous islands of Redang and Perhentian.

Setiu district, where the resort is located, is sparsely inhabited and developed and its beaches are still very much left in their natural form. Lovers of the outdoors come here for activities like river-crossing, night-walking, beach games, boating and canoeing. It’s not surprising that the place is hugely popular with groups, including school children.

Kembara Resort owner and general manager Ishak Ibrahim said that since the resort was opened for business about 20 years ago, most of his customers were locals. “Our guests are 80 per cent locals while the rest are walk-ins including backpackers from Europe, Australia and New Zealand,” he said, adding that the resort is usually full.

The resort can make arrangements for guests who wish to go to places like Tasik Kenyir and the offshore islands. The resort is located close to the Merang Jetty, the take-off point to the islands. For this reason, it is very popular with guests who would normally stay at the resort before going to or upon returning from the islands.

Long-term guests who stay at the resort for months enjoy very cheap rates ranging from RM10 to RM20 a day, depending on the length of their stay.

HOTELKembara Resort. Merang, Setiu, TerengganuTel: 09-653 1770Fax 09-653 1900Email: kembararesort@hotmail.comWebsite: kembararesort.tripod.com

GETTING THERE

From Kuala Terengganu, drive towards Kota Baru using the beach road to Merang. The resort is about 40km from there.

MAIN ATTRACTION

Long sandy white beaches and villages with coconut groves.

PLACES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE

Beaches and villages.

FIRST IMPRESSION

Cheap and cosy place.

F&B OUTLETS

A canteen catering to groups only. Food must be pre-ordered.

OVERALL SERVICE

Friendly with kampung touch.

ROOMS

18 rooms with or without air-conditioning. There is also a six-room dormitory that accommodates about 100 persons. Guests can also pitch their tents on the resort compound. The campsite can fit about 300 people.

RATES

Rooms: RM30 to RM60 per night.Dormitory: RM10 per person per night.Campsite: RM5 per person per night.The entire resort can be rented at RM800 per night.

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