I love nature. But if I were to be truthful, I like controlled versions of nature—preferably ones where I can observe from a safe distance, from the comfort of my luxury villa that’s equipped with proper plumbing, among other fancy things. All this to say, a trip to Mangala Estate Boutique Resort would satisfy precisely that.
Recently, the entire GRAZIA Malaysia team took a little trip east of the peninsula towards the little town of Gambang located in Kuantan, Pahang. It is only a little over two and a half hours away from Kuala Lumpur, yet the difference in scenery was palpable. As we rolled past the arches that read “Mangala Estate Boutique Resort”, we saw a variety of things through our city eyes: a vast oil palm plantation, a manmade lake that used to be a tin mining quarry brimming with flora and fauna, and a wellness resort thoughtfully designed to blend in with its natural surroundings. It was hard to imagine that less than two decades prior, this 70-acre land was barren from mining activities.
The name “Mangala” stems from the Sanskrit word that symbolises auspicious well-being, and that was the root that inspired how this resort operates. It’s eco-conscious, tranquil, and seeks to heal your soul holistically—with a good spa session thrown in, too. The resort only has 67 villas, categorised into different styles and locations. There are the Sara Villas, which overlook the wetlands and come with a king-sized bed, private veranda, and whirlpool tub; the over-water Jala Villas; the Vana Villas which are set against a backdrop of the greenery and come with their own private pool; the Amani Villas located in slightly terraced lands and surrounded by an orchard; the Family Villas with two bedrooms; and finally, The Bungalow, the resort’s largest villa, which the GRAZIA Malaysia team resided in, naturally.
Located a ways away from the rest of the villas in the resort, The Bungalow spans two storeys and consists of six bedrooms, a massive living area, a fully equipped kitchen, a private pool, and a garden. It fits 12 people and is the perfect place to host a family or group of friends, where everyone can easily mingle. Spending two nights here, that was precisely what we did.
The swimming pool was the first star attraction to the team when we arrived: its infinity-style design overlooked the oil palm plantation estate and orchard below, while the deck was furnished with several deck chairs that were perfect for catching some Vitamin D. Whether we were swimming or just lounging by the pool, the sight of expanse greenery and beyond it was calming to the eyes and the soul. We stayed out watching the sun get lower and lower on the horizon, stirring the critters awake and bringing with it a different symphony of sounds.
At night, we hunkered down in the massive living room—the smart TV was turned on and playing music while we enjoyed a competitive game of Saidina. That’s right: we discovered a collection of family-friendly board games in one of the cupboards in the living room, and that’s how we spent every night at The Bungalow. It was a good thing that we were quite a distance away from the other villas in the vicinity, as I was quite certain that we got a little too competitive—and loud.
The rooms in The Bungalow were also worth a mention: its decor style is what I would describe as a little bit of colonial mixed in with 80s Malaysian nostalgia—plenty of natural materials especially rattan and timber, spacious rooms and large beds, and vanity amenities consisting of L’Occitane bath products. Some rooms—like the one I slept in—even came with a jacuzzi bathtub. My favourite thing to do in the two mornings there was to have some quiet time at my room’s private veranda, sipping on a cup of coffee. I had a book with me, but it was more mesmerising to look outside—whether it was estate dogs bounding around the plantation, ground staff going about their morning routine, or the odd bird flitting from tree to tree.
Mangala Estate Boutique Resort has three dining experiences for guests: the all-day Estate Dining; the curated Experiential Dining that you can specially arrange with the resort; and the Poolside Bar, where you can indulge in cocktails while lounging by the main pool. The Estate Dining can cover basically all your meals—and here’s where you’ll have your daily breakfasts. Sticking true to the resort’s eco-conscious ethos, there are no buffets to be had during breakfast. Instead, you order from a menu: a short yet punchy one, consisting of starters, mains, and your fresh juice of choice alongside a hot beverage. It was a diverse enough menu too, with Western and local offerings depending on your mood that morning.
To round out the wellness experience at Mangala Estate Boutique Resort, I couldn’t not try out their spa. The piece de resistance of the resort, the Mangala Spa offers specialty massages and wellness treatments overlooking the calming wetlands. On my final morning at the resort, I took a buggy over to the spa after a leisurely breakfast, taking in the views of the solar farm—more eco-conscious features—before arriving across the lake. Stepping into the sanctuary, I am whisked over to a seat and offered a homemade Jamu drink, a traditional Indonesian wellness drink that’s crafted with ginger, tamarind, turmeric, and honey. It’s an invigorating drink that perks me up, ready for my session ahead.
As the therapist consults with me on my preferred massage type and techniques, I’m also presented with a selection of essential oils to enhance my session, and I find that I still gravitate towards my favourite: a lavender-infused one that promises calm and relaxation—something I sorely needed after a full day’s meeting the previous day. Upon polishing off my Jamu, I’m brought to a private treatment room to begin my Escape Massage: the spa’s signature treatment. There are a total of four treatment rooms, two of which are couple rooms, and they all look out towards the lake. It is serene to be so close to the waters, and its location on the other side of the lake ensures privacy. For sixty minutes, I was kneaded like dough, with long, sweeping strokes continually pushing my troubles away…for the moment, at least. All too soon, my one hour is up, and I head back out to the main spa waiting area after freshening up to find a steaming cup of homemade lemongrass tea waiting for me.
It may be impossible to achieve total wellness in just one trip, but even a short break to someplace as serene as this helps. In times of stress, I often revisit the memory of swimming up to the edge of the infinity pool at our villa, looking out at the orchard below. The sun is setting on the horizon, music is playing low in the background, and the sounds of happy chattering from the GRAZIA Malaysia team intermingle with the creatures of the dusk—and I am nostalgic again.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA Malaysia October 2024 Issue.
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