ADDRESS
Lot 55, Tanah Rata, 39000 Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia

INFORMATION
Rating : no rating
Check-in time - 14:00pm
Check-out time - 12:00nn

History
Bala's Chalet is one of the oldest colonial buildings built during the pre-war era and has been preserved in its original structure till today. Opened as a boarding school 1934 for European expatriate children as a branch of the more famous Tanglin school in Singapore, it began with 150 pupils and 22 qualified teachers all recruited from England.

The story of the Tanglin School through Japanese Occupation and Emergency inspires any educator. Its owner and headmistress, Miss Griffith Jones O.B.E. had passed on her love for nature by preserving the school's surroundings in its natural habitat complete with tigers and leopards roaming around... but at a safe distance. When Miss Griffith retired in 1958 she still stayed on, in the highlands she had grown to love and was finally buried at the foothills. A former pupil always recalls "tea being served in the best British tradition", a tradition that has passed on till today.

Though now it is no more a school it still carries on this tradition in a different way. It's present owner, K. Balakrishnan, a local boy bought over this property with Peter Blumbach, a German businessman after the school closed down and turned it into a guesthouse which became a fine place to stay in years. In spite of the numerous refurbishment, the original Tudor concept is still being preserved so much so that old girls of the school have returned to pleasantly find they could recognize the music room, the dining room etc. Even the gardener, Mr. Kuppanan has stayed on for the past 47 years tending to his beloved flowers.

Today, Bala's Holiday Chalet has 30 cottage style rooms offering good value for money to travelers. The peace and tranquility combined with the natural surrounding has made it a favorite place for city folks to escape to over the weekends. With some rooms capturing the sunrise and sunset  and some others with fireplaces and long bath, its uniqueness is what makes it different from the rest. Word has got around that the super curries turned out by their chefs are simply mouthwatering, so much so that the Sultan of the State ordered his dinner there while on a visit to the highlands. Their tea and scones found its way into the in-flight Magazine of the Malaysia Airlines as being the best in the highlands. With so much history, tradition, good food and comfort, one still wonders why people come up to the highlands to stay in the town...

ROOM AMENITIES
Former British school, fully refurbished to capture its original history and character. Tastefully renovated cottage style rooms overlooking the forest and surrounding picturesque garden. Quiet and peaceful with some rooms capturing the sunrise and sunset and yet some others with their own fireplace. Cozy TV room cum reading room and a library with a fireplace.

FACILITIES
Laundry and safe deposit facilities, internet access, fax, ISD, STD telephone facilities, free shuttle service to/from Tanah Rata town.

FOOD & BEVERAGE
British India Restaurant serving home cooked delicious curries, western cuisine and traditional Malaysian dishes.

Daily breakfast comprising local and European dishes served at our British India Restaurant from 7:30am - 10:30am.

Home baked tea & scones, apple and strawberry pies served with vanilla ice cream, scrumptious chicken pies and varieties of sandwiches served at our Jim Thompson Tea Room from 2:30pm - 6:00pm.

British India Restaurant opens for lunch from 12:30pm - 2:30pm and for dinner from 7:00pm - 10:00pm serving a'la carte and set menus. Our specialties include Indian Set Dinner with famous Chicken Kashmiri and Vegetable Pakodas and our popular Saturday Lamb Roast.

The most talked about tea & scones in the highlands is at the Jim Thompson's Tea Room at Bala's, serving mouth watering afternoon tea & scones with homemade strawberry jam and cream.

GETTING AROUND
Set amidst lush greenery, rolling hills and majestic mountains, "The Bala's Holiday Chalet" offers you good value for money. A charming English style inn that provides the perfect blend of old world ambience and contemporary comfort. With its serenity and country charm, the hotel captures the very essence of a highland holiday.

Situated on one of Malaysia's most pristine natural forest in the Cameron Highlands, the cool air combined with unspoilt beauty amidst natural surroundings makes it a perfect holiday destination for those interested in a highland holiday. The ideal location, provides stunning views across the mountains and the picturesque gardens provide a perfect setting to a dream holiday.