Bala’s Chalet, Cameron Highlands

LOCATION:

This charming English style inn is located on a hill overlooking lush greenery. Bala’s Chalet is located in between Tanah Rata and Brinchang. It’s quite high up, so you won’t be able to hear the traffic below. So it’s rather quiet. If you’re driving, watch out for the signs by the road, so that you won’t miss the turn into the hotel. Cause the entrance is cut through the hill and the signage is rather small. You have to look carefully to see it. The road to Bala’s Chalet is very steep, so drive carefully. Upon driving out from the hotel pay extra attention because you come out on the main road and it’s hard to see left and right.

DESCRIPTION:
It was a boarding school in 1934 for the 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. It’s a very charming place and is very peaceful. Especially at night. The rooms are also decorated to match their English Inn theme. Their scones are nice but a little overpriced. Personally I feel the ones sold in The Lords Café (formerly T Cafe) in Tanah Rata are much cheaper and tastier.

The hotel has a cozy TV room cum reading room and a library with a fireplace. British India Restaurant serves home cooked curries, western cuisine and traditional Malaysian dishes. But avoid this cause it’s really overpriced similar to the Ye Olde Smoke House. Just take a drive to either Brinchang or Tanah Rata because the hotel is situated in the middle.
REVIEWED ON:
July 2008

MY VERDICT:
The hotel is very charming, the rooms also but it is very expensive. If you want to have the feel of an English Inn, then this is the place but avoid the overpriced restaurant. Just enjoy the place and gardens. That’s what I did; just sit by the garden with my wife and just chit chat. Forget about the staff and shortcomings.
MY RATING:

1 star