Have you ever dreamed of visiting France, but don’t have the time or the budget to travel across the world? Well, you’re in luck, because there’s a place in Malaysia that can give you a taste of the French culture and charm without leaving Asia. It’s called Colmar Tropicale, and it’s a resort that mimics the medieval French village of Colmar in Alsace, France. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this unique destination, from its history and architecture to its cuisine and attractions.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, Colmar Tropicale has something for everyone.
Architecture and Design
One of the main reasons to visit Colmar Tropicale is to admire its stunning architecture and design, which transports you to a different era and continent. The resort was built in 2000, and it covers 80 acres of land on a hilltop in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia. The resort was inspired by the original Colmar village, which dates back to the 9th century and is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved towns in France.
The resort features over 200 rooms and suites, each with its own balcony and view of the surrounding landscape. The buildings are painted in bright colors and decorated with flowers, wooden shutters, and iron railings. The streets are cobblestoned and lined with lampposts, benches, and fountains. The landmarks include a clock tower, a wishing well, and a drawbridge. The resort also has an art gallery, a library, and a theater, where you can enjoy cultural performances and exhibitions.
Dining and Cuisine
Another reason to visit Colmar Tropicale is to sample its delicious dining options and cuisines, especially the traditional food from Alsace, France. Alsace is a region in northeastern France that borders Germany and Switzerland, and it has a rich and diverse culinary heritage. Some of the dishes and ingredients that you can find at Colmar Tropicale are:
Flammekueche: Also known as tarte flambée, this is a thin crust pizza topped with cream, cheese, onions, and bacon. It’s crispy, creamy, and savory, and it’s perfect for sharing.
Choucroute: Also known as sauerkraut, this is a dish of fermented cabbage cooked with various meats, such as pork, sausages, and ham. It’s hearty, tangy, and satisfying, and it’s often served with potatoes and mustard.
Kugelhopf: Also known as gugelhupf, this is a cake made with yeast, raisins, almonds, and a hint of rum. It’s shaped like a bundt cake, and it’s sprinkled with powdered sugar. It’s moist, fluffy, and sweet, and it’s ideal for breakfast or tea time.
Some of the restaurants and cafes that serve these and other delicacies are:
La Flamme: This is the main restaurant of the resort, and it offers a buffet and an à la carte menu of local and international dishes. It has a cozy and elegant ambiance, and it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
La Cigogne: This is a fine dining restaurant that specializes in French cuisine, especially from Alsace. It has a romantic and sophisticated atmosphere, and it’s open for dinner only. It also has a wine cellar, where you can choose from a selection of imported wines.
Le Poulet Roti: This is a casual and cheerful restaurant that serves roasted chicken and other grilled items, such as lamb, beef, and fish. It has a spacious and airy setting, and it’s open for lunch and dinner. It also has a terrace, where you can enjoy the view of the resort.
Accommodation and Facilities
Colmar Tropicale also provides comfortable and luxurious accommodation and facilities for its guests, who can choose from different types of rooms and suites, depending on their needs and preferences. Some of the types and features of the rooms and suites are:
Standard: This is the most basic and affordable option, and it has a queen-sized bed, a bathroom, a TV, a minibar, and a balcony. It can accommodate up to two adults and one child, and it has a view of the garden or the courtyard.
Deluxe: This is a more spacious and stylish option, and it has a king-sized bed, a bathroom, a TV, a minibar, and a balcony. It can accommodate up to two adults and two children, and it has a view of the hill or the forest.
Family: This is the most spacious and luxurious option, and it has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a dining area, a kitchenette, a TV, a minibar, and a balcony. It can accommodate up to four adults and two children, and it has a view of the resort or the valley.
Some of the amenities and services that are available for the guests are:
Spa: This is a place where you can relax and rejuvenate your body and mind, with a variety of treatments and massages, such as aromatherapy, reflexology, and facials. It has a serene and soothing environment, and it’s open from 10 am to 10 pm.
Pool: This is a place where you can swim and splash around, with a large outdoor pool that has a jacuzzi and a children’s pool. It has a tropical and fun atmosphere, and it’s open from 7 am to 7 pm.
Golf: This is a place where you can practice and play golf, with an 18-hole golf course that has a clubhouse, a pro shop, and a driving range. It has a scenic and challenging layout, and it’s open from 7 am to 7 pm.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
Colmar Tropicale is also surrounded by many nearby attractions and activities that cater to different interests and preferences, whether you’re into nature, culture, or adventure. Some of the attractions and activities that are within or near the resort are:
Japanese Garden:
This is a place where you can experience the beauty and tranquility of the Japanese culture, with a garden that has a pond, a bridge, a pagoda, and a tea house. It’s a short walk or a shuttle ride from the resort, and it’s open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Rabbit Park:
This is a place where you can interact and play with cute and fluffy rabbits, with a park that has a playground, a petting zoo, and a souvenir shop. It’s a short walk or a shuttle ride from the resort, and it’s open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Adventure Park:
This is a place where you can challenge yourself and have fun, with a park that has a zip line, a rock climbing wall, a paintball arena, and a flying fox. It’s a short walk or a shuttle ride from the resort, and it’s open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Botanical Garden:
This is a place where you can explore and learn about the flora and fauna of Malaysia, with a garden that has a greenhouse, a nursery, a butterfly farm, and a bird park. It’s a 15-minute drive from the resort, and it’s open from 9 am to 6 pm.
Some of the transportation and the distance of the attractions and activities from the resort are:
Car: This is the most convenient and flexible option, and you can either drive your own car or rent one from the resort. The resort is about 70 km from Kuala Lumpur, and it takes about an hour and a half to get there by car.
Bus: This is the most economical and eco-friendly option, and you can take a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Bentong, and then take a taxi or a shuttle to the resort. The bus fare is about RM 10 per person, and the taxi or shuttle fare is about RM 20 per person.
Train: This is the most scenic and comfortable option, and you can take a train from Kuala Lumpur to KTM Batang Kali, and then take a taxi or a shuttle to the resort. The train fare is about RM 15 per person, and the taxi or shuttle fare is about RM 30 per person.
Colmar Tropicale is a resort that offers a unique and memorable experience for anyone who wants to enjoy a slice of France in Malaysia. It has a stunning architecture and design, a delicious dining and cuisine, a comfortable and luxurious accommodation and facilities, and a variety of nearby attractions and activities. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, Colmar Tropicale has something for everyone. So, what are you waitng for? Plan your trip today!