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We booked directly through the resort website for 4-night stay in March in a chalet. We also booked a full-board package as there are not many other places to eat apart from a few floating restaurants on the other side of the river. On arrival after a very long (and fairly dire) transfer from Kuala Besut we were allocated chalet 61. The chalet is in a good position well away from reception and set back from the river so we could not hear the boats. We were actually surprised following previous comments about the quality of the chalets as it was very nice with a recently refurbished slate bathroom with a wet room style shower and fairly efficient air conditioning. It looks like the other chalets that end are also in the process of being refurbished. It was about a 5-minute walk back to the reception and the restaurant but being at the quieter end had the benefit that we saw many more animals including wild pigs, deer, a tapir on our first night, monkeys/macaques and a Lesser Mouse Deer!We were not that impressed with the quality of food. The package allows any choice from the a La Carte menu but staff did not actually offer the menu to read, only recited a set menu. We realised after a couple of days and started asking for the menu - bear this in mind! The food choice was not that good and the meat was often quite tough and overcooked.The high point of our stay were the two guided tours we booked whilst we were there. The first was a ¿¿¿night safari¿¿¿ led by Zam, a naturalist guide we booked at the Wildlife Office on site (next to the mini market). Zam speaks excellent English and is an expert in his field.We were in a group of 6 and although only a short distance from the resort, we saw bird eating tarantulas, scorpions, tree snakes, crickets and giant millipedes. Maybe not everyones ¿¿¿cup of tea¿¿¿ but we were really excited! We were impressed with Zam so we booked a private day trek with him through the jungle to the waterfall on another day. This was very good and we saw a lot more being with a guide and not part of a large group.To summarise, this is the only resort that is actually in the jungle (other hotels in Kuala Tahan are on the other side of the river). The chalets are not 5 star but the opportunity to see the jungle and wildlife every day makes this the ideal place to stay.

I couldnt find a review on the dorm before my trip, so I thought it would be nice to put one here! We were 8 buddies taking the entire 8-people sharing AC dorm in Mutiara. It has a fan and an AC unit (that took a while to cool the room). There are 4 bunk beds (as shown in their website photos) and we were given the bedsheets and pillow cases. We had to prepare our bed but it wasn't difficult. The dorm counter is just opposite; we got the key there, and during the stay, we asked for towels, cups, kettle and were given what we asked. Generally the staff is friendly and accommodating. The hostel block is a single storey building, with 4 units. Between the 2nd and 3rd units, are the common shower/toilet facility. There are 3 shower cubicles and 3 WCs. There is no heater, you shower in cold water!!! The cleanliness in the dorm and shower/toilet is ok. Do not have high expectation, else take the cabin/chalets which costs another RM200-300(?) more. Mutiara resort is the only resort that is on the National park. Staying here provides an opportunity to spot some wild animals wandering around - at least we saw some wildboars, macaques, a tapir, a porcupine, deer, a bird (looks like a pheasant) and a young monitor lizard! But the little inconvenience is we had to cross the river to the opposite bank for our breakfast, lunch and dinners. Each crossing costs us RM1/way/person. Food is basic over the opposite floating cafe/restaurants. There are a few to choice from; but ours was a packagae, so we ate at the same place throughout the trip. BOn our last night, we decided for the dinner buffet in Mutiara resort. We paid RM50/person. The food was ok but choices were quite limited. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the meal as the ambience was pretty good that we "killed" our time here with dessert and coffee!!! ;-)

The Mutiara resort has a wonderful setting - just getting there by crossing the river and mounting the stairs gives you a feeling of leaving the world behind.For a visit to the jungle, I felt that the chalets were ok - I read some criticisms and yes, they are dark and perhaps a little dated, but it added to the feeling of the place. I liked the wild boar roaming within the resort.Because Mutiara is probably the best equipped place in Kuala Tahan, it attracts tourists who can pay a little more and who seek some level of safety and comfort. When we were there, also some groups (traveling Malaysia by bus) were there. That tells you something about the atmosphere.The restaurant is not that well organized - when we had dinner the first evening, the restaurant was already quite full and we found that quite a few choices of the buffet were already gone. There are only few people serving the tables, so empty plates are not taken away. I felt it was understaffed. Prices of the restaurant were among the highest we paid in Malaysia.Would we come back? Well, I have not directly found something that is better in Kuala Tahan, so with its wonderful setting in the National Park and despite a few minuses, it is still for families with young children the default option.

We have just enjoyed a three day package at the Resort. The setting is amazing - chalets close to the river but separated by a belt of jungle foliage, the home for birds and macaques which make an occasional appearance. My husband has a knee problem and couldn't participate in the activities especially the boat trips as you sit on the floor of the long boat and lean back on a cushion. However I was allocated my own wonderful guide, Wan Mohammed, who informed and amused me as we did the canopy walkway and enjoyed the wonderful jungle scenery from the river . The chalets have everything we needed, and were a cool haven with fans and air conditioning when I returned from walking in the jungle. The grounds are attractively landscaped with lawns bordered by spider lilies, bougainvilleas, and lots of individual forest trees. Our package included buffet meals, but John decided to take the a-la-carte option some of the time and really enjoyed the food.What is really amazing about this resort is the level of service provided by Sabri and Satiyisalan and in fact all of the staff we had contact with, including the chef, waitresses, reception etc. We were extremely happy with our jungle experience and would recommend it for all ages. Watch out for Sabri when you arrive!

My husband and I spent only 3 days here and it was worth the trip. The jungle trekking, night walk, visit to orang asli settlement, sampan ride up the river, and witnessing nature's gift to mankind was an eye opener for us. We would like to recommend all to visit and stay for a longer period as each day, you will find an amazing surprise awaiting you! You might see an elephant, wild boar, or tapir if you're lucky. We saw a porcupine on our way to our chalet! The employees and guides here are very helpful and their information was very detailed.The surrounding of the chalets are simply breathtaking with enormous trees and ferns coupled with flora and fauna for your discovery. Chalets are decent, clean and value for money. Be warned, they are no TV's, wifi or telephones in the rooms, so its strictly for those who wish to detach themselves from the hustle and bustle of city life and spend quality time with their family, friends and loved ones. Don't miss the opportunity!