Photo: The Dusun
Cover Need a restful break that’s not too far from the city? Here are five pet-friendly retreats to know (Photo: The Dusun)
Photo: The Dusun

Do you and your furry friends need a restful break that’s not too far from the city? Here are five pet-friendly retreats to know

Booking a luxurious getaway and checking yourself into some idyllic beach resort is fond dream on many of our bucket lists. For those with furry friends in their care, the guilt of having to place those precious fur-babies in boarding facilities is (sometimes) enough incentive not to go travelling at all.              

Read more: 8 beautiful destinations in Malaysia that feel like you’re overseas

While in Malaysia, it may challenging to find luxurious resorts that also accommodate furry friends, fret not. From Sekeping Serendah in Selangor to the quiet, lush grounds of the Gibbon Retreat in Bentong, Pahang, there are truly many delightful retreats not far from Kuala Lumpur for anyone in search of a peaceful weekend getaway with their pets.  

These serene escapes provide a harmonious blend of natural beauty and comfort, ensuring both you and your furry companion have an unforgettable experience.

Sekeping Serendah, Selangor

A labour of love by renowned Malaysian landscape Ng Sek San, Sekeping Serendah was first built in 2000 with great care and attention to avoid cutting down trees or land on the site. This pet-friendly five-acre retreat offers ten minimalist but comfortable living quarters designed to help guests commune with nature. 

See also: Press paws: 3 beautiful pet-friendly spaces in Malaysia

From the radiant Glass Sheds to the Timber Sheds, the chalet-style sheds here overlook a nearby brook, and are pet-friendly with the exception of the Mud Sheds. Dogs are also not allowed in the pool, and a maximum of two dogs are allowed per shed.  

See more at sekeping.com/serendah

The Dusun, Seremban

If you haven’t already heard of this cosy, eco-friendly hideaway in the foothills of the Titiwangsa Main Range and Berembun Forest Reserve, then it’s time you did. Located just outside Seremban about an hour away from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, The Dusun is a pet-friendly paradise. 

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The dog-friendly quarters here comprise the Berembun House, Tembusu House, Emas House, and Lanai Houses, boasting large decks within the houses and dog gates. Note that a maximum of two dogs are allowed per house and that four-legged visitors are not permitted to dip in the pool. 

See more at thedusun.com.my

Gibbon Retreat, Bentong

Originally a family project that revolved around saving a rare tree species in a century-old forest reserve, Gibbon Retreats Chalets and Villas evolved into a serene hideaway for anyone looking to reset and reclaim some peace and quiet in their otherwise busy lives. 

Guests can choose from eight different chalet types and three villa huts here, all of which are pet-friendly except for the Rock Shadow and the Tongkat Ali chalets. The retreat’s BYOD (Bring your own dog) policy means that fur-babies are welcome to enjoy the beauty of nature alongside their guardians. 

By night, guests can enjoy a cosy campire in the natural planetarium (a clearing in the tree canopy) that offers a beautiful place to sit back by the fire with your pets and enjoy the glow of starry skies

See more at gibbonretreat.com

Plassid Villa, Seremban

Tatler Asia
Plassid Villa
Above Situated in Berembun Forest about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, this nostalgic and spacious villa beckons (Photo: Plassid Villa/Facebook)
Plassid Villa

Have you heard of Villa Plassid on Airbnb? Situated in Berembun Forest about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, this nostalgic and spacious villa beckons you and your furry loved ones with a unique staycation in nature. For those looking to unwind and unplug (take note that there is no WiFi or televisions available here), Villa Plassid offers two spacious bedrooms that overlook the mountains, a private balcony, a living room and a kitchen. Things to do here include hiking, hanging out in the jacuzzi, and exploring nearby orchards and waterfalls with your pets in tow.

See more at facebook.com/PLASSIDVILLA    

Griffin Guesthouse, Bentong

If only we had a doggy dollar for every pet-centric Instagram post we saw at Griffin Guesthouse! This pet-friendly guesthouse in Janda Baik combines the rustic thrill of camping in the great outdoors with the tranquillity of Janda Baik’s untouched greenery. Also, there are cats and dogs on the grounds galore, with plenty of things to do to keep yourself and your furry family occupied, from hiking and nature walks to picnics or a cooling dip in the nearby waterfalls.      

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Tania Jayatilaka
Digital Editor, Tatler Malaysia
Tatler Asia

Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.