Club Med Cherating takes you on a hassle-free holiday in the embrace of tranquil sea and tropic splendour.
Text: Crystal Woo. Additional text: Abdul Aziz Draim. Photos: Club Med Cherating.
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you,” Walt Whitman’s words ring true as I stroll along the serene beach of Cherating, Pahang. Staying for a few days in Club Med Cherating, an 80-hectare nature-focused resort, gives new meaning to “doorstep-escape.” The promise of sharing intimate spaces with curious wildlife such as the macaques, gibbons, rare birds and colourful butterflies, not to mention the expanse of a private beach, all are literally just a few steps away.
I’m an East Coast girl, born and bred, so despite having left my hometown for many years, it is essential to return every so often to keep the sea legs happy, and Club Med Cherating is an ideal destination for such a purpose. Flying in from Kuala Lumpur via Malaysian Airlines takes just under an hour while a scenic car journey takes about three. Both ways are smooth and to each their own.
East Coast escape
What used to be a quiet fishermen’s village quickly became a popular tourist destination when a group of backpackers accidentally discovered the locale in the 1970s and fell in love with the place. News of its pristine beauty soon spread and catapulted Cherating Beach to fame, leading to the opening of Club Med Cherating.
Known as the first Club Med resort in Asia, Club Med Cherating brings the charming and unique Southeast Asian longhouse and kampung house architecture to life in a lush jungle embrace. Elevated on stilts to protect from wild animals and flooding, long connecting corridors and teak floors effect an immediate cultural vibe to the senses, mimicking the communal and heritage living of indigenous kinships in Borneo.
It comes as no surprise that Club Med Cherating is big on families (children absolutely love it here) but beyond that, it’s also an attractive destination for couples, solo travellers and adventurers seeking a quick escape.
With a total of 240 rooms and suites, three bars, three restaurants and a spa within its compounds, the resort’s dedicated team is on hand to help curate the best vacation itinerary based on your unique requirements.
Practising an all-inclusive approach to holidaying, Club Med lets you enjoy a hassle-free vacation where a single booking helps to cover all the bases, namely accommodation, gourmet dining, premium drinks, sports and activities, childcare services, and entertainment.
Exciting activities for all age groups.
Global cuisine
The main restaurant, Mutiara, is where hungry diners come together for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering mouth-watering cuisines from around the world, not limited to Malay, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Korean, Italian and French favourites. Late risers go to Enak, a smaller bistro tucked behind the main swimming pool, for a hot bowl of hand-made Asian-style noodles.
The third restaurant, the elusive Rembulan, sits slightly further away from Cherating beach and serves greater privacy on a quieter beach called Pantai. Open for late lunch or a special barbecue dinner by the beach, Rembulan’s blue accent decor and terrace seatings conjure up the spirit of seafaring. For tea time, savour fried dumplings and selected pastries from the Malaysia Chiak Food Truck parked by the Orchid Bar on Cherating beach for a delectable afternoon of simply sitting by the sea and soaking up the tranquil scenery.
So much to do, so little time
Tanamera, the leading name in traditional Malaysian wellness, finds its home in Club Med Cherating’s seaside spa, available as an on-demand service. Inspired by age-old beauty and wellness traditions from the diverse cultures that have shaped Malaysia, Tanamera brings treatments rooted in nature and adapted with rainforest flora and fauna. Furthermore, the treatments are complemented by an award-winning range of products free from toxic chemicals, artificial colouring, synthetic fragrances and preservatives. Thus, Tanamera is the perfect twin flame to the tranquil environment of Club Med Spa overlooking the South China Sea, where guests can unwind to the soothing rhythm of the ocean waves.
But for those looking for a more strenuous holiday: there’s a flying trapeze and outdoor rock climbing for the brave, sailing and kayaking for the sea lovers, a wildlife discovery nature trail and botanical walk to discover interesting flora and fauna up-close, not forgetting the popular firefly mangrove river cruise and a turtle sanctuary for the animal lovers. Or perhaps consider some fun batik drawing or cooking classes, croquet or tennis on the lawn, or stargazing at night. So many activities and so little time.
Surrender to the tranquil waters, or explore the natural terrains.
Still, no matter your agenda, one of the biggest takeaways from this trip has to be the stunning Cherating and Pantai beaches. They remind me of the famous Silent Beach in Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Although sharing many similar features, the Cherating sand is softer, and there’s something about the waves that steals the thunder. Ever so secluded, well-kept and truly a natural wonder, spending some slow time by the seaside and allowing the sun to throw its light on to the body and mind just feels like a renewal of the self.
Club Med Cherating, 29th Miles, Jalan Kuantan-KEMA Kuantan Pahang Darul Makmur, 26080, Malaysia. www.clubmed.com.my.
IG: @clubmedcherating. The nearest airport: Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (Kuantan). The nearest town: Kuantan (about 60 kilometres away). For bookings, go here.
Committed to Sustainability
Guided by the Happy to Care ethos, Club Med Cherating integrates sustainability into its operations, maintaining a Green Globe certification. Sustainably sourced seafood, cage-free eggs and local produce are served at the three restaurants, while close partnerships with the Turtle Conservation Society foster a positive environmental and social impact.
On the horizon
Look out for the brand new Club Med Borneo, situated on the sandy beaches of Kuala Penyu, Sabah. Ready for travellers in 2026, the resort promises breathtaking views and an amazing cultural immersion. Visit here to learn more.
