Villamas Perhentian Resort

The restaurant beside the resort served some of the best meals we had on the trip, and the clear water was lovely for snorkeling. We also liked having a beach bar right by the shore for drinks. The private beach made the stay feel calm, and everything ran smoothly from beginning to end. The staff were so kind and helpful. We had a wonderful time and would happily return, and recommend it to others.

Perhentian is stunning, and we had a lovely stay at Villamas. It’s basic, but clean and comfortable, with air conditioning available all day, unlike some nearby hotels. Acma is warm and welcoming, and helped with whatever we needed, from taxis and snorkelling bookings to directions for the best beaches. Breakfast was great too. You can swim and snorkel off the jetty, where we saw sharks and little fish, and Villamas rents kayaks and snorkels. A short snorkel trip is worth considering. Long beach is good for swimming, while Keke is great for snorkelling. For exploring, you’ll need a water taxi, or you can walk to Fisherman’s village, though there isn’t much to see there. Some hotels are really expensive, but I don’t think the standard is worth the price. Things cost more because supplies come by ship from the mainland, and even 5* places use generators for electricity and water.

Akma was a huge help with everything from start to finish. You can also ask the hotel for help getting a water taxi, and they’ll clean the room if you request it. The private beach was just right for swimming and much less crowded than long beach. I had the chicken chop for lunch and really liked it. I tried to order it again the next day, but they’d sold out. 😅 Thanks, Akma and Villamas, I’d definitely come back for a relaxed beach holiday.

The private beach is a plus, though the water is rocky. It’s about a 15 minute walk to the fishing village, and the walk is moderately difficult. There’s more affordable food there. For what I paid, the place felt below average, probably because I got a peak rate. The living area was fairly clean, but the bathroom walls and toilet need a proper scrub to remove stains, and the mirror needs cleaning. The bed was clean and comfortable, though firm. A blackout curtain would help people sleep in and block the bright light from the neighbour’s front porch. The property looks overgrown and poorly maintained. The rooms feel dated, and the outside needs quite a bit of repair.