Tamara Resort

We chose Tamara Resort because Tioman Island is a lovely place to relax outdoors and reconnect with nature. The team were warm and welcoming, and Hairol and Along, the managers on duty, were especially hospitable and looked after us well. Stargazing was lovely, and the sunrise deck was a great touch. The karaoke room stood out too, well-equipped and really enjoyable. Everything was satisfactory, and I’d like to return. If you prefer a more luxurious experience, Japamala Resort or Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort may be a better fit for those expectations and their premium prices. It depends on what kind of stay you’re after.

The live band after dinner was one of my favorite parts. The vibe was amazing, and guests could even join the band on stage to sing. There’s plenty to do here, from karaoke, swimming, and cycling to more, and the food was great. The beach is only a short walk away. It’s an affordable little gem that was even nicer in person, and the staff were super friendly and welcoming. I’d definitely come back!

My friends and I felt we were badly cheated for what we paid at Tamara Resort. The full package was the biggest disaster. We raised feedback and complaints, and the staff did register them, but that didn’t fix what we experienced. Our drivers, Abang Long and the other young boy whose name I can’t remember, were great. We booked the room two months ahead, but maintenance was terrible. The air conditioning, water heater, and other electrical appliances weren’t working. Many lights were out, leaving the room extremely dim. When we told the staff, we were told, “THIS IS NOT KL, DO NOT EXPECT FOR FACILITIES LIKE IN KL.” Lighting is a basic need, not a luxury. The room was hot and humid, and after asking many times we finally got two standing fans. The food and hospitality were another major problem. The woman working as cook/staff at the cafe was rude and arrogant to us from the first day, and never even apologized. We’re not fussy eaters, and I especially love Malay food, but the meals included in the package were very disappointing and prepared in rationed portions. The BBQ dinner was horrible. We paid an extra RM150 on top of the package for an additional seafood BBQ request, and in all my stays at other resorts I’ve never had a BBQ dinner like this. Very disappointing. Island hopping was also a disaster. We weren’t taken to any proper snorkeling islands and didn’t see beautiful fish. We only saw beautiful corals at one place, and that was it. The speedboat booked under the resort’s name was in bad condition and poorly maintained. There was a problem with the diesel vessel and the fuel wasn’t reaching the engine. One Tamara Resort staff member stayed on board and pumped the diesel manually from the start of the trip until we returned. The so-called speedboat jerked the whole way, making most of us feel nauseous and sick. Honestly, if you want an amazing getaway, this place is 100% not it. I’ll never recommend the resort to friends or relatives.

The rooms were basic, which was fine since my friends and I were out and about most of the time. We booked two rooms facing the beach and had an amazing stay. The staff were helpful with everything, always greeted us when they saw us, and made us feel at home. They even drove five of us and our bikes to tekek in a 4x4. When they heard we were going snorkeling, they offered us a place on their snorkeling trip. I enjoyed my time there and would love to return.