While driving from Penang to Kuala Lumpur one day, my friend and I thought it would be nice to break the monotonous journey up with an overnight stop somewhere interesting rather than just powering through on the highway.
So, we decided to have a laid-back stay in Kuala Sepetang, a cozy fishing town roughly 70 kilometers south of Penang and 15 kilometers west of Taiping. It turned out to be a great choice, and we were so happy to have stumbled on The Happy 8 Retreat — one of the few boutique spots here.
The location & vibe
Kuala Sepetang is a soul-soothing place full of eco-adventures, from peaceful walks along one of the world’s best-managed mangrove ecosystems to visits to traditional charcoal kilns, fresh seafood feasts, and boat rides that might bring you up close with eagles, fireflies, and even pink river dolphins if you’re lucky.
The Happy 8 Retreat is tucked right into the heart of all this, so the whole experience is deeply tied to the rhythm of the river and the people who live and work there. At night, you might hear the hum of boats heading out to sea; in the morning, you might see fishermen unloading their catch at the local markets.
For a city girl like me, this is probably not a place I’d want to settle down in for good, but it’s certainly a pleasant change of scenery.
Facilities
The first thing I noticed — and which deserves a special mention — was the décor. You can tell right away that this isn’t a cookie-cutter hotel. The owners clearly poured a lot of thought and creativity into the design, and every corner has its own little detail.
The entire place has this hand-crafted, artsy vibe. The walls and hallways were covered with hand-painted artwork. And the furniture was crafted from wood, rattan, coconut shells, fishing nets, and other recycled materials. You’ll find yourself stopping in a hallway just to admire a mural.
As you walk further in from the reception, you’ll find the bar and dining area, as well as an outdoor section that looks out onto the river. There were no customers or staff members, but I imagine it would be a nice place to enjoy a cup of coffee and some snacks.
However, if you plan to hang out here after dark, you might want to bring insect repellent because the mosquitoes don’t really respect the boundaries of a boutique retreat.
Another thing worth mentioning is the lack of elevators. If you’re traveling with kids, older parents, or anyone who struggles with stairs, this could be an issue. Personally, I didn’t mind the climb because even the stairwell had beautiful decorations.
The room
The creativity and artwork extend to the rooms as well. I loved how no two rooms looked the same. Even the doors, handles, and lighting fixtures were chosen with character in mind, like pieces of art in themselves. Ours was the eagle room:
The room came complete with a fan, air-conditioning unit, small rack for hanging clothes, drinking water, hair dryer, towels, power outlets, and a private bathroom with a shower.
It’s important to note that there’s no TV or Wi-Fi. It’s meant to allow you to switch off and just enjoy each other’s company in the slow pace of the village. Of course, this wouldn’t be ideal for digital nomads or travelers who rely on Wi-Fi to stay connected, so it’s something to keep in mind if those are must-haves for you.
Final thoughts
Despite the quirks, or rather because of them, I found the retreat to be genuinely charming. The Happy 8 isn’t about luxury or perfection, but it has a lot of character. If you go in expecting a fishing village stay, complete with boat sounds, salty air, and a few rough edges, you’ll enjoy it. But if you’re looking for a silent, luxurious hotel experience, this might not be the right fit.
For me, the Happy 8 Retreat felt like staying inside a living piece of art that just happened to overlook a working river. It gave me a sense of being part of the village rather than apart from it, and that’s something you don’t get from a lot of hotels.
The retreat is rustic and artsy, and refreshingly authentic compared to the polished hotels you’d usually find in the city. Plus, it’s only steps away from the jetty and the mangroves, which makes it easy to slip into the slower rhythm of the village. I’d definitely recommend it for solo travelers, couples, and art lovers.
