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Tadom Hill Resorts – Bamboo-Themed Glamping Spot Near KL

I had heard of Tadom Hill Resorts years ago, back when it went viral as this bamboo-themed nature resort near KL. It was also one of the earlier places in Malaysia to make glamping more accessible.

Somehow, I never got around to visiting. It was a little out of the way, I never found the right group of people to go with, and at that time, I was more interested in collecting passport stamps than exploring my own backyard.

Then came the travel drought, when going abroad was no longer an option and more friends were working from home. Suddenly, gathering people for a short local getaway became much easier.

So, off we went to Tadom Hill Resorts in Banting, Selangor.

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About Tadom Hill Resorts

Tadom Hill Resorts is a bamboo-inspired nature resort in Banting, Selangor, set around a beautiful emerald lake that used to be a limestone quarry.

It’s about 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur by car and fairly close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which makes it an easy weekend escape for those based in the Klang Valley.

The resort is strongly inspired by bamboo architecture and the culture of the local Temuan Orang Asli community. Bamboo is used throughout the property, from the chalets and huts to the walkways and activity areas, giving the place a very natural, laid-back feel.

What I like about Tadom Hill is that it does not feel like a resort trying too hard to be “rustic” for Instagram. It actually has a clear identity.

The resort also highlights community involvement and sustainability as part of its identity, with many local staff members working on-site.

Best time to visit Tadom Hill

Weather-wise, Selangor is hot and humid all year round, with rain possible at any time. There is no perfect “dry season”.

That said, Tadom Hill is best enjoyed on a weekday if you prefer fewer crowds. Avoid weekends, school holidays, long weekends, and public holidays if you can.

We went on a Monday and had the lake almost entirely to ourselves for part of the day.

A large group arrived later in the afternoon, probably students, but the place was spacious enough that it still did not feel overwhelming.

For day visitors, arrive early so you can make the most of the facilities, especially the lake activities. Opening hours and day-pass validity may change, so check the latest details with Tadom Hill Resorts before you go.

How to get to Tadom Hill Resorts

Tadom Hill Resorts is located in Banting, Selangor, not far from KLIA.

The easiest way to get there is by car. From Kuala Lumpur, the drive usually takes around 45 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic. There is free parking available for guests, so driving is probably the most convenient option.

If you don’t drive, you can take the KLIA Transit or KLIA Ekspres to Salak Tinggi station (click here for the latest train schedule) and arrange transport from there.

When we visited, Tadom Hill offered pickup arrangements from Salak Tinggi upon request, but do contact the resort in advance to confirm the latest availability and requirements.

The ride from the station to the resort was surprisingly short and easy.

Because of the name “Tadom Hill,” we had imagined something deep in the forest or on top of a hill, probably involving a 4WD, which was why we chose not to drive in the first place. In reality, it was just by the main road. We could easily have gotten there ourselves.

Accommodation at Tadom Hill Resorts

Tadom Hill Resorts has several types of accommodation, from private chalets to group rooms and glamping-style options. Room types and rates may change, so it is best to check the official website or booking platform for the latest details.

Here are some of the main options you may find:

Checking in

Official check-in is usually in the afternoon, but we arrived earlier to try our luck. If the room was ready, great. If not, we would just explore the resort and use the outdoor facilities first.

We arrived at Salak Tinggi station a little after noon, just in time for our scheduled pickup.

The van dropped us off right in front of the check-in counter, and to our delight, we were allowed to check in early without much fuss.

Each of us was given a wristband, which worked as our access pass to the lake and most areas within the resort.

I am not sure how strict they were about monitoring guests, but being the obedient citizens that we were, we wore the wristbands for the entire stay.

Yes, even to sleep.

Our room at Hakka Village

Since there were four of us, we stayed in one of the smaller rooms at Hakka Village. We chose the fan room because we were not too fussy about air-conditioning.

Tadom’s Hakka Village is the one and only Hakka village in Malaysia that is made entirely out of bamboo.

Our room was on the second floor and came with bunk beds. One of the lower bunks was a double bed, so the room could actually sleep up to five people.

Inside the room, there was a dressing table with a mirror, a bamboo/rattan shelf, power points, an electric fan, wall fans by the beds, and an electric mosquito repellent. Blankets and bottled water were provided, and towels could be requested at reception.

The wall fans were surprisingly powerful. We ended up switching them off in the middle of the night because the ceiling fan was already enough.

So no, we did not regret skipping the air-conditioned room.

There were shared bathrooms on both floors. During our stay, the female bathroom was downstairs and the male bathroom upstairs. There was also a water dispenser near the female bathroom.

The room was basic but clean and comfortable enough for a short stay. It is not a luxury hotel room, so do not come expecting fluffy robes and mood lighting. Come expecting bamboo, lake air, and the occasional insect existing in its rightful homeland.

Dining at Tadom Hill Resorts

There are dining options within the resort, so you do not have to leave the property for meals. Menus and opening hours may change, so check with the resort for the latest details.

Lunch

After checking in, we dropped our bags in the room and headed straight to Tadom Hill Cafe for lunch.

The menu had a good selection of local dishes, including fried rice and noodle dishes. But what caught our eyes was the bamboo rice set.

It came with rice, herb fried chicken, curry sauce, sambal, and a drink. It felt very appropriate for our bamboo-themed mini holiday.

Since we were the first customers of the day, the staff had to check if the bamboo rice was available. Luckily, it was, but we were told it would take a while to prepare.

It was worth the wait.

The steaming hot rice was soft and fragrant in its banana-leaf wrapper, the chicken crisp and flavorful, and the curry was just the right amount of spicy. I doubt we could get anything similar for that price in Kuala Lumpur.

Dinner

For dinner, we went to Garden Bistro, another dining spot at the resort overlooking the lake.

Compared to the self-service cafe, Garden Bistro felt a little more sophisticated, with table service and a slightly broader menu. But thankfully, the prices didn’t reflect this swankiness.

I had grilled chicken and lime juice, while my friends ordered fried noodles, fried rice with crispy chicken, and spicy fried rice with bird’s eye chilli. Each of us paid less than RM20.

The food exceeded my expectations, especially for a resort where they could have easily gotten away with feeding us sad fried rice and calling it a day.

Some guests had a BBQ dinner outdoors.

Tadom Hill offers BBQ arrangements, but rules and prices may change, so contact the resort in advance if you plan to have one. At the time of our visit, bringing your own BBQ pit and cooking equipment into the resort was not allowed.

Also, the resort is pork-free, so keep that in mind if you are bringing or arranging your own food.

Breakfast

Breakfast was included in our room rate.

During our stay, it was served buffet-style with a mix of local and Western options: fried rice, fried noodles, sausages, sambal, eggs, baked beans, toast, cereal, congee, curry puffs, and local desserts.

To be honest, breakfast was not as memorable as lunch and dinner, but it was still decent and filling. I have had far worse hotel breakfasts.

This one was fine.

Things to do at Tadom Hill Resorts

At Tadom Hill Resorts, you won’t run out of things to do. Whether you want to get your adrenaline pumping with adventurous activities or you prefer sitting back to enjoy the view, there’s something for everyone.

After lunch, we went straight to Emerald Lake. Our first activity was bamboo rafting.

One bamboo raft could fit our group of four, which seemed perfect until we realized bamboo rafting is not as easy as it looks.

Compared to a kayak or canoe, a bamboo raft is bulkier and less streamlined, especially when there are four people on board and only two people rowing.

Still, it was fun.

There was also a 5-meter jumping platform, water slides, and a rope swing, but we unanimously decided to skip them. This was a group decision made with great wisdom and absolutely no cowardice.

Instead, we swam, floated around, and went on the less intimidating swing:

After the lake, we dried off a little and went for an ATV ride, which was charged separately.

I had tried ATV riding before, but it was the first time for my friends. Before we began, our guide explained how to operate the vehicle and briefed us on the rules.

The trail felt like a beginner-friendly obstacle course, gradually getting more interesting as we went along. We drove through winding paths, muddy patches, and small slopes, with our guide leading the way.

The guide was excellent. He knew all the best photo spots and stopped several times to help us take pictures. He even helped arrange our ATVs into position like he was our “Instagram boyfriend” for the day.

After the ATV ride, we explored more of the resort and found a covered walkway leading to a three-story pagoda in the middle of a marshy area.

Climbing to the top gave us a lovely view of the surrounding greenery.

Activities may change depending on the season, weather, maintenance, and resort operations, but some of the activities commonly available at Tadom Hill include:

Tadom Hill Day Pass

You do not have to stay overnight to enjoy Tadom Hill Resorts. Day passes are available for visitors who only want to use the lake and selected facilities.

The day pass typically includes access to several water and land activities, such as swimming, water slides, jumping deck, bamboo rafting, volleyball, ping pong, congkak, and other casual games.

Some activities are not included and require separate payment. These may include ATV, go-kart, archery, sumpit, flying fox, abseiling, paintball, boat rides, and other special activities.

Day-pass rates and inclusions may change, so check with the resort before your visit, especially if there is a specific activity you really want to try.

If you book accommodation, the day pass is usually included with your stay.

What to bring to Tadom Hill Resorts

Here are a few things worth packing:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Slippers or sandals
• Dry bag
• Toiletries
• Basic medication
• Power bank
• Cash or card for extra activities and food

Additional tips before you go

• Walk-ins may be allowed, but it’s better to book in advance, especially during weekends, school holidays, and public holidays.
• There’s no WiFi on the property. Mobile coverage can also vary. At Tadom Hill Resorts, you’re meant to disconnect from the virtual world and reconnect with nature (and other travelers).
• There’s a small convenience store near the reception selling snacks, ice cream, and basic necessities.
• Outside tents, BBQ pits, portable stoves, electric grills, steamboat pots, and similar cooking equipment are generally not allowed. Check the latest house rules before bringing anything questionable.

• There are lifeguards on duty during the lake opening hours.
• Life jackets are required for lake activities.
• Use sunscreen. It can get really hot during the day.
• Bring insect repellent. I personally didn’t have any problem with mosquitoes, but it’s always good to be prepared, especially if you tend to attract mosquitoes.
• Tadom Hill Resorts are open for team-building events, weddings, and pre-wedding photoshoots.
• Groups can usually arrange meals in advance, but you will need to contact the resort ahead of time.
  

Final thoughts

Tadom Hill Resorts gives you that “out of the city” feeling without requiring a long drive, a flight ticket, or a farewell to modern life. The bamboo architecture gives the resort a distinct character, the lake activities are fun, and the accommodation options cover different budgets and comfort levels.

Despite being a themed resort, Tadom Hill does not have that kitschy theme-park feeling that some places have when they try too hard to imitate something else.

It feels more grounded than that.

The bamboo design works because it belongs there. It fits the lake, the trees, the open-air spaces, and the whole mood of the place.

For a quick escape from KL, a group trip with friends, or a family-friendly outdoor staycation, Tadom Hill Resorts is a lovely option.

It may not be hidden anymore, but it is still a gem.

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Tadom Hill Resorts

Bukit Tadom, Kampung Labohan Dagang,
42700 Banting, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
T: 012 – 5225728 / 012 – 5225908 / 012 – 5225883
Email