A villa in Balok beach, Pahang, offers luxurious and cosy stay

Main sitting and dining area of Villa A.

UNASSUMING. That's the word that would probably come to mind when entering the road leading to Balok beach, 15km from Kuantan town via the coastal road towards Kemaman, Terengganu.

Single and double storey houses as well as the occasional bungalow, line the road. Cars from the opposite direction pass by languidly, interspersed with kapcai motorbikes. Some stop at open air stalls selling local fare. The scenes are common of seaside towns on the east coast of the peninsula.

But as we turn into a small lane 500m from the beach, we get a pleasant surprise. As the automated gate opens, the driveway leads to a sprawling low-rise building.

We walk up a short flight of wooden stairs to the open foyer of Villaku Residence, to find a breathtaking view of its 6,000 sq m grounds, with a man-made lake and, beyond a low stone wall, are the beach and the sea.

Modern, luxurious and a touch of sophistication, Villaku Residence is a two-in-one villa that offers all the amenities of a 5-star hotel. On the left side of the foyer is Villa A with five bedrooms and on the right is Villa B with six bedrooms, including one that doubles up as a kids' playroom.

TEN'S COMPANY

My group has 10 -- two adults, four senior citizens, one teenager, two pre-teens and one pre-schooler. We ooh and aah as we walk to Villa B. The front door opens up to a long hallway which has elegant paintings on one side and indoor plants bordering its other wall. Midway, natural light seeps through wooden beams holding up the roof.

One set of grandparents and the two youngest kids take the first bedroom down the hallway, which has two double beds. The second set of grandparents is in the next bedroom which has one double bed and the two older kids share a bedroom with two single beds.

The two adults get the master bedroom at the end of the hallway, which has a spacious living area that can double up as extra sleeping space and bathroom complete with jacuzzi. There is also a flat-screen TV in the bedroom, with a DVD player.

One bedroom with two single beds is left empty.

The sitting room, dining area and kitchen have an open concept that makes for a huge space where everyone can gather to sit, eat and mingle comfortably. There is a flatscreen TV with Astro service at our disposal and should we wish to watch videos, there is a DVD player.

The dining area sits 10 and the kitchen has everything -- crockery, utensils and electrical appliances -- we need to whip up a meal. There are small sitting areas for smaller groups to lounge in.

The glass door and walls offer a splendid view of the patio and swimming pool which is also accessible through the last three bedrooms down the hallway.

The kids waste no time in getting into their swimsuits to splash the pool while the adults enjoy afternoon tea at the poolside. Villaku Residence has thoughtfully provided floats and toys at the pool.

PLAYING TOURISTS

For dinner, we decide to eat out at a nearby Thai restaurant as recommended in the welcome message left for us on the dining table. It also lists various other eateries as well as things to do and see. Apparently, guests can also request for a masseuse for traditional Malay massage and even book meals at the eateries for self pick-up.

After dinner, some of us laze in front of the TV in the living room while the kids spend their time in the playroom watching videos and boardgames provided.

After picking up and enjoying a delicious (pre-booked by the management) breakfast of nasi minyak and nasi kerabu from a local stall, we visit the royal town of Pekan which is about 45 minutes from Villaku.

Then we visit the fisherman's market near the villa (500 metres away) for fresh fish to barbecue that night. We also stop at a snack stall for tea take-aways such as bahulu and kuih akok.

Dinner that last night is special. After preparing the fish and other food, Dinh the caretaker comes at 6pm to fire up the barbecue pit. Though he volunteers to do the barbecuing, we decide to do it ourselves. After the al fresco dinner, a stroll on the beach is a perfect end to the evening.

On our last morning at Villaku Residence, Dinh comes around to take us for a tour of Villa B. It's equally spacious but with a different layout and has a cozy feel. There is a pool table in the living area which also has an open kitchen that looks out to the garden. Villa A has its own pool.

What's different is the separate area for TV viewing and Villa A also has two large bedrooms with a king-sized bed and a single bed each that can fit a family of three or more comfortably.

Before we leave, the kids have another swim in the pool in Villa B while the adults continue with their breakfast at leisure.

When it's time to go, Dinh and his wife help to carry the luggage and arrange the things in the two cars. It's a brief but memorable stay. The next time we visit Villaku, we will be back in a bigger group to make optimal use of the space and facilities.

FAST FACTS

HOTEL

Villaku Residence, Pantai Balok, 26100 Kampung Balok, Pahang Tel: 019-3209904, 019-2669669 Email: villakuresidence@gmail.com Website: www.facebook.com/villakuresidence

GETTING THERE

Villaku Residence is a 15km drive from Kuantan town via the coastal road towards Kemaman, Terengganu. Also accessible by taxi or hourly buses.

MAIN ATTRACTION

Modern in a rustic setting, the beachfront two-in-one modern villa is located at the fringe of a fishing village.

FIRST IMPRESSION

Impressive architecture and interior deco plus the swimming pools overlooking the garden and man-made lake respectively in the compound give Villaku Residence a luxurious and classy yet homey feel. The use of natural light is optimised and the infusion of an indoor garden within the interior makes Villaku Residence quite unique.

ROOMS

Villaku A has five bedrooms, swimming pool, fully equipped modern kitchen, ample living and dining space, BBQ area, pool table while VillaKu B has five bedrooms plus a children's play/ TV room, beautifully furnished and an even bigger swimming pool overlooking a gorgeous and picturesque man-made lake.

Each bedroom in both villas has its own ensuite bathroom and can accommodate two or more occupants.

FACILITIES

Both villas have well-equipped kitchens.Meals can be taken in the dining areas in the respective villas or outdoors by the pool.

A caretaker and his wife are just a phone call away for ad hoc housekeeping, cleaning and even setting up the barbecue and barbecuing itself should you wish it. The property has a security guard (with a trained dog) who patrols the property area at night.

Up to seven cars can be parked comfortably but there is room for more.

OVERALL SERVICE

Friendly and obliging.

PLACES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE

Pantai Balok is a stone's throw away from the property. About 500m away is a fisherman's market offering fresh fish at about 2pm daily. Slightly more than one kilometre away is a stall that sells delicacies like nasi kerabu and ayam panggang, it is on the main road opposite a Petronas pump station and a mini market for groceries.