Gunung Jerai, Gurun, Kedah, Malaysia

The hotel swimming pool with a stunning view.

Towards the reception area from the chalet.

Another choice - a chalet facing green hills.

Facing coastal view and the sea.

The attractive variety of antorium which grow in abundance here.

The dome of the surau for staff who stay below at the foot of the hill and visitors.

Lovely view of Pulau Bunting.

At the entrance of the hotel.

View taken below the hill.

Row of chalet facing the magnificent view of the sea and Pulau Bunting.

15 years ago I visited Gunung Jerai. It was a tiny place with an unassuming resort. Sometimes ago a magazine write-up attracted my attention and I planned a revisit but it failed to materialise due to other activities. Since I have an appointement in Yan Besar on 12 April 2012, I decided to go early and make my way to Gunung Jerai on 10 April 2012, Monday. Najidah couldn't make it due to work commitment. GPS took me on a long-winded way through Bukit Mertajam and Sg. Petani but finally reached my destination. Poor GPS, it went haywire reculculating everytime when I drove up the narrow winding road to the peak where Gunung Jerai Regency is. It was a relief when I arrived there safely. If you want to go there, please exit at Gurun, not at Juru as my GPS asked me to. That's an old road.

I was impressed at this place, so stunning and serene with overview of the sea and Kedah coastal area. At first I was told by one of the staff that the long island is Pulau Payar marine park which I have visited when I was in Langkawi. But this morning, another long-time staff explained that it is Pulau Bunting, not Pulau Payar. Took several photos as the day was good and clear. At first I planned to stay a night but deceided to use the 2 full days here.

There are a number of interesting places to visit which take energy in walking and climbing hills. I declined due to my not-so-fit physical condition for lacking in excersing. I have every intention to come again during week days. Today is a public holiday, celebrating the installation of the new Yang Di Pertuan Agong from Kedah. So there are quite a lot of visitors, including cyclists.

The road up the peak is narrow and eeriely winding but driving slowly and carefully ensured safety. Thank you to my faithful MyVi, it took me safely up here and hope safely down the hill too tomorrow. I definitely would like to come again some day.

The hotel is beautifully built with friendly and helpful staff but it needs maintenance. Though the rooms are presentable, they need urgent cleaning, sweeping and sprucing up. It would be a pity if they are left without much effort to keep it well-maintained. I was given a chalet facing the magnificent view of the sea with a faint shadow of Pulau Langkawi. It's not really cold at this time of the year but very pleasant. It's a really relaxing place and I recommend those who need to get away just to chill out, to come here for a few days.

Gunung Jerai is 1217 meters above sea level, made of an isolated body of rock. This suggests that Gunung Jerai was once an island called Pulau Serai. Gunung Jerai presents a number of interesting legendary stories about Sang Kelembai. In 1953, Gunung Jerai was gazetted as a protected area under Gunung Jerai Forest Reserve.