Extra Photo Gallery: The French Château | Restaurant

LOCATION:
Off the Karak Highway, at Bukit Tinggi exit. Look for the signboard to Bukit Tinggi Resort (now known as Berjaya Hills, but they haven't changed the road signboard just yet). Estimated 40 minutes drive from downtown KL.

DESCRIPTION:
The resort takes into form the replica of the original town of Colmar in France (in the Alsace wine region). Hence Colmar Tropicale signifies its location being in the tropical setting of Malaysia.

Being 40 minutes away from KL, this resort can be filled with day trippers. They are not coming for free though. An entry fee of RM30 per person is due at the entrance (a 4-in-1 entrance fee for Colmar Tropicale itself, the Japanese Garden, the Japanese Tea House and the Rabbit Park). If you are a hotel staying guest, the admission will be waived.

There are about 250 room units sporadically located in 8 different architecturally marvelous buildings - especially the roof tiles and the European-like cobblestone paths. Also the rooms are decorated with unmistakably French influence - iron deco, carvings, pastel-coloured schemes, etc.

A luxurious French Château is still under construction during my visit. It is expected to be opened for visitors quite soon. This will be an additional lodging option for those wish to spend overnight in the resort.

Food indeed is not problem at all. Just like you would, if you are living in Alsace, a short walk away brings you to various dining outlets. La Cigogne serves this so-called Haute French cuisines. Then there are Le Café Coffee House (you would know what that means), Le Blason Lounge (mainly for snacks and cocktails), Les-Bains-Douches Poolside, La Flamme Sidewalk Deli (for home-made deli of course), La Terrace (drinks and sandwiches), Le Glacier Ice-Cream Corner, and Le Poulet Roti (for a decent serving of roast chicken).

The room pricing is not too bad. For twin sharing, you can get something like RM150 per night per person with accompanying buffet breakfast and dinner, etc.

REVIEWED ON:
July 2004

MY VERDICT:
Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Not too bad actually. I really loved the colourful buildings.

MY RATING: