We workcationed at an eco-leisure resort in Gambang, and it was next-level distant working

This is a workcation collection the place we personally go to and assessment inns, resorts, and extra, to learn how properly they cater to digital nomads and hybrid professionals. Our entire group is absolutely vaccinated, boosted, and have examined unfavourable on the primary and final day of our journey. 

Hotel highlights:

✓ Curated “Work from Villa” bundle for digital nomads and distant staff 

✓ Reservation-based assembly rooms outfitted with projectors, widescreen TVs, plug factors

✓ Lush and exquisite surroundings amidst nature

✓ Free leisure actions that is also for teamwork primarily based enjoyable

✓ Strong and quick WiFi connection all through the resort (villa and customary areas)

There’s one thing actually completely different about working in a 5-star luxurious eco-haven that you simply’d suppose would primarily solely be for leisure and household holidays.

Maybe it’s the way in which we get up to the calls of the white-breasted waterhen, the tweets of brown throated sunbirds and black-naped orioles, and the singing from the oriental magpie robin.

Completely kidding, we’re no ornithologists, we will’t inform aside the sounds from a barn swallow or a standard iora. That doesn’t imply we will’t admire the tunes of over 100 species of birds that decision the luxurious flora of Mangala Resort & Spa house.

But we digress. Even with out the data of every chicken’s morning name, we’d get up to the sounds of melodious warblers any time over the screeching blares of visitors or our alarm clocks.

Maybe it’s how we will decide to cycle to breakfast from our villa, laughing and groaning as a result of though it’s merely a number of hundred metres, our lack of stamina (and glutes) betray us once we’re biking up any slight incline.

We admit that again within the metropolis, this could not be our first (or second or third) most well-liked mode of transportation. But right here at this tropical retreat, we relish each alternative.

Maybe it’s our selection of morning exercise, the half-hour of kayaking across the lake, that offers us that burst of power and endorphins that espresso can’t fairly give (however we’d nonetheless like a cuppa, thanks).

There might be many issues that make up the distinctiveness of a workcation expertise at Mangala Resort & Spa, Kuantan. And these causes had been in all probability what impressed this 67-villa resort to open its doorways to welcome hybrid professionals, distant staff, and digital nomads with their “Work from Villa” bundle. 

Our personal villa-by-a-lake workcation

The “Work from Villa” bundle features a minimal two nights’ keep in Sara Villa (overlooks the Mangala Wetland) or Jala Villa (overlooks the Mangala Lake). We stayed at Jala Villa.

The group at Mangala Resort & Spa shared that these two villa varieties had been chosen for the workcation crowd as a result of they had been extra becoming for solo or duo travellers, because the others had been extra family-focused with personal swimming pools and different services that will be underutilised.

Accommodation apart, the bundle features a complimentary stationery package that comes with a hoop mild (upon request) for any late digital conferences which may happen, leisure actions (booked individually), and complimentary use of the resort’s dialogue rooms, however extra on that later.

Inside the 50 sq. metre room is a king sized mattress that sleeps two adults comfortably, a dual-sink toilet fitted with a bath and a rain bathe below a skylight, a mini-fridge, pantry space, and a balcony overlooking the lake.

Under this bundle, the pantry space is supplied with extra snacks corresponding to kombucha, power drinks, power bars, and prunes to gas you thru the day (or whereas burning the midnight oil). These come free the primary spherical.

Sarah settled all the way down to work on the lengthy desk by the TV for our 3D2N keep; since there wasn’t one other chair there, the rounded loveseat with a small desk within the different nook of the room was my work station.

While the balcony desk and chairs aren’t precisely meant for working, they’re a pleasant choice to have in the event you’re beginning your duties earlier than the solar is absolutely out, or if it’s a cloudy day. Note that there are not any close by plug factors so that you’d both want a prolonged extension cable or laptop computer charging wire if you wish to work outdoors for longer.

To assist with the warmth on the balcony deck, there’s a ceiling fan so working outdoors was a peaceable affair. Punctuating the silence was primarily the occasional flap of wings, singing of birds, or the gentle splashing of in all probability 100 fish proper below our floorboards (correct fish meals is offered on the present store subsequent to the reception).

If bigger groups wish to meet up formally or entertain purchasers, the bundle presents complimentary use of the resort’s dialogue rooms for as much as two hours per day with superior reserving. Extending your utilization of the dialogue rooms would price you RM650/hour.

The rooms would match 8-10 pax comfortably and are available outfitted with a projector, a widescreen TV, and ample plug factors.

The resort’s recently-upgraded WiFi was robust and dependable and might be accessed from the villas, eating places, dialogue rooms, and different generally used areas. Complimentary printing companies (in small portions) can be found by the reception.

Flora, fauna, and meals

Mangala Resort & Spa grows quite a lot of its personal greens only a 10-minute buggy experience from the reception, to be used in its kitchens.

We heard that there have been ayam kampung and even wild boars across the property too, however they’re strictly not for consumption. Instead, any meat or fish in your dishes come from provide farms.

The “Work from Villa” bundle comes with breakfast included, whereas lunch and dinner are left as much as you. If you dine a la carte on the restaurant, you’ll be able to take pleasure in a 20% F&B low cost (excluding alcoholic drinks).

After being spoilt by The Westin KL’s very in depth buffet on a previous workcation, Mangala Resort & Spa’s unfold was extra humble.

For probably the most half, each dish had its spotlight (shout out to the unforgettable buns particularly, crispy on the surface and gentle on the within), and we discovered ourselves properly happy after each meal.

We even acquired a taster of their new a la carte menu that options recent seafood and hen in addition to dessert in beneficiant parts, so you actually don’t must look far to your meals.

But let’s be actual—the meals isn’t what you’d come to Mangala Resort & Spa for.

“Eco-leisure” is its center identify

Mangala Resort & Spa’s tranquil and distinctive paradise make it very clear why it’s one among solely two associates of Small Luxury Hotels of The World, knowledgeable neighborhood of discerning travellers who assessment inns globally to spotlight distinctive stays.

To add, it’s received a number of awards corresponding to Malaysia Property Award 2017, FIABCI World Prix D’Excellence Award 2018 (World Gold Winner within the Environmental Category), and the FIABCI Malaysia Property Award 2020 (Winner of the Resort Category).

All this to say: this isn’t an expertise you’d simply discover in KL.

It utilises its 60-acre land to supply visitors with kayaking, paddle-boating, archery, biking, a public pool, and fitness center. 

Whatever you select to do, you’re surrounded by lush, verdant environment, making it arduous to consider that this space was barren after 70 cumulative years of sand and tin mining.

Determined to show that the ugly land nonetheless had potential, Dato Franky Chua Goon Eng then spent 15 years on restoration efforts. The fruits of his labour is the eco-leisure haven we all know of immediately as Mangala Resort & Spa.

His love for the land will be seen in a number of components corresponding to a bungalow on the property that was constructed to be his private vacation abode, and the way the crops grown outdoors the bungalow and on the farm are a few of his favourites.

By the way in which: Dato’ Franky’s bungalow just isn’t an lodging below the “Work from Villa” bundle, however it may well nonetheless be rented by bigger groups who wish to keep collectively. It accommodates as much as 12 adults and comes with ample working area in the lounge, supreme for discussions or group constructing.

Knowing what it took to remodel the land and Dato Franky’s personal attachment to it fostered a deeper appreciation for the sights we noticed and the actions we loved throughout our keep.

Mangala Resort & Spa’s strengths nonetheless lie of their eco-resort services. They are usually not but absolutely outfitted to cater to the usual metropolis workation teams who could anticipate their suites to have a giant eating desk for conferences or a private classroom.

For instance, there are extra changes to make to the furnishings (measurement and top), bearing in mind the working area that’s wanted.

However, from what we’ve personally skilled, their efforts in curating a workcation bundle for the digital nomads, hybrid staff, and distant staff amongst us are extremely commendable. And our keep at Mangala Resort & Spa isn’t one workcation that we’d overlook anytime quickly.