Luxury hotel with private beach
The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort in Pulau Redang
If you’re dreaming of turquoise water, soft sand, and a totally peaceful island escape, The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort on Pulau Redang might just be your place. It’s a luxury beach resort in Malaysia, tucked away on a quiet island off the east coast, surrounded by rainforest and protected coral reefs. And somehow, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem. We stayed for a few nights, soaked up the sunshine, swam with turtles (so many of them), and completely fell for this little slice of paradise.
Quick Facts
Where: Pulau Redang, Malaysia
Category: 5 Star Luxury Resort
Price Range: €€€
Best for: Beach Holidays, Private Escapes
Getting there: Flight to Kuala Terengganu and then speedboat from Merang Jetty
Location
The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort is the perfect luxury beach resort in Malaysia in Malaysia. It’s located on the east coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, on the small island of Pulau Redang. The island is close to the popular Perhentian Islands but far less known and less crowded. Surrounded by a marine reserve, Pulau Redang offers amazing snorkeling opportunities. There is also a turtle hatchery and sanctuary on the island, which is a cool attraction for visitors.
Pulau Redang itself is sparsely populated, with only a few villages and resorts. This makes the experience even more special since you’re not sharing the space with large crowds of tourists. The Taaras Resort is situated in a secluded bay, giving guests exclusive access to a private beach.
The resort is ideally located for marine excursions like snorkeling trips. You can book tours directly through the hotel, or find local operators offering similar experiences at more affordable prices. We chose a small restaurant just behind the hotel that offered snorkel tours for a fraction of the cost. Surprisingly, we were the only guests on the boat, which gave us the freedom to more or less choose our snorkeling spots. After a full day in the water, you can then enjoy freshly caught fish and amazing noodle soups at the restaurant.
How to get there
Getting to Pulau Redang takes a bit of effort but is totally doable. If you’re coming from Kuala Lumpur or other major cities, take a quick flight to Kuala Terengganu Airport. From there, grab a taxi for a 20–30 minute ride to Merang Jetty.
If you’re coming from Taman Negara or somewhere without direct flights or buses, it might be easiest to take a taxi straight to the jetty. That’s what we did since no direct buses or flights are available from the jungle. The trip took about six hours and cost around €70. In my opinion, it was well worth it.
Once at Merang Jetty, you can choose between a public ferry or a private boat shuttle from your hotel. We took the public ferry, which was reliable and dropped us off at the Taaras Resort with just one stop along the way.
The Hotel
The Taaras Resort & Spa is a great place to stay if you’re looking for comfort and a bit of luxury on Pulau Redang. Here’s what you can expect when it comes to the overall vibe and the rooms.
atmosphere
The atmosphere at The Taaras is super laid-back and peaceful. Everything feels really well kept. The whole area is clean and lush, with palm trees and greenery all around. The resort has one main building, and then all the rooms are spread out in these cute wooden houses hidden among the trees. It almost feels like you’re in a little tropical village.
The staff are incredibly kind and always one step ahead. You get a cold welcome drink when you arrive, which is exactly what you want after the journey. Most people hang out at the pool with their kids, but e spent our time down at the beach. The sun beds are great, the bar makes proper cocktails, and they’ll even cut up a coconut for you to drink.
Our stay included a little photoshoot, so if you’re wondering why some of the photos of me and my boyfriend look extra polished, that’s why.
Breakfast was a big buffet with everything from noodles and curry to croissants and eggs. There were chefs making things fresh, like roti and omelettes. One evening we joined the beach barbecue. It sounded better than it was, and honestly felt overpriced for what we got.
You can rent snorkel gear, body boards or even take a glass bottom kayak out on the water. Also, if you feel like taking a break from the beach, there’s a jungle trek that starts right at the edge of the resort. The trail winds through dense rainforest and ends at another beach on the other side of the island.
Rooms
We stayed at The Taaras in one of their Garden Suites, which are actually charming wooden villas surrounded by greenery. Even though we booked the most affordable option, it really didn’t feel like it. There were two large rooms, a spacious bathroom, and more than enough space to settle in. Everything was super clean, with a tropical vibe that makes you feel like you’re on vacation right away.
The interiors have a warm wooden feel, with ceiling fans, cozy seating areas, and a big, comfy bed. Our fridge was always restocked, and we never had to ask for more bottled water, it always appeared. It’s just those small things that make a difference. The bathroom had a double sink, a big tub, and a nice rain shower.
Generally, the room’s design blends historic charm with modern elements with white walls, hardwood floors, and some decor. There’s also a cozy seating area with wingback chairs that provided a perfect spot for reading or enjoying a cup of coffee from the in-room machine. I’ll be honest, the style of the room is not really my favourite. I’m just not the biggest fan of grey, beige and satin. However, I’ve seen pictures of other rooms on the hotel’s website that look way more warm and mediterranean!
Whether you’re staying in a garden villa or hanging cliffside in a suite, it all feels quiet, peaceful, and a little dreamy. The whole resort is super spacious, so you always have privacy and room to unwind after a beach day.
Something Special
Like I mentioned earlier, turtles play a big role on Pulau Redang. Marine conservation is taken seriously here, especially at the Taaras Resort. Inside the main building, you’ll find the SEATRU Turtle Lab, which is run by a resident marine biologist. Guests can learn all about the lives of sea turtles, from hatching and tagging to how they interact with predators and the environment. If you’re visiting between May and October, you might even get to see hatchlings being released into the sea. We missed it by just a few days, but we did get to see the tiny baby turtles right after they hatched.
Just around the corner from the resort is Turtle Bay. It’s the best spot on the island for swimming with turtles, and it’s also where the tour boats usually go. If you’re staying at the Taaras, you can skip the boat altogether and just swim out or take a kayak or bodyboard. Try to go early in the morning to beat the crowds. When I went, there were so many turtles around me that I actually got a little nervous. Apparently, they sometimes mistake fingers for squid. Even with that in mind, it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done.
Final Thoughts
The Taaras is the perfect luxury beach resort in Malaysia where you can slow down and unplug for a few days. I loved the balance between comfort and nature. Waking up in a wooden villa surrounded by palm trees, then spending the day swimming with so many turtles in crystal-clear water or lounging on a nearly empty beach. If you’re already exploring Malaysia and want to include a beach stop that’s a little less touristy but still luxurious, this is a solid choice.
10 Perfect Days in Malaysia
If you want discover more of Malaysia, check out my ultimate 10-Day Itinerary for the Malaysian Peninsula! I decided not to follow the tourist path, but rather what interests me most: nature, jungle, and the beach.
