Where to stay in the Cameron Highlands

The Cameron Highlands are Malaysia's biggest hill station, high in the mountains of Pahang. At around 1,500 metres above sea level the air is cool, a welcome change from the lowland heat, and the hillsides are covered in tea estates, vegetable farms and cloud forest.

Visitors come to walk the jungle trails, tour the tea plantations, pick strawberries and wander the misty Mossy Forest. The area is spread along one winding road through a string of small towns, so where you stay affects how much driving you'll do.

Climate
Cool all year, often around 15 to 25°C; evenings can be chilly
Getting there
Buses from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh; driving from KL usually takes around 3 to 4 hours
Main towns
Tanah Rata, Brinchang and Kuala Terla
Best for
Tea estates, jungle walks, farms and cool weather

Places to stay in Cameron Highlands

21 hotels

"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Cameron Highlands, area by area

The towns line the main road. Tanah Rata and Brinchang, a few kilometres apart, have most of the places to stay.

Tanah Rata

Best for first visits, walking and buses

Tanah Rata is the main town and the most convenient base. Long-distance buses stop here, the main street is lined with cafés, curry houses and tour agents, and several numbered jungle trails start on the edge of town. It suits travellers without a car.

Brinchang

Best for markets and the Mossy Forest

A few kilometres north, Brinchang is a busier market town with plenty of hotels and Chinese restaurants. Its night market draws crowds at weekends, and it's closer to the strawberry farms, the Sungai Palas tea estate and the road up to the Mossy Forest.

Kuala Terla and the north

Best for families with a car

Further north, Kuala Terla, Kea Farm and Tringkap are farming villages surrounded by greenhouses and vegetable fields. Apartments here are spacious and quiet, but you'll need transport to get around.

Getting to and around the Cameron Highlands

Express buses run to Tanah Rata from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh, and the drive from Kuala Lumpur usually takes around three to four hours on winding mountain roads. Within the highlands, taxis, ride-hailing and organised tours are the easiest way to get between the farms and viewpoints. Weekends and Malaysian school holidays bring heavy traffic, so allow extra time.

Things to do

Tour a tea estate such as BOH Sungei Palas, where you can sip tea overlooking the rows of bushes, and visit the strawberry farms, flower nurseries and honey farms around Brinchang. The Mossy Forest, a boardwalk through moss-draped cloud forest near Gunung Brinchang, is the most popular nature trip.

The numbered jungle trails around Tanah Rata range from easy walks to steep climbs; check conditions locally and go with a guide on the longer routes. In the evening, the weekend night market in Brinchang is good for snacks and local produce.

What to pack

Bring a fleece or light jacket for the evenings, a rain layer for afternoon showers and sturdy shoes for muddy trails. Many places to stay don't have air-conditioning because it isn't usually needed; heating is rare too.

Questions about staying in Cameron Highlands

Is it better to stay in Tanah Rata or Brinchang?

Tanah Rata is best without a car, thanks to the bus station, restaurants and trails. Brinchang is handier for the night market, farms and the Mossy Forest.

How cold does it get in the Cameron Highlands?

Daytime temperatures are often in the low 20s°C, and nights can drop to around 15°C, sometimes lower.

How long should I stay?

Two or three nights is enough for a tea estate, the Mossy Forest, a jungle walk and the farms.

Do hotels have air-conditioning?

Often not, because the climate is cool. Check the listing if it matters to you.

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