Just 30 minutes’ drive away from Taiping in Semanggol, Perak is the family-friendly Bukit Merah Laketown Resort!
It may come across as a surprise to know that this brightly-colored theme park in Perak is still going strong. Despite being more than 20 years old!
Originally part of a huge Lake Town project that was never completed:
Bukit Merah Laketown resort is in front of a huge lake (Lake Bukit Merah) where you can take a boat across to the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation.
Table of contents:
- How To Go
- Map
- Ticket Price
- Opening Hours
- Things To Do
- Accommodation
- What To Eat
- Review
- Tips For Visiting
How To Go To Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
Driving?
Look out for the Bukit Merah toll exit (Exit 150) on the North South Highway (Leburaya Utara-Selatan).
From Penang: 40 – 45 minutes
From Kuala Lumpur: 3 hours
Note: If you want to take a bus from Kuala Lumpur, take one to Taiping or Ipoh first. Then, hire a taxi, grab or a private tour service.
From Ipoh: 45 minutes from the city, 1 hour from the airport
Address: Jalan Bukit Merah, 34400 Semanggol, Perak, Malaysia
Website: bukitmerahresort.com.my
Contact: +605-890 8888
By the way:
Direct Transport From Ipoh To Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
Consider booking a private tour service with RayTheTour!
The benefits are:
- Transport as well as a private local-born tour guide who speaks English
- Free pick up from your hotel within Ipoh or from Ipoh Airport
- Easy to book – just send us a message on Facebook or WhatsApp
- Comfortable and spacious car
- Explore Taiping, Ipoh or even Cameron Highlands through the same tour service. Before or after our trip to Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort Map
Here’s a map of the park:
Tickets for the attractions can be purchased at Marina Village.
Which is at the main entrance of the resort.
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort Ticket Price
It might be worth considering the Combo ticket if you plan to go! Hop onto their website to see current promos too!
However, it’s also possible to buy individual entry tickets for different sections of the park!
| Package | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Themepark Combo Ticket (Waterpark + Ecopark + Skycycle + Paddleboat/Kayak/Canoe) | RM49 | RM37 |
| Themepark Ticket (Water Park + Eco Park) | RM44 | RM34 |
| Waterpark Admission Ticket | RM36 | RM22 |
| Ecopark Admission Ticket | RM17 | RM14 |
Opening Hours
There are different sections in the theme park and they have their respective opening hours.
Waterpark
- Weekdays: 11am-6pm
- Weekends/Public Holidays/School Holidays: 10am-6pm
- Closed every Tuesday for maintenance (except on Public Holidays and School Holidays)
Eco Park (temporarily closed for renovation works)
- Daily from 10am-6pm
Laketown Adventure Park (temporarily closed for renovation works)
- Weekdays: Upon request
- Weekends/Public Holidays/School Holidays: 10am-6pm
Laketown Recreation Park
- Includes activities like fishing, archery, kayaking, treks, and more!
- Pre-booking is recommended
Orang Utan Island (Under Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation)
- 9am-5pm
Note: Timing for the ferry to Orang Utan Island is subject to the water level of the lake
Read also: Taiping Lake Gardens – Taiping’s must-see attraction
Things To Do At Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
In recent years, the resort has made substantial effort to offer more attractions to their guests.
Which makes it very popular among the locals for weekend getaways!
1. Waterpark
Over 11 acres, this is one of the main attractions at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort and a favorite with families!
Bring proper swim wear!
With the following features:
- Waterslides
- Flume (tube) rides
- Wave pool with artificial beach
- Boomerang fun slide
- Lazy River
- Giant Wet Bubble
- Newer rides: Crazee Cone, Racer Slides and Family Splash Adventure
You can rent or buy things like boogie boards, floating tubes and other water play equipment from the Surf Shack Shop.
Tip: They tend to do maintenance on the major rides when it’s not school holidays
2. Eco Park
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort has its own mini-zoo at the 3-acre Eco Park.
At Eco Park, you can hop onto a Skycycle (involves manual pedaling on your part) to explore the park.
Including a jungle canopy section where you can do some bird-watching!
There are 4 main sections to Eco Park:
- Nature Trail – Japanese carp, arapaima, peacocks and other birds
- Tropical Trek – Herbal garden
- Reptile Park – Many different snakes here
- Pets Park – Small domesticated mammals
Many different species of primates, reptiles, birds and fish are reared in the park including crocodiles, emu, and sun bears!
Their enclosures are made to reflect their natural habitats as closely as possible.
Visitors have the opportunity to watch a crocodile feeding session, or feed raccoons as well as fish. Or pet a rabbit at the Pets Park!
How to get to the Eco Park at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort:
- There is a chairlift that takes visitors straight from the Waterpark entrance to the Eco park.
- Or, you can walk there (5-10 minutes) from the main ticket counter at Marina Village
- Or take the free shuttle from the Laketown Hotel or Kampung Air Water Villa
3. Orang Utan Island
Orangutan Island is undeniably the main highlight of Bukit Merah Laketown Resort:
As this is the only place where you can see many orangutans in West Malaysia.
The rehabilitation center/ research institution sits on a 35-acre island on Bukit Merah Lake.
Most of which (except for 5 acres taken up by the visitor and research center) is exclusively for the orangutans to live in.
They take good care of their orangutans and have a specially designed rehabilitation programme. To ensure they are ready for release back to the wild in Borneo.
To reach the island and see the orangutans, you have to take a boat from the resort!
Staff will take visitors through a steel-mesh tunnel that allows visitors to observe the orangutans while they roam free on the island.
4. Adventure Park
You need a group booking (+605-890 8888) to have a go at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort’s Adventure Park:
Where there are all sorts of obstacle courses that present a good work out challenge!
Obstacle courses:
- Jacob’s Ladder
- Canopy Walk
- Burma Bridge
- Zipmania
- Adult Practice Course
- Kids Practice Course
- And others!
5. Laketown Recreation Park
Laketown Recreation Park is where they have all the outdoor activities and rental gear.
Facilitators are available every day of the week to guide you in said activities!
Many of which revolve around the lake!
Activities include:
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Lake cruise
- Water confidence course
- Archery
- And more!
You do need to make a booking first. Call them at +605-890 8888.
Read also: 5 Best Hot Spring Ipoh
Accommodation Options At Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
There are 2 types of accommodation available at the resort:
Choose between the chalets on the lake and the more conventional hotel-style rooms.
Note that prices can double for weekends and public holidays!
1. Bukit Merah Laketown Resort Chalet – Kampung Air Water Chalets
You get your own private balcony over Bukit Merah Lake with these luxurious Malay-style water chalets!
There are 4 suites to choose from:
- Seri Teratai Suite (1 Bed Suite with Private Balcony)
- Rajawali Suite (2 Separate Rooms with 2 Private Balconies & 1 Living Area)
- Seri Lembayung Suite (1 Bedroom with Private Balcony & a Living Room)
- Cenderawasih Suite (1 Bedroom with Private Balcony & a connecting Living Room)
Note: It’s possible to fish right from the balcony if you have your own gear!
Price range: ~RM200 for 2 people a night
2. Bukit Merah Laketown Resort Hotel
Close to the entrance of the resort, this accommodation features standard rooms and suites in the hotel.
With many different room configurations:
They even have rooms with 3 single beds! And best of all, is a swimming pool!
There are 4 type of rooms to choose from:
- Standard Room (1 Queen Sized Bed & a Single Bed)
- Deluxe Room (3 Single Beds or 1 Queen Sized Bed & a Single Bed)
- Junior Suite (1 King Sized Bed)
- Kelisa Emas Suite (1 Bedroom & connecting Living Room)
Price range: RM75-100 for 2 people a night
What To Eat At Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
At such a remote location, there are not too many dining options around the resort.
However, the resort does have its own restaurants on-site:
- Lake Park Komer – The resort’s main restaurant with lake views; Serves local kopitiam fare.
- Ripples Hawker Centre – A food court with a variety of local food stalls.
- Bubbles Family Restaurant – At the water park. Serves Western fast food like burgers and fries. Some local food too.
Bukit Merah Laketown Resort Review
Let’s breakdown what’s good about the resort according to different categories:
Service:
- Good service from staff
Facilities:
- Upgraded facilities
- Beautiful grounds
- Locker rental and floats (the big ones) can be pricey (~RM40 including deposit)
- Ample parking
Accommodation:
- Nice view in the morning (for the water chalets)
- Reasonably spacious (Laketown Hotel rooms)
- Rooms to accommodate different sized-groups
Activities:
- Good spot for fishing
- Plenty to do – Cycling, boating, kayaking, etc
- Many indoor activities
- Very quiet at night (with nothing much to do)
- Feels close to nature
Food:
- Breakfast is limited
- Not many eateries outside of the resort. The affordable ones close early in the evening.
- Food court available
- Food prices in the resort are reasonable
Transport:
- If you don’t have your own car, you have to hire a taxi. No Grab in this area.
Tips For Visiting Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
Who doesn’t like tips?
Here’s what you need to know before you go:
- On weekdays, you have the water park to yourself!
- Make sure you bring all that you need because the nearest town is 20 minutes’ drive
- Check before you book your dates as certain facilities may be under maintenance
Conclusion
Compared to Ipoh’s Sunway Lost World of Tambun, Bukit Merah Laketown Resort doesn’t have as much to offer. Especially once the sun goes down!
But that’s quite alright! Since you can always take the 30 minutes’ drive over to Taiping for the Taiping Night Safari!
The one thing that sets the resort apart, is Orang Utan Island. And Bukit Merah Laketown Resort also happens to be a more affordable family holiday destination than Lost World of Tambun.
