After 47 years of welcoming holidaymakers to Malaysia’s east coast, Club Med Cherating is preparing for an entirely new chapter. The resort, which officially closed on 11 October 2026, is undergoing a comprehensive transformation that will rethink how guests experience its distinctive rainforest and beachfront setting.
First opened in 1979 as Club Med’s inaugural Asian resort, Cherating occupies 80 hectares of tropical landscape in Pahang. Its original architecture, inspired by traditional Malay kampung houses and constructed using local teak, established a close relationship between the built environment and its natural surroundings.
That connection remains central to the resort’s next iteration, although the emphasis is shifting towards more contemporary accommodation, immersive outdoor activities and a greater appreciation of the surrounding ecosystem.
A New Approach To Resort Living
The newly released renders provide an early indication of Club Med Cherating’s design direction, as the transformation extends across its guestrooms and public spaces.
Rather than pursuing extensive new development, Club Med plans to adopt a low-density architectural approach that works with the existing terrain. The intention is to preserve the character of Cherating’s landscape while introducing the comforts and amenities expected of a modern premium resort.
Nature will also play a more prominent role in the guest experience. Among the proposed additions is the Jungle Express, a new journey through the rainforest that will replace the resort’s familiar open-air wooden tram, connecting guests to the secluded Pantai beach.
Meanwhile, a network of Jungle Discovery Trails, developed in collaboration with a local NGO, will introduce guided sunrise hikes, wildlife spotting, birdwatching and nocturnal explorations led by specially trained Green G.Os.
Beyond The Traditional Beach Holiday
The reimagined resort will also introduce experiences designed to encourage guests to explore beyond its accommodation and beachfront.
A new Cliffside Challenge will offer climbing activities along natural rock formations overlooking the sea, while guided Firefly Mangrove Cruises will provide opportunities to experience the surrounding waterways after dark.
Dining is also being reconsidered. Rembulan, one of the resort’s existing restaurants, will be transformed into an upscale farm-to-table destination, with an emphasis on fresh, sustainably sourced local produce.
Together, these additions reflect Club Med’s ambition to position Cherating as a more immersive, conservation-conscious destination, where the natural environment becomes an integral part of the holiday rather than simply its backdrop. The resort is currently scheduled to reopen towards the end of 2027.
In the meantime, Club Med’s Malaysian expansion continues in Sabah. Club Med Borneo, located in Kuala Penyu, approximately 90 minutes from Kota Kinabalu, is scheduled to welcome its first guests on 16 November 2026. Inspired by traditional Rungus longhouse architecture, the new resort represents another chapter in the brand’s evolving approach to nature-led hospitality in Malaysia.
