Lalang's Chalet & Campsite and Lata Keding — Beautiful Setting, But Manage Your Expectations

The Vibe

This place sits along Sungai Keding in Ayer Lanas, Kelantan — deep green forest, river views, a fish pond, and the kind of cool air that you only get when you're properly surrounded by trees. First impression when you pull in? Cantik. Like, genuinely cantik. The landscaping is done well, the river is right there, and if you've ever been to Mutiara Taman Negara, some reviewers say it gives off that same vibe. Peaceful, lush, feels far from everything.

This is more of a chalet-and-resort setup than a traditional campsite. You're staying in rooms, not pitching tents. Think eco-resort with nature as the main attraction — Lata Keding waterfall nearby, a pool, riverside rooms. The crowd here is mostly families, couples, and groups looking for a nature getaway without roughing it too hard. If you want full camping with your own tent and campfire setup, this probably isn't it.

But here's the honest part — the setting overdelivers, and the upkeep underdelivers. The views are real. The maintenance issues are also real. Go in knowing that, and you'll probably have a good time. Go in expecting a polished resort experience and you might be disappointed.

Getting There

The address is PT 6293, Sungai Keding, Kampung Gemang, 17700 Ayer Lanas, Kelantan. You're heading to Jeli area — if you're coming from Kota Bharu, take the route towards Gua Musang and branch off towards Jeli. From Jeli town itself it's not far. Plug the Google Maps CID link or just search "Lalang Eco Resort Jeli" and it should pull up correctly.

The road getting there is manageable — this isn't a 4WD-only track. Normal cars should be fine. That said, the path between the facilities within the resort itself is apparently quite steep — one reviewer specifically mentioned using the buggy service to get around. So don't be surprised by the terrain once you're inside.

What to Expect

River views, a pool, forest canopy overhead, and the nearby Lata Keding waterfall — that's the package. The pool is properly sized, 1.2 to 1.5 metres deep, so it's actually good for swimming, not just wading around. The riverside setting is the main draw and it genuinely delivers on that front.

What you should also expect: rooms that look better in photos than in person. A few reviewers flagged this. The rooms are decent-sized, the interiors have a nice enough layout, but maintenance is inconsistent — broken fixtures, flat pillows, worn bedsheets, dusty corners. Some rooms seem better kept than others, so it's a bit of a lottery depending on which room you get.

This place suits families and couples who want a nature setting without camping gear. Not a hardcore camping spot. Not a glamping luxury play either. It sits somewhere in the middle — eco-resort with rough edges. If you go in with that framing, you'll appreciate what's genuinely good here.

Facilities

Rooms

Decent size, river-facing options available. But photos online are more flattering than reality — bedsheets look worn, pillows are flat and minimal, and some rooms have broken fixtures like towel railings, door latches, and faulty plug points. Check everything when you arrive.

Pool

Spacious and genuinely deep (1.2–1.5m). Good for real swimming. One of the better features here.

Bathrooms

Hot water and good pressure — that part works. But cleanliness needs more attention. Some reviewers found smudged mirrors and floors that hadn't been properly scrubbed. First glance is fine, closer look less so.

Food & Cafe

Laila Majnu Cafe on-site. Breakfast and dinner generally decent, but one reviewer had a frustrating experience — ordered a shabu-shabu spread at RM150 and got frozen fake seafood (the RM10 pack kind) instead of actual seafood as shown in the menu photos. Worth clarifying exactly what you're getting before you order the pricier sets.

Buggy Service

The resort grounds are hilly and steep in parts. They offer a buggy service — just call the number given at reception. Apparently very responsive. Use it, especially if you have older folks or young kids with you.

Prayer Facilities

Solat-friendly — enough space and sejadah provided. Appreciated by multiple guests.

Parking

Available on-site. Not flagged as an issue by reviewers.

What Campers Are Saying

One reviewer called it unforgettable — great food, welcoming staff, all at a reasonable price. He loved the forest and river views and said the whole experience felt worth every ringgit. Short and sweet, no complaints from him.

Another guest — a family — said the nature setting reminded them of Mutiara Taman Negara. The pool got special mention for actually being deep enough to swim in. They also praised the buggy service staff for being super responsive, though they noted he looked like he was running on no sleep. The cons were bathroom cleanliness and no hairdryer available, but overall they said they genuinely enjoyed the stay and hoped management would step up upkeep.

On the flip side, one guest had a rough trip. The room had broken railings, broken door, broken pipes, faulty power outlets, and not enough pillows. The worst part? He said those exact same issues were flagged in a review from months earlier — meaning the management had been ignoring feedback. The shabu-shabu dinner also let him down badly, getting frozen crabsticks where he expected real seafood. He won't be going back.

A couple of other guests landed somewhere in the middle. The ambience and layout are genuinely done well — cooling, green, immersed-in-nature feel. But rooms look more bare than the photos suggest, with small niggles like no stirrer for tea and only two pillows. One guest said she'd return and try a different room type. That's probably the right attitude for this place.

TAHAN Tip

If you're booking a room, call ahead and specifically ask for the riverside room — it's worth the extra ask. Also confirm the shabu-shabu menu contents before committing to the set. Don't assume "lots of meat and seafood" in the photo means what you think it means. Ask what exactly is included and whether it's fresh or frozen. Save yourself the frustration at the dinner table.

Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.

You Might Also Like

• Sungai Lepoh Campsite — another Kelantan gem with proper jungle river vibes, worth checking out if you want a more traditional camping experience in the same state.
• Pantai Cahaya Bulan Campsite — if you're already up in Kelantan, this coastal camp near KB gives you a completely different side of the state to explore.