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THE

Story of Kasturi

villa design

facilities + experience

sustainability

The Kasturi is a five-star low-density luxury resort in Cherating, Pahang. Situated on the northern tip of Chendor Beach with 800 metres of seafront, the 15-acre coastal forest site is designed to attract guests seeking a premium hospitality experience that connects to nature and environment.

The resort is laid out along the beach with most being individual chalets, each with a private pool and deck. A principal objective was to afford unimpeded sea and forest views to every chalet. The solution is a linear development along the beach with the main facilities at the northern end of the site.

villa
DESIGN

The design of the buildings hinges on the basic principles of tropical architecture. Deep overhangs protect the façades from sun and rain, and enhance the feeling of enclosure while offering unrestricted views to the beach and forest.

 
 

In preserving the natural setting of the site, some chalet roofs allow trees to penetrate them and to become part of the design. The chalet roofs are designed like folded origami, anchored to the ground at the sides to resist the wind while allowing the orientation of openings to face towards the sea.

FACILITIES
+ experience

Upon arrival, guests enter the Pavilion where they are given a taste of the resort within a crafted structure of sea views surrounded by forest. An original fisherman’s pathway is preserved as it meanders through the site, shaped over generations with trees naturally shading and protecting this olden route.

This pathway inspired the elevated concrete platforms that connect the various buildings throughout the resort. The clearing of forest for construction was minimised in order to retain the character of the coastal forest, of tall trees and an undergrowth of gingers and palms.

 
 
 
 
 

As the resort’s centrepiece, the Kachapuri main building features a walled compound at its entrance to enhance the experience of arrival and to mark the separation between building and forest. Again, pitched roofs in a serried arrangement evoke a reflection of kampung or traditional village architecture with a contemporary aesthetic.

 
 
 
 

The main building houses a restaurant, a lounge, two studios, four ocean-view suites, two penthouses with both ocean and forest views, and generous verandahs. Outdoor facilities such as the volleyball court and a 25-metre lap pool can also be found here.

Near the western boundary of the site, the pristine black waters of Sungai Pak Siak provide a unique opportunity for kayaking as well as watching glowing fireflies at a nearby estuary. One can occasionally see a family of otters basking on the banks of the river.

sustainability

The Kasturi was born from a vision of sustainability, shaping every aspect of its creation and ongoing stewardship. Before development commenced, botanists from the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia carefully documented the site’s exceptional biodiversity, guiding a design approach grounded in preservation and respect for nature.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Every detail at The Kasturi reflects a deep commitment to environmental harmony. Locally sourced and reclaimed materials, including rubble walls, terrazzo floors, and re-milled timber from historic buildings, form the foundation of its architecture. Native flora were conserved and replanted, while elevated walkways and perforated structures minimise disruption to the land.

To protect this delicate ecosystem, the resort was purposefully kept intimate — just 28 keys across 15 acres — while a thoughtfully constructed rock wall safeguards the coastline from erosion and the power of the monsoon seas. The Kasturi stands as a thoughtful expression of environmental responsibility and timeless coastal luxury.