A Tranquil Escape at Bala's Resort

Bala's presents itself as a former British colonial school established in 1934, yet has functioned as a resort for the last 47 years, managed by Bala and his slightly quirky wife. I spent 10 days here solo for a self-planned writer's retreat, and it was precisely what I craved. Coming from Singapore, it offered a cool and tranquil setting, enveloped by mountains. My room was modestly furnished but spacious, featuring a bed, writing desk, two armchairs flanking a coffee table by the bay window for reading, a sideboard, TV (which I never turned on), and a bathroom. I slept peacefully with the windows open every night—something unfeasible in Singapore. Each morning, I'd enjoy breakfast on the veranda, watching clouds slowly clear from the mountain peaks as the sun heated them. The staff consistently showed friendliness and politeness, albeit sometimes lacking effectiveness (it took three attempts to address the hot water issue until someone realized the ignition's battery had expired!). They were also quite generous—on my last day, the chef gifted me a couple of scones with jam and cream for my bus trip and offered me a ride into town. Bala himself is quite the character, often mingling with guests and possibly joining you for lunch. The guests I encountered hailed from Singapore & Malaysia, naturally, but also Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, and India, and I enjoyed a sundowner or two with several of them during my time there. Bala's is not glamorous, nor is it intended to be. It's a straightforward, welcoming, distraction-free respite from the city, conveniently located near Tana Rata, the hiking trails, The Smokehouse (home to the best Beef Wellington ever!), and I certainly plan to return to kick-start my next writing endeavor.

Post by _TI***rg | Oct 27, 2025