Fresh air on the highlands

Story and photos by Sharen Kaur
Published in NST in April 2008

SHAREN KAUR talks to Krishna Badhur and learns how he built his career from scratch, hit rock bottom and finally became manager of one of Malaysia's oldest and most cherished highland hideaways.

This pleasant, dynamic man landed his first job as a front office receptionist at Regent Hotel Kuala Lumpur (now Parkroyal) when it was located at the intersection of Jln Sultan Ismail and Jln Imbi, after completing a hotel management course. He soon became a tour manager and then got promoted to duty manager.

Lots of hard work, dedication and sheer perseverance later, he was made assistant front office manager, before finally assuming the post of front office manager, all in 12 years.

"When Parkroyal took over after the Regent relocated to Jalan Bukit Bintang, the company retained me in the same position," Krishna said. "After a year, I ventured into the food business but things didn't work out well."

"A year later, I joined Crown Princess Hotel and then moved on to Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, which is under HPL Hotels and Resorts," he added. "Within the HPL Group, I had an opportunity and experience to

manage Casa Del Mar in Langkawi for two years and also worked in more challenging countries likeMyanmar and Bhutan."

Relax by the fire place

But that's history. For the last five years, Krishna has been managing The Lakehouse in CameronHighlands and is quite happy to stay in these cool climes for a while.

He admitted there were challenging times during his various stints, working irregular hours and having to balance his time between work and family. The hardest was when he hit rock bottom when he ventured into the food business.

"I've learnt many things, understanding people's needs and being able to fulfill their expectations, and I find this is the most satisfying," said Krishna.

"I had the opportunity to learn and understand the laws of nature when I had failed in my food business," he recollects, and is emphatic when he says: "When you hit rock bottom, the only course is to move up."

"I've also learnt that failure is only a passing tide and that there is ample opportunity to derive from this."

So, what is Krishna Badhur doing for the 18-room Lakehouse in Cameron Highlands, which was acquired by the HPL Group, helmed by tycoon Ong Beng Seng, in 1989?

"I want to position the brand as one of the most reputable destinations around and ensure that guests go home with a memorable experience," he said.

The Lakehouse is located about 1,000 metres above sea level between Ringlet and Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia's popular hill resort, about 200km north of Kuala Lumpur.

It was built by Colonel Stanley Jack Forster, of the British Army in 1970, and is a splendid Tudor-styled boutique resort complete with artifacts from Europe.

Set in an area dubbed `The Valley of Eternal Spring', this idyllic country house rests on a hill, surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens, overlooking rolling hills, verdant woodlands and a tranquil, albeit man-made, lake.

The nicest feeling about being at The Lakehouse is the calm, serene ambience within, and lush greenery and soothing sounds of insects from the nearby jungle, birds chirping all day, running water, and a nice little Hindu temple sitting on a hillslope within the compound.

Beauty!

The temple is owned by The Lakehouse and built in 1992 after a passing monk visited the place to relate that an elephant deity had wanted to sit up there. Krishna says that the management decided to build a small

shrine to keep the harmony of the place.

Forster passed away in 1984 at a time when the HPL Group was scouting for a property and came across The Lakehouse by coincidence. It was up for sale, and HPL bought it lock, stock and barrel.

The interior was refurbished in 2005 when bathroom tiles and ware, fabrics and carpets were replaced and paint work done.

"It used to be plain Tudor-style black and white inside, but now there's pink and cream so it doesn't exude a dull, monotonous character," Krishna said.

Well, if you're a writer or a retired couple longing for peace and quiet, The Lakehouse is just the place. It does not offer television sets or a pool to laze in to begin with.

There are other things you could do; spend time at the Reading Room where you could sit by the log fireplace and enjoy some quiet time, or play Scrabble or other board games over a glass of wine at the Highlander Lounge, also a lovely, romantic place to snuggle up in the chilly evenings.

Or simply just sip on English tea and scoff warm scones at the al fresco Lakeview Terrace. The scones are warm and the nicest I've had, and they go very well with the rich, pure strawberry jam and perfect whipped

cream.

Otherwise, you could just relax in your room if you want all day and order room service.

The Restaurant, the resort's most popular dining area, offers some good local and western dishes, courtesy of Chef Edmund Ling, who has been mannning the kitchen for 17 years.

Whilst you are there, don't forget to pick your favourite wine from the display table at the entrance, where vintages from around the world are arranged neatly and attractive, too. Each bottle costs RM150 and above.

All rooms and suites are comfortably and elegantly decorated in the style of a bygone era. Lush and quaint furnishings form a wonderful backdrop at The Lakehouse where four-poster beds, winged chairs, antique

cupboards, table fans and fresh flowers from the garden complete its old world charm.

There are 11 deluxe rooms (RM582 nett each), three junior suites (RM679), three family suites (RM800) and even a honeymoon suite (RM922), all inclusive of breakfast.

You also breathe fresh air because none of the rooms are air-conditioned. There's netting on the windows to keep pesky mosquities out.

Finally, when you do go to The Lakehouse, get it to book you some tours to the Boh Tea plantation and factory, strawberry farm, vegetable farm, bufferfly garden, Orang Asli village and to the highest peak at Mount Brinchang.

"We offer some good packages which cover meals, accomodation and tours, but at the end of the day, it's the service level that makes everyone feel at home," added Krishna.