We'd booked our room at Sri Paya for a week, but after a grand total of one day, we'd tacked on another week to our original reservation. We loved Sri Paya. It was with a heavy heart we said our goodbyes 14 days after our arrival.
What a marvellous little paradise Sri Paya is. And it's so close to the beach that you fall asleep to the sound of the sea.
Our charming wooden chalet provided us with just the right amount of creature comforts. If you're looking for a jolly doorman all decked-out, a bling-bling lobby or a glossy muzak elevator, Sri Paya is so not your kind of place.
But if it's an honest to goodness tropical getaway you're after, in a lovely little beach chalet, then head for Sri Paya, because, trust me, Sri Paya is just what the doctor ordered.
The room we were in came with a fan, in addition to an effective aircon unit, two queen-sized beds, as well as an attached hot-shower bathroom.
That being said, I heard there's also a dorm-type facility available for those looking for a tight budget sleep-over. I guess the Sri Paya dorm would be a suitable option for the back-packer crowd. But as far as we were concerned, we were happy as a clam in our adorable and adequately-furnished little home-away-from-home.
By the way, Sri Paya offers free wi-fi, so no worries about updating friends and family back in the real world. And there's an on-site restaurant, which we found quite convenient. Now, all that notwithstanding, let me say in no uncertain terms that the piece de resistance at Sri Paya was the sea-facing little patio. Lounging here at night, feet up, sipping a drink, well, it's nigh impossible to top the feeling of utter joy that we felt.
Sri Paya is pretty centrally located in the village of Paya, so you've got just about everything you need at your finger tips. There are eateries, little coffee shops, provisions shops and souvenir shops nearby.
And if you're into snorkeling or
scuba-diving, then you're in luck, because, in addition to the in-house dive operator, there's no shortage of other dive schools here that can arrange for a full range of PADI dive courses.
Or, alternatively, if you're like us, you just rent a snorkel mask from any one of these outfits, along with some flippers, for an unforgettable time around the coral reefs peppered here and there. You can also ask Sri Paya to set you up with a full-on snorkeling excursion. We were taken to Pulau Renggis, a small island not too far from Paya, as well as to Marine Park, which was slightly further up north from Pulau Renggis.
Whilst snorkeling, we saw lots of fishes, big and small. The water was as clear a crystal. A wonderful experience.
Tip:
Angling enthusiasts can have a blast, because Sri Paya can set you up with a fishing charter. Our cacth was rather modest, mostly pan-sized fare, but the day out was ever so entertaining. Sri Paya has just 15 rooms, which is isn't many, given Paya's popularity with Singaporean and Malaysian travelers. In other words, if you're keen to stay at Sri Paya, then you had better book online. Or try calling 019-239 8801. Interestingly, the Lonely Planet Team have awarded Sri Paya the title "recommended accommodation in Pulau Tioman", an accolade not so easily bestowed by LP. So I suppose a "well done" to Sri Paya is in order.
Want to reserve your ferry for Sri Paya now? Use the booking form below.
Pro Tip: Not sure which jetty to select in the booking form? You can choose any of the jetties in the form, because the ferry typically (though there's the occasional exeption) goes to each of the jetties listed.
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