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Colmar Tropicale, which means Tropical Colmar, is an attempt to bring a piece of France into tropical Malaysia, and place it in the hills of Bukit Tinggi, Pahang. The result is the centrepiece of the Berjaya Hills Resort.
Colmar Tropicale was named after the city of Colmar in the region of Alsace in northwestern France. The owner of the resort is said to have visited Colmar and was inspired by the city's well-preserved Old Town, and wished to create something similar within a tropical context. It terms of design, it actually resembles more of another Alsacian town, Riquewihr.
Entrance to Colmar Tropicale. I feel this first sight of the resort makes the place look rather plastic (14 January, 2010)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
From the parking area, Colmar Tropicale is approached via a bridge, and entered through an arched gateway topped by a six-storey watchtower. The finishing is one of exposed stones and timber framing. Unfortunately this first sight of Colmar Tropicale is not the nicest for the resort. Malaysian workmanship is quite apparent here. One who is familiar with the timber-framed architecture of France and Germany will be able to tell the difference between the timber-framed houses there, and those you see at Colmar Tropicale.
Going through the arch, you arrive at a medieval village, which is really quite charming. Unlike the very plastic first sight, the inner part of Colmar Tropicale is much nicer. Here, you are surrounded by faux timber-framed houses. They are passable, and at certain angle, reminisent of the timber-framed old towns of French and German villages. Along the street you see al fresco cafés and sidewalk bistros as well as dainty souvenir shops. Cast-iron signages hang overhead, proclaiming the names of different temperate flowers.
View of the watch tower from the other side, after you enter (14 January, 2010)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
There are two watchtowers at Colmar Tropicale, one at the entrance arch and another at the far end of the village. Each house along the main avenue of Colmar Tropicale is done slightly differently. The majority of them have plant boxes with flowering plants. Tropical plants take the place of geraniums and pansies, so they don't provide the riot of colours that you would get the flamboyance of "the real thing".
The entire village is in fact a resort, with guestrooms occupying those "houses", and guest amenities such as swimming pool located on the other side of the "village". As this is not an actual village, but rather a mock-up, it cannot fully duplicate what a French village will appear. And considering it is actually a resort, there is really a limited number of things that walk-in visitors get to do here - apart from look, see, buy, eat and relax.
The timber-framed houses of Colmar Tropicale (14 January, 2010)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Colmar Tropicale has been described as a mixed success. In terms of a cultural resort, there certainly is no other place in Malaysia quite like Colmar Tropicale. However the place has been plagued by numerous issues. One of the most often heard comments about Colmar Tropicale is that it is just too boring. Perhaps Malaysians are not used to a "relaxing holiday" there they do nothing but relax. Most people say that there isn't much to do at Colmar Tropicale, and while it's nice for a one-hour visit, boredom quickly sets in once you're there longer than that.
I learned that when the resort was first started, the owners were hoping to open a casino. That certainly would have been a major draw among non-Bumiputra Malaysians. However, then the casino did not materialize, Colmar Tropicale lost its major triump card.
Façade of the timber-framed houses at Colmar Tropicale (14 January, 2010)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Also, there has been complaints of poor service, poorly trained staff and even inavailability of meals. Perhaps this would not have been the case if the resort were a booming success, but as happens in resorts heading downhill, the enthusiasm for running the place seems gone.
Visiting Colmar Tropicale
Take the Karak Expressway to KM 48. Look out for signage of Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Hills.
View of Colmar Tropicale from the end watchtower (14 January, 2010)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Return to Berjaya Hills Bukit Tinggi
Return to Pahang Travel Guide
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