www.nst.com Thanks to the majestic Titiwangsa mountain range, the resort has a dramatic backdrop. Add to that the soothing trickle of water from the lazy stream that flows right next to its compound.

To keep in tune with what Nature has provided, owners of the year-old resort, Mohd Said Karim and wife Hasmah Harun, complement it with a lush tropical landscape of heliconias, palms and ferns, a long-snaky fish pond and an inviting natural-water swimming pool.

The resort, spread over 0.6 hectares of land, comprises a main building which houses its reception and administration office, a guest-room block and another small building housing the restaurant, meeting and function rooms. There are also some cabins, ideal for backpackers and budget travellers.

From the reception, itأ¢â‚¬ثœs just a short walk through a small garden of ornamental blooms to the guest-room block with balconies facing the fish pond.

A lovely pergola, decorated with wind-chimes, hanging ornaments and classic lamp shades, indicates the way to the swimming pool and the Dihilir Brasserie.

The glass-walled brasserie is another classic touch which invites patrons with its high Malacca-style staircase and offers a cosy dinning area for guests.

The resort acquires different moods throughout a day. In the mornings, itأ¢â‚¬ثœs cool with chirping birds and dewy leaves; in the afternoons, the tropical garden and inviting stream offer solace; at dusk, tarry a while to admire the brilliant orange-yellow coloured sky as the sun sets behind the mountain range.

Nights are cold, quiet and romantically lovely. Thereأ¢â‚¬ثœs nothing much to do actually أ¢â‚¬â€œ handphone reception is poor and there is no television reception (but each room is equipped with a CD player). But one can just laze around and enjoy the comforts of the room.

Still, one wonders what's with the name Seri Pengantin? Hasmah says it's a concept borrowed from the rich Malay wedding ceremony from merisik (asking for the girl's hand) to the big reception day.

"Our aim is to give that special welcome one gets from the bride's or groom's parents when attending a wedding reception," she says.

She says in the near future, guests will go home with, not only good memories but with a stalk of bunga telur too.

Opened last May, the 20-room Seri Pengantin Resort is located at Kampung Sum Sum Hilir, Janda Baik, Bentong. For more info call 09-2330400.