Planning a family fun time and staycation? Amverton Cove Golf and Island Resort is the place to go.
PULAU Carey's Amverton Cove Golf and Island Resort was once famed for its challenging 18-hole golf course, where champion (and amateur) golfers from all over the world came to hit their best shot.
Although not a golfer, I once stayed at one of the resort's homely villas. Each has its own private pool which makes the resort a fantastic lodging for a short family staycation, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Home to the indigenous Mah Meri community, the island in Kuala Langat waters is a unique destination that offers the one-of-a-kind Mah Meri Cultural Village. The nearby Jugra is a historical and former royal town that is separated from Pulau Carey by Sungai Langat, and its lighthouse hill, Bukit Jugra Lighthouse, is the place where visitors can indulge in paragliding as well as hiking.
Previously, Pulau Carey wasn't really a hyped destination. This was probably due to the fact it was a bit far from any big cities, including Selangor's Royal city, Klang (an hour's drive away) and the lack of fun family-friendly activities.
That has all changed, thanks to the resort's latest attractions — new hotel, a waterpark, an extreme park and a petting zoo!
LIVELY WATERPARK
Riverine Splash @ Amverton Cove, which opened its doors to visitors in December last year, became the talk of the town after the new water park went viral earlier this year.
Wanting to check it out, I plan a family staycation with my in-laws. Well, it is actually a simple plan — a weekend stay at the Riverine Hotel and Suites, and a splashing time at the water park the following Sunday.
After breakfast, we walk to the park which is just a stone's throw from the hotel at 9.45am.
Visitors are already queuing at the entrance to the park.
I make my way to the ticketing counter and ask the others to wait at the seating area beside the souvenir shop nearby.
In my hand are discount vouchers for the park given by the hotel during check-in. Yes, this is a perk of staying at the hotel.
While visitors pay RM58 (adult) and RM38 (child and senior citizen), which are affordable, hotel guests get RM20 ringgit off for each adult ticket and RM10 off for each child and senior citizen.
Staying true to its indigenous roots, the water park features unique tribal motifs, lush landscapes and wood carvings of tribal masks that decorate every corner, wooden huts with nipah leaves roofs and more.
There are over 12 rides, slides and attractions at the water park, suitable for all ages. But some rides may have height and age restrictions.
The slide towers offer at least three thrilling slides and rides, perfect for group fun many times over.
As my 1-year-old daughter is too young to enjoy most of the rides, my favourite attractions here are obviously the Rimba River and the Breaker Pool that features a beach-like shallow pool.
My daughter, on the other hand, really enjoys herself at the playground water world called the Kiddie Beats Pool that has slides and activities for the younger kids.
Other attractions include Waterfall Pool, Cave Tunnel, Wave Pool and Splasher Pool.
Some of the rides require you to take the tubes, so first things first — you need to rent a tube which costs RM30.
Visitors will have to top up their prepaid wristbands at Carey's Shack Restaurant and then go to the Tube Counter where they need to scan the barcode on the wristband for the rental.
Make sure to return the tubes to the Tube Counter to get back the RM10 deposit for each tube. However, the prepaid value is non-refundable, so you can use it later to buy meals at Carey's Shack Restaurant.
FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The resort also boasts another family-friendly park, called the Riverine Survival Park, a perfect place to take the young ones for an outdoor adventure.
Built amidst the clusters of beautiful Banyan trees that offer plenty of shade and fresh air, the park lets kids run freely on the open lawns.
There's the Garden Maze (make sure you go in, and out together with your kids, especially the little ones), tree houses built around native trees complete with obstacle challenges, as well as a flying fox zipline (it is unattended so please supervise and ensure the safety of your own kids).
The entrance ticket for adult is RM30 (RM20 for child and senior citizen), but hotel guests get a discounted price of only RM25 per adult, and RM15 for child and senior citizen.
The resort also offers Riverine Survival Fun Package which is priced at RM550 (a surcharge of RM100 per room per night will be imposed for weekend stay on Friday, Saturday and the eves of public and school holidays) for two adults and two kids.
The package includes a 2D/1N stay in the Studio Double Queen Room inclusive of breakfast at Carey's Diner, entrance tickets to Riverine Survival Park, one unit of Kids ATV ride for 15-minutes, a complimentary picnic basket and mat rental for three hours, and two packets of animal food to feed the rabbits.
PETTING FARM
The Animal Island is another highlight of our stay at the resort, especially since we have the company of young kids and toddlers.
I am actually excited to take my daughter to this island as she is now at the age of learning animal sounds. It would be even better to let her pet some of these creatures.
Hotel guests can book the package at the activity counter located at the lobby. Priced at RM20 per person, the minimum passenger load for a raft is four persons.
Yes, to get to the Animal Island, you have to take a short ride on a floating raft across the lake. The island is not big and once you step foot on the island, you will be welcomed by a group of huge goats!
This might freak you out, but hey, they are very tame — and all they want is for you to feed them with the carrots in your hand.
Other animals available for you to pet and feed here include rabbits and guinea pigs. There's also a snake!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY GETAWAY
The Riverine Hotel and Suites is also one of the newest lodgings at the resort. The resort's villas are currently under renovations.
However, the hotel is actually a better and more affordable option for families, especially extended families like mine.
There are 12 of on this trip, and the hotel offers a few room categories ideal for group bookings.
The one that can accommodate six individuals in a room is the Riverine Jumbo Family Suite, a two-bedroom apartment. We booked two of those rooms. There aren't too many of this room category, so you have to book in advance.
The suite is really spacious and very homely, indeed. It has a kitchen with basic home appliances, a living area with a TV and a sofa set, a balcony overlooking the parks, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
While the master bedroom offers two queen beds with a wardrobe and has an attached bathroom complete with bathtub, the other room is smaller and has a Japanese-style living of two tatami mattresses (don't worry, it's still comfortable). There's also another bathroom with a hot shower in the house.
FAST FACTS
RIVERINE HOTEL AND SUITES @ AMVERTON COVE, PULAU CAREY
PT673, Jalan Pulau Carey, Mukim Jugra,
42960 Pulau Carey, Selangor
TEL 03-3123 3800 / 019-380 2233
EMAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE www.amvertoncove.com
STAY The hotel offers five room categories: Riverine Studio Twin, Riverine Studio Double Queen, Riverine Studio King, Riverine Family Suite (two bedrooms with one King Bed and 2x single tatami) and Riverine Jumbo Family Suite (two bedrooms with two Queen Beds and 2x single tatami). It is a four-star hotel located just a walking distance from the Riverine Splash Water Theme Park and Riverine Survival Park.
EAT There are two F&B outlets located within the hotel, both named after the island. Carey's Cafe serves light snacks, desserts and beverages where you can wind down by the hotel poolside after a hectic day. Carey's Diner is the hotel's all-day dining restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. For breakfast, Carey's Diner serves an amazing spread of buffet with plenty of seating, even for big groups.
DO There's a games arcade and a playground for kids at the hotel which is a fun inclusion to make it more family-friendly. The hotel also has a swimming pool, and offers buggy service to the Golf Club House, where more activities are available such as water activities at the lakeside. Other activities offered at Amverton Cove include ATV, Paintball Shooting Range and Archery.
GO Pulau Carey is home to the Mah Meri indigenous community from over hundreds years ago. Not too far from the hotel, you can visit the Mah Meri Cultural Village, which has a small gallery and traditional house that is open to visitors. Besides the cultural village, visitors can also visit Pantai Morib, Bukit Jugra as well as Pulau Ketam which is not too far.
HIGHS Parking is provided and free of charge.
LOWS The road heading in and out of the area is dimly lit at night. So be careful when driving on the two-way street, especially in the evening.
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