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Asia-Euro Conference 2010, Subang Jaya TRANSFORMATION AND MODERNISATION IN TOURISM,
HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
1
TOUR010
THE BRITISH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF FRASER'S HILL AND CAMERON
HIGHLANDS, MALAYSIA
Azizi Bahauddin
Universiti Sains, Malaysia
Badaruddin Mohamed
Universiti Sains, Malaysia
Ahmad Puad Mat Som
Universiti Sains, Malaysia
Shida Irwana
Universiti Sains, Malaysia
Abdul Ghapar Othman
Universiti Sains, Malaysia
ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the British heritage architecture found in the hill resorts of Fraser's Hill
and Cameron Highlands, Pahang. Apart from cool climes and fresh air, Fraser's Hill is known
for its virgin rain forests and jungle walks while Cameron Highlands is iconic with its vegetable
and fruit farms and tea plantations. This paper also touches on heritage tourism that is related
to the buildings with Tudor style architecture that have existed for almost a century. Most of
these buildings have been adapted into new usage of accommodation and lodging
purposes. Several surveys have been performed to investigate the functions of these colonial
structures as the parameters of this project. Data collections on the evolution of these
buildings are acquired from the Pahang State Tourism Development office. They are cross
referenced with visual data collection of the identified buildings and ethnography
documentation. The notions of the British-ness of the hills offer opportunities for tourism to
flourish. Ultimately, the architecture of yesteryear provides settings that are close to the
environs of England and Scotland. They become one of the main tourist attractions to these
hills that make them different from other Malaysian tourist locations.
Keywords: heritage architecture, heritage tourism, hill resorts
Asia-Euro Conference 2010, Subang Jaya TRANSFORMATION AND MODERNISATION IN TOURISM,
HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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INTRODUCTION
Heritage tourism is considered as one of the vital components in the tourism sector. The
popularity of this specific type of tourism in Malaysia requires attention as far as hill resorts with
British colonial architectural heritage is concerned. Currently, there are diverse opinions and
interpretations about heritage tourism. According to Prentice (1992), heritage tourism, i.e.,
touring and visits to historic sites, towns and villages, had a wide popularity across the
destination areas, probably reflecting the social composition of the countries (p. 80). Hall, (as
cited in Dincer & Ertugral, 2003) explained that the cultural and historical heritage and
tourism have many links. Tourism can be perceived as a tool in the economic justification for
the preservation of such heritage and it also serves to preserve artefacts and folk life (p. 23).
However, Getz (1994) observed that in heritage sites, the historical recreations can be
considered authentic if they faithfully simulate past and authentic conditions (p. 321).
Meanwhile, Fyall and Garrod (as cited in Dincer & Ertugral, 2003) viewed that protection,
preserving the authentic features and service are the three important points in the
management of cultural and historical heritage establishments (p. 24).
It is agreed that in tourism industry, the quality and the uniqueness of local
architecture of historical buildings and monuments are important. Reviews by Dincer and
Ertugral (2003) of some writers found that nostalgia can be successfully stimulated at some
heritage sites surrounding the hotels. The examples include the Lake Palace at Udaipur,
Rambagh Palace at Jaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace at Jodhpur in India, Chateau Loriol in
France, the Manila Hotel, the Hotel Queen Mary, the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Naples, Florida and
the Raffles Hotel in Singapore (Dann, 1994 & 1996). These are to name a few that have been
successfully revived and fall under the heritage establishment category. It also noted that
well-planned tourism is capable of supporting the efforts of conservation of historical
buildings and the continued success of such heritage re-used or recycled buildings is
dependent in part on the scale of tourism involved (Dinçer & Ertugral, 2003, p. 24). As
emphasised by Wahab and Pigram (1997), the capacity of historical and cultural features
preserved in such establishments is proportional to the number of visitors beyond which the
cultural, historical and archaeological resources start to deteriorate in time (p. 282). Based on
these perceptions, the British colonial architectural heritage found on the hill resorts of
Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands would be able to contribute and could be exploited to
stimulate a further growth of tourism at these locations. However, there are limited historical
texts written about these hills. Furthermore, there is not much can be said about the
availability of the current literature on destinations with British colonial architectural heritage.
Specifically, these are the hill resorts that have historical values as well as connection to the
British colonial architecture. Hence, the research on this issue will highlight the neglected
Asia-Euro Conference 2010, Subang Jaya TRANSFORMATION AND MODERNISATION IN TOURISM,
HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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parts of heritage tourism that are long embedded within the hill resorts tourism. Specific
methodology employed for this research, guarantees the success of the project via acquired
data.
METHODOLOGY
As the research undertakes the qualitative approach, the methodology is focussed
specifically on acquiring data on the British colonial architectural heritage. This falls under the
ethnography research methodology that includes visual data collection and documentation
of the environs of the architecture. It documents the architectural style of the identified
buildings by concentrating on building materials, colours, interior spaces and locations. The
documentation of the buildings revolves around buildings with Tudor style architecture that
has existed for almost a century. Most of these buildings have been adapted into new usage
of accommodation and lodging purposes. They have been widely preserved especially in
Fraser’s Hill and a few structures in Cameron Highlands. The research on the British cultural
influences onto these buildings completes the ethnography research method by extracting
information from historical texts written by British authors during the late 19th century and at
the turn of the 20th century.
Several surveys have been performed to investigate the functions of these colonial
structures as the parameters of this project. Data collections on the evolution of these
buildings are acquired from the Pahang State Tourism Development office that help to
determine the buildings current functions. They are cross referenced with visual data
collection of the identified buildings and ethnography documentation. The highlight of the
research is the applicable notions of the British-ness of the hills that can offer opportunities for
tourism to flourish. Through the undertaking methods, the architecture of yesteryear can
easily be documented as providing settings that are close to the environs of England and
Scotland. They could be suggested to play a role as one of the main tourist attractions to
these hills. In return they can make these hill destinations different from other Malaysian tourist
spots. This can be achieved by having an approach that is directed by a few objectives. The
objectives facilitate in determining the goal of the project. The objectives are:
1. To document the growth of tourism of Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands
2. To determine the number of heritage buildings being preserved that function as
tourist related accommodation
3. To analyse the buildings style of the architectural heritage character in order to
categorise the architecture accordingly
Asia-Euro Conference 2010, Subang Jaya TRANSFORMATION AND MODERNISATION IN TOURISM,
HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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The objectives of the research set the boundaries of the approach by understanding the
context of tourism as well as the historical background of Fraser’s Hill and Cameron
Highlands.
HISTORY OF THE HILLS
Fraser's Hills
Fraser's Hill owes its name to a Scottish trader, Louis James Fraser, who established a tin ore
trading station in the forested mountains between the Selangor and Pahang border at the
end of the 19th century (Fraser’s Hill Development Corporation, 2009). Louis James Fraser, an
accountant, after failing in a venture at gold mining in Australia migrated to the Malay states
in the 1890 seeking his fortune in tin mining. He had started collecting tin ore from miners
along the Tras-Kuala Kubu route, using mules and bullocks as a transport system. At that
time, he lived at the unassuming dwelling in Tras, as supplies and machinery could reach up
to Tras. Soon after, he moved to the site of mining from the Gap through a bridle path. Later
on, he closed down at Tras and moved up to the hill. It was the time that Fraser’s Bungalow
was conducted (official plans still mark the site of his original house). In November 1899 the
first official mining lease was issued to Abu Suradi and the last one was issued in 1960 to
Robert Lewis and Mining Company Limited. As these mines were quickly depleted the
Chinese miners and farmers mostly moved away.
Now, Fraser himself was a legend, but Bukit Fraser is the recognised name of the hill.
Meantime, the number of the European population in colonial Malaya increased, hence the
need for a cool retreat such as hill stations also increased. In 1917, The Bishop of Singapore
and another clergyman in 1917 trekked up the hill perhaps to seek the Bungalow of Fraser or
its site. On his return to Singapore, he reported the capability of the hill station for
development to the High Commissioner. This suitability of the site for development was
confirmed further by a preliminary topographical survey in August 1919. Moreover, in the
same month, Mr. R.C.M. Kindersly, an unofficial member of the Federal Council, informed the
committee that it makes financial provisions in 1919 aimed to develop Bukit Fraser as a hill
resort.
In October 1919, Mr. F.W. Mager, the State Engineer Pahang started surveying the site
for building as well as land clearing around Fraser’s bungalow to make a trace for an access
road up the hill from the Gap. In 1920, the responsibility of the further growth of Fraser’s Hill
was committed to a Development Committee under the Federal Government. This
committee was officially renamed Bukit Fraser as Fraser’s Hill (Fraser’s Hill Development
Corporation, 2009). It is an agency that preserves the existing British colonial building for the
purpose of encouraging heritage tourism.
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HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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Cameron Highlands
Cameron Highlands in the state of Pahang is also well-known as one of the oldest hill stations
in Malaysia. Located at more than 1500 meters altitude, visitors enjoy a cool, bracing
climate. In 1885, William Cameron, a researcher who came to this region to a mission,
discovered this Highlands. After 40 years, Cameron Highlands were subjected to a plan for
development and converted into a hill-station. The existing road belongs to that era when
Cameron Highlands was one of the oldest and largest hill resorts in Malaysia (Grêlé, 2004).
After the World War II, the highland became a region with diverse ethnic groups; Chinese
(the biggest group), followed by Malays, Indians, ‘Orang Asli’, and foreigners. Three territories
made up the highlands. They are Ulu Telom, Ringlet, and Tanah Rata.
During the colonial era, the highland catered for British officials with its cool climate
and beautiful scenery as a retreat. After 1957, the end of colonial era, the highland has been
developed as a tourist’s destination (Mariapan et. al, 2008). Leong (1992) claimed that, since
1970’s more holiday homes and hotels have been built. Cameron Highlands has become a
popular tourist destination with the availability of public transportation to both local and
foreign tourists. Cameron Highlands provides its visitors with golf, jungle trekking, agro-tourism,
cultural tourism, wildlife photography and bird-watching. These are some of the evidence for
potential tourism development in the Cameron Highlands (Berry & Ladkin, 1997; Mowforth &
Munt, 1998; Stabler, 1998; McCool, 2001). According to Ashton & Ashton (2002), ecotourism
could compete with other kind of land use through well-planned and effective
management.
In the case of Cameron Highlands, the ecotourism development can provide mutual
benefits for tourism suppliers’ as well as local community and resources (Boo, 1990; Cater,
1995; Duffy, 2002). Two agencies have been involved in the Cameron Highlands
management, The District Council and the Land Office of Cameron Highlands. Both
agencies have great role to develop this long-established destination by considering
sustainability as the main agenda for sustainable tourism as well as location up-keeping
(Mariapan et al., 2008). Cameron Highlands experienced a downturn in terms of hotel
occupancy rate but statistics show increasing number of tourist arrivals. This inconsistency
can be due to many reasons such as the arrivals of more backpackers, camping tours and
day travellers that require less hotel rooms. Although the available number of hotel rooms is
quite significant, the heritage buildings that have been converted into hotels are still looked
after for the significant connection to the British culture.
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HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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DEVELOPMENT OF HILL RESORTS IN MALAYSIA
Hill stations like Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands owed their origins and early development
to colonialism. They were specialised highland outposts of colonial settlement that initially
catered for the Europeans in search of health, relaxation, and amusement (Aiken, 2002, p.1).
King (1976) has noted that the hill stations provided in its physical, social, psychological and
aesthetic climate, the closest approximation to conditions of life at home (p. 165). Mitchell
(1972), claimed the function of this type of settlement was as a place of protection from the
perceived health risks of the lowlands, which were mainly because of the harmful effects of
the tropical climate. Based on this sentiment, the existing British colonial heritage buildings
can provide the same outlooks for those who do not have the opportunities to be in Britain to
experience the settings.
Furthermore, the hill stations played a role as resorts as well. Aiken (2002) quoted that
although the hill resorts are detached from the alien land and life of the lowlands, secluded
in the cool and airy highlands, the hill stations offered isolated, exclusive milieus where
European sojourners could feel at home. Home was the model or ideal and for more than
anything else the colonial hill stations were the replacement or substitute places. These are
the places that were intended to resemble and feel like well-loved distant homelands. It is
not a surprise that visitors to the highland resorts commented so frequently on their bracing
air, on their familiar-appearing landscapes and architecture, their neat little gardens, and on
other simple reminders of home. Nostalgia was the common experience of most visitors (p.
2). The romantic ambience associated with the faraway land can be exploited to
encourage tourism, a sector that is not strongly tapped on these hill resorts.
Penang Hill, Maxwell’s Hill, Fraser’s Hill, and Cameron Highlands were four hill stations
established by the British in Malaysia. Penang Hill, located on the island of Penang, was
established by the English East India Company in the late 18th century appears to be the
oldest hill station in the British Empire. The rest of hill stations were developed in the 1880s,
1920s, and 1930s, respectively. All four hill stations were undeveloped, small and just housed a
collection of bungalows. Among all of them, only Cameron Highlands had appreciable
development due to the development of commercial agriculture, not because of its role as
a centre of health and recreation. Nevertheless, Genting Highlands, the newest hill station of
Peninsular Malaysia, a sizable tourist and gambling resort isexcluded from that rule (Tables 1 –
5). It dates from the post-colonial 1960s and was founded by two local Asians, not by
colonial government (Reed, 1979).
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Table 1: Number of hotels and hotel rooms in Malaysia Hill Resort during 1980
≥100 rooms 50-99 rooms 20-49 rooms 10-19 rooms Destination
Hotels Rooms
Hotels Rooms Hotels Rooms Hotels Rooms
Cameron
Highlands
0 0 2 129 6 185 9 119
Fraser’s Hill 1 100 0 0 0 0 2 22
Genting
Highlands
3 978 1 71 1 34 0 0
Source: Hotel Directory, Tourist Development Corporation Malaysia 1980
Table 2: Tourist arrivals to Malaysia Hill Resorts
Year Genting Highlands
Cameron Highlands
Fraser’s Hill
2001 2733808 301941 47910
2002 3525169 364930 60699
2003 2327440 227148 55339
2004 3031506 280547 81476
2005 3191774 298284 89068
2006 5622154 401177 60232
2007 7962647 499515 50128
Source: Fraser’s Hill Development Corporation
Table 3: Number of hotel rooms in Malaysia Hill Resort
Destination 2001 2004 2006 2007 2008
Genting
Highlands 5785 7753 10132 10132 10132
Cameron
Highlands 1683 1683 2129 2129 2129
Fraser’s Hill 483 579 493 493 493
Source: Fraser’s Hill Development Corporation
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HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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Table 4: Average occupancy rates of Malaysia Hill Resorts
Destination 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Genting Highlands 80.5 82.5 45.0 85.0 70.0 85.5 84.0 89.1
Cameron Highlands 39.3 49.0 45.0 45.6 45.8 52.3 58.7 52.5
Fraser Hills 24.9 39.9 25.0 38.6 42.0 34.5 41.2 26.4
Source: Fraser’s Hill Development Corporation & Malaysian Association of Hotels 2009
Table 5: Average length of stay in Malaysia Hill Resorts
Destination 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Genting Highlands 2.0 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.0
Cameron Highlands
2.2 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
Fraser's Hill 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
Source: Fraser’s Hill Development Corporation
Majority of this hill stations were converted into hill resorts during post-colonial era
(Clark, Gill & Hartman, 2006). By the end of colonial era in 1957, considerable plans have
been proposed to develop Peninsular Malaysia’s older hill stations which were not grown
appreciably yet. Maxwell’s Hill was renamed Bukit Larut in 1979, but in general it remains
mostly unchanged. In the case of Fraser’s Hill or Penang Hill, rather than a few exceptions of
new hotels and variety minor tourist attractions, there has not been much development.
Cameron Highlands has economically focused on commercial agriculture. Nowadays, the
composition of the hill stations visitors has been changed and most of visitors are domestic
holiday-makers as well as international tourists (Aiken 1994).
TOURIST ACCOMMODATION IN CAMERON HIGHLANDS (BY TYPE)
In terms of hotel development, Cameron Highlands saw the evolution of the
accommodation demands due to its reputation as a hill resort that can offer varieties of
activities (Table 6 & Figure 2)
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HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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Table 6: Numbers of tourist accommodation in Cameron Highlands by type of
accommodation
Figure 2 – The evolution of accommodation in Cameron Highlands
FRASER’S HILL
Fraser’s Hill (Figure 3) today is popular for those who are interested in nature based pursuits
such as trekking, bird watching, horse riding, fishing and camping. The development of
nature based tourism in Fraser’s Hill has made this destination famous due to its rich
biodiversity especially for its annual event of the International Bird Race in June bird watching
activity. It’s cool and cosy climate is most welcome to receive weekends and holidays’
Accommodation
Type
1993 1998 2001 2004 2008 Total
Hotel 18 18 20 32 27 115
Lodge 2 2 1 1 5 11
Inn 1 2 2 3 5 13
Resort 4 8 8 6 4 30
Chalet 1 1 1 3 4 10
Guest House 1 2 2 3 3 11
Cottage - - - - 1 1
Apartment - - - - 1 1
Total 27 33 34 48 50 192
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HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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tourists. All this conditions have created a balance atmosphere for some of foreign tourists
like Japanese, Australians and Europeans to stay here for a period of about couple of weeks
to two months as the long-stay guests. Access to Fraser's Hill is only possible by road via the
Gap at the base of the resort. The town is relatively small, with much of the activity centred
on a market square dominated by a little clock tower. Most of the town's amenities are
housed in colonial styled buildings. It is like a little Scottish village with granite coloured mock
Tudor buildings dotting the landscape (about-malaysia.com, 2009). Fraser’s Hill is also well-
known “Little England” as regarding to its quaint bungalow-type development initiated by
the colonial administration though all this have been changed due to development of high
rise hotels and apartments and golf course since 1990s.
Figure 3: Map of Fraser’s Hill
Source: Fraser’s Hill Development Corporation
TOURIST ARRIVALS TO FRASER’S HILL
Considering all its attractions that are mentioned, it seems that Fraser’s Hill has not been well
received by either locals or foreign visitors in recent years. Tourist arrivals to Fraser’s Hill has
been declined by about 17% in 2007 compared to the previous year, whilst the year of 2006
slumped about 32% compared to 2005 (Goh, 2008). The reason can be a composition of
seasonality, lack of activities as well as amenities/facilities to make it less attractive to visitors
during the low season periods. Statistics show considerable decline in tourist arrivals and
average occupancy rates of hotels/resorts tourism industry players have reported this
problem to the federal government (Goh, 2008). As opposed to Cameron Highlands, Fraser’s
Hill saw a moderate addition to its accommodation structures (Table 6 and Figure 4).
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Table 6: Numbers of tourist accommodation in Fraser’s Hill by type of accommodation
Accommodation Type 1975 2008 Total
Bungalow* 33 62 95
Inn - 1 1
Lodge 1 1 2
Resort - 4 4
Cottage* 3 - 3
Total 37 68 105
Figure 4 – Evolution of accommodation in Fraser’s Hill
DEFINITION OF HERITAGE HOTEL
According to Historic Hotels of Europe (2007), which represents 18 historic hotels associations,
stated that heritage hotels are hotels that combine history, art and culture with authentic
hospitality and delicious cuisine. Buildings like monasteries, castles, manors or inns of faraway
times have been transformed into hotels. In architectural term it is known as adaptive reuse,
a change of the function of the original building to a more purposeful role without having to
change its appearance. Those hotels can also be called as historic hotels. The building and
setup of historic hotels can represent their countries' national cultural traditions, historic
heritage and architecture.
In characterising heritage hotel, Bhatia (2002) provided a detail definition of heritage
hotel. He stated that heritage hotels have unique architectural features used in different
period of time which blend in with the culture and tradition of the area. The main idea is to
convert these properties which are not being used any more for residential purposes into
hotel in order to preserve their uniqueness. Heritage hotels operating in palaces / castles /
forts / hunting lodges / havelis (mansions) / residence of any size built several decades ago.
The façade, the architectural features and the general constructions are of distinctive
character, quality and ambience keeping with traditional way of life of the area. The
extension, improvement renovation in the existing structure made is to be with the traditional
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architectural style. The renovated properties are to maintain general features and ambience
conforming to the overall concept of heritage and architectural distinctiveness. The
properties so converted have all the facilities of a modern hotel (pp. 180-181).
The British colonial buildings found on the resorts of Fraser’s Hill and Cameron
Highlands owe their characters to the British Tudor style architecture. However, some
modifications have been introduced to these buildings due to their locations. Although Tudor
dynasty began in mid 15th century, the style remains until now. The Tudor style uses new
classical vocabulary. The one that is found on Fraser’s Hills and Cameron Highlands British
heritage buildings is considered as the Tudor Revival, a style that is revived by the Arts and
Crafts movement (Rice, 2009, p. 230). The Tudor or Tudor Revival style as (Wikipedia, 2009) is
the style of architecture in its final development of medieval architecture during the Tudor
period (1485–1603) and even beyond. It followed the Perpendicular style. Although
superseded by the Elizabethan architecture in domestic building of any pretensions to
fashion, the Tudor style still retained its hold on English taste. The four-centred arch, now
known as the Tudor arch, was a defining feature; some of the most remarkable oriel windows
belong to this period; the mouldings are more spread out and the foliage becomes more
naturalistic. In the 19th century a free mix of these late Gothic elements and Elizabethan
were combined for hotels and railway stations, in revival styles known as Jacobethan and
Tudorbethan. As a modern residential style, what is usually referred to as Tudor (or sometimes
Mock Tudor) is more akin to the rustic Tudorbethan architecture. The British colonial buildings
with this style found in Fraser’s Hills are mainly bungalows while in Cameron Highlands it is a
mix of bungalows and cottages. Bungalows are well design-constructed and more costly
establishments which mostly use as regular homes (Answer Bag, 2009). The word originally
came from Hindi bangle which means Bengali refers to a single story building house in the
Bengal style. Traditionally such houses were small (only one story) with the attached wide
veranda. The British adapted this style to be used as houses for colonial administrators during
summer in places like Malaysia. It combines some elements from the army tent, British
cottage, and exotic sources like the Persian veranda (Education Ask, 2010). On the other
hand, cottages are smaller dwellings that are mostly used for vacations (Answer Bag, 2009).
According to Glossary Encyclopaedia (2010), the modern style of a cottage is a dwelling
that is located in a rural area or semi-rural location. The term cottage refers to a rurally one
and a half property which the eaves timbers encroach on the actual living space. In most
cases cottage describe a cosy and small dwelling.
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FRASER'S HILL HERITAGE BUILDINGS
As noted in www.journeymalaysia.com (2010), Brinchang bungalow is an old colonial
bungalow right next to the Clifford's (Jelai). Brinchang was originally called Dacres after its
first owner, Dacres H.Wise. It sits on a narrow slip of land, and has a wonderful and
unobstructed view of the entire valley below and the hills in the distance. Unlike Pekan/Par
where individual rooms are available for rent, the Jelai (Clifford), Brinchang/Dacres and
Temerloh/Wray are rented out as complete units (Figure 7). Another pretty colonial bungalow
available for rent is the Raub or Kindersley Bungalow (Figure 8).
Figure 5 - Dacres Bungalow Figure 6 - Clifford Bungalow
Kindersley Bungalow was named after R.C.M Kindersley, the gentleman largely
responsible for the success of Fraser's Hill. All the bungalows mentioned include modern
facilities.
Figure 7 - Wray Bungalow Figure 8 - Kindersley Bungalow Figure 9 – Richmond Bungalow
On the other hand, Richmond Bungalow has been turned into a successful restaurant
where the British charms are still the main cultural elements displayed (Figure 9).
One of the most successful conversions of bungalows that have been converted into
a hotel is the Smokehouse. The building of this hotel was erected in 1924. It was the Red Cross
rehabilitation centre before it was converted to a hotel. Currently, this hotel has 16 rooms for
rent. The Smokehouse Hotel in Fraser's Hill evokes all the charm of the English countryside
(Figure 10 – 15). The hotel promises a serene getaway from city life. The ambience of this
hotel will bring the guests to a more leisurely and tranquil time. It also promises a wonderful
traditional English breakfast, tea in the gardens with scones, cream and strawberry jam, and
dinner as it claims to be one of the finest restaurants in the Fraser’s Hill
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(http://www.thesmokehouse.com.my). The interior of the hotel offers a comfortable
ambience by the fireplace. The hotel is literarily surrounded by woods and forests. The guests
are able enjoy the space to the soothing sounds of nature, peace and tranquility. One of the
most memorable offerings this hotel can provide is the view overlooking the Titiwangsa
range.
Figure 10 – Front garden
Figure 11 - The Smokehouse
Figure 12 – English garden
Figure 13 – Unmistakably Tudor Figure 14 – Dining area Figure 15 – Exposed beam for
the lounge
CAMERON HIGHLANDS HERITAGE BUILDINGS
There are three identified English colonial buildings in this resort. They are the Bala’s Guest
House, The Smokehouse and the Lake House Hotel. All three structures portray the
appearance that can be found of historical values as in Britain. All three buildings have the
Tudor Revival outlooks hence the number of visitors flock the areas where these buildings are
located. The visitors are either the people who stay at these establishments or those who
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come to take pictures of the buildings that have unique characters as opposed to the
buildings surrounding them.
The Bala's Guest House is one of the oldest colonial buildings built during the pre-war
era and preserved in its original structure to enhance its natural beauty. Originally, the
building was opened as a boarding school in 1934 to cater for European expatriate children
as a branch of the more famous Tanglin school in Singapore. The school began with 150
pupils and 22 qualified teachers all recruited from England. The story of the Tanglin School
through Japanese Occupation and Emergency inspires any educator. Its owner and
headmistress, Miss Griffith Jones O.B.E. had passed on her love for nature by preserving the
school's surroundings in its natural habitat. When Miss Griffith retired in 1958 she still stayed on,
in the highlands she had grown to love and was finally buried at the foothills. A former pupil
always recalls "tea being served in the best British tradition", a tradition carried on over the
years (Figure 15 – 18). Although now it is no more a school it still carries on this tradition in a
different way. Its present owners, K. Balakrishnan and Peter W. Blumbach, a German
businessman residing in Singapore bought over the property which was left empty after the
school closed down and turned it into a guesthouse. It later became a fine place to stay in
years to come. The Bala's Guest House chalet has 25 cottage style rooms offering
accommodation to visitors who want to experience an English setting environment In spite of
the numerous refurbishments, the original Tudor concept is still being preserved so much so
that old girls of the school have returned to pleasantly find they could recognize the music
room, the dining room etc.
(http://www.highlandresorts.net/ourstory.html).
Figure 15
Entrance
Figure 16
Tudor style
Figure 17
One of the rooms
Figure 18 – Dining area
Similar to the one in Fraser’s Hill, the Smoke House in Cameron Highlands provides
another interesting setting of the British-ness heritage. This English Tudor style hotel, built in
1939, is situated adjacent to a beautiful golf course. Guests are prompted with a golf course
as it is in a prime location on a verdant hill. This hotel claimed that the accommodation is
nestled upon the frontier that separates modernity from the untamed wild. Guests will find
Asia-Euro Conference 2010, Subang Jaya TRANSFORMATION AND MODERNISATION IN TOURISM,
HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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the hotel perfectly situated to explore both. The hotel features a special traditional English
breakfast, followed by a noon tea in the sculpted garden. The Smokehouse Hotel offers a
perfect venue for guests who want one of the best English style hotels in Cameron Highlands
(Figures 20 – 24) (http://www.thesmokehouse.com.my).
Figure 20
Façade
Figure 21
Garden
Figure 22
Tudor style
Figure 23
Frontage
Figure 24
Chimney
The Lake House is an exclusive Tudor style hotel claimed to be in the natural beauty of
the Cameron Highlands green setting. Facing a lake, the hotel offers beautiful views
overlooking the green hills and green woodlands surrounding it. The strong character of
British-ness is portrayed by the rose garden in the compound thus making it a complete
setting of a British architecture. The Lake House thrives on the romance of being in England,
set in a rustic environ while promising the visitors the ‘olde world’ feel (Figures 25 – 28).
Figure 25 – Approach Figure 26 – Façade Figure 27 – Vestibule Figure 28
Staircase
CONCLUSION
The British colonial heritage architecture found in Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands depict
the rich culture that is not indigenous to Malaysia. However, due to its existence in these
specific hill resorts, the architecture itself becomes one of the main tourist attractions to these
destinations. Through the survey conducted on these hill resorts, the statistics have shown
that most of the visitors are attracted to these hill resorts due to their British-ness, the closest
one can get to Britain without going abroad. Most of the surveyed buildings still keep the
original characteristics of the old Tudor style British buildings namely from Scotland and
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HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
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England. It can be seen specifically with the existence of chimneys and fire places. Although
the buildings are of the Tudor Revival, they still infuse the feeling of being in a foreign land
amidst the cool climes and serene atmosphere. The hotels apart from their appearances of
being British, promise a total British experience as far as the hotel indoor design, English
garden and the tea drinking ritual are concerned. The British-ness of these hotels attract a lot
of tourists locally and internationally alike drawn by the cultural heritage in a tropical setting.
The British colonial architectural heritage undoubtedly can be explored and
exploited as one of the niche areas in tourism. They can be the destinations on their own to
encourage tourism. This can be applied on top of the available other type of tourism within
these locations. The branding of Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands as places synonymous
with the British architectural and cultural heritage will be able to map these destinations on
the world map. They feature locations that are rich with the British country side charms that
tourist can experience without having to go to Britain. Above all, the architectural and
cultural heritage should be preserved to maintain the authenticity of the destinations that
can offer the romance of the yesteryears.
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