Lost Paradise Resort, a paradise found

In the years that I traveled within and out of my own country, I have seen a few things or met some people who left me in awe. At Lost Paradise Resort in Penang, the beauty of the surroundings and the peaceful sound of the flapping ocean nearby not only left me relaxed, but the story behind the resort itself is more than inspiring.

Lost Paradise Resort

Located along the Feringghi Beach, Penang, the entrance to the 90,000 sq ft resort is quite secluded. You might need to open your eyes bigger to find the signboard. However, if seclusion is what you want when you’re looking for a holiday in the busy state of Penang, this is definitely one of the best places to go to.

Entering the premises, you will be greeted by many types and colors of orchids lining the walls of the resort entrance. Slightly further, you will find the main hall where guests and family members of the resort owners dwell, which is none other than, the kitchen.

However, the best is yet to come – with a four hundred year old great tree next to the Lighthouse Academy, you will also find many Bali-inspired and Minangkabau-inspired architechture with disctinctively themed and stunningly designed rooms, most of which are the resort’s founder’s own personal collections through his travels over the years.

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Rooms and Activities

There are 40 suites and rooms in this resort where most of them are facing the blue Andaman Sea. You can even view Pulau Tikus in the short distance. The rooms and rates are as such (prices not inclusive of 10% service and 6% tax) :

  1. Superior Room – RM290++
  2. Deluxe Suite – RM400++
  3. Deluxe Family Suite – RM580++
  4. Grand Family Suite – RM580++
  5. Royal Family Suite – RM980++

Every room includes complimentary breakfast.

That is not all. There are also outdoor activities that can be arranged for you, if you’re the outdoorsy type. Activities includes kayaking, fishing, island tour, hiking, waterfall picnic and others. Or, you can just do yoga exercises at the spacious open air nearby the pool.

Do you know that if you kayak from the resort to Pulau Tikus (which takes about 30 minutes) in the evening, you will be able to see the sunset in Penang from there? A beautiful sight!

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Inspiring Story Behind Lost Paradise Resort

Dr. Chew Yu Gee & his wife, Melody
Dr. Chew Yu Gee & his wife, Melody

Now comes the inspiring story behind the Lost Paradise Resort and what prompted the owner; Dr. Chew Yu Gee and his family to open their homes and turn it into a resort.

Dr. Chew is a paediatrician whom lived in Penang with his wife, Melody, and 5 children for the past 20+ years. He is originally from Kulim, a bright student with a bleak childhood. Coming from a family of an alcoholic father, he was a destructive boy in his teens until a missionary took him in and raised him as his own.

Under the tutelage of a good man, Dr. Chew graduated well in high school and furthered his studies in Medicine at National University Singapore in 1978. He met his wife, Melody when he was in his third year and she, a freshman.

After they marry and returned to Penang, he became a missionary doctor as well as working at Penang General Hospital. Things changed when they had their second son, Art, who has autism. In case you didn’t know, a child with autism – as with every special child with special needs, requires a different way of communication and way of raising them. Yes, it requires a lot of patience and also a lot of observation to learn to tap into the child’s mind and creativity.

But, the amazing part is, Art, who is 24 years old now has graduated from the School Of Medicine, Monash University and is now a houseman in Penang General Hospital.

How’s that for inspiration?

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Lighthouse Academy

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The Lighthouse Academy is located within Lost Paradise Resort grounds. The academy was opened in 2012 where 30% of the students are students with special needs – children with autism, down syndrome, etc – while another 70% are mainstream children. There are almost 70 children studying at the academy now, from only 10 students back in 2010.

Melody is the head of the academy and the teachers of the academy are mostly associates and friends of the family. The children of the family also help in their spare time, in between schools.

A few years ago, Dr. Chew fell sick and found out that he has Diabetes Melitus Type 1. So far, the Lighthouse Academy were funded through his paediatric hospitals but when he fell sick, he realized that the academy needs another source of income in case anything befells him. Hence the idea of opening their home and land and turning it into a resort.

The Reluctant Resort

View from the Maharaja suite balcony
View from the Maharaja suite balcony

The family nicknamed the resort as a “reluctant” resort, making it into a homestay more than a resort. The close-knit feel between guests and owners makes guests feel warm and loved.

Dr. Chew also sometimes invites his guests to speak for a session at the Lighthouse Academy, mostly on topics of love, of determination, of friendship bonds, etc to help inspire the children and help shape them into independant and good thinkers of the future.

Lost Paradise Resort
262, Jalan Batu Feringghi,
11100 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel : +604-8904800 / +6016-4550102 / +6011-16499098
Email : lostparadiseresort@gmail.com
Website : lostparadiseresort.net

Lost Paradise Resort, reluctant or not, is a magnetic resort that will pull you back for more. The inspiring story that drives this family to open the resort as well as share their love with children of special needs will also open our hearts to be more giving and loving. We should learn to appreciate what we have and be more accepting of the differences of others.

“Infinitely more important than sharing one’s material wealth is sharing the wealth of ourselves – our time and energy, our passion and commitment, and above all, our love.” – William E. Simon

Written by 

LizzaBella is a part-time traveler, amateur photographer and videographer and writer. Connect with LizzaBella through her social medias today!

26 thoughts on “Lost Paradise Resort, a paradise found

  1. Oh man, I am amazed to read about his autistic son, is now a doctor too!

    I would love to try kayaking and watch the sunset, but I need someone to accompany otherwise my parents will not allow me to. T_T

    1. The story about his son and how his family opened the Lighthouse Academy inspired us. It’s amazing to see people who gives back to the community because there are just not many of these type of people in this world nowadays.

      Kayak is not so bad Hanis. With a life vest on, it will be fine. But yeah, maybe you can visit this place with your friends, a way to strengthen the friendship bond and have fun at the same time! 🙂

  2. thats a beautiful view from the resort! 🙂 although the price falls on the slightly higher side

  3. cool place! I would love to visit if in penang. Price is reasonable too.

  4. I love this resort in the way that despite its size, it’s homey and not too commercialised. Obviously, the view is fantastic, too!

  5. I’m moved by the story. I will definitely pay for a visit when i go back to Penang.

  6. Never heard of this place before, but looking at the view, i guess it’s not bad for the price.

  7. Looks very eco-friendly and back to nature kinda resort. Am gonna bookmark this place for my next travel in Penang. Thanks

  8. Thanks for sharing a nice home feel resort in Penang.
    Marked in my list already, next time can stay here.

  9. Nice and beautiful place. And the prices are reasonable too.

  10. Comfortable hotel with wonderful view. hope to stay there when visit the place. 🙂

  11. The view of the hotel looks amazing! Definitely a great place to spend during holidays and weekend!

  12. Beautiful hotel with best view. Will try this hotel when I visit Penang again.

  13. Wow I never knew that there is such a hotel like this in Penang. Well I might recommend my friends to check out Lost Paradise Resort when they visit Penang.

  14. Didn’t know about this Lost Paradise Resort until I read your post, thanks for the info sharing 🙂

  15. love the name. and the place is so befitting of the name.. lost paradise.

  16. waa I lived in Penang,but I don’t know this place is available!

  17. Never heard about this place before but might will pay a visit next time. =)

  18. very unique to call it that reluctant resort, people will surely remember this place.

  19. thanks for sharing this inspiring story 🙂 will make a stay there in my next visit to Penang 🙂 cheers, siennylovesdrawing

  20. Jean Westerhout says:

    We stayed at the Resort for 10 days and loved it! The relaxing atmosphere, very comfortable rooms and genuine friendly staff, made our stay very enjoyable. The background story is inspirational. We met the effervescent Dr Chew at breakfast one morning and some of the inspirational students over time. We heard stories of tourists who keep coming back and of those who left when they saw students on the property. Those who have no empathy or understanding would not appreciate the ‘Lost Paradise resort’ story. Our family have not only spread the word but will be going back as often as possible.

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