The pools
The 1997 national hot spring inventory lists Air Panas, Keroh, at 44°C at the surface. A guest who stayed in 2022 described the pool as "not boiling hot but hot in a comfortable way", and an April 2026 reviewer agreed it is warm enough to soak your feet or dip in, not scalding. Perak Tourism counted two pools in 2013; the current number isn't published.
The water isn't filtered and often looks murky with sand and sediment, which the operator has long said is its natural state. In 2023 the resort said the spring water runs through the pools continuously instead of standing, and that the pools are cleaned every week. No water analysis has been published, so mineral claims you may see online are unverified.
There is a river behind the resort. A June 2026 reviewer suggested a swim in the cool river first and a soak afterwards, and noted the river runs clear in dry weather but turns murky after rain.
Rooms and facilities
In October 2023 the resort listed 29 rooms across stone chalets, wooden chalets and studios, including rooms set up for older and disabled guests. Rooms started at RM110 a night. A 2022 guest found the chalets basic but comfortable, with air-conditioning and their own bathroom, though they also found dust, a leaking sink and ants. Room complaints carry on in 2026 Google reviews: in April a bathroom with no sink and an air-conditioner that didn't work, in July ants and low water pressure. Most other 2026 reviewers were happy with the stay and the counter staff.
The resort also lists a surau, an open hall, an enclosed hall, an open square, the riverside, public toilets and parking. There is no restaurant on the list; the owner can arrange Malaysian-Thai food on request, and Pengkalan Hulu town is about 3 km away.
Before you go
An April 2025 reviewer reported the hot spring closed for renovation until 2026. Google reviews from March to October 2026 describe guests soaking again, and the owner was answering reviews in August 2026. Rooms are booked through Softinn, linked from the Google listing and the resort's Instagram. A November 2025 guest liked being able to dip their feet in the hot pool at night. Walk-in pool hours aren't published, and the phone lines are listed as 9am–5pm, so call before a long drive.
Combine it with
The Bukit Berapit border crossing is about 6 km from Pengkalan Hulu town, with Betong beyond it. In town, Taman Tasek Takong is a park built on the remains of a small lake.
Getting there
The resort is on Jalan Betong, about 3 km northeast of Pengkalan Hulu town towards the Bukit Berapit border crossing, beside Kampung Ayer Panas. Federal Route 76 links Pengkalan Hulu with Gerik and Kuala Kangsar to the south and Baling in Kedah to the north; from Ipoh the usual route is via Kuala Kangsar and Gerik. Parking is on site. There is no practical public transport, so you need a car.
Before you go
- Call 019-583 8694 or 013-527 2021 (9am–5pm) before driving up, since walk-in hours aren't published.
- Ask about food when you book: there's no restaurant listed, but the owner can arrange Malaysian-Thai dishes.
- Bring your own towel and toiletries, and check the air-conditioning when you check in; 2026 guests describe the rooms as basic.
- Heading to Betong? Carry your passport, check the Bukit Berapit crossing hours, and save the soak for the way back.
- Cloudy water here is unfiltered spring water carrying sand, not a sign of a dirty pool.
Questions people ask
How hot is the water at Kroh Hotspring & Riverside?
The 1997 national inventory recorded 44°C at the surface. The resort has not published pool temperatures.
Can I use the hot spring without staying overnight?
Yes. The resort charged walk-in visitors RM3 per person in 2023. Call ahead to confirm the current rate and hours.
Is there a surau at Kroh Hotspring & Riverside?
Yes, the resort lists a surau among its facilities.
How far is Kroh Hotspring & Riverside from the Thai border?
It is on Jalan Betong, about 3 km northeast of Pengkalan Hulu town on the way to the Bukit Berapit crossing, which is about 6 km from town.
Why is the water murky?
The spring water isn't filtered and carries sand and sediment. The resort says the water flows through the pools continuously and they are cleaned weekly.
Other springs within 150 km
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources. Prices and hours change; confirm with the operator before a long drive.
- Kroh Hotspring & Riverside on Instagram (contacts, 9am-5pm phone hours, Softinn booking link, latest post March 2026)
- Kroh Hotspring & Riverside on Facebook
- Kroh Hotspring & Riverside on TikTok (Oct 2023 caption: 29 rooms, from RM110, RM3 walk-in, rebrand June 2022, facilities)
- Escapy Travel: Kroh Hot Springs and Riverside (stay after the 2022 takeover)
- Ipoh Echo / Perak Tourism Newsletter: Pengkalan Hulu (2013, two pools, GPS)
- Libur: kolam air panas di Perak (Nov 2021, RM2 entry)
- Tripadvisor: Chalet Air Panas Pengkalan Hulu (2015-2016 reviews)
- Mohd Hariri Arifin (2017), Hot springs characterisation and geothermal potential study in Peninsula Malaysia, USM PhD thesis, Table 2.2 after Samsudin et al. (1997)
- Wikipedia: Pengkalan Hulu (1984 renaming, Bukit Berapit crossing, Route 76)
- OpenStreetMap: Kampung Ayer Panas, Pengkalan Hulu
- Google Maps: Kroh Hotspring & Riverside
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