Kuching Hilton has a superb view, and is located in a central position, from which you can easily walk to many of the nicest parts of town. Kuching is one of the nicest cities in Southeast Asia, relatively unspoiled. Strongly recommended. Have stayed there a number of times, nowhere better.
Batang Ai Hilton is reached by a 3.5 hour bus trip, then 25 minutes [or less] across a man-made lake. Location is picturesque, and the trip well worthwhile once. At the Batang Ai make sure you spend time with the 68 year old part-Burmese tour guide, who is a fount of local knowledge. His father was an elephant keeper, brought over by the old Borneo Co. to assist jungle logging. He knows and loves the fauna and flora. Koala.
ps no security problems at all. The greatest threat will be from mosquitos in Batang Ai. Take repellant and use it liberally around dawn and dusk.

[This message has been edited by Koala (edited 09-04-2000).]