I also stayed at Batang Ai and can recommend it. The guide previously referred to, Winston Marshall, is a real gem of knowledge and stories. He is the best reason to go. The hotel proper is nice though some of the activities they promise in brochure/website are not available. For example, the list 'mountian biking' on area trails. The bikes were in awful repair and the trails totally overgrown for biking. As it was hot as an oven there, in the end I didn't mind that one too much. Being that it is totally isolated the hotel restaurant is the only choice and does get a tad old after a few days. Definitely do a trip upriver to see a longhouse village and the river scenery, well worth it. Overall, a definite recommend and say hello to Winston!

I did not stay at Hilton in Kuching but can recommend the town as a charming place. The museum is very good as is the Orang Utan 'reserve'. Further along into Borneo there are huge Caves in National Parks...no Hiltons though...that would be worth seeing.

If you are flying into Singapore flights are reasonable over to Kuching. You can also cross the causeway from Singapore to Johor Bahru in Malaysia and fly much cheaper. FLights from Kuala Lumpur are inexpensive as well.


[This message has been edited by myriad (edited 09-05-2000).]

[This message has been edited by myriad (edited 09-05-2000).]