mario33

Thought I would do a comparison now that we have 3 very different properties to choose from.

LOCATION

1) Westin is just 5 min drive from the main commercial centre Kuah but bear in mind most of the shops/restaurants here cater to locals unlike Pantai Cenang (think Patong but much milder) which is a tourist strip.

2) Sheraton is only 10 min from the airport, and somewhat isolated. There are a couple of restaurants down the road (probably 10 min walk but I dont suggest walking) and the closest commercial area are the cluster of tourist shops/restaurants on both sides of Telaga Harbour which is about 5-10 min drive uphill.

3) Andaman is located deep in the rain forest with practically nothing in the vicinity except for a neighbouring resort The Datai and the Golf Club. Nearest offsite shops/restaurants are a good 20-25 min drive at Telaga Harbour mentioned above.

ROOMS

1) Westin has newish modern rooms, majority with balconies and view. Quite a number of suites (and also new villas). Heavenly Bed and 42 inch plasma tv are standard features. Fair chance of a suite upgrade.

2) Sheraton rooms have also been refurbished and furnished with Sweet Sleeper Bed and 32inch LCD. The chalet styled rooms (cluster of 4 per block) are of timber contructions and suffers from poor sound insulation (especially footsteps) and the rooms feels dark. These rooms have a large varendah with a sofa bench and dining table. There are a few suites but mostly garden view.

3) Andaman rooms though renovated is uninspiring. There is no proper balcony (only a step down area with standing room), beds are not pillow-top & comes with blankets (rather than duvets), and LCD tv are small and looks more like 26 inch (rather than 32 inch as advertised). Bathroom is decent but looks a little too "funky" for a resort of this nature. The Lanai rooms on the first level has a deck with 2 loungers but no seaview. Platinums can expect upgrade to either Seaview or Lanai rooms.

BEACH

1) Andaman's beach on Datai Bay is very nice with fine sand and fairly clear waters. Monkeys do come down from the forest at certain times and roam the beach. Fairly quiet and long beach (shared with Datai next door) with no motorised sport allowed.

2) Sheraton shoreline is rather rocky with small stretches of sand/beach. Decent views but not much of a "beach".

3) Westin has a long stretch of beach with coarse sand and murkey waters. During low tide (which lasts from late afternoon to late morning) the beach can get quite unsightly with muddy base exposed.

POOL

1) Westin has several pools including a huge infinity pool.

2) Andaman has a large irregular shape pool with plenty of trees inbetween giving it a jungle feel.

3) Sheraton's pool is rather small for a resort of this size. They have extended the deck area next to the pool providing additional loungers. Apparently there are plans to build a second pool.

ATMOSPHERE

1) Andaman is quite unique being in the middle of a rainforest. Its usually very quiet with sounds of insects/wildlife from the jungle and lapping waves from the sea in the background.

2) Sheratons ground is undulating and very much spread out with plenty of trees giving it a tropical feel. Since they cater to large groups, the resort can get busy/noisy at times.

3) Westin feels modern and sterile. The "layers" of islands in the background gives it a mystical feel, with ferries plying the waters in front of the resort.

BREAKFAST

1) Andaman : basic buffet spread but without the madness of a large resort. comp for platinums.

2) Sheraton : quite good spread but rather busy, comp for platinum.

3) Westin : quite good spread but rather busy, no free breakfast (unless they have changed their policy recently)

INTERNET

1) Andaman : free wifi but signal can be very weak in certain rooms.

2) Sheraton : free at Sheraton Link but limitted to 45 min per room per day. Broadband in room is something like MYR60 per day.

3) Westin : comp for plat in business centre (probably limitted to 1hr per stay)

SERVICE

Fairly decent in all 3 resorts but very inconsistent.

AIRPORT LOUNGE

Westin has an airport lounge but you pay for food and drinks consumed. Non-Westin guests can "enter" for a small fee (MYR10 ?). Do take note that this is the only lounge at LGK since Malaysia Airlines closed their Golden Lounge at the end of 2009.