Easy access, cooler weather (compared to most parts of SE Asia), various options on decent places to stay (compared to Cameron Highlands where I have yet to discover an acceptable hotel), real culture (unlike Cameron Highlands where they try so hard to be 'English' & fail miserably, just hate that mock tudor architecture), authentic local food & most importantly you do actually get service over there (compared to most of Malaysia where its almost non-existent).

I agree Cameron Highlands is more picturesque, and Bandung is not a particularly attractive city in the urbanised areas. But if you look further beyond the city centre, the areas surrounding Bandung can be quite pleasant.

From a tourist point of view, yes Cameron Highlands is probably a better choice if you can bear with the hassle of getting there & all the negatives I have mentioned above. But as a 'traveller', I wouldnt write off Bandung ....

Yes, it does look very nice after the renovations (& rebranding from Merlin Inn) & the view of the golf course across the road is very pleasant. But honestly I dont think I could sleep a night there, its located along the main trunk road in Cameron Highlands & road noise is a major issue since the days of Merlin Inn.

Its also not next to any tea plantation, its probably 15-30 min on the road. However, if you play golf theres a 'public' golf course just opposite the hotel.

Its probably still the best option in Cameron Highlands at the moment, but its not a place I would like to stay.

Well, we went ahead and booked Cameron Highlands Resort. It will be noisy (road), but it sounds like it calms down somewhat at night. We travel with earplugs so don't anticipate too much of a problem here... I don't know if I will do a complete trip report, but I will report back to this thread on our experience.

The hotel offers car service from KL, which we will use (it's a little expensive, but so simple I could not resist).

mario - we'll be in the KL Marriott 4/4 and 4/5 - Tell us where you'd like to meet and we'll buy you that drink I offered!

"Amanfayun is surrounded by terraced tea plantations growing Hangzhou's famous Longjing or 'Dragon Well' green tea. Renowned for its high quality throughout China, the tea leaves will soon be picked and the harvest will continue through April. This is the ideal time of year to stroll through the tea fields or visit the National Tea Museum near the resort. And of course to enjoy freshly picked, freshly brewed Longjing Tea at the village's traditional Tea House."

http://www.amanresorts.com/amanfayun...346cc545bd2420