Malaysia trip, August: help planning
Apr 29, 2008 | 3:42 pm
#31
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Home airports:SRQ,TPA,RSW
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REP: Siem Reap has a large number of hotels for a place of its size, and in all price categories. I stayed at Auberge Mont Royal 3 years ago for about the same price currently offered. It was basic and fine for what it was.
http://www.asiarooms.com/cambodia/si...ont_royal.html
Thanks for the tip. I was pretty much set on LM because we will be sightseeing and thought it would be a waste to splurge for Amansara or the other top hotels (HDLP,Rd'A, etc).
Unless things have changed, there are no 2 day passes to Angkor, only 1 and 3 days. Be sure to bring a picture of each of you for the pass since it is laminated into the pass. Thanks! we will!
My recommendation for a KK restaurant is "Port View" It is located on the harbor front across from the LM. Prices are somewhat high for Borneo, but much less than you will pay in much of the Western World including Singapore. When you enter, you will see the tanks on the right of the entryway. Ask any of the ladies for pricing and preparation style. The restaurant touts itself as Chinese seafood, but one can get a number on preparations if you know what you want. Seafood is priced by the kilo and they will tell you if there is a minimum weight required. Price includes the preparation that you request.
I like seafood, this is great! I'm not too familiar with the different preparations, I'll look around for some.
There are other restaurants around the city; I'm sure that the conceirge at the Tanjung Anu can provide recommendations. The dinner buffet at Rasa Ria was expensive, expansive and good so I'm sure that the other property's will be as well. Frankly, if you are into them, buffets at most higher end hotels in Asia, and even many lesser ones, are really good. Please remember that sanitary standards in Malaysia are normally quite good. I cannot say the same for Cambodia. We were actually thinking of getting the rate including buffet dinners, as it is not more expensive than a B&B rate, and it includes free wireless among other amenities. Or we could get a club rate. Leaning towards Rasa Sia more than TA now.
Thanks!
http://www.asiarooms.com/cambodia/si...ont_royal.html
Thanks for the tip. I was pretty much set on LM because we will be sightseeing and thought it would be a waste to splurge for Amansara or the other top hotels (HDLP,Rd'A, etc).
Unless things have changed, there are no 2 day passes to Angkor, only 1 and 3 days. Be sure to bring a picture of each of you for the pass since it is laminated into the pass. Thanks! we will!
My recommendation for a KK restaurant is "Port View" It is located on the harbor front across from the LM. Prices are somewhat high for Borneo, but much less than you will pay in much of the Western World including Singapore. When you enter, you will see the tanks on the right of the entryway. Ask any of the ladies for pricing and preparation style. The restaurant touts itself as Chinese seafood, but one can get a number on preparations if you know what you want. Seafood is priced by the kilo and they will tell you if there is a minimum weight required. Price includes the preparation that you request.
I like seafood, this is great! I'm not too familiar with the different preparations, I'll look around for some.
There are other restaurants around the city; I'm sure that the conceirge at the Tanjung Anu can provide recommendations. The dinner buffet at Rasa Ria was expensive, expansive and good so I'm sure that the other property's will be as well. Frankly, if you are into them, buffets at most higher end hotels in Asia, and even many lesser ones, are really good. Please remember that sanitary standards in Malaysia are normally quite good. I cannot say the same for Cambodia. We were actually thinking of getting the rate including buffet dinners, as it is not more expensive than a B&B rate, and it includes free wireless among other amenities. Or we could get a club rate. Leaning towards Rasa Sia more than TA now.
Thanks!
Apr 29, 2008 | 6:54 pm
#32
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: NH Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 542
What about from Hong Kong? Are there direct flights from Hong Kong? I tried researching online and I couldn't find anything. We are using American Airlines points for airfare so we are stuck with Oneworld (Cathay to Hiong Kong) carriers to get as far across the Pacific towards our destination as possible.
Onedog
Onedog
You should consider spending a couple of days in KL for the experience. Love the food there.
Apr 29, 2008 | 7:05 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: NH Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 542
Port View restaurant in Kota Kinabalu is good. Cheap as well. If you are game, try the open air eateries in the market.
Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort (STAR) is nice. Go to the Shangri-la site to look for deals. Also check HK based online sites for deals. I have always got breakfast for free. Buffet dinner isn't that expensive considering the spread. Abount RM80 (USD28) per person.
There is a local open air eatery about 15 minutes away ...there you can get cheap food - satay (local version of kebabs), grilled chicken wings.
There isn't a beach at STAR but the islands are just 20 minutes by boat away and you can get it from the hotel jetty. You can also arrange for scuba dives at the hotel jetty.
I had lots of fun at KK.
Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort (STAR) is nice. Go to the Shangri-la site to look for deals. Also check HK based online sites for deals. I have always got breakfast for free. Buffet dinner isn't that expensive considering the spread. Abount RM80 (USD28) per person.
There is a local open air eatery about 15 minutes away ...there you can get cheap food - satay (local version of kebabs), grilled chicken wings.
There isn't a beach at STAR but the islands are just 20 minutes by boat away and you can get it from the hotel jetty. You can also arrange for scuba dives at the hotel jetty.
I had lots of fun at KK.
Apr 29, 2008 | 10:07 pm
#34
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Location: SEA(sia)
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Food is quite decent, very convenient for those staying at the Le Meridien; but quite expensive for local standard (I dont consider USD50-60 for a 1kg lobster to be "cheap"). KK is getting very touristy of late, but I agree its still fun.
Jun 17, 2008 | 3:14 pm
#35
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I doubt I'll try the local eateries, as my gf's stomach ain't that strong.
$50/60 for the 1kg lobster is cheap compared to Europe but I was expecting a lower price. Sounds pretty much in line with Bali prices though.
Jun 17, 2008 | 4:03 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: Delta Gold 1 MM
Posts: 2,711
Lobster
Lobster all over the world is one of the priciest seafood. Try the chili or black pepper crab, bamboo clams - if they have them, clams and the large shrimp instead. Or any of the multitude of seafood swimming, floating or lying in the tanks. Less expensive and normally sweeter lobster is available in Maine and Nova Scotia, so wait for your next trip over the Atlantic to savor our delicacy. It is different from what you will find in Sabah.
Order, also, some of the local vegetables, but I suggest that you pass on the jungle ferns because they use Balican in the sauce. I suggest that you look in trip reports for LarryU's Sarawak trip report for a review of this typically Malaysian stinky delicacy.
As I said before, Port View is not the cheapest around, but I have found it consistently good with good service.
Order, also, some of the local vegetables, but I suggest that you pass on the jungle ferns because they use Balican in the sauce. I suggest that you look in trip reports for LarryU's Sarawak trip report for a review of this typically Malaysian stinky delicacy.
As I said before, Port View is not the cheapest around, but I have found it consistently good with good service.
Jun 17, 2008 | 11:04 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2000
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To the OP, for more details about some of your food options in Malaysia, my original trip report is located here and the specific chapter describing various forms of jungle grub (accompanied by photos and videos) is located here.
Jun 18, 2008 | 1:27 am
#38
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Jungle fern can be prepared without the delicious belacan, although it will still exude copious amounts of the yummy black slime.
Jun 18, 2008 | 6:21 pm
#39
Join Date: Feb 2000
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Doh! 
The fellows who dined with me told me that jungle fern always exudes black slime. Of course, they were the same people who made sure that everything we ordered was well doused with belacan, knowing how much I enjoyed it.
I guess in their case they were being quite accurate when they said that it always secretes black slime because they always ordered it with belacan.
Indeed, several days prior, I had specifically ordered my jungle fern without belacan and the color of the slime was considerably more brown than black.
The fellows who dined with me told me that jungle fern always exudes black slime. Of course, they were the same people who made sure that everything we ordered was well doused with belacan, knowing how much I enjoyed it.
I guess in their case they were being quite accurate when they said that it always secretes black slime because they always ordered it with belacan.Indeed, several days prior, I had specifically ordered my jungle fern without belacan and the color of the slime was considerably more brown than black.