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Malaysia trip, August: help planning
Hi all,
I've just redeemed some miles for travel this coming summer to Malaysia. Flying into KUL and out of PEN (a mix of TG C and SQ C), arriving from Europe. There are 2 people, I and GF. We won't spend more than a day in KUL, and are planning to do a relaxing trip. We are seeking advice as to where to go in order to enjoy our trip. Ideas where bringing us to Kota Kinabalu, Penang and Langkawi. Flights on Air Asia are very cheap so we will be using them instead of MH for domestic flights. When we started looking more accurately into the destinations, we feel like we don't know if that is really what we want to do or where we want to go. Other options include Redang and Perhentian (the level of the properties here seems inferior and there is less choice); Pangkor Laut is another possible destination. However, looking at Air Asia's destination, we were intrigued by many other possible trips within the trip: Bali (even though we went there last summer), Cambogia, Vietnam or even Sanya (Haikou). I know that Cambogia and Vietnam are more sightseeing destinations, but for a couple of days we wouldn't mind. Please come along with your ideas, considerations, suggestions. Thanks |
Depends what you are after.
A couple of days in KL is good for shopping. If KL is your first stop, I would suggest a couple of days to go shopping for clothes. No need to pack very much on for your arrival flight. In terms of beach resorts (luxury or budget), Langkawi is the place these days. Nothing glamourous of Penang's beaches these days - overbuilt and poluted. Just to flag that July/Aug is the rainy season is for Penang/Langkawi. I was in Langkawi last July and it rained the whole time we were there; except for one day. Tioman, Perhentian and Redang is on the other side where the monsoon rains are in Nov/Dec so it would be dry in August. Perhentian is still very unspoilt. Just a word of warning; Perhentian and Redang are in one for the few Muslim government controlled states; Kelantan where there are rules about separate swimming pools for men/women etc. It is fine in the westernised resorts but you might find some strange practices. Tioman; further south is in a state where there it is more westernised. If you want to hike uphill in the tropical rainforest, the Kota Kinabalu is the place. You will also get to the the orang utan reserves around the area. KK is a couple of hour flights from KUL at least so be prepared for some travel. An alternative is the Taman Negara where you go up river into the rain-forest. Just remember to bring along 100% deet from the UK to keep the mosquitos and other insects away. |
Malaysia is a great place, and 8 days seems fine. I wouldn't bother trying to fit in Cambodia, VN, etc., since -- especially once you take travel time into account (roughly a half-day in each direction) -- you'll be rushed and have very little time in either place.
Langkawi can still be nice in the rainy season - it really depends. I think KUL is worth a couple of days, and would include a day trip to Malacca for the history / culture of the place. I haven't been to KK (yet!) but from all I've heard it sounds great. - Michael |
Thanks for your replies.
We are actually staying 10 days and not 8, still not a very long trip, but availability for awards wasn't very easy to find! GF has been to KUL before, that's why we are not staying long. Arriving around lunch and thinking of leaving late afternoon/evening of the day after. I think we will be staying at the Hilton in KUL. Don't really know yet where we will be staying anywhere else, even though we know what the options are, or at least most of them! If it's the rainy season, we won't be going to Langkawi and possibly only get to PEN for a day or so, as we already experienced rain in Bintan (Dec. 06) and Ubud (Aug. 07) and are really not looking forward. Where would you stay in KK? Shangri-la, Nexus and Le Meridien are the options, the latter being in the city though. Thanks for the advice on the Muslim territories. |
Originally Posted by KenJohn
(Post 9424207)
DTioman, Perhentian and Redang is on the other side where the monsoon rains are in Nov/Dec so it would be dry in August. Perhentian is still very unspoilt. Just a word of warning; Perhentian and Redang are in one for the few Muslim government controlled states; Kelantan where there are rules about separate swimming pools for men/women etc. It is fine in the westernised resorts but you might find some strange practices. Tioman; further south is in a state where there it is more westernised.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Perhentian http://wikitravel.org/en/Redang |
Thanks for the links.
The most important thing for us in this trip is to avoid rain as much as possible. Anyone with first hand experience on the resorts in Perhentian and Redang? |
KK Hotel options
Last visit to KK was slightly less than a year ago.
My choice for best hotel is the LM, yes, in town but a very good property. Shangra-la Rasa Ria is 45 minutes north. It had maintenance and staff issues my last visit and we were disappointed. Nexus is further away and have not stayed there. The other Shangra-la (Tanjung Anu) property is near the airport, have also not stayed there because it is in the same area as the worst vacation property in KK-Sutera Harbour. Near the airport, but not much cheaper by taxi than downtown. From your posts, it appears that you are looking for a relaxed beach destination. There are other properties near KK, one south of the city that is less expensive than the others and was a rave by a couple I met at Rasa Ria two years ago. I personally am not high on Langkawi having stayed at what is now the Westin. If you can describe your expectations more fully, we should be able to give better guidance. BTW: Hilton KL is really great if you are at least HHonors Gold. Agree that there are better places to spend limited time than KL. Have you perhaps considered Khao Lak in Thailand? |
Originally Posted by opushomes
(Post 9433829)
My choice for best hotel is the LM, yes, in town but a very good property.
That's where I was ready to go, but my GF is not keen on staying in the city. But LM is much cheaper than the other options. Plus, from the pics the Nexus has ugly rooms! Shangra-la Rasa Ria is 45 minutes north. It had maintenance and staff issues my last visit and we were disappointed. Nexus is further away and have not stayed there. The other Shangra-la (Tanjung Anu) property is near the airport, have also not stayed there because it is in the same area as the worst vacation property in KK-Sutera Harbour. Near the airport, but not much cheaper by taxi than downtown. From your posts, it appears that you are looking for a relaxed beach destination. YES!and possibly NO rain! There are other properties near KK, one south of the city that is less expensive than the others and was a rave by a couple I met at Rasa Ria two years ago. I personally am not high on Langkawi having stayed at what is now the Westin. If you can describe your expectations more fully, we should be able to give better guidance. We really want to relax and enjoy the sun. If we don't feel like doing anything more than laying in the sun, having drinks, eat and sleep in the same place for 2,3,4 days then we should be able to do that. BTW: Hilton KL is really great if you are at least HHonors Gold. I'm gold. Agree that there are better places to spend limited time than KL. Have you perhaps considered Khao Lak in Thailand? What about the weather there?Properties? As I said, I'm welcome any advice, regarding any destination within a 1000 miles radius or more (AK destinations preferred!) Thanks for your help |
Originally Posted by MACH81
(Post 9432372)
The most important thing for us in this trip is to avoid rain as much as possible. Anyone with first hand experience on the resorts in Perhentian and Redang?
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Originally Posted by jpatokal
(Post 9447385)
You can't "avoid rain" in the tropics. You're going in the summer dry season, so it's highly unlikely to rain all day, but you'll probably get afternoon showers most days and/or the occasional thunderstorm at night. Plan accordingly -- hit the beaches and sports activities in the morning, when it's usually clear, and snooze away the afternoon like the locals do.
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Re: your responses
"That's where I was ready to go, but my GF is not keen on staying in the city. But LM is much cheaper than the other options. Plus, from the pics the Nexus has ugly rooms!"
To reduce your costs somewhat and get a feel for KK, stay the night of arrival and night of departure at the LM. That is what we do, especially if driving to the Shangra-La. Rasa Ria provides what you want, it just was not at the same level as on my first visit. Personnally, if I was traveling as far as KK, I would spend my time at the beach. Rasa Ria is more wallet friendly than Tanjung Aru, but you are captive whereas at the TA, you are about 25 ringgit from KK. There are comments written about it by me and others on FT. There is another property on one of the islands that are visible from the LM, about a 25 minute boat ride that looks interesting. Pool and beach at Rasa Ria are quite nice. One can reduce costs by buying beer and non-alcoholic drinks at the store on property that charges 2X 7/11 price in town. Bars are the most expensive. Restaurants for drinks are middle between the two. Food at all the resorts is expensive compared to restaurants, but the captive feature forces one to eat at the resorts. One can also book tours in KK for less than at the Rasa Ria. Although the orangutan sanctuary is (possible more now) 50 rm and a short walk. "YES!and possibly NO rain" Jpatokal answered your question completely. It rains in the tropics all year round. If you want to stay dry, stay home and watch beach travelogues in the house. Be sure to crank up the heating to 38 degrees C. No one can guarantee no rain except in the Deserts of North Africa and Chile. "We really want to relax and enjoy the sun. If we don't feel like doing anything more than laying in the sun, having drinks, eat and sleep in the same place for 2,3,4 days then we should be able to do that." Pretty much answered above. "I'm gold" As a gold, I've been treated very well at the Hilton KL. Executive floor, sometimes lounge access, and a very good breakfast. Nice contemporary rooms. Good staff, IMO the second best Hilton in SE Asia behind Bangkok. YMMV. "Khao Lak-what about the weather there?Properties? As I said, I'm welcome any advice, regarding any destination within a 1000 miles radius or more (AK destinations preferred!) Thanks for your help As above, no weather guarantees. Just about as hard to predict the weather as it is to guarantee seeing a Sumatran Rhino. Where I live, the forecasters get it right about 50% of the time and we have sophisticated satellite technology to help. If your other half has a hard time understanding that than perhaps the tropics are not the place to vacation. I know of a very nice indoor tropic adventure not far from Berlin where the Europeans experience the tropics vicariously in a giant hemisphere. A nice resort in Khao Lak, less expensive (slightly less to considerably less than the Shangra-la's) but not in the same category is the Le Meridien. Phuket would be the airport. Transfers should be about $10 US more each way than the Rasa Ria and one can catch a songtao into town (fair walk to the highway) to save money on food. In other words, approximately $40 OW rather than $30. Again, I need to emphasize that food and drink is considerably more expensive in any resort, anywhere in the world, than it usually is in a restaurant or on the local economy. With the favorable Euro conversion, you should do very well almost anywhere in SE Asia. In discussions with Europeans, it seems that often they are able to get really good prices through travel agencies particularly in Germany and the UK. The problem is that you will not get some or all benefits of your status at many properties. Another thought, if you want it hot and dry, have you thought about Phoenix in August?? And, it is extremely inexpensive. |
Originally Posted by opushomes
(Post 9448034)
"That's where I was ready to go, but my GF is not keen on staying in the city. But LM is much cheaper than the other options. Plus, from the pics the Nexus has ugly rooms!"
To reduce your costs somewhat and get a feel for KK, stay the night of arrival and night of departure at the LM. That is what we do, especially if driving to the Shangra-La. Rasa Ria provides what you want, it just was not at the same level as on my first visit. Personnally, if I was traveling as far as KK, I would spend my time at the beach. Rasa Ria is more wallet friendly than Tanjung Aru, but you are captive whereas at the TA, you are about 25 ringgit from KK. There are comments written about it by me and others on FT. There is another property on one of the islands that are visible from the LM, about a 25 minute boat ride that looks interesting. Do you know the name of the property on the island?In the event of bad weather better not to be on the island though, much less to do! Pool and beach at Rasa Ria are quite nice. One can reduce costs by buying beer and non-alcoholic drinks at the store on property that charges 2X 7/11 price in town. Bars are the most expensive. We don't drink that much so it usually isn't an issue. Restaurants for drinks are middle between the two. Food at all the resorts is expensive compared to restaurants, but the captive feature forces one to eat at the resorts. We seem to do a lot of room service as sometimes we are too lazy to go to the restaurant or enjoy a snack by the plunge pool or common pool. If a buffet breakfast is available we have that, skip lunch, have a snack in the afternoon and then dinner. One can also book tours in KK for less than at the Rasa Ria. Although the orangutan sanctuary is (possible more now) 50 rm and a short walk. "YES!and possibly NO rain" Jpatokal answered your question completely. It rains in the tropics all year round. If you want to stay dry, stay home and watch beach travelogues in the house. Be sure to crank up the heating to 38 degrees C. No one can guarantee no rain except in the Deserts of North Africa and Chile. There's no guarantee I'll stay dry! It's very humid here! :p "We really want to relax and enjoy the sun. If we don't feel like doing anything more than laying in the sun, having drinks, eat and sleep in the same place for 2,3,4 days then we should be able to do that." Pretty much answered above. "I'm gold" As a gold, I've been treated very well at the Hilton KL. Executive floor, sometimes lounge access, and a very good breakfast. Nice contemporary rooms. Good staff, IMO the second best Hilton in SE Asia behind Bangkok. YMMV. I hope they will treat us well. "Khao Lak-what about the weather there?Properties? As I said, I'm welcome any advice, regarding any destination within a 1000 miles radius or more (AK destinations preferred!) Thanks for your help As above, no weather guarantees. Just about as hard to predict the weather as it is to guarantee seeing a Sumatran Rhino. Where I live, the forecasters get it right about 50% of the time and we have sophisticated satellite technology to help. If your other half has a hard time understanding that than perhaps the tropics are not the place to vacation. I know of a very nice indoor tropic adventure not far from Berlin where the Europeans experience the tropics vicariously in a giant hemisphere. Didn't know that, but Berlin is high on my list!:D A nice resort in Khao Lak, less expensive (slightly less to considerably less than the Shangra-la's) but not in the same category is the Le Meridien. Phuket would be the airport. Transfers should be about $10 US more each way than the Rasa Ria and one can catch a songtao into town (fair walk to the highway) to save money on food. In other words, approximately $40 OW rather than $30. Again, I need to emphasize that food and drink is considerably more expensive in any resort, anywhere in the world, than it usually is in a restaurant or on the local economy. With the favorable Euro conversion, you should do very well almost anywhere in SE Asia. In discussions with Europeans, it seems that often they are able to get really good prices through travel agencies particularly in Germany and the UK. The problem is that you will not get some or all benefits of your status at many properties. Another thought, if you want it hot and dry, have you thought about Phoenix in August?? And, it is extremely inexpensive. Why not!?!:eek: not even if they were paying me!!! Thanks for your help! |
Just to second the ^ for the Hilton KL. Stayed there last month on an award. Was sent up to the exec floor and had full lounge access. Actually skipped a few meals because of the great lounge food. Great views all around, easy access right on top of KL Sentral Station.
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Answers to your questions
The resort on the Island (Manukan Island Resort) is a Sutera resort. www.tripadvisor.com has bad reviews. My feeling since it is a Sutera property is that they are probably correct. One can take a day trip there-approximately 20-30 minute boat trip and come back to KK for the night.
Here is the web-site for the Tanjung Aru. http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert...resort/details Since you usually do as we do and eat breakfast, perhaps a snack and dinner here is a trick to cut your breakfast cost in half. Sign up for Shangri-la's Golden Circle should you decide to stay at either of the two Shangri-la properties. One of the benefits is half price breakfast. Breakfast buffet will last you through the day. If I recall correctly, it ran something like $US28 per person, so a $28 savings per day just for requesting the free card. [email protected]. I would e-mail them and tell them that you expect to have a few stays in the coming year; technically you need 2 different hotels, but they seem to ignore the requirement. There are also applications in the lobby, but I do not know if they will honor them at the time of sign-up. I find that the humidity in KK is not excessive. It is on the coast, thus getting sea breezes. " I hope they will treat us well." (Hilton KL) Everyone who I know who has stayed there tells the same tale. I'm sure they will. "Didn't know that, but Berlin is high on my list!" The tropical island is off the Autobahn Berlin-Dresden about 60km south of Berlin. The building is extremely obvious even though it is approximately 5km off the autobahn. It is gigantic. It was a great place for a WC break on the way to Berlin since the toiletten are on the free side of the facility. Best wishes on a great trip. Chao. |
Are you into diving or snorkeling?
If so, you should consider Manado instead of Bali. They're both in Indonesia but you did say you've been to DPS before. Manado is located in North Sulawesi. http://www.visit-manado.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manado |
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