Malaysia Advice

[travelislife]

Hi,

My girlfriend and I have 8 nights in Malaysia in July booked. So far the only thing we have booked in is the last two nights at the Hilton in KL ($120 a night including breakfast). The first 6 nights is up in the air. I have been to KL before for a few days but no where else in Malaysia. We are looking at some beach time (but not sure if 6 nights will be too much). We are a couple in our mid 20s, so want some relaxation but also somewhere with a bit of action going on.

We are tossing up between Langkawi and Perhentian. Unless you guys have any other amazing suggestions! Any specific hotel recommendations would also be great.

Also would it be worth spending 4 nights in Langkawi and 2 nights in Penang?

Any advice of people who have hit up Malaysia before is greatly appreciated.

Cheers

TIL

 

[RB]

I don't think my experience of Langkawi & Penang from 1991 are relevant. However we did visit KL in Feb 2012-found it to be a new dynamic city that has a bit to offer but I am not a fan of cities. I would be guiding you to just stick to the 2 nights in KL & enjoy the rest-maybe you would enjoy the Cameron Highlands as an alternative to just beaches, we certainly did back when we were there

 

[flyingfan]

I would definitely add the two or three days in Penang - as I recall there really is nothing much happening in Langkawi, just the beaches, and six days there would be too much however that's just me and I'm biased against long stretches of vegging out; my holiday style is to cover as much as possible rather than laze on the beach for a whole week.

You could spend half the time at the main resorts area in Penang - Batu Feringghi - and have your laze there with the other half in the more lively areas of the island including Gurney Drive and the shopping centres. Sorry can't help with hotel recommendations as I didn't stay in hotels while there and haven't been to Perhentian.

 

[Shelf]

I honeymooned in Langkawi in '04, loved it. If you want somewhere relatively quiet then keep it an option!

 

[markis10]

There is a lot to do in Langkawi and 8 days should not be a problem, I have done it twice and enjoyed it very much. By contrast Penang was average IMHO, then again I was working that trip!

 

[Major]

Totally agree with markis10. There is lots to see and do in Langkawi. I have holidayed in both and much prefer Langkawi.

We stayed at MERITUS IN STYLE AT MERITUS PELANGI BEACH RESORT & SPA. From there you can walk to a dozen different restaurants and shops or laze on the beach.

A cheap taxi ride will get you to other attractions. The exchange rate is very favourable.

 

[markis10]

Just to elaborate on my previous post, here are a few things to do:

1.Underwater World, spread across 6 acres.
2.Snake Sanctuary Kampung Tok Senik Resort
3. Mardi Agro technology Park - sample odd fruit, fishing etc
4. Langkawi International book Village
5. Buffalo park - milk and ride Buffalo's :shock:
6. Air Hangat Village - Duty Free and cultural theatre.
7. Atma Alam Batik village
8. A day trip to the coral etc at the marine park
9. a day shopping in Kuah, trying to work out how they sell the duty free australian product so cheap!

 

[travelislife]

Thanks for all the tips, my eyes have been opened once again. I think my current idea is now to arrive hire a car from LCC drive to the Cameroon Highlands, spend two nights there. Then drive to Penang, fly to Langkawi, spend 4 nights in Langkawi. Fly Langkawi to KL with 2 nights in KL.

I like the idea of hiring a car and seeing a bit of the country side as well.

 

[moa999]

Would also consider Borneo.. Kota Kinabalu main city. Plenty of hiking, monkeys, elephants on offer. Daytrip to Brunei. If you are a scuba diver the Sipidan, just off Semporna are absolutely amazing.

 

[Major]

Just to elaborate on my previous post, here are a few things to do:

1.Underwater World, spread across 6 acres.
2.Snake Sanctuary Kampung Tok Senik Resort
3. Mardi Agro technology Park - sample odd fruit, fishing etc
4. Langkawi International book Village
5. Buffalo park - milk and ride Buffalo's :shock:
6. Air Hangat Village - Duty Free and cultural theatre.
7. Atma Alam Batik village
8. A day trip to the coral etc at the marine park
9. a day shopping in Kuah, trying to work out how they sell the duty free australian product so cheap!

Is the cable car in there somewhere ?

 

[KLN]

am sitting by the pool right now in downtown KL. to be totally honest afte travelling here 5 times in the last 7 years this year everything has gone downhill. saw a bagsnatch yesterday for the first time and a friend had a mobile phone snatched from a handbag at the markets and had never seen that before. go to KL and experience it, but everything is vey tired hereunless you are staying at one of the very new hotels. anything over the age of 5 years old is vey ordainary.

 

[travelislife]

I thought that when I was in KL 2 years ago that a lot of it looked very tired. That is one of the reason's we have picked the DoubleTree Hilton in KL, on the recommendation of a friend and is relatively new.

 

[flyingfan]

Have a great trip whatever you end up deciding, there's a lot to experience in Malaysia.

 

[Timtammi]

Where you staying in KL KLN? I've got 2 separate stays booked at the KL Hilton for later this year, not stayed there before, done the Le Meridien and another older hotel whose name escapes me now.

 

[amaroo]

We really enjoyed our visit to Langkawi - can recommend The Datai

The Datai Langkawi

 

[clarkkent]

+1 for spending some of your non-beach time in Penang, particularly Georgetown. Even if you're just passing through, be sure to eat some hawker food. There was a recent article at Gourmet Traveller that might give you some ideas.

 

[k3nnis]

I think Westin in KL is a nice hotel

 

[sjf]

Was in Malaysia at the start of Feb, and headed over to Kota Kinabalu for our beach break. If heading that way, I highly recommend the Shangri La Rasa-Ria property.

 

[machamag]

I like some of the ideas especially the Borneo choices. I am thinking of a up to 1 week in Malaysia, needing to spend 2 nights in KL. In the past, we have done Penang and Langkawi. Borneo sounds like a nice relaxing break.

 

[richie9x]

Langkawi and Penang are fine. Especially if you haven’t been there before then there will be more than enough for you to do – beaches, sightseeing, markets, history, culture, natural and nightlife.

Penang is really just an industrialised city island, much like a smaller version of Singapore. Although it does have some good beaches, you wouldn’t go there just for the beaches. If you go there you must try the penang assam laksa.

I would recommend hiring a car on Langkawi. Or choose a hotel with a good shuttle bus service. Public transport is almost nonexistent. There is a good night market on in the town, I think it is on Saturday nights. If the weather is good I would recommend getting the cable car up to the sky bridge. Fantastic views to be had.

If you want the absolute top in luxury then go to Pangkor laut. A luxury resort on its own private island a quite bit further south of Penang. It just keeps winning awards. It is normally expensive but you can sometimes find some bargins.

Next to Pangkor laut is the larger Pulau Pangkor, which has some good value resorts. They are really aimed at domestic tourists it can be a good cheap option.

For peninsular Malaysia the best beaches are on the east coast. The waters have the east coast seem to be much clear than those on the west coast. Pulau Rendang is a well known spot for scuba diving and snorkelling. White sandy beaches, crystal clear blue water, amazing sea life and vibrant coral reefs. But I would actually recommend Pulau Lang Tengah which is a smaller island next to Rendang. It is a more spread out and bit closer to nature and quite good value.

But for the beach resorts in Malaysia you will have to head to east Malaysia. Some of the islands just off shore from Kota Kinabalu are among the best anywhere. There is plenty to do in KK. But the nightlife can be a bit sedimentary at times. Perhaps save KK for another time.