nonib

My fiancé and I are doing a 6 week road trip around America for our honeymoon but it won't be until 6 months after the wedding so I thought I'd surprise him and book a week long honeymoon straight after the wedding!

I was originally looking at Bali but being from Perth we've both been there so I thought Malaysia/Sabah/Langkawi or Borneo for something different?

As we are doing the big trip I don't want anything ridiculously expensive was hoping to budget $5k for 5 nights including flights and spending money so which would be my best bet for a romantic relaxing honeymoon?

Preferably nice beaches and or wildlife/jungle experiences.

Thanks!!

Kathie

Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) both have nice beaches and opportunities for wildlife viewing. But with just a week, you'll have to choose one or the other. Take a look at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Sabah. You could combine that with a couple of days of beaches near Kota Kinabalu.

Langkawi is just a beach destination - nothing else there. That said, if you are looking for just beach it could be a good option.

Georgetown, Penang is a charming UNESO World Heritage city. It has what many consider to be the best hawker food anywhere. There is an interesting confluence of cultures there and many historic sites to stroll. The famed E&O hotel is there and would make a perfect honeymoon hotel.

nonib

Thanks Kathie, plenty of options for me to check out!

webmasterspride

Anyone heard of to Batam island? Is it near Malaysia I believe.

kmkrnn

George Town would be a perfect place. There are beaches a short ride away, and lots of things to do in town. Not sure what the cost is now, but look at Clove Hall . With in walking distance of sights, and tos of places to eat.

crellston

With just a week, i would be inclined to stayed in one location and for great beaches that would be Langkawi. Lots of very nice hotels to choose from. we got married there at The Datai which was fantastic, but having just looked at the rates, i can't believe how much they have risen! Their sister hotel , The Andaman is also very nice and half the price. Langkawi is really all about the beaches but there are a few other attractions, mangrove tours, visits to the smaller islands in the group etc.

Another nice, but smaller hotel is http://www.bontonresort.com.my/resort.html

Coming from Oz you would probably need to stay a night or two in KL. not everyones favourite city but i like the place. some great hotels a very competitive rates. The Mandarin Oriental, Shangri la, Ritz Carlton, to name but a few.

Pangkor Laut maybe worth a look too.

Kathie

webmasterspride, Batam island is an Indonesian island just off the coast of Singapore. It's a quick beach getaway for those who live in Singapore, but the beaches are mediocre at best. It isn't a place I would recommend to someone going to E Asia for a honeymoon.

Prachuap

KL sucks. Id go to Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. 1 week is perfect.

Borneo needs 2 weeks.

crellston

Kanchanaburi for a honeymoon? I don't think so. Unless of course you enjoy the company of drunken expats and partying students!.

Geordie

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The Datei was my immediate first thought but there are other great hotels on the island

I've stayed at resorts in both Sabah and Sarawak but I don't find the sea particularly inviting and the beaches are only so-so especially if you are from somewhere like Perth which has great beaches and turquoise waters

Prachuap

Kanchanaburi has a number of boutique resorts on the river. Not a drunken student in sight. You obviously have no idea.

Prachuap

Agree with Geordie. WA has superior beaches.

Prachuap

http://www.maliresortkohlipe.com

This is a nice place for a beach experience.

Kathie

Prachaup, you must have missed the fact that the OP asked about Malaysia, not Thailand.

The beaches on Sabah and Sarawak may not compare with Perth, but if you want a combination of jungle/wildlife and beach, that's the only practical option with just a week.

JohnH

Borneo does not "need" two weeks.

You could even spilt the time between Borneo and Langkawi (or another less touristed beach location in Malaysia) to get both wildlife and beaches, but that would be pushing it a bit in just one week. As mentioned earlier, there are some nice beaches in Borneo too.

Do not go to Georgetown - or Penang for that matter - for the beaches. The water is not clean and the beaches are not especially attractive.

Kathie

Yes, Georgetown and Penang are not beach destinations, but Georgetown is a wonderful cultural/historic destination.