Penang <-> Langkawi
Apr 6th, 2008, 11:40 AM
#21
Original Poster
That is good news about the rental cars, thanks.
Looks like of the two boats going each way that one makes a stop (at Pulau Payar) and the other doesn't. That is what the schedule implies.
The Westin actually looks like a better choice for me. Only 3 minutes from the ferry port, near Kuah town. Lots of photos on their website - looks nice.
Looks like of the two boats going each way that one makes a stop (at Pulau Payar) and the other doesn't. That is what the schedule implies.
The Westin actually looks like a better choice for me. Only 3 minutes from the ferry port, near Kuah town. Lots of photos on their website - looks nice.
Apr 6th, 2008, 12:07 PM
#22
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we booked a car for one day....booked through the hotel as i remember...was standard and a real clunker....you can see the whole island in one day easily....there is a circular road along the coast...
is it possible that the english are the most frail of the species???
is it possible that the english are the most frail of the species???
Apr 6th, 2008, 11:29 PM
#23
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That is Kuah Town area and although some beach is 'very' different from the Sheraston resort.
I think you should just have a look at the Penangi Resort ( now the Meritus Pelangi Resort )as when I could afford it that was my personal favorite for good without being 'too' expensive.
The beach area is one of the best, good restaurant, nice tropical style,
http://www.pelangibeachresort.com/me...to_gallery.asp
That just a short ride south from the airport
Bob - was I right you stayed at the Perdana ?
I had a meal there and thought the Sheraton 'resort' was far better, I think we 'discussed' our preferences. Kuah Town area is not that interesting, Pelangi / Sheraton Resort area and that side is nice.
I think you should just have a look at the Penangi Resort ( now the Meritus Pelangi Resort )as when I could afford it that was my personal favorite for good without being 'too' expensive.
The beach area is one of the best, good restaurant, nice tropical style,
http://www.pelangibeachresort.com/me...to_gallery.asp
That just a short ride south from the airport
Bob - was I right you stayed at the Perdana ?
I had a meal there and thought the Sheraton 'resort' was far better, I think we 'discussed' our preferences. Kuah Town area is not that interesting, Pelangi / Sheraton Resort area and that side is nice.
Apr 7th, 2008, 12:52 AM
#24
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Smeagol, not sure how long the bus takes, but would guess at 3/4 hours (these drivers do NOT hang about!). Thanks we are having a great time We are currently in Tokyo and about to update the blog.
Enjoy Malaysia, the food is even better than Thailand!
Enjoy Malaysia, the food is even better than Thailand!
Apr 7th, 2008, 06:24 AM
#26
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That's the one I know.
I wonder if you want to mention more on that Bob if you can recall as I think the Sheraton Resort is far better than the one that was near Kuah Town ( now the Westin apparently ), I went to the one in Kuah Town for a meal and did not like the location at all, had to get a cab up to it and it did not seem anything as good as the 'resort', trying 'gently' to steer mrwunrfl away from the one in Kuah Town to the Sheraton Resort
I wonder if you want to mention more on that Bob if you can recall as I think the Sheraton Resort is far better than the one that was near Kuah Town ( now the Westin apparently ), I went to the one in Kuah Town for a meal and did not like the location at all, had to get a cab up to it and it did not seem anything as good as the 'resort', trying 'gently' to steer mrwunrfl away from the one in Kuah Town to the Sheraton Resort
Apr 7th, 2008, 06:33 AM
#27
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Road map:
http://www.malaysiasite.nl/roadmap.htm
mrwunrfl - You can see Kuah Town bottom right area, most beach resorts on west, about half way up you see the airport though it's closer to the coast than appears.
I would be wrong but I don't think it's more than 30 mins across from town to west coast area and road is good. You can find places to eat around the west coast beach areas. Kuah Town is not that interesting and in the evenings as I remember was 'asleep' (!)
http://www.malaysiasite.nl/roadmap.htm
mrwunrfl - You can see Kuah Town bottom right area, most beach resorts on west, about half way up you see the airport though it's closer to the coast than appears.
I would be wrong but I don't think it's more than 30 mins across from town to west coast area and road is good. You can find places to eat around the west coast beach areas. Kuah Town is not that interesting and in the evenings as I remember was 'asleep' (!)
Apr 7th, 2008, 06:39 AM
#28
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we quite liked the resort....good placement...great pool, small beach area near pool but bigger beach in other parts...tons of monkeys everywhere.....good restaurants....lovely rooms, well spaced....
make sure you try the bon ton restaurant while on langkawi and look at the datai hotel
make sure you try the bon ton restaurant while on langkawi and look at the datai hotel
Apr 7th, 2008, 11:03 AM
#30
Original Poster
Thanks for the map. I found the places on Google Earth and see that it is about 20 miles from Kuah to the Sheraton. Am leaning back towards the Sheraton now, the room sounds nice: sea front, full ocean view, balcony, jacuzzi. Or another room for points or points+
I will look at the Datai.
So, it would be the morning boat on Tuesday, arriving in Kuah about 11AM, so checkin around noon. Two nights, so would have that day and all next day, Wednesday. Then on Thursday fly back to Penang on the 4PM firefly flight arriving 4:35PM. Then catch an SQ flight at 5:30 from PEN to SIN.
I will look at the Datai.
So, it would be the morning boat on Tuesday, arriving in Kuah about 11AM, so checkin around noon. Two nights, so would have that day and all next day, Wednesday. Then on Thursday fly back to Penang on the 4PM firefly flight arriving 4:35PM. Then catch an SQ flight at 5:30 from PEN to SIN.
Apr 7th, 2008, 09:58 PM
#31
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Hotel check in you are right is something to think about. So arriving 11 am is perfect. Take the journey over to the Sheraton by taxi and that gives you a chance to see the road and then you can decide on rental ( though if you like the idea I would book ahead ), it is 'very' easy to drive on Langkawi. Unless anything has changed you can turn out from the car park near the pier ( where I guess a rental agent would meet you ) onto the main road, goes direct west and then you take the main inland road to west coast, turn right towards airport passing Pelangi, around the coast to Sheraton, very easy.
Hate to be a downer, I would watch with great care / re considor that arr 4.35 dep 5.30 as you have to go through immigration and re-check bags at Penang !!
That would be under the official connecting time !
If there is a direct Silk Air Langkawi to Singapore I would really try and go for that flight !
www.silkair.com
Hate to be a downer, I would watch with great care / re considor that arr 4.35 dep 5.30 as you have to go through immigration and re-check bags at Penang !!
That would be under the official connecting time !
If there is a direct Silk Air Langkawi to Singapore I would really try and go for that flight !
www.silkair.com
Apr 7th, 2008, 11:01 PM
#32
Original Poster
But Langkawi to Penang is a domestic flight, isn't it? The Firefly plane is a small one so I suppose I might have to check my bag. Do you get off the plane and collect your bag right there or do you have to wait inside to get it off the belt?
Actually, I can just pack light enough so that it is a carryon small enough to go under a seat. It is only 4 days of light clothing, the rest can stay in Singapore.
There is a later flight that evening, as a backup, another SQ 772 at 9:15PM. SIN-PEN-SIN is on a United FF award ticket and because I have 1K status with United I can cancel it or change it before departure without penalty. Much better than buying a non-refundable ticket at this point.
Actually, I can just pack light enough so that it is a carryon small enough to go under a seat. It is only 4 days of light clothing, the rest can stay in Singapore.
There is a later flight that evening, as a backup, another SQ 772 at 9:15PM. SIN-PEN-SIN is on a United FF award ticket and because I have 1K status with United I can cancel it or change it before departure without penalty. Much better than buying a non-refundable ticket at this point.
Apr 8th, 2008, 02:55 AM
#33
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Langkawi-Penang is domestic, so you would get your bags off the belt and then have to go to check-in for the SQ flights, then through immigration ( i.e leaving Malaysia ). SQ use 777's between Penang and Singapore.
Firelfy is a 50 seater F-27 so they would deliver bags to the belt in domestic arrivals.
Firelfy is a 50 seater F-27 so they would deliver bags to the belt in domestic arrivals.
Apr 10th, 2008, 04:57 PM
#34
Original Poster
I changed the PEN-SIN flight to be the 9:15PM. An award at 20,000 miles economy or 30,000 biz class for SIN-PEN-SIN (plus $18 for LGK-PEN) seems like a better option than the $381 SQ wants for SIN-PEN,LGK-SIN. Could get $316 on Malaysia Air but not on the days I want.
So, maybe they will let me on the earlier flight, if I make it. Otherwise I have to spend about four and a half hours at PEN. This is suboptimal but should be pretty easy to take. Maybe go into Gtown for dinner.
Which room type at E&O? I'd go for the premier room if it has a king bed. Otherwise it is deluxe-seaview 58sqm or Gtown suite city/courtyard view 79 sqm at the same price.
Definitely will go with the Sheraton and not the Westin (Perdana).
So, maybe they will let me on the earlier flight, if I make it. Otherwise I have to spend about four and a half hours at PEN. This is suboptimal but should be pretty easy to take. Maybe go into Gtown for dinner.
Which room type at E&O? I'd go for the premier room if it has a king bed. Otherwise it is deluxe-seaview 58sqm or Gtown suite city/courtyard view 79 sqm at the same price.
Definitely will go with the Sheraton and not the Westin (Perdana).
May 10th, 2008, 08:06 PM
#37
Original Poster
I stayed at Le Meridien last night and got a good night's sleep.
The room is fairly basic but comfortable. Looked like mildew on the tub but it is actually chips in the ceramic. The back of the bathroom door has a couple of chips to it. The bathroom is not very large. One sink, toilet, shower/tub. Six pillows on the bed but not the heavenly bed mattress top. But a firm bed and I slept well. Air conditioning worked well. In-room safe, hotpot, desk, 2 chairs. Nothing fancy but fine. Carpet is ok but could be cleaned (not filthy like some Japanese tourist hotels).
Compared to the Holiday Inn Silom (it was much nicer at about $115) I would not be happy paying the $195 rate I would have had for the room. But at the points+cash deal I am very happy. I cancelled the Sheraton res that I had as a backup and will just stay at LM when I come back to SIN.
The Marriott looked like it might be nice. It is in a very good location with an MRT station in front of the hotel. It is one of the hotels you might get via priceline.
The room is fairly basic but comfortable. Looked like mildew on the tub but it is actually chips in the ceramic. The back of the bathroom door has a couple of chips to it. The bathroom is not very large. One sink, toilet, shower/tub. Six pillows on the bed but not the heavenly bed mattress top. But a firm bed and I slept well. Air conditioning worked well. In-room safe, hotpot, desk, 2 chairs. Nothing fancy but fine. Carpet is ok but could be cleaned (not filthy like some Japanese tourist hotels).
Compared to the Holiday Inn Silom (it was much nicer at about $115) I would not be happy paying the $195 rate I would have had for the room. But at the points+cash deal I am very happy. I cancelled the Sheraton res that I had as a backup and will just stay at LM when I come back to SIN.
The Marriott looked like it might be nice. It is in a very good location with an MRT station in front of the hotel. It is one of the hotels you might get via priceline.
May 16th, 2008, 04:40 AM
#38
Original Poster
Kathie, the E&O was wonderful, thank you for recommending it to me (last year when I my original plan was to go in December). It was all that I expected. Just loved the balcony view of the Strait of Malacca.
I share Bob's apparent lack of enthusiasm for the Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort. A bit too spread out, I think. Had a very nice seafront room with a porch. There were an estimated trillion billion cricket-like invisible insects in the trees that made an incessant racket during the day. Every couple of minutes one of them would take of, 10 time louder than the others and vibrating faster and at a higher pitch than the rest. Almost an electronic sounding squeal. Then it would falter and stutter and die out.
Bali was a much more interesting place than Langkawi and Penang.
The food at the hawker stalls in Penang was not at all appetizing to me. I ate well at the E&O though.
Last night returned to Le Meridien. The front desk guy apologized that they were unable to upgrade me (SPG Gold) but explained that they had a king room on the preferred floor (8th). It is a corner room, as described, but that just means there is a bit more of an entrance and the window is only about two-thirds (or less) the width of the room. Otherwise this is the same room as before. No chips on the tub and the mat in the tub doesn't look like it was chewed on like in the last room. The carpet is clean (maybe the other one just looked a little dark on the edges, where people don't walk). Anyway, at 10,200 starpoints plus $60 for four nights, I am very happy.
The hawker stalls (if that is what you call them, given that some are partly made of brick) in Singapore are much more to my liking. Enjoyed laksa tonight, thanks for the recco, Ken. Couldn't finish the soup tho cause it was too peppery hot (next time, will ask for half the normal scoop of the red stuff the lady put on).
I'm looking forward to the race on Sunday. Learned that Sir Slick from New Zealand will be in the big race. He made a bunch of NZD for me on Boxing Day when my brother and I went to Ellerslie R.C. in Auckland.
I share Bob's apparent lack of enthusiasm for the Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort. A bit too spread out, I think. Had a very nice seafront room with a porch. There were an estimated trillion billion cricket-like invisible insects in the trees that made an incessant racket during the day. Every couple of minutes one of them would take of, 10 time louder than the others and vibrating faster and at a higher pitch than the rest. Almost an electronic sounding squeal. Then it would falter and stutter and die out.
Bali was a much more interesting place than Langkawi and Penang.
The food at the hawker stalls in Penang was not at all appetizing to me. I ate well at the E&O though.
Last night returned to Le Meridien. The front desk guy apologized that they were unable to upgrade me (SPG Gold) but explained that they had a king room on the preferred floor (8th). It is a corner room, as described, but that just means there is a bit more of an entrance and the window is only about two-thirds (or less) the width of the room. Otherwise this is the same room as before. No chips on the tub and the mat in the tub doesn't look like it was chewed on like in the last room. The carpet is clean (maybe the other one just looked a little dark on the edges, where people don't walk). Anyway, at 10,200 starpoints plus $60 for four nights, I am very happy.
The hawker stalls (if that is what you call them, given that some are partly made of brick) in Singapore are much more to my liking. Enjoyed laksa tonight, thanks for the recco, Ken. Couldn't finish the soup tho cause it was too peppery hot (next time, will ask for half the normal scoop of the red stuff the lady put on).
I'm looking forward to the race on Sunday. Learned that Sir Slick from New Zealand will be in the big race. He made a bunch of NZD for me on Boxing Day when my brother and I went to Ellerslie R.C. in Auckland.
