My husband and I are going to Malaysia towards the end of November for 5 days. We've decided to go to Penang and are debating on which hotel to stay at. We are looking for something with a resort setting. The 2 that we picked were Golden Sands and Rasa Sayang. Can someone help us decide which one to pick. Also are 4 nights in Penang and 1 in KL enough? And is it possible to go island hopping from Penang? Are there any islands nearby? We want a bit of lazing on the beach or by the pool and going thru the markets. <BR> <BR>Sajida

Hi Sajida, <BR> <BR>I am from penang and love food and traveling a lot. Follwoing is the answer you need: <BR> <BR>a. With market and food around the area. I would suggest you to take Park Royal or Holiday Inn. Outside of the hotel are plebty of wonderful food stall, restaurants and shopping stalls. <BR> <BR>b. I used the Pacific Privilege Card of Park Royal. Help me to save a lot on food and accomodation. Ask Park Royal for it. <BR> <BR>c. 4 days in Penang should be enough. Rest and go to Georgetown. See the 19th century of building, musuem, Penang Hill, Botanical Garden etc. <BR> <BR>d. 1 day in KL? If you can, stay in Central Apt of Park Royal chain hotel. Near Twin Tower. It's beautiful. KL is a shopping heaven. If you want to come for shopping. Please stay in the hotel near Golden Traiangle such as Mahkota Hotel or Park Royal KL ( a bit old). <BR> <BR>e. Island hopping in Penang. No. You can go to Langkawi for two night one day rest and relax. It has many places you can go there. Rest at beach is beautiful. I might be going there as well in September. <BR> <BR>In October, I am gogin to Phuket, Allamanda Lagune Resort for one week there. <BR> <BR>Links: <BR>http://www.penang.net.my/ <BR> <BR>My web: <BR>http://members.100free.com/users/timeshare <BR> <BR>Ask me more. <BR> <BR> <BR>Laurence Yap <BR>Visit Time Share Malaysia <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Sajida:- <BR> <BR>I have just returned from a week in Penang and stayed in the Rasa Sayang. <BR>Both hotels are side by side and you can use the facilities of both. I found that the Rasa Sayang was larger and quieter than the Golden Sands. The Garden Wing was good value with the complementary Breakfast. Having said that both are owned by the Shangri-La group and have very high standards. We used the facilities of both all week. I would certainly recommend either as the best in the area.

either hotel is lovely, we stay at Golden Sands but La Raysa is right next door & you can use all faciities. You even have free transport to Georgetown to another Shangrila hotel below a large shopping centre. Food & shoping are wonderful. Take a day trip to Langkawi, or even Thailand. Besure to visit the Mansion on Leith st enjoy. Ps not enough time & you will want to return over & over again.

Sajida <BR> <BR>I agree with Mike and Angela - Golden Sands and Rasa Sayang are fabulous hotels. <BR> <BR>If you have children I would go for Golden Sands - it has a wonderful lagoon style pool and gardens. The staff at both hotels only have one mission, which is to please you and make your stay as enjoyable as possible. 4 days is not enough, you want at least 7 days. We usually go for 10-14!!!! <BR> <BR>You can take a trip to Monkey Island (which is visible from the beach at Penang)- Langkawi is much further. Apparently the boat trip can be quite rough!!!! <BR> <BR>I am afraid I wouldn't recommend the Holiday Inn. We know guests who have actually checked in there and moved to different hotels because they have been disappointed - you also have to cross a busy road via a bridge to reach the beach! <BR> <BR>The Park Royal is a nice hotel and ideal for children, but I think it gets much busier and nosier than the Golden Sands and the Rasa. It is extremely popular with Australians! <BR> <BR>You may be disappointed with the beach at Penang - it is not the cleanest in the world and you get pestered by 'beach bums' trying to hire you jet skis. However, like most Malays they are not aggressive - just persistant. <BR> <BR>With regard to KL. I have stayed at the Holiday in on the Park and the Pan Pacific. Both hotels were wonderfully located, with the Pan Pacific being the most luxurious. <BR> <BR>You will love the markets at Penang - you can strike up some excellent deals and have fun bartering. There is also a great market in KL at Chinatown. <BR> <BR>Have fun and let me know on which hotel you decided!