No, Kuching is different. Everything in Sabah and Sarawak is culturally different from the rest of Malaysia. The traditional tribal cultures (especially in Sarawak) are still present.

Karen, Kuching is a difficult "stop" on a longer trip unless you are spending time in Sabah and Sarawak. You can fly to Kuching from KL or Singapore; likewise you can fly to Kota Kinabalu from KL or Singapore. And you can fly between Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

Sounds like an itinerary consisting of Singapore, Penang/Georgetown, Kuching and a rain-forest resort on Sabah would be ideal.

Bob, In Georgetown, Clove Hall looks great - look forward to hearing about it. How much time do you think we need on the island?

If we were doing Langkawi, we would choose Bon Ton for sure - wish we had time.

Kathie, there is a new place in Kuching, an Accor hotel - the Pullman, that looks great. The side trips you mentioned all look worthwhile - could spend at least 3-4 days here.

In Sabah, top choice at the moment is the Last Frontier Boutique Resort near Sandankan out of many, many options.

Any reco's for Singapore? I have always thought the Ritz Carlton was the best place for views and atmosphere but maybe there is a better situated, better value some where else?

Craig, you have lots of wonderful options! I'm also looking forward to hearing about Clove Hall. We loved the E&O, but Clove Hall looks like a great experience. I'd want 3-4 days in Georgetown; we had 5 full days.

I looked at the Pullman Hotel in Kuching. While I'm sure the hotel is very nice, I have to say that I don't like the location as well as the Hilton. Now, I'm not a Hilton person (I usually find Hilton Hotels to be disappointing) but the Hilton in Kuching was both lovely and well-located. Being just across the street from the river was great! It meant we were a short stroll from the most interesting shopping in town. We had a suite on a Club floor.

My favorite hotel in SIngapore is the Fairmont. Great hotel, great location atop a shopping complex (Raffles City) and an MRT station. I'm of the opinion that one can't go wrong with the Ritz-Carlton, but I find the location not as convenient in terms of the MRT.

This sounds like a great trip, Craig.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I googled the place you are thinking about in Sabah. Some of the website is still under construction so the only thing I could find about getting to see the denizens of the rainforest was the boat ride. Do they give you a guide and two or three walks a day? For us, that was a really special part of staying at the BRL. We talked with a couple at the BRL who had been in the area of the place you are thinking about and they enjoyed the boat ride, but where they were staying, the boat was the only way to view the wildlife.

I forgot to mention that you can visit longhouse villages from Kuching. We didn't get a chance to do it, but I would want to go next time.

Kathie, this will probably tell you what you need to know - at least it has convinced me:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...kan_Sabah.html

According to the reviews and the website, there are a couple of boat rides and one very hot morning walk which is about all we are willing to deal with - the amount of wildlife seen was significant in all reviews.

We would want to visit a longhouse village but not stay in one overnight as many tourists seem to do.

our plan is to stay 3 nites in georgetown....maybe not quite enough but it fits with our schedule and leaves us time for singapore....

in sin we are staying at the intercontinental....lcuy sings its praises....we got a good rate with friends and family-- i have that link if you need it...

Craig, the reviews sound good. I was surprised at the complaints about the walk being so hot. Perhaps the Danum Valley is at higher altitude or maybe it's the amount of shade. But the only time I complained of the heat was on the hike where we went straight up the mountain.

Frances, take a look at Cicerone's comments about Malaysian beaches on this thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-in-august.cfm

Thank you. I think though that the weather on the East coast is not going to be good in december / Jan which is why I was looking at the West. I really fancied what you said about Kuching until I read what the average rainfall was in Jan!

Craig - did you decided if you were going to Langkawi or not? I see you mentioned Bon Ton, we stayed there a couple of years ago and LOVED it (best food too of the trip). However do you like cats and creaky old houses????

Nicky, we will likely skip Langkawi and Bon Ton on this trip. There is just not enough time to do that and the other things we want to accomplish. Also, we plan on getting our tropical island resort fix this October with a week on Kauai.

Probably not a bad call.... Penang is great, shabby chic i would describe it as. (well i have only stayed in Georgetown) enjoyed it loads.