Hi there! My husband-to-be and I will be spending part of our honeymoon on Tioman this June. I am trying to find a good place for us to stay - we are looking for seclusion, intense relaxation, good food, spectacular snorkeling and comfortable (or plush) accomodations. I have looked into the Berjaya Resort, but have read some negative reviews about it. I would love to find a great guesthouse. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I am in the same boat! <BR>I have heard pros and cons about Berjaya as well, but still want things to be at a 4 star or higher level, so we're kind of stuck. We are going in August. <BR><BR>What else have you heard about Tioman? My finacee's parents live in Singapore and they say they have heard really good things but haven't been there personally. We are coming from the US, so I am hoping it will be worth our travel!<BR>

I have been to Tioman twice (I live in Malaysia so it's a weekend trip for us) and loved it... so beautiful, and the snorkelling is quite good. Haven't stayed at the Berjaya, though, just gone by on the ferry! It doesn't look great, to be honest... and I've heard the food isn't good. The beach isn't the best on the island, either.<BR><BR>Unfortunately I think it's the most upscale resort on Tioman. Have you looked into the other islands in the area? Many are more remote, and probably have even better snorkelling. Two come to mind: <BR><BR>1) Rawa, which has only one resort and nothing else on the whole island (secluded as it gets, really), and has a LOT of activities (I know they have a website, but you'll have to search it out). I really want to check this out soon (but with baby due in two weeks I don't know when it'll happen!).<BR><BR>2)Besar. I know it has a few resorts, but sorry, I don't know a thing about them. Surely there is info out there on the net. <BR><BR>Not sure if you can fly to these two islands though, if you weren't planning to take a boat.<BR><BR>Have fun researching!<BR><BR>

If you want plush accomodations I think your only choice is the Berjaya Resort.<BR><BR>I've never stayed at the Berjaya Resort but I've stayed at Panuba Inn and Rinda House. I've also seen the other accomodations such as Bamboo Hill and ABC.<BR><BR>Many places on the island don't even have hot water! For example, Bamboo Hill doesn't have air-conditioning nor hot water showers.<BR><BR>Panuba Inn has hot water showers and A/C but only the SuperDeluxe and Deluxe rooms have these luxuries. Still Panuba Inn would not be considered plush.<BR><BR>I liked Panuba Inn but my Japanese wife was not that impressed.<BR><BR>

I've been to many Malaysian islands incl Tioman, Kapas, Perhentian, Langkawi, Penang, Pangkor. Berjaya is the best hotel in Tioman but dont expect it to be in the same class as a Banyan Tree. It is more like a 4star good clean chalet.If you're going there for diving/snorkelling and just to veg out then it is nice. If you're going there for great hotels/ food/ beach then you'd be disappointed. Better to go to Langkawi then.

I am a resident of Johor Bahru and have been to Tioman 3 times and stayed in different hotels. The best hotel there at the present moment in Tioman is still Berjaya Resort. However, recently Tioman has been declared a tax free area, so expect more development in better resorts in the future. However, the surrounding islands of Besar and Sibu may be worth your consideration.

Dear Nysa:<BR><BR>I lived in Singapore for 5 years and spent many weekends and holidays on the east coast of Malaysia. Tioman is very beautiful, but is has no 5 star or good international standard hotels. If you know this ahead of time, and can adjust your expectations, I think you would enjoy Tioman.<BR><BR>For an island in the same area that I think is even more beautiful and much less crowded, I would suggest Rawa Island which has already been mentioned in this thread. It is a small island (you can swim or canoe around it), and has maybe 40 rooms. It is without doubt one of the most beautiful beaches in the world: soft white sand and clear water that changes from blue, to green to purple depending on weather. There is one hotel on the island, and as it is small, the staff is very attentive. I have not stayed there in several years, but can see from their web site that they have made extension renovations. Like Tioman, it is not 5 star, it is more like a 3 star but I believe it would be superior to anything on Tioman, and the beach and surrounding islands are even more beautiful. The diving is great, you can dive or snorkel right from the beach, or the hotel will arrange for a boat to take you to more remote islands/reefs/wrecks. To reach Rawa, you would drive from Singapore (3 hours, you can charter a taxi) and then take a ferry for about 1 hour. The hotel is called Rawa Safaris. I would suggest you check their website: rawasfr.com<BR><BR>Please see the continuation of this message below for suggestions for a 5 star hotel further north on the east coast.<BR><BR>Nancy

Actually, the boat between Rawa and Mersing is only about 20 minutes. Tioman is much further offshore, and is about an hour and a half by boat.

if you gonna be on a honeymoon and going all the way across the world...check out Pangkor Laut resort (web)..all I can say it, SPLENDID!! it's like being on paradise...beautiful beaches and great hospitality and the oohh the villas!!!! check out the web site for yourself..it's a comprehensive site with pics of each villas, check out the floating villas amidst the rocks jutted out in the calm blue ocean...and pamper yourself at the spa!

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