Urgent help - Malaysia trip 2007
 

Hi,

I would need help in planning a trip to Malaysia for November 2007.

I have 8 days for the tour. Kindly advice on the plan below:

Day 01: Arrival at Kuala Lampur
Day 02: Kuala Lampur
Day 03: Kuala Lampur
Day 04: Kuala Lampur - Genting
Day 05: Genting
Day 06: Genting - Langkawi
Day 07: Langkawi
Day 08: Langkawi - Back Home

The hotels suggested by the agent:
3n KUL (Grand Seasons) + 2n Genting (Resort) +2n langkawi (Lanai Langkawi Beach Resort)...I hope all these are in good location and 4 star hotels

Kindly advice on the itinerary as well as hotel suggestion.

It depends what you enjoy really. I noticed Genting & I went there many years ago - lots of Malaysian & Singaporian people like the casino (which Genting is known for) & there are some amusements - but its not everyones idea of fun. It depends really what you enjoy. If you like beaches then you need more time in Langkawi - shopping & cultural stuff in KL.
I don't know these hotels - but look at trip advisor for some reviews, for Grand Seasons see
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rsekutuan.html

I think Lanai is only 3 star, it's at Pulau Tengah.
We don't know what sort of resort hotels you like and what your priorities are, but if you want a good located beach place where you can also get to other places to eat etc the Pelangi Resort is good. There are others but they can be more remote, depends what sort of resort you want, there's the Sheraton and others also, the one I know best though is Pelangi and always found it just fine.

I haven't been up to Genting but as Janey says a lot go for the gamdbling, If you have just 8 days there are more interesting places to visit in Malaysia.

If you can tell us the sort of things you want to see and do plenty of tohgers will join in with ieas. Tell us if you want nature, beaches, relaxation or soft adventure, whatever, there are plenty of places in Malaysia offering different attractions, things to see and do.

It has been many years, but I cannot imagine Genting Highlands improving with age.

How about looking at Penang or on the other side Kuantan with a ferry to Tioman Island? Or hop over to Singapore for a couple of days.

I think you are in KL and Genting a total of 2 days too many. You might want to spend the 2 in the Camermeron Highlands. It is spectacular. Trust me.

Kuala Lumpur (or known as KL by locals) is great for shopping. There are some beautiful buildings and some temples. Penang is probably more tourist friendly but I would avoid Genting, not sure if Cameron Highlands is really worth it. I find the East Coast more interesting and there are some beautiful islands like Redang and Perhentian but can't guarantee the weather that time of the year. Then there is the National Park if you're into nature. Some people do a day tour to Melaka (or Malacca) as it has a lot of history but because I grew up in that area it is not as fascinating. Apparently the fireflies in Kuala Selangor is worth seeing, it's on my to do list.

Pardon me for saying this but your agent has offered you a very "bland" holiday. You are travelling thousands of miles for gambling resort (Genting), urbanscape (KL) and touristy island (Langkawi). Tears are starting to swell in my eyes. Gosh, you can get all these, even better ones, near home and perhaps save on flight tickets too. Sorry for the overtones. I get revved up when people visit Malaysia and miss its gems. With the distance between KL, Genting and Langkawi, I'm wondering if the agent plan to have you spend most of your time travelling, not holiday. Did the agent tell how are you going to Langkawi from Genting?

OK, Grand Seasons is very posh. Lanai is slightly below 4 star and Genting Resort ... let's say they'll rather you splurge at their casino and theme park. They know nice rooms are the least of concern for gamblers with one thing on their mind.

By the way, where are you from? Is this your first trip to SE Asia?

We were in Malaysia 2 years ago. I would highly recommend the Mandarin Oriental. Just a wonderful hotel in a great location right next to the Petronas Towers. I can't imagine anyone wanting to visit Genting. It's the height of tackiness. Cameron Highlands are lovely but there isn't a good hotel there. We stayed at the Old Smokehouse and it is a disaster. Do not stay there. I would skip the Highlands entirely and go to Penang and stay at the E and O Hotel. It's worth the trip. Or maybe don't go so far and visit Malacca. Lots of atmosphere. Hotel Puri is great

Galiano - interesting your comment on Old Smokehouse - we stayed there I can't remember how long ago, when an English guy who had worked in Far East for many years had just taken it over. There was a job to be done then!!! It wasn't awful but certainly needed a lot doing to it - sad to hear its probably worse now - it could be such a nice place!
Just to add - we didn't particularly enjoy Cameron Highlands either.

I agree with traveltwiddle.KL can just be a stopover with a little city tour.Otherwise I'm not sure Kl can offer more.instead ther are far better places Malaysia is better known for.Kota Kinabalu,Kuching,Langkawi ofcourse is good.I would give Genting a skip.
The colonial streets ofMalacca is wonderful.Penang too is good.I feel the cultural aspect of Malaysia is missing from your plan.Well thats what Malaysia is all about.Definetly not KL alone.

If you must do Genting, why not as a day trip from KL? I'm not sure its worth spending 2 nights... Also, you could then add the 2 nights to Penang...

The Redang and Prehentian are GREAT snorkel and dive spots, some of the best we have ever seen but the season is really March-Aug. for little rain and best temperatures. In my opinion, Genting is a bit Honky-Tonk.

Thanks all for the suggestions

Actually it is my first trip to Malaysia. I have been to Thailand before.

It would be me and my husband traveling.

We went to Thailand for our Honeymoon. For our First Anniversary we went to India and Nepal and for our second anniversary, we are planning to go to Malaysia.

We both love adventure, beaches, wildlife, and Nature. Nightouts and gambaling is just for fun but we both love shopping. So I thought Malaysia is a better choice.

I am sure now you guys will be able to help me with the designing of this tour. If November is not the right time then we might go in Feb 2008

Any further help is highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Also I forgot to mention that the Hotels we prefer - 4 star / 5 star

Glad you're ditching the bland tour. Let us know a few months ahead so everyone can help. November isn't a bad time to travel if you're covering the west coast but east coast island hopping is a no no because of monsoon. The west coast is easier to DIY too because of large English-speaking population. For adventure, wildlife and nature, I can certainly heap you with lots of suggestions. If 4/5 star budget is no problem, start with Pangkor Laut private island resort.

Selamat Datang ke Malaysia! (Welcome to Malaysia!) *_*

Well, I think you have quite a packed schedule especially on Day 6 and 7. If I am not mistaken, it will take you 8 hours from Genting to Langkawi by bus. So most of your time on Day6 will be spent on the transport. As for Day 7, think you will have a very tight journey to cover Langkawi in only one day!! Personally I think you can shorten one day in Kuala Lumpur and spend more time in Langkawi as there is nothing much to cover in Kuala Lumpur except the twin towers!!

Cheers,
Kim
http://saunf-kim.blogspot.com

3 days in KL is plenty, unless you cant get enough of malls --SURIA KLCC is certainly a great one. We stayed at the Maya and loved it--but you need to be into the sleek/modern thing. In Penang the E&O is divine. And in Langkawi I would STRONGLY urge you to have a look at Bon Ton, one of the best places we've ever stayed. Rent a car and drive around--there are non-touristy things to see, like Padang Matsirat night market.

Janev : We have travelled to many countries over the last 30 years and I can honestly say that the Old Smokehouse in the Cameron Highlands is the worst hotel we have ever stayed at. When I got home I posted a review on TripAdvisor.com. Here is just a little of my review :

1) the lobby furniture is not just threadbare but totally filthy and stinks ! So bad that once we realized we did not sit there ever.

2 ) the food served is appalling. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all bad. Not just bad but appalling. Food service staff try their best but are totally untrained and have no idea about hygiene.

3 ) the rooms haven't been redecorated in decades so things like bedspreads are disgustingly dirty.

4) the room doorknob was broken right off so it became a bit of a trick to close the room door. One of our windows was broken - a hole in it.

5 ) while the gardens are lovely and the outside of the hotel looks quite charming, do not be fooled. Ye Olde Smokehouse is a terrible hotel and the owners, who are milking it for all it's worth, should be ashamed.

Hi,

just posted a link to some locations in Malaysia.

http://www.travellingbazaar.com/travel%20malaysia.html

Genting is boring unless you'r a player :) Malaka is worth a day visit and if u're not after a package holiday, then an island like Rawa might offer a more relaxed experience.

Hi,
If you like adventure,beaches,jungle treking,nature,go to Borneo.
We have been to Thailand lots of times,and to lots of places in malasia,but Borneo is the best for all round adventure.
We have been twice,and stayed at the 5 star tanjung aru [shangri la ]resort just outside kota kinabalu. We climbed mount kinabalu, went white water rafting, hiked through jungles ,found romote beaches with no other people,had a whole little island to ourselves one day. saw oranutans in the wild,also probicous monkeys.There is so much to see and do ,we had such a great time.
We went in april both times,not sure of weather in nov .
You could stay in kl for a few days first,i really liked kl,the petronas towers are an amazing sight,and shopping is good,really cheap ladies shoes!!.
If you need more info contact me,
Have fun
suzi