Recently, many readers have been requesting Malaysian travel products through our public account and reader group. Malaysia is a great option; it’s a visa-free country, so you can travel there with just a passport. Among Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia is also relatively safe. Furthermore, domestic round-trip flights to Malaysia have consistently been affordable, making it a convenient option without too much financial burden.
Let me give you a brief introduction to Malaysia. Malaysia is a federal state, consisting of thirteen states and three federal territories, and can be simply divided into West Malaysia and East Malaysia, separated by the vast South China Sea. Based on geographical location and transportation, I categorize it into six regions, where the islands within a region are suitable for inclusion in a single itinerary for island-hopping adventures.
Today’s offerings primarily feature products for Redang Island and Kuala Lumpur, which can be combined. I know everyone is also hoping for offers from YTL’s Moonlight Shadow, Gaya Island, and Green Sea, but it’s somewhat our fault. Last year, we marketed these hotels so well that their occupancy rates have been over 90% recently. As a result, these hotels have significantly increased their prices this year, making them unaffordable. For those who have reservations from earlier, please make sure to use them as those prices were a steal. If you’re unable to make a reservation, feel free to reach out to our assistant, and we can try to communicate with the hotels for you.
Thus, for our spring promotion, we focused on Redang Island, which has just reopened (it will be closed from November to March). Currently, the first wave of pricing for Redang Island is outstanding!
Redang Island is well-known due to the movie “Summer Fever,” making it the most famous among the three islands in that group. Because the shape of the island resembles a “❤”, it is nicknamed “Heart of the Ocean” Island.
Today, there are three hotels with four packages to discuss, so I’ll summarize:
1. **Laguna Resort on Redang Island:** 3 nights in a luxurious garden view room, including daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner all-inclusive + Chinese-speaking private car transfer from Kuala Lumpur Millenium Hotel to TTI Wharf + round-trip boat transfer between TTI Wharf and the resort + 4 snorkeling trips (equipment included), 1999 RMB/person.
2. **Millennium Hotel Kuala Lumpur:** 2 nights with breakfast + Chinese-speaking driver pickup from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Millenium Hotel + 3 nights in a luxurious garden view room at Laguna Resort on Redang Island with all meals included + private car transfer from Millenium Hotel to TTI Wharf + round-trip boat transfer between TTI Wharf and the resort + 4 snorkeling trips (equipment included), 2899 RMB/person.
3. **TAARAS Resort on Redang Island:** 3 nights in a garden view suite with breakfast + 2 lunches, 3 dinners + a choice of two snorkeling trips or a 30-minute head, shoulder, and neck massage + public round-trip transfer between Terengganu Airport and Merang Wharf, speedboat transfer from Merang Wharf to Redang Wharf, and transfer from Redang Wharf to the resort, 5799 RMB/person. You can also opt for a direct flight from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur to Redang Island, starting from 7599 RMB/person for a more convenient experience.
4. **Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur:** 2 nights in an executive twin tower view room with breakfast + executive amenities (afternoon tea, happy hour) + a consumption credit of 200 MYR, 3380 RMB.
These are primarily all-inclusive lazy vacations.
Let’s go over the details of these offerings again, all of which are available for purchase.
1. For the **Laguna Resort on Redang Island**, the package is 3 nights in a luxurious garden view room, all-inclusive meals, transportation included; the total cost is 1999 RMB/person, valid until October 22, 2024.
This itinerary is incredibly convenient as you can depart from Kuala Lumpur. The private car and boat will transfer you directly to the resort on Redang Island. The return journey also offers flexibility, as it concludes at Terengganu’s TTI Wharf, allowing you to connect to other itineraries. If you check the map, driving from Kuala Lumpur city to TTI Wharf takes over 5.5 hours. In fact, this is more suitable than flying (it takes about an hour to get from the city to the airport, and additional time to get from Terengganu Airport to the wharf). This package includes a dedicated car and a Chinese-speaking driver without any shared rides.
Redang Island (Pulau Redang) is recognized as one of Malaysia’s most beautiful islands. It is part of Malaysia’s marine park protection area, known for its idyllic vacation and diving spots. If you are among the post-80s and early 90s readers, you might have seen or at least heard of the film “Summer Fever” starring Richie Ren and Sammi Cheng, shot in Redang Island.
The restaurant of “Ah Niu” from the movie is right next to the resort.
Redang Island is a seasonal destination with the best travel times from April to October. During other months, the winds can be too strong, leading to possible island closures, and some resorts may shut down operations.
Laguna Resort is one of the older resorts on Redang Island, having opened in 2002 and situated right by the beach.
The sandy shores and waters of Redang Island are exceptional. To give you a closer look, there are numerous fish near the beach. A photographer who recently visited has also been to other locations like Kota Kinabalu, Semporna, and Penang and remarked that in terms of water quality, Redang Island is second only to Semporna.
Upon close inspection, you’ll find a variety of tropical fish.
To be honest, the rooms at Laguna Resort are quite average. Here’s a real shot of the garden view room included in this package. As we were among the first guests on the island after its reopening, the resort had been closed for nearly five months, leading to a bit of humidity in the rooms. However, after proper ventilation on the second day, it felt much better. Therefore, it is advisable for guests to visit after the end of March for an improved experience.
You can watch “Summer Fever” on the room’s television. The film’s dialogue from 2000 can seem a bit unbearable when viewed today.
Additionally, I suggest that guests bring their own toiletries. We previously stayed at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur the night before and found that the amenities at Laguna weren’t very impressive.
While Laguna Resort has a beach, it’s shared with several other resorts. The sand quality is good, and the resort is very close to the water.
Next to the beach is the gift shop from “Summer Fever,” and walking along a path will lead you to Ah Niu’s store. Those who have watched the movie should find some nostalgic items here.
The natural environment around the resort is quite intact, with many little squirrels and lizards near the rooms and dining areas, but I didn’t spot any monkeys.
At Laguna Resort, it’s essential to select an all-inclusive option; otherwise, finding your meals and organizing snorkeling trips can become quite a hassle. This package includes three meals per day. Upon check-in, guests receive meal tickets that must be presented at each meal. If lost…
The dining experience here is vastly superior to that at Semporna resorts and is more suited to Chinese palates.
Staying three nights will take you on four snorkeling trips. Please note that these are paid snorkeling trips, not just from the resort, and equipment is included. There will also be guides to explain how to use the gear and safety precautions.
The snorkeling spots around Redang Island are very diverse. The typical snorkeling activities include those in the southern marine park area. On sunny days, visibility can reach over 10 meters, making it easy to view the beautiful underwater world. It’s not uncommon to see sea turtles and beloved clownfish in the area.
From May to September each year is the turtle nesting season on Redang Island; you might witness the magical process of baby turtles hatching in the northern turtle sanctuary.
By the way, Laguna Resort is very comfortable at night. There will be a singer performing on the outdoor stage, singing well-known Chinese songs by artists like Jay Chou, Eason Chan, and Yu Kewei, enhancing the overall holiday atmosphere.
Let’s talk about prices. At 1999 RMB per person, it is undoubtedly a fantastic deal, as the transportation cost is included. A private ride of over five hours and the transfer to the island are efficient. The return journey directly takes you to TTI Wharf in Terengganu, adding to the convenience. Along with three nights of accommodation, all meals, and four snorkeling excursions, you won’t need to spend any extra money at the resort. It’s genuinely a great value.
Historically, this resort charges over 1000 RMB per night without meals, and it’s best to purchase a package that includes transportation, as there are no afternoon boats to this hotel unless you charter a speedboat, which can be costly.
1. Purchase link: 67￥ CZ0015 KcCpWn7nRZf￥ https://m.tb.cn/h.5wR2oiZ/
I recommend buying this deal early. The initial launch prices are predictably the best. The reason I’m not promoting YTL’s Moonlight Shadow, Gaya Island, or Green Sea this time is that these prices have become untenable after selling them so successfully last year. I can responsibly say that missing out on this opportunity will certainly lead to higher prices later.
For those looking for more convenience, most travelers to Malaysia fly into Kuala Lumpur, where flights are frequent and affordable. Taking a round trip from Hangzhou to Kuala Lumpur, even direct flights can be arranged for about 2000+ RMB.
2. Package for **Millennium Hotel Kuala Lumpur:** 2 nights with breakfast + Chinese-speaking driver transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport to the hotel + 3 nights in a luxurious garden view room at Laguna Resort on Redang Island with all meals included + private car transfer from the Millennium Hotel to TTI Wharf + round-trip boat transfer between TTI Wharf and the resort + 4 snorkeling excursions (equipment included), priced at 2899 RMB/person, valid until October 22, 2024.
This package is more convenient. It includes two nights in Kuala Lumpur and three nights at Laguna Resort with all-inclusive meals, along with the airport transfer to the city hotel and from the city hotel to the Laguna Resort—just buy a flight to Kuala Lumpur.
1. Purchase link: 67￥ CZ0015 KcCpWn7nRZf￥ https://m.tb.cn/h.5wR2oiZ/
The return trip is also arranged back to TTI Wharf, considering that you might have other itineraries lined up.
Regarding Laguna’s child policy: children age 3 and under are free; ages 4-11 are charged at children’s rates. The children’s rate for the 1999 RMB package starts from 1099 RMB (with some dates having price increases); the rate for the 2899 RMB package starts from 1699 RMB (with some dates having price increases). If a child aged 4-11 requires an extra bed, the package price will be equivalent to an adult rate.
If you prefer a better hotel on Redang Island, choose this one:
3. **TAARAS Resort:** 3 nights in a garden view suite with breakfast + 2 lunches, 3 dinners + a choice of two snorkeling trips or a 30-minute head, shoulder, neck massage + round-trip transfers from Terengganu Airport to Merang Wharf, speedboat transfer from Merang Wharf to Redang Wharf, and between the resort, 5799 RMB/person. You can also opt for round trip flights from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur to Redang Island starting at 7599 RMB/person—flying directly to the island is certainly more convenient.
This package is valid until October 22, 2024, with additional charges and unavailability noted on the page.
TAARAS is the best hotel on the entire Redang Island, with seasonal prices often exceeding 3000 RMB per night, and it usually only includes breakfast.
The beach at TAARAS is private, with fine white sand and high-quality water—perfect for guests who enjoy tranquility. Here’s a real photo we took.
One highlight is the nearby turtle sanctuary, which is just a 5-minute boat ride away, or you can swim there to see the turtles. Of course, the snorkeling trips arranged by the hotel could also include turtle sightings.
This package includes a 70㎡ garden suite, and TAARAS’s rooms are relatively new. The garden suites are very close to the beach, allowing for easy walking access.
The package indicates an upgrade to Cliff Bay Suite, which is larger and offers better views but requires a golf cart transfer for checking in, which is somewhat inconvenient—it’s up to you to decide what you prefer. I didn’t capture an image of the king bed suite; I only have a twin bed room picture, but the actual upgrade was to a king bed suite.
Not all of these room types have ocean views.
The hardware and environment of TAARAS Resort are truly excellent. The gym is spacious and offers a stunning ocean view, allowing for jogging as well as yoga sessions.
The environment is lush and natural, featuring many monkeys and squirrels in the area. Additionally, this beach is also suitable for surfing.
This resort also provides three meals a day, as there aren’t many alternatives nearby. Breakfast is buffet-style, while the hotel offers set menus or buffets for lunch and dinner. There’s an Asian restaurant with steaks for the main meals and an Italian and Indian restaurant that only serves dinner. There’s also a beach bar and room service, and the overall food quality is commendable.
Meal seating can also be moved to the beach, creating a lovely romantic setting.
TAARAS’ transportation arrangement differs from that of Laguna Resort. TAARAS provides round-trip transfers from Terengganu Airport to the wharf, and from the wharf to Redang Island, returning you to Terengganu Airport at the end of your stay.
Notably, TAARAS allows direct flights to the island. They have their own small aircraft (ATR42-500 turboprop) that operates from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur directly to Redang Island. Note that it departs from Subang Airport (code: SZB), not Kuala Lumpur International Airport (code: KUL). This option, however, comes at a higher cost, providing a more exclusive travel experience.
TAARAS’ child policy states that for the 5799 RMB package, children aged 2 and under are free; 3-11 years are charged an additional 1899 RMB/person. For the 7599 RMB package flying to the island, children under 2 pay 300 RMB/person, while children aged 3-11 incur an additional charge of 3699 RMB (April-June; September-October) or 4299 RMB (July-August).
Another point to note is that Redang Island charges an entrance fee for the marine park of 30 MYR per adult and 15 MYR per child (under 12 years old) collected at the wharf. There’s also a tourism tax of 10 MYR/room/night to be paid at the hotel front desk. Additionally, the speedboat carries a wharf fee of 5 MYR/person. It’s all small change but can become cumbersome; many Southeast Asian destinations operate similarly.
1. Purchase link: 07￥ CZ3456 QiLuWn7MdaR￥ https://m.tb.cn/h.5DiO8H2/
If you want to stay somewhere nicer on Redang Island, choose TAARAS Resort.
Additionally, there’s the hotel in Kuala Lumpur:
4. **Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur:** 2 nights in an executive twin tower view room with breakfast + executive benefits (afternoon tea, happy hour) + 200 MYR consumption credit, 3380 RMB, valid until May 31, 2024, with no price increases during Qingming, Labor Day, and weekends.
When promoting hotels, we emphasize firsthand experience. The Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur package launched on the first day of the spring promotion (March 1), but we’ve only now promoted it on March 16 after checking it out ourselves. We can’t recommend a hotel just based on speculation; we need to have experienced it to feel confident recommending it. Our departure from the Mandarin Oriental was just on March 10, so this is a very fresh recommendation.
The Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur boasts a fantastic location. To put it simply, it’s situated right next to the iconic KLCC Twin Towers! The hotel lies nestled between the KLCC park and the Twin Towers. This package includes an executive floor room with a view of the Twin Towers, providing views like this from the room window.
Shopping here is convenient. From the hotel’s main entrance, just a short walk will lead you to the Petronas Twin Towers and the nearby Suria KLCC, the largest shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur—ideal for shopping and dining.
One of my favorite durian stalls, “Shi A Po,” is also located nearby.
The Mandarin Oriental was established in 1998 and underwent renovations in 2018. It bears a similarity to its counterpart in Hong Kong, encapsulating fascinating elements of time within its architecture. In some cases, this sense of age can be an aesthetic.
This package includes an executive floor room with a twin tower view, with a room size of 40㎡.
The nighttime view of the Twin Towers is breathtaking.
This room type typically comes at a high cost, often exceeding 3000 RMB per night.
The package also provides a consumable credit of 200 MYR (about 306 RMB), which is best utilized for dining. The Lai Po Heen Chinese restaurant serves delightful Cantonese dim sum, with an interior design reflective of the dining atmosphere found in southern China.
MO Bar, known for its visual appeal, offers drinks.
If you’re uncertain about how to spend the credit, you might as well grab afternoon tea at the lobby lounge or purchase pastries from the hotel’s bakery, which is renowned for its quality.
Finally, I must mention that the service at the Mandarin Oriental is impeccable. They ensure that your clothes are folded neatly upon returning, and they even provided a glasses wipe and data cable ties, with the cord being rolled up neatly. This particular trip was shared with a female photographer and assistant (two females), and the hotel even sent fresh flowers to the room on Women’s Day, March 8.
Although this package is valid for a limited time (until May 31), there are no price increases during Qingming and Labor Day, and I confirmed that there’s still availability for those dates before posting.
Malaysia is visa-free, making Kuala Lumpur a convenient travel destination.
In conclusion: Be sure to book early for Redang Island, or you might find yourself facing rising prices like we’ve seen with previous promotions involving YTL resorts. Hotel pricing tends to drop when occupancy is low but increases when demand rises. Malaysia’s visa-free access makes this wave of pricing for Redang Island significantly lower than for resorts in Thailand, Indonesia, or even similar Malaysian resorts, particularly for Laguna Resort. I anticipate a price hike soon, especially considering the popularity of Laguna Resort.
