Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
246
Golden S ands Resor t b y Shangri-La
Kids
Shangri-La has been operating
resorts on Penang longer than any one else, and because it got her e first, y ou can bet it
laid claim to the best beach. S hangri-La has two neighboring pr operties on this site,
Golden Sands and its more exclusive sister, Rasa Sayang. A four-star resort, Golden Sands
is priced lower than the Rasa S ayang, so it attracts mor e families. The beach, pool ar ea,
and public spaces fill up fast, and folks ar e occupied all day with beach spor ts like para-
sailing and jet-skiing, and pool games. For the younger set, a large indoor playground is
popular with kids under 12 while Mom and Dad relax. Rooms are large with full ameni-
ties, and the higher-priced categories hav e views of the pool and sea. A ne w round of
renovations will be completed in mid-2009.
Batu Feringgi Beach, 11100 Penang.
&
800/942-5050
in the U.S. and Canada, 800/222-448 in Australia,
800/442-179 in New Z ealand, or 04/881-1911. Fax 04/881-1880. www.shangri-la.com. 395 units. RM700
($203/£126) double; RM1,750 ($508/£315) suit e. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; lobby lounge;
2 outdoor lagoon-style pools; outdoor lighted tennis courts; watersports equipment and activities; chil-
dren's center; concierge; airport transfers; room service; babysitting.
In room:
A/C, TV w/satellite program-
ming and in-house movies, Wi-Fi, fridge, hairdryer.
Holiday Inn Resort Penang
Kids
This is a r ecommended choice for families, but
be warned this resort has little appeal for vacationing couples or singles sans children. For
families it has everything—special Kidsuites have a separate room for the wee ones with
TV, video, and PlayStation, some with bunk beds—choose fr om jungle, treasure island,
or outer space themes. H oliday Inn also has a Kids Club , fully super vised daycare with
activities and games and a lifeguard. Older kids can join in beach v olleyball, water polo,
bike tours, and an assor tment of waterspor ts arranged b y the staff . Guest rooms are in
two blocks: a lo w-rise structure near the beach and a high-rise to wer along the hillside,
connected b y a second-stor y walkway. N aturally, the beachside r ooms command the
greater rate. B eachside rooms also hav e better ambience and slightly larger space, with
wood floors and details, while to wer rooms have less charm. The lack of dining options
gets tiring.
72 Batu Feringgi, 11100 Penang.
&
04/881-1601.
Fax 04/881-1389. w ww.holidayinnpenang.com. 358
units. RM450-RM550 ($131-$160/£81-£99) hillview double; RM530-RM650 ($154-$189/£95-£117)
seaview double; RM800 ($232/£144) K idsuite; from RM800 ($232/£144) suite. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; lobby lounge; outdoor pool and childr en's pool; outdoor lighted tennis courts; health club;
watersports equipment rentals; children's club; concierge; airport transfers; room service; babysitting.
In
room:
A/C, TV w/satellite programming and in-house movies, miniba, hair dryerr.
13
Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa
Rasa Sayang reopened in 2006
after a RM10.5-million ($3-million/£1.9-million) r edevelopment that saw par ts of the
original buildings gutted to make way for a spa to compete with the deluxe resorts in the
region. Rasa Sayang was the first resort to be built along B atu Feringgi, so it commands
the best beach of all the r esorts, with 12 hectar es (30 acr es) of gr ounds—enough for a
par-3 executive golf course, two pools, and plenty of gar dens, plus two wings of guest
rooms, Rasa and Garden. Standard rooms are gorgeous, most with sea views, in contem-
porary style and natural tones, deep wood built-ins, and big fluffy beds. I n the Rasa
Wing, guest r ooms have private verandas and gar dens, or balconies with tubs outside.
Rasa Sayang also launched the S hangri-La's new spa brand, CHI, with decor and tr eat-
ments based on Chinese principles of yin and yang and the fiv e elements: metal, wood,
water, fire, and earth.
Batu Feringgi Beach, 11100 Penang.
&
800/942-5050
in the U.S. and Canada, 800/222-448 in Australia,
800/442-179 in New Zealand, or 04/888-8888. Fax 04/881-1880. www.shangri-la.com. 304 units. RM1,491
