Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
261
Tips
Island Travel
If you have not already acquired a good mosquito repellent, do so before head-
ing to any of the islands on Malaysia's east coast. You'll need something with
DEET (an active ingredient used in repellents that safely and effectively keeps
bugs away from your skin). These mosquitoes are hungry. If you plan to stay in
one of the smaller chalet places, you might want to invest in a mosquito net.
Also, bring a flashlight to help you get around after sunset.
WHERE TO STAY
Unless you stay at the B erjaya Tioman Beach Golf & S pa Resort or J apaMala Resort,
expect to be r oughing it. F or some trav elers, a r esort with wonder ful modern conv e-
niences is what it takes to make a tropical island experience relaxing. For others, though,
real r elaxation comes fr om an escape fr om modern distractions. S mall chalets in the
kampungs have minimal facilities and fe w or no conv eniences such as hot sho wers and
telephones. Why would y ou want to stay in them? B ecause they're simple, close to the
beach, and less touristy.
Of the budget choices, the most charming is
Bamboo Hill
(
&
09/419-1339
), at the
northern tip of ABC. These r ustic chalets ar e perched in the for est along a r ocky hill
overlooking the bay. While the beach here is too rocky, it's just a short walk to the other
side of the bay, where you can swim, or y ou can hike o ver the hill to the sandy co ve in
Kampung Salang. Bamboo Hill's timber chalets are cozy and quiet, with balconies, refrig-
erators, tea kettles, and mosquito netting. Priced from RM70 to RM120 ($20-$35/£13-
£22), cash only. You can also opt for air-conditioning. An I nternet station and librar y
complete the amenities. Really the only place to eat here is Nazri's Place, at the south end
of the beach, which ser ves breakfast, lunch, and fish or chicken barbecue dinner daily .
Berjaya Tioman Beach Golf & Spa Resor t
This is one of two Western-style
resorts on the island and provides all the conveniences you'd expect from a budget chain
hotel. Accommodations are provided in small blocks and priv ate chalets, some with sea
views, but most facing gar dens. I nside, wood floors, flo wery drapes, upholster y, and
bedspreads brighten simple rattan furnishings. Each room has a small balcony, but guests
are advised against hanging clothes and towels to dry. Attached bathrooms are small, tiled
affairs, with combination tub/sho wers. The beach her e is fine; ho wever, don't expect
much surf because the r esort is located on the w est coast of the island, pr otected from
the open sea. O ne benefit is an on-site P ADI scuba center, but don't come all this way
for Berjaya's ho-hum golf course.
Tioman Island, Pahang Darul M akmur 86807.
&
09/419-1000.
Fax 09/419-1718. w ww.berjayaresorts.
com.my. 400 units . RM400-RM750 ($116-$218/£72-£135) chalet; RM1,500 ($435/£270) suit e. Nov-Feb
rates discounted 50%. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
4 restaurants; beach bar and karaoke lounge; 2 outdoor
pools; 18-hole golf c ourse; outdoor lighted tennis courts; tiny health club; spa ser vices; sauna; wat er-
sports equipment/rentals; airport transfers; room service; babysitting; PADI scuba center.
In room:
A/C, TV
w/satellite programming, minibar, hair dryer.
14
JapaMala
Finds
Tioman accommodation options w ere limited to the large
Berjaya Resort and simple chalets until the stylish boutique hotel J apaMala opened in
2004. Located on the southw est side of the island, the hotel has its o wn remote beach
and jungle, and is in an ar ea that's protected from monsoon winds. A member of the
