Where to stay

Malaysia offer a good selection of international class hotels as well as simpler hotels, res houses and hotels Room rates are subject to 5-10% tax. Many of the major international chain have hotels in Malaysia, such as Hilton, Regent, Holiday Inn and Hyatt plus local and regional chains such as Merlin, Ming Court and Shangri-La; most of these are on west coast. Room rates in the big hotels, particularly in KL rose steeply a mid-1990s but have been stable for the last few years. The number of four and five star hotel rooms has doubled over the last four years or so and this has helped to keep prices stable. By world standards, even the most expensive hotels are good value for money. It is also possible to rent condominiums in some cities, mainly KL and Georgetown.

There are youth hostels in KL, Georgetown (Penang), Port Dickson, Fraser's Hill Cameron Highlands, Kuantan, Kota Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Pulau Pangkor. There are also scores of government rest houses (rumah rehat) around the country; these often offer well-maintained, reasonably priced rooms, although they can become heavily, booked, particularly during public holidays On the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and in East Malaysia, it is often possible to stay with families in Malay kampung (villages), the so-called Home stay programme (contact local tourist office or travel agent for more information). The most popular place to do this is at Kampung Cerating, north of Kuantan, although it has become increasingly touristy in recent years; It is also possible to stay in a kampung house in Merang. Along many Malaysia's beaches and on islands, there are simple atap-roofed' A'-frame bungalows.

Accommodation in East Malaysia does not offer such value for money as hotels the peninsula, although, again, there are some bargains As on the peninsula, there are government rest houses in many of the main towns. For accommodation in national parks, see relevant sections. It is necessary to book in advance. In Sarawak it is possible - stay in longhouses, where rates are at the discretion of the visitor.

NB In the more popular holiday destinations like the Cameron Highland - accommodation can become scarce during the school holidays - April, August a December. During these months it is worth booking ahead.

Pelangi Airways Network

Air
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) operates an extensive network to domestic destinations: KL, Ipoh, Penang, Alor Star Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Labuan, Kuchinq, Sibu, Bintulu, Tawau, and Min (plus many more internal flights in Sabah and Sarawak) and flights to Singapore. Local MAS offices are listed under each town; the head office is at Bangunan MAS (opposite Equatorial Hotel), Jln Sultan Ismail, 50250, Kuala Lumpur. For fares, see table. Domesticflights from KL leave either from its new international airport KLIA, 72 km from the city, or Subang, 24 km from the city, so check your ticket. NB Flights get very booked up on public holidays.

Pelangi Air, a solely domestic airline, operates services to certain resorts and smaller town It flies to/from: Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, Alor Setar, Melaka, Kerteh, )man Island, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, and Kuala Terengganu. There are or night flights, group and advance bookings.
A start-up airline is Airasia which still has a relatively limited network (check their website-www.airasia.com/airlines/ttable.htm) offering servis between Cs Subang Kuching, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and and Labuan.

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