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Recommendations for lively, beautiful beach area in January

Replies: 14 - Last Post: Jan 30, 2013 11:00 AM Last Post By: killanigia

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killanigia

killanigia avatar

Jan 15, 2013 11:00 AM
Posts:  84

Recommendations for lively, beautiful beach area in January

Hi,

Planning a honeymoon at present for next Christmas / early January period. Hoping to head to Burma first and then interested in white sand, nice beach for a few days chilling in Malaysia or possibly another SE Asia country but not an uber-expensive resort.

My preference was Perhentian Islands but this isn't the right season for there. Thought Langkawi then but hotels seem to be very bad value for money at that time of year, por reviews generally and the island seems to be too tame .

I'd welcome general recommendations - I have already been to Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore so interested in trying somewhere new.

Thanks in advance.

alfredm

alfredm avatar

Jan 15, 2013 1:05 PM
Posts:  685

1

Thailand would be the obvious solution at this time of the year. Otherwise you can also go to Malaysia to the islands off Semporna (Sabah, Malaysia), but it's very expensive. The beaches are beautiful however:
http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/Sabah/Islands/

Pom Pom, Mataking and a few other places have resorts.

gorper

gorper avatar

Jan 15, 2013 8:21 PM
Posts:  174

2

Did you look into Pangkor? It is mid-way of the west coast of Malaysia, so it is in season in January. There are some nice resorts there. Best to stick to the beach there as there's isn't much to see inland (that is, if you've already been to places like Burma and Thailand).

Mickey_Mouse13

Mickey_Mouse13 avatar

Jan 15, 2013 8:31 PM
Posts:  121

3

Thailand have many beautiful beaches and Island like Samui, Samed and Phaghan in the south of TH but if you are interested in going to Malaysia. Langkawi has nice beach, there are some hotels with private beach so you can enjoy calmer atmosphere but you are right, those hotels will be quite pricey like The Danna and The Datai...they are quite famous for honeymoon package.

If Thailand then I suggest Samui, Kirirayan is very beautiful resort by Chaweng Beach. The price is about USD170++ a night but I think it's worth staying if you like lively area with good seafood. Personally, I like W retreat...it is such a gorgeous resort (one of the best in my opinion) but it might be too expensive because it can cost about 800++ in low season. You can look at their website, you might like it.

http://www.kirikayan.com/

http://www.hoteltrip.com/hotel/10030014-11409206O.html

http://www.orbitz.com/hotel/Thailand/Koh_Samui/Kirikayan_Boutique_Resort.h934781/

alfredm

alfredm avatar

Jan 15, 2013 11:02 PM
Posts:  685

gorper

gorper avatar

Jan 15, 2013 11:13 PM
Posts:  174

5

Yes, I would take Langkawi over Pangkor if I had to choose between the two. That said, I would rather have Perhentian if in season.

Since we're talking about Dec / Jan, I would also support taking a look at Thai beaches.

surfboy

surfboy avatar

Jan 15, 2013 11:52 PM
Posts:  3,123

6

If yout interested in somewhere new, how about Philippines? hundreds of beaches to choose from..

alfredm

alfredm avatar

Jan 16, 2013 10:50 AM
Posts:  685

7

If yout interested in somewhere new, how about Philippines?

I've never been there, but somehow I get the impression that it is not easy to travel around in the Philippines, or let's say, not as easy as travelling around Malaysia.

Then I also hear that the food in the Philippines is not as good as in Malaysia.

killanigia

killanigia avatar

Jan 16, 2013 10:52 AM
Posts:  84

8

Thanks all for the contributions. Just a few follow up comments / questions:
  • Langkawi - High end resorts such as Danna, Datai look great but are way over our budget, I checked on Booking and we are talking 400 euros plus per night.
  • Pangkor - read mixed reports on it, not sure it would be worth the effort relative to experience.
  • Thailand, I have already been to Samui / Chaweng which I wasn't hugely impressed by at the time. I also went to Krabi / Phi Phi (pre-Tsunami) which I enjoyed a lot more but I know it has changed for the worse since. But I would definitely be interested in other thoughts there - anywhere with a Perhentian type feel to it?
  • Philippines - yes, considered it but it is a fair trek from Burma and I'm assuming connectivity from Yangon is pretty limited / non-existent (at least 2 flights). Plus my girlfriend has been to Boracay and Coron already which she loved.
Ngapali - is another option but I've been checking up on costs and again at peak season, the rates sky rocket.

Any other thoughts y'all?
Thanks.

gorper

gorper avatar

Jan 16, 2013 8:32 PM
Posts:  174

9

Changi beach in Langkawi is decent, but there's a bit of a jelly fish problem in the water. If your hotel has a pool, no worries. And the Duty Free smooths it all out!

Mickey_Mouse13

Mickey_Mouse13 avatar

Jan 18, 2013 8:15 PM
Posts:  121

10

How about Bali? Sanur beach is quite pretty or Ubud which is traditional village city of Indonesia. It is calmer city and more private but if you are looking for beachfront hotel, it might be very expensive as well. Legian and Kuta are very crowded because it is like party beach type but they have many hotels which are cheaper but it will be hotel not villa.

You can also check out Cebu or Boracay in Philippines, beautiful beach not too expensive and white sand. You can go diving and enjoy sunset. But I got to say that in December and January period are the highest season for resort or beach area so room rate will probably more expensive than usual. You can book early bird, that might help you get cheaper rates.

alfredm

alfredm avatar

Jan 19, 2013 1:37 AM
Posts:  685

11

The beach in Sanur is not good although Sanur is a nice place.

killanigia

killanigia avatar

Jan 20, 2013 5:25 AM
Posts:  84

12

Thanks again - my girlfriend has been to Boracay and loved it but it's just too much of a trek for us given we are travelling long haul from Ireland and Burma would be the priority.

surfboy

surfboy avatar

Jan 20, 2013 5:36 AM
Posts:  3,123

13

How about one of the Islands South of Sihanoukville in Cambodia??

killanigia

killanigia avatar

Jan 30, 2013 11:00 AM
Posts:  84

14

Hi surfboy, thought of that but not convinced of quality of the beaches there. Tough one.....
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