Malaysia - Where to go other than KL

[LemonGirl]

DH will be working in Malaysia for a few weeks later on this year. Last year I joined him in KL which I loved. This time we are intending to add 10 days/2 weeks onto the end of his business trip and to see other parts of Malaysia and have a proper holiday.
Where is worth seeing? We fancy a mix of city/sightseeing and some beach relaxation. Happy to drive or use trains/other transport.
Is Malacca worth a visit and if so how many days would you need there and what's worth seeing or missing?
Which beach resorts?
Genting Highlands- worth a visit? Again what's worth seeing/doing? Could it be done in a day trip from KL or would 1 night be enough?
Any accommodation recommendations welcome along with any hints and tips.
TIA.

Haven't been myself, but a friend did Georgetown for a few days and then a few days in Langkawi.

We've booked a week in Kota Kinabalu next month - it's the east side of Malaysia (Borneo) so lots of rainforest to see.

It's been a number of years, but we went to Kota Kinabalu in Borneo too. Was really beautiful at the time. Rain forests and orangutans!

Penang/Georgetown and Langkawi are very easy to combine from KL using Air Asia. Last time I spent 3 nights in Georgetown and 6 nights in Langkawi (3 nights by the beach, 3 nights in a jungle villa).

I used to go to KL on business. I love Malaysia, one of my favourite countries in Asia.

Yep, go over to Kota Kinabalu and from there explore Borneo - out to Sandakan (Sepilok orangutan reserve and surrounding area), Danum Valley National Park, Mulu National Park (via Miri), stay in the longhouse in Bario. You won’t fit all of this into one 10 day trip but research Borneo and these are some good places to start with.

What time of year are you going? As a rule of thumb, East coast/Borneo in our summer, West coast in our winter although the weather has got a bit unreliable these days and the monsoons are more and more unpredictable.
The West coast train has been upgraded and is now a great option to get up to Penang. The food is amazing and it’s a fabulous city (Georgetown). I wouldn’t stay at Batu Ferringhi, the beach isn’t great and the town is tourist tastic . But the Shangri La is a fab hotel and there are some great days out up there (butterfly place/spice gardens). We tend to stay inGeorgetown, look at SevenTerraces, The Eddison and the E and O for colonial style (although the E and O is partially closed for refurb this year). If you fancy more modern look at the G Kelawi out by Gurney which is where all the Malls are situated.
For a splurge have a look at Japamala on Tioman too. It’s been a few years but we loved our trip there.

Borneo never occurred to me so that is something will certainly investigate.

Quite a few places and ideas on this thread already so hopefully tomorrow afternoon I can find time to have a little Google and start researching. Thank you so much.😁

I'm not sure what time of year we will go yet. Last year dh was there in April July and October. I joined him in October. It's usually fairly short notice so I am planning to have a few ideas/plans ready to put into action when the time comes, taking into account the seasons/climate.

If you can get over to the east coast, the Perhentian islands are really beautiful.

Sarawak - prefer Kuching to Kota Kinabalu
Malacca is nice for a couple of days
Penang - Georgetown
also easy to go to Singapore for a couple of days

We did a malaysia trip exactly this time last year. It was wonderful.
Booked with British airways holidays constructed our own package.
Kuala lumpa fantastic we loved it
Flew with air Asia ( fantastic and so cheap) to lankawi stayed at the dana could not recommend anything more highly. Rented a car and drove around the island
Flew again to Penang stayed at the e&o this was the only down spot they claimed they'd upgraded us but it was grim, they did give us the room we had originally booked which was wonderful.
Finally Singapore loved it
V happy to provide details if you like but honestly you will have a fantastic time.
We were going to return this summer but thought we'd better broaden our horizons
Next year though please god xx

I haven't read the thread but would recommend Penang and the Perhentian islands.

Borneo is lovely. Would definitely recommend. Malacca was OK but we were hostelling and wasn't a great experience. I liked the Cameron Highlands too. Also seeing fireflies somewhere a couple of hours from KL was one of the best things I have ever done.

Definitely the fireflies in Selangor. Cameron Highlands also worth a visit

Thank you all for your input. I'm having a manic crazy week but will hopefully get a chance to look up all these places you have suggested over the weekend.

Check the weather first and then use that to decide which part. The summer is not the best time, that said I have spent many summers in Kota Kinabalu when DH was working there- rains everyday but warm rain.

You can fly to Sandakan for the day if you want to see orang-utans- it is very touristy and a bit depressing.

Depends if you want hotel or stuff to do, There are great hotels in most parts but also awful ones. It has changed immensely in 25 years.

Langkawi is nice, weather is usually not great- been a dozen times in every month and never had a clear run. Four seasons or Datai are fab but lots of cheaper hotels are good. Beaches are poor.

I loved Georgetown for food and culture. Also loved Langawai. The datai, Danna and four seasons are all lovely resorts

Ipoh

FYI
We stayed st the Dana it was fabulous cannot imagine how anything could be better

Stayed in Terrenganu on the east coast at a resort called Tanjong Jara for our honeymoon 10yrs ago. It was amazing.