Malaysia / Langkawi accommodation advice please

[redhotredhead]

Looking for self catering style accommodation in Malaysia - have chosen Lamgkawi but open to other suggestions. DH needs to be within an hour or so of an airport as will be coming and going with work while we are there. Have 7 yo twins and Gran in tow so need 3 bedrooms and a lounge space ideally - hate sharing bedroom with the kids! - so not keen on the usual large hotel room with extra beds idea. have found Sari Village Villas but nothing else so far. Open to suggestions.
Many thanks

How long are you going to be there? Langkawi is beautiful but there isn't much to do there.

Well it's all up in the air - we can stay as long or as short as were like. Will be in Malaysia for 3-4 weeks in total but planning to go to another part too. Have two very active 7 yo boys who are into swimming, snorkelling etc, Dh similar, mother in law very fit and loves long walks on the beach and me very lazy who wants a bit of a break! What would you suggest? All tips v gratefully received!

Well you could happily spend 2 weeks just swimming and snorkelling in Langkawi. Plus from Tangjung Rhu you can take boat nature trips out to spooky limestone bat caves (fascinating for 7 year olds I'd say).There's also a great aquarium. The town is nothing to write home about though.

In terms of where else to go - depends how adventurous you are feeling. Obviously there is KL - lots of self catering places there, then there are places like the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, or right up north to places like Tasik Kenyir (Lake Kenyir)which is just a magical place (photos don't do it justice at all) www.lakekenyir.com/main.htm. The Spa there is lovely and set into a rainforest. You can go out onto the lake and swim in waterfalls and visit floating fisheries.

I would also really recommend a day visit to Melaka (Malacca) on foot (staying overnight). On the outside of town it is modern and typically run down but cross into the old town and you step back in time. Narrow streets with European/Chinese architecture, temples round each bend, dark inviting Baba Nonya hotels (which you MUST visit). V atmospheric and v safe I felt. Jonkers Street is full of the most interesting antique shops and you feel like you have entered Aladdin's cave 400 years ago with many of them.

If you really wanted to see the real Malaysia then the north east coast of Terranganu is v strictly Muslim. Beautiful beaches, fantastic diving islands like Redang (see 5*Sari Pacifica Resort). On the coast there are big Western hotels like The Awana Kijal and no tourists (bar some hardy Chinese) because the politicians banned alcohol and the whole trade dried up etc. Now it's just expats etc but it is really v lovely.

Thanks a million - that's really helpful!

Have a good time.