Resort choice for big family

[jcolinzheng]

Alex & tango: Appreciate your inputs, which helped me decide. We ended up booking a 3D2N package at Laguna and 4 nights at Berjaya. Very much looking forward to the trip (on Aug 13). Thank you both!

[tango]

We will be going to Laguna this coming Tuesday... my wife who has not been to Redang since 2006 was visually and mentality preparing herself of our children needs; we have a 6-month baby boy coming along, it will be our first time bringing a baby. She recalled the last time there was a bathtub and I reminded her that that was at Berjaya. Laguna Deluxe rooms all come with a shower area, no bathtub except for the suites and permier rooms. As for Berjaya, all rooms have a bathtub AND a shower area, even for the standard rooms along the hills.

When were were at Berjaya in 2006 with our first child, we found the beach has a very gentle slope that is generally better for short people ... it took me about 50, 60 metres of wading out before the wateline reaches my chest ... we liked this beach 'feature' at Berjaya. Do note that beach features does change with time over the stretch of the year and the landscape is not quite the same through out the year.

In contrast the beach at Pasir Panjang slopes gradually at some places but in general decents deeper within the first 30 to 40 metres at most points along the beach; in return the beach offers corals (dead and living) and abundance of marine creatures compared to Berjaya where one has to go out to at least 70 metres to the deep end on left side of Berjaya's beach to get to see the anemones and bigger fishes like triggers.

My wife having been to both Laguna and Berjaya decided that Laguna would be best for this trip of 12 people as there is a variety of places to visit for both the kids, parents and elderly. Personally I like both, they offer different aspects in terms of food variety and availability, beach features, marine life, privacy and then some.

For example: resorts along PPB is east facing towards the South China Sea - a sight for sore eyes. Berjaya faces north of the South China Sea where there is no morning sunrise or sunset as the beach is in a bay harboured by hills on both sides... I like this feature as well because by late afternoon, the sun isn't so mean and hot, better for young children and people who don't like too much sun LOL!

One more thing that I like about Berjaya is the free WiFi for all rooms (they did not have this in 2006 but since 2009 they stepped up in this infrastructure), stupid I say to myself because in 2002, it was the best vacation ever at Redang, we were at Coral Redang Island Resort where there was no t.v., no radio, no morning papers, no telephones, hardly any mobile connection along PPB AND no internet access AT ALL. Total isolation from the urban life and total assimilation into beach life.... simply a REAL get away from the city and urban life.... well, not possible now, being creatures of habits and we will get connected one way or another in today's Redang where most resorts along PPB have gone WiFi... I do hope Laguna offers free WiFi access, as of 2009, they did not, it was a payable service.

One more insight to share based on my Berjaya experience in 2006, is to wake up early (which I did) and fill ourselves with so many activities that we get tired after dinner and have an early night rest... it was quiet at night and frankly that's the kind of resort that some guests would like after a full day of activities... I would say it is more for those who are early morning risers that retire early to the rooms at the night. Just fill yourself up during the day and at night, gotta adapt to the mellow atmosphere... many singles or even some couples found it nice but a little on the quiet side... they improvise with a night trip to PPB to satisfy their night activities.... we just hung out as we had a 4 year old back in 2006.

As for Laguna, when I am on a diving trip less the family, we like to hang out late and chit-chat way past 12 midnight... that's what we want to do on most nights even the last night before our early morning departure. With our 3 young kids: 7, 3 and 6-months, Berjaya seems to be a more suitable place but my wife thinks otherwise... ah, it good to have both... would like to visit and stay at Berjaya in their new and refurbished garden suites at least once this year...

[Alex Kang]

By 'happening', just means more activities, whether on the beach (folks playing beach games), more eateries, more beach discos and just lots more people doing all kinds of things. Also means less quiet. Difference between PPB and Teluk Dalam is sort of like living in KL vs KT (big city vs small town feel). Not that one is better, just boils down to what folks prefer. That means more choices of food, entertainment and activities since one can visit other resorts along PPB.

The food at the village outside Berjaya is more local Malay/Thai. Over at PPB, you have anything from local-style kopitiam and Ramly burgers, to 'zhi char' (Chinese-style cooked food) to steamboats and western food. If you don't like discos, you can relax at the beach bars listening to nice live music (same with Berjaya). And if you're into a bit of shopping, there are more souvenir stalls/gift shops to browse at PPB.

If you prefer a more exclusive beach with privacy, and things like widescreen LCD TVs and in-room wifi are important, then Berjaya might suit you more.

As for price, I'm not sure how Laguna's 3D/2N can be as expensive as 6D/5N at Berjaya unless you are a Berjaya club or timeshare member. Based on published rates, a seaview room full-board package at Laguna with room, transfers, all meals and snorkelling trips is under RM600 per person twin-sharing (or RM1200 per room) compared to Berjaya's RM1120 per night room-only (twin sharing excluding meals, snorkelling trips). Of course, if you managed to get a fantastic Berjaya promotional price, do share details!

[jcolinzheng]

Hi folks,

I am planning a 7-day vacation with ~10 family members, including 2 babies, this coming August (2010). I have been looking at Berjaya, since I have had a great experience with Berjaya@Tioman before.

However, I have read that big families should prefer those more “happening” resorts at PPB (Pasir Panjang Beach). Exactly in what way are they more happening, other than discos? Most of us are old fellows and won't do disco.

On the one hand I hope to find a lively place for a huge family like ours. On the other hand, Berjaya's free wifi in each room, proximity to local food, and possibly more facilities, are a big plus too.

So, cost aside, which would you recommend for a big family trip? And what about taking cost into account? PPB has cheaper resorts, but Laguna's 3D2N package is almost as expensive as Berjaya's 6D5N.

PS, does anyone know how many eateries are in the village? I don't think we'll like Berjaya's expensive restaurant too much (from our experience with Berjaya@Tioman).