Kuantan, Pahang (Malaysia)
-
Agree with what Kiasu Laopa said. We drove there using the old road via Mersing instead of the expressway as it is much more scenic. I believe you are using GPS rite? My husband likes overland trips in Malaysia. My DH even drives all the way up to Penang with GPS of course. It’s own time own itinerary.
However, October to January is not a good time to go to Kuantan or rather the eastern coastal areas of Malaysia as it is the monsoon season. There are floods everywhere and some roads are impassable. That’s why hotel rates are very low at this time. For beach experience, try the western coastal areas of Malaysia during the year end period.
We like to stay at Swiss Garden Resort as I feel it is one of the better hotels there besides Hyatt which is near Chempedek beach, a popular beach locals go to. Grand Hyatt (very nice resort) is nearer to Kuantan town. Swiss Garden is about 1/2 hour drive from town. I like the hotel layout and service is warm and hospitable. The resort is only 3 to 4 storeys high so rooms with seaview is nothing spectacular. The pool is big and child friendly. I love the private beach of the hotel. Big expanse of deep blue sea with a long stretch of soft sandy white beach. My kids spent hours there, catching small crabs and hundreds of small crawling shell fish. Sunset there is beautiful too.
The popular seafood eatery near Swiss Garden is known as Pak Su restaurant. Ate there a few times and food is good but I heard it milks tourists so be careful when ordering expensive seafood. One word of caution, be careful of robbers. My DH was almost robbed outside Pak Su restaurant. He parked his car at the dimly-lit parking area of Pak Su and a Malay man confronted him when he was about to get into his car. My DH calmly took out his iron steeling wheel clamp and asked the man what he wanted. The man was flabbergasted and said that he wanted 2 ringgit for makan. My husband did not give him any money and he scooted.
There is nothing much to do in Kuantan except for the activities other parents here have mentioned. You can drive to town for some shopping at the big mall. Basically, Kuantan is more of a place for relaxation on the beach. Nothing else. Just book into a great resort, like those I mention and of course Club Med Cherating which is at the far end of all other resorts and very exclusive, and you will enjoy yourselves. -
It’s about 3 hr fr my hse to Mersing, so I’d say 2 to 2 1/2 hr from Woodlands causeway. I’d add another 10 min fr 2nd link, but it depends on traffic. I usually leave really early too, like 5am, to avoid the queue at the immigration checkpoint. Besides, dc will still be sleepy then, , but just excited enuff to stay awake till we cross the immigration. Then dc sleeps in the car till we reach Mersing. Then we play games till we reach Kuantan. This is the time I brush up on her maths. I’d ask her question on time, and now speed, distance … Etc
The name of the water park is Bukit Gambang. But, as previously mentioned, it’s monsoon period now and check the weather reports for rain and flooding. I think the flooding was really bad a few years ago. The flood levels reached rooftops, making roads impassable. I don’t use GPS, but I usually plan an alternative route, like using the north south highway, just in case. -
Hi Kiasulaupa, mommylow and Laura02,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I've made the booking so I guess no backing out. Just hope that :xedfingers: the weather is kind to us. Hopefully, no floor, landslide nor robbery (mommylow, your DH experience sounds scary).
I'll be sure to share my experience when I return.
Cheers, -
Dear All,
I'm back from Kuantan and I must say that the weather has been kind to us
We had a great time in Kuantan and my DH loves to drive along the winding road. The kids cooperate and we had fun at the beach and pool.
Overall, it was great except for the insect bites. I wonder if it is sand flies. All of us got it and now still suffering from it.
Thanks again for the wonderful tips! -
Hi Laura02,
Where did you park your car before boarding the boat to Gem Island? Thanks. -
hi
i am going to Malecca tmr, anybody got good recomemdation on the stopover before we reach there? -
Back from holiday in East Coast states of Malaysia. Will write about Terengganu and Kelantan in another thread.
We drove from 2nd Link and took the North-South Highway up to Yong Peng. Small towns along the way, nothing much to talk about. Pass through Segamat and Muadzam Shah before reaching Bukit Gambang Resort City. Took us about 6 hours with breakfast stop along the way.
Bukit Gambang Resort City caters mainly to the locals. I only spotted one or two Singapore cars there. It is still relatively new compared with A’Famosa Resort in Malacca.
The Water Park is ok. We liked the Family Raft slide the most but walking up to take the ride involves some steps and slopes. The wave pool and glacier river is quite ok too. It wasn’t too crowded as we were there after their school holidays.
Safari Park is not worth visiting at the moment since some of the animals are not there yet and part of it is still under construction. The night zoo is really quite disappointing. The entrance is half price as we have tickets to the water park. They also gave us free tickets for the next visit valid till September. -
We also made a visit to Sungai Lembing on our way back from Terengganu. This is a small mining town. There is a newly opened Sungai Lembing Mines which allows you to explore the mines. The tour includes a very short train ride. There are some interactive exhibits in the mines.
Overall, an informative trip if you are interested in mines. We even get to talk to some old residents who actually worked in the mines. -
We stayed in Kuantan for two nights. Quite a busy town with lots of cars. We wanted to visit the malls in the afternoon but the car parks are full. So went back to hotel room instead. We did go to the East Coast Mall the next morning. Quite a big mall with all the usual shops. Even saw the 3D movie Monster University there.
Lucky to buy two air purifiers there which was on offer as we read about the haze situation in Singapore. As we were out of Singapore for so long, we did not know how bad it was until we got back to Yong Peng in the evening. We had planned to have dinner at the coffee shop there but the haze was so bad that we decided to buy bread and eat in the car instead. I think that was the most memorable dinner we had for the trip. -
JR:
JRWe stayed in Kuantan for two nights. Quite a busy town with lots of cars. We wanted to visit the malls in the afternoon but the car parks are full. So went back to hotel room instead. We did go to the East Coast Mall the next morning. Quite a big mall with all the usual shops. Even saw the 3D movie Monster University there.
Lucky to buy two air purifiers there which was on offer as we read about the haze situation in Singapore. As we were out of Singapore for so long, we did not know how bad it was until we got back to Yong Peng in the evening. We had planned to have dinner at the coffee shop there but the haze was so bad that we decided to buy bread and eat in the car instead. I think that was the most memorable dinner we had for the trip.
How long was this east coast adventure for you? You seem to have visited lots of places
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login