Redang Holiday Beach Resort

First time at this resort, having stayed at The Laguna in Redang on 2 previous trips. I already told my family to lower their expectations. The room was dark. Occasional drain smell from toilet. Sink was leaking. Found a large spider in shower area on day 2. Water from taps was occasionally yellow. Food was buffet. Not too many choices but adequate. Resort's cafe/bar didn't always have items on menu. There was a fire show outside the resort on one of the days. We only went on one organised free snorkelling trip as we preferred to do the snorkeling off the beach. We came for the sun, sea and beach and that we definitely got. The pool was a bonus. Will we stay here again? Yes, if we're being skint but we might try one of the other resorts next time.

My friends and I took a tour package for a 3D2N in Redang. The package includes return jetty trip from Merang, Terengganu to the hotel, full 4 meals and 3 snorkeling trips. As for the hotel review, the hotel is located at the other side from the jetty that we came from. Once arrived at the jetty we will need to ride on a carriage powered by a tractor to our hotel which took around 10 minutes. The check in was smooth and I was informed the hotel rooms have been upgraded. All the rooms now are overlooking a swimming pool and if you are expecting to see the beach or even hear the sound of waves from your room than you are in a different hotel. The hotel is situated at the far end of the beach and the only visible beach is from their dining hall. The rooms are behind a hill as compared to every other hotels in that area are all facing the sea. The hotels is a 3 storey building with 2 queen beds, no TV, no refrigerator, no water bottles (they provide free flow cold cordial and plain water at the dining hall though). They do provide kettles and tooth brush in the toilet. The hot water and air cond work just fine. The food were mediocre, more like instant to me. Most of the workers are from Sabah or from other nationalities but they are warm and friendly. If you are expecting a BBQ or more than that that you must be in a different hotel again. Nonetheless, next to the dining hall is a paid restaurant offering you western food such as pizza or pasta and the price is reasonable. Even though this hotel rooms do not face the sea but it offer a fantastic view from the small hill within the hotel. This in itself very much picture worthy. The beach is also very beautiful as no boat enters its shores which makes it very safe to swim and less crowded. The hotel also provide swimming gear which look quite new with minimal rental fee. All in all it is not a bad hotel considering but please be extra care for your belonging in the room because there are lot of monkeys nearby which might snatch your belonging.

I've joined a national group of surgeons for a symposium held in this resort last week and was perplexed to find our room in a damp condition (water seeping from Room 4, mold and cracks over the wall, dirty walls in the toilet, dim lights) and this totally spoiled my family's happy vacation plans. The meeting room provided for our event was only cleaned up hastily, the airconds are not cold and the windows are closed up, leading to poor ventilation. The condition of the meeting room reminds me of my old primary school classroom back in the 80-90s. I'm ok with the food though. Towel is provided only on request. But this resort has too much to improve to be able to entice me again for another stay...