Pulau Perhentian Besar Hotel Tips by kelnsha

Awana Perhentian Eco Resort & Beach Chalets: Best resort at Telok Dalam beach, Perhentian Besar

It was a last minute trip and I had two days to prepare before the actual day. To my surprise, there were rooms and even deluxe seaview rooms that we wanted.

After driving overnight for nine hours from Singapore and half an hour speedboat ride from Kuala Besut, we finally arrived in Awana Perhentian Resort. It was love at first sight. I wanted to stay for four nights but my wife and friends wanted to do shopping in Kuala Lumpur. Therefore, we only stay for two nights.

I will give the resort a three and a half stars rating instead of four even though they have a spa with sauna and massage rooms, 1 swimming pool, 1 wading pool, 1 dive centre, 3 karaoke rooms, billiard / snooker room with 4 pool tables, 1 restaurant, 1 conference room and 1 meeting room. Most of their facilities are not well maintained. You can see algae and insects in the swimming pools. I did not see anyone using the spa, karaoke and billiard / snooker rooms. The restaurant were almost packed every day partly because of the size and the guests might have booked a fullboard trip. We do not find the food nice at all. They were salty and not delicious at all.

I will not really recommend this resort unless you must have a swimming pool. I will only recommend to divers if you do not wish to carry your own tanks. The aluminum dive boat is one of its kind that do not require you to do a back flip entry. There is a bow ramp that can be opened mechanically and you can make your dive entry/exit from the edge of the ramp. The boat can even beach right in front of the dive centre during high tide.

Unique Qualities: The first impression was good. Reasonably nice beach. The welcome drink was refreshing. The staffs are courteous and helpful but the souvenir shop's staff was not there during their declared opening hours.

The deluxe seaview rooms are great but please ask if it is on the ground floor or second floor. Fortunately we requested to view the room before confirming. The seaview is blocked by the tree leaves and branches. No point paying for more if you cannot see the seaview. A deluxe seaview room costs RM240++ for two persons and a family pool view room costs only RM220++ for four persons.

Address: Lot 181, Telok Dalam, Pulau Perhentian Besar, 22300, Kuala Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Eastern end of Telok Dalam Beach at south of Perhentian Besar Island.

Other Contact: +(609) 7780888 or +(609) 778188

Phone: +(609) 7521741 (Island)

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.arwanaperhentian.com.my/home.html