MALAYSIA HOTELS

Monday, August 31, 2009

Accommodation in Malaysia (How to Select the Best One!)

Malaysia is situated on the south west part of Asia. The land has a magnificent landscape with dense jungles, exotic flora and fauna, tropical rainforests and the high soaring peaks attracts the leisurely tourists very much. The country has ethnic and cultural diversity. Malaysian population is a combination of Chinese, Indian and Malay and indigenous culture.

There has been an unexpected economic growth in this country, during the past few years. This can increased the trade and commerce of the country at a large scale. A number of International business travelers visit this place everyday. In fact you can now consider it as a perfect business center.

As a number of travelers often visit the place, there has been an increasing demand for Accommodation in Malaysia. Accordingly, Malaysia also offers a wide range of accommodation facilities to the guests. You will find a number of hotels, resorts and guest houses available in Malaysia at the most affordable price.

To have a better understanding of the Accommodation in Malaysia, you need to know about the major tourist spots and the accommodating facilities in Malaysia.

Major tourist spots in Malaysia:

There are a lot of charming places in Malaysia. Mulu Caves Natural Park is a popular spot. The Sarawak Chamber, another renowned tourist spot, is also situated near the cave. Kinabalu National Park, a high mountain range of South East Asia is a grand place. You can also visit the amazing museums and art galleries of Malaysia. National Museum and National Art Gallery preserves different aspects of the culture and historical events of Malaysia in the firm of art. Islamic Arts Museum is another popular sight to visit.

Certainly visit Kuala Lumpur, the capital city. It is a heritage city and it boasts of the rich culture of the glorious past.

Accommodating Facilities In Malaysia:

The hotels in Malaysia vary in grades. You may find a five star hotel as well as a two star hotel in the country. Usually they do not charge very high price. But all the hotels offer first class facilities and services to the guests. Some hotels are both, for business and leisurely guests.

Almost every hotel offers in room services. The rooms are well furnished and come with all the facilities to offer you a comfortable stay. Most of the hotels have on site restaurant and bars. The business travelers can order meals for their business guests, during seminars or conferences in the restaurants. The staffs at the reception address every need of the travelers, round the clock. The hotels also offer work out facilities to the guests. Gym, spa and sauna facilities are provided to offer complete relaxation to the guests. Some hotels and resorts also offer sports facilities to offer entertainment to the guests. Some of the hotels have beautiful garden within the compound. The five star hotels feature luxury suits. The suits offer the best of the facilities.

Find great deals on Berjaya Hotels & Resorts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Shown

Friday, August 7, 2009

MALAYSIA: An Asian Retirement Paradise

Asia's best-kept secret for expatriates, Malaysia has a vibrant mix of foreign and indigenous tribal cultures, creating a veritable melting pot of peoples, traditions and religions.
A sizable enclave of foreigners (Brits, Americans, Australians, and Canadians) live full time or maintain holiday homes in Malaysia, and you'll find that just about everybody speaks English, since its compulsory in local schools.
Not only are three world-class playgrounds (Thailand, Bali, and the Philippines) all within a few hour's travel from Malaysia, but with miles of white sand coastline, tropical islands, and beachfront property galore, it has all the makings of a fairy-tale setting.
Despite being the capital of a developing nation, Kuala Lumpur is a modern cosmopolitan with clean streets and sidewalks and every modern convenience to found in New York or London. Home to the tallest building in the world, there are also FedEx and UPS offices, international banks, English cinemas and bookstores, western-style supermarkets, French and German bakeries, Chinese, Indian, and Italian restaurants, gourmet coffee, Cuban cigars, Internet cafés and some of the best shopping in the world!
One of the few things that lend a "Third-world" feel to the capital are the open-air night market, where local merchants peddle everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to meat and fish, to exotic animals and traditional handicrafts.
All the major newspapers are available at newsstands, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Financial Times, the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times. Cable and satellite TV provides access to a wide variety of English-language programming, including CNN, the Discovery Channel, Filmnet and many more.
Despite the local Muslim population not drinking alcohol, Kuala Lumpur has some of the liveliest nightlife in the region and there are more than a fair share of clubs and bars, where tourists, expatriates and locals alike mingle and party. Though the official religion of Malaysia is Islam, great tolerance is shown for other religions, with many beliefs being represented and their adherents practicing openly, including Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists and Jews (the nearest synagogue is in neighboring Singapore).
Compared with other major Asian cities (Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, for example), Kuala Lumpur is downright cheap. Even in the over-priced tourist spots you can get a good meal for two for around $20. Outside of these places, a 3-course meal for two with all the trimmings, including drinks, will set you back no more than $10…a doctor's visit $8 to $15 and live-in domestic help $200 a month.
Rental properties are readily available and not overly expensive by American or European standards. The cost of 2-bedroom rental apartments begins at around $225 per month, with 3-bedroom houses starting at $35,000. Naturally, comparable housing in expatriate communities or the luxurious suburban homes that date from British colonial period can set you back considerably more.
Other properties recently on offer include:
A 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 725-square-foot apartment with a dining room, a kitchen, ceiling fans, a walk-in closet, and parking, costs $45,215.
A small two-story bungalow with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a dining room going for $35,700.
A penthouse apartment, close to downtown, with a sea-view and a 350-sqare-foot terrace. It comes fully furnished and has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, and a dining room. The asking price? $75,000.
A spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2500-square-foot condominium with a large living room, an elegant dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a pantry, for $125,250.
Though there are expensive restaurants and accommodations, there's simply no reason for you to check into a five-star hotel when you can stay in a clean, friendly hotel in the city center for $40 a night where every meal costs less than $5 per person.
CRIME-FREE AND FOREIGNER FRIENDLY
Of course, cheap living shouldn't be the only deciding factor when choosing a new home. As well as being very affordable, Malaysia is safe.The government's real no tolerance policy means street crime is virtually nonexistent.
The Malaysian government, through its "Silver-Haired Program," offers expatriate resident retirees extremely attractive benefits. Outside of nationals of Israel and Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), the program is open to citizens of most countries. To qualify, you need only be over 50, show you can bring a guaranteed income of about $1300 per month into Malaysia (or open a savings account in Malaysia with $40,000), and have a local sponsor (which can easily be arranged).
Penang, a small island off the northwest coast, has been called the "Pearl of the Orient" and its beaches are a favorite tourist destination. The coastline is also dotted with many small, quiet seaside villages. The tropical rainforests and jungles offer many opportunities for exploring lush mountains, trekking through the jungle, or even taking a riverboat safari. The bountiful sea surrounding Malaysia provides for some of the best scuba diving and fishing anywhere in the world (Malaysia's seas are home to the Black Marlin, tuna, mackerel, sailfish, barracuda and a host of other species).
PRACTICAL BENEFITS
Medical care is good, with excellent hospitals and clinics in all the major towns. Doctors speak English, and the majority gained their qualifications in Western Europe or North America.
Although foreign residents must arrange private health insurance, visiting tourists who have an accident are entitled to free emergency treatment in public hospitals. A consultation with a private doctor in most cases will cost just $8 to $15.
When it comes to banking, management methods and the range of services offered closely follow the British model. Plus, most major world banks have full-service branches in Malaysia.
Many expatriates living here off investment income keep their cash growing tax free in Labuan, an offshore tax haven administered by Malaysia, and then bring into the mainland what's needed for living expenses. Labuan is also perfect for anyone looking for a private, offshore bank account, a tax-free corporation, a trust, or other offshore structures.
Led by Malaysian Airlines, the national carrier, the island is served by many major airlines, linking it the world through its international airports. A good network of modern roads covers the distances between towns, and Malaysian telecommunications are among the best in the world.
If you've ever thought about living overseas, you owe it to yourself to investigate Malaysia.
About The Author
Copyright 2005 by Shannon Roxborough
Shannon Roxborough is an international lifestyle expert with close to 20 years experience. He has helped hundreds of clients with overseas living, retirement and travel matters. Visit his website at: http://www.TheGlobalLife.net
askinternational@aol.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Roxborough