If you want to experience paradise, just visit Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa in Penang, Malaysia. I brought my daughter with me for a conference in KL Malaysia and decided to take the ½ hour flight to Penang as Frommer’s said it was the Pearl of Malaysia. Air Asia offers flights from KL to Penang for 29 dollars or less depending on the season. Well the real Pearl is Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang. The resort has impeccable service, incredible rooms, every amenity you could imagine and the Spa is like none other. For Americans the stay is very economical compared to resorts in the US (1/3 the price of a US 5 star hotel). If you have an abundance of air miles use them to stay at this resort. I suggest at least a week. It will take you that long to experience all the wonderful things this resort has to offer. We stayed in the Garden wing, which is wonderful. There is a more exclusive side called the Rasa wing but we were not able to see a room. I wanted to ask, but felt I would look like an idiot. The lagoon pool is my favorite. I have stayed at numerous resorts around the world and Shangri-La has built the best pool. The staff remembers everything about you so you feel like your visiting a large family when you are here. It was great to meet and talk with people from Australia, Japan, Malaysia and the Middle East. There is even a lady from Italy who comes here every year for a month in the summer with her daughter. One of the staff brings her daughter to work so the teens hang out together. What a life. I hate reviews that mislead the readers so I had to add this one so that you know you get much more than you expect and when it is time to leave you will be sad.

The service at this resort is next to none. The staff especially Bipul in the Garden Cafe Restaurant and Kenny duty manager were unbelievable. The activities in the pool - volley ball and netball were hilarious, great way to meet other guests. The food was in abundance and a brilliant variety - the seafood buffet is a must! My mother and I were treated like royalty! All in all an awesome resort with brilliant service and facilities for both couples of all ages and families with children. To all the staff a huge thankyou for making our holiday experience truely unforgettable . And thankyou again to the Duty Manager Kenny and Bipul in the Restuarant, a true asset to the Resort.