JL Journal: Redang Island vs Lang Tengah

When I was in Lang Tengah (click lang-tengah-island-overview-and-tips), I have heard some positive comments about Laguna Redang.

So when planning for a big family trip, I naturally suggested Laguna.

We opt for the 3 days 2 nights deluxe package which include 6 meals and 3 snorkeling trips. Extra 1 snorkeling trip compare with the Lang Tengah package.

Laguna Redang Package 2013

After my stay this is what I have to say:-

(NB: Pro for Laguna would mean Con for Lang Tengah and vice versa)

PRO Laguna / CON Lang Tengah

1) Great food

In terms of quality and quantity. For all 6 meals we enjoyed different types of Malaysian food.

One day nasi lemak, the next chee cheong fun with yong tau foo and the next roti canai and even mee soto.

There were also western food like spaghetti, chips and nuggets.

During the BBQ dinner for one of the night, we even have very good satay together with unlimited BBQ beef and lamb.

What more can we ask for??

Plus for all meals we were served 3 types of fruits (watermelon, banana, papaya, honey dew or melon).

There were 2 types of soup, asian and western at all meals. Wow!!

Lang Tengah being a smaller island and resort, the food though different every day, well there is nothing much to shout about.

I remember being late for a nasi lemak breakfast and that's it. Finished. So we just have toasted bread for breakfast that morning.

2) Informative Briefing

There is a briefing EVERY time before going for snorkeling. This is especially useful if this is your first snorkeling trip. You'll actually be taught the proper way to wear the mask and use the snorkel.

3) Night life

Yes there is night life in Redang throughout the beach stretch with live singing and dancing especially during the weekend, organised by the many resorts and hotels.

In fact there is even an Ochado bubble tea shop in Redang island :o

4) Activities in Laguna

Since Laguna is a big hotel, sometimes the save the turtles society will hold their awareness campaign on Laguna's beach.

We were privileged to take part in the release the hatchlings to sea and these babies sea turtles are super CUTE!!

5) Can fly to Redang Island

You have the option of flying directly to Redang island.

For Lang Tengah, the nearest airport is Kuala Terengganu so you have to time your flight so that you can catch the shuttle van to Merang jetty and then catch a boat to the island. Which means an extra 2 hours plus in your travelling time.

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CON Laguna / PRO Lang Tengah

1) Many people in hotel

Having such variety of food in Laguna means that there are a lot of people! If you prefer a quiet getaway, then sorry to say Laguna is not your choice.

2) Crowd during snorkelling

Since there are so many people, whenever we go snorkeling, we go in 2 -3 boats. Can you imagine the crowd at any given time in the sea.

But good thing is the fishes are accustomed to human, meaning they do not swim away from human. In fact if you hold out your "empty" hand, they instinctively think you have food and will swim closer to inspect =D

3) The sea life

The corals and fishes in Redang are not as big and beautiful as Lang Tengah. Possibly because Lang Tengah is more pristine.

4) Stars gazing

You cannot see the stars in Redang because there are too much light from the hotels and etc.

But in Lang Tengah, if you take a short walk away from the resort, you can see the most beautiful night sky!

5) "Extra" crowd from cruise ships

Since Laguna is a big hotel, they sometimes rent their facilities to cruise ships passing by their shores.

However this is not really a problem unless you decide to skip the snorkeling trip and stay back in the hotel.

Then you'll be surrounded by an "extra" thousand of guests vying for the same beach chair or sharing your pool.

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VERDICT

If you want sea life - go for Lang Tengah

If you want good food and night life - go for Redang Island

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Interesting to note that:-

A) what happens during monsoon season??

The staffs leave the island but are paid FULL salary.

Meaning the resort have to gain their profits during the short peak season months by filling the resort to max.

I know this cos we tried to ask for a late check out from Laguna for just one room out of the six which we booked but was declined as they had back to back reservations. Wow!!

B) rooms in Laguna

all the deluxe rooms in Laguna have beds for 4 people.

But you cannot like book for two and stay four person as what are the other 2 people going to eat and do as they cannot follow the snorkelling trips??

C) lack of roads in Redang

there are no roads leading from the Redang airport to the resort.

Meaning from the airport, we travel by van to a nearby jetty to take a boat to the hotel. All in about 30 - 45 minutes.

The only bummer in this is the short walk on the jetty cos the jetty is too narrow. It's one direction. Meaning vans going in have to reverse out.

On our way there, our van just drop us at the entrance and we had to walk and maneuver our way on the jetty as it was filled with vans, motorbikes and people from the opposite direction (most with luggage in tow).

Sigh!! Why can't the government build a wider jetty for the convenience of everyone??

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