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From Wikitravel

Genting Highlands — pronounced ghen-ting with a hard "G" — is in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.

[edit] Understand

A self-proclaimed City of Entertainment, Genting is Malaysia's low-budget, family-friendly, sanitized attempt at Las Vegas. The primary draw is that Genting is the only place where you can gamble legally in Malaysia, but there's also a theme park to keep the kids amused. As a plus, being located up in the highlands means it's cooler than the steamy lowlands.

[edit] Orientation

Orienting yourself in Genting is simultaneously easy and difficult. There are no "streets" of any kind; instead, all the (gigantic) buildings are connected with a vast warren of linkways, underground tunnels and escalators, all filled with enough signage to stop you from getting lost. Figuring out the fastest route from A to B is not always easy though, because the signage is designed to lead you into the hotels and their casinos!

[edit] Climate

Located at an altitude of 1800 meters, temperatures in Genting are a good 5-10°C lower than in Kuala Lumpur, generally staying in the 15-25°C range. On a clear day, there are stunning views down into the valley — but when it's raining in KL, Genting is swathed in rolling clouds and visibility drops to zero. Thanks to the walkway system, you almost never need to venture outside, but hotel rooms are unheated and can get chilly at night.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The nearest airport is in Kuala Lumpur. Skybus [1] used to run direct buses, but seems to have stopped; the fastest way is thus to KL Sentral by train (28 min) and then connecting to the bus from there. Alternatively, if you're feeling flush after hitting a jackpot in the casino, Sabah Air (tel. +60-3-62578604) will be happy to charter a helicopter for you (30 min).

[edit] By bus

There are frequent buses operated by Go Genting Express Bus from various points in Kuala Lumpur (first bus at 8 am or 8.30 am), including the Puduraya bus terminal (every 30 min),KL Sentral train station (half-hourly and hourly), Hentian Pasarakyat (hourly) and Gombak (half-hourly and hourly). There are also less comfortable buses from Pekeliling Bus Station to Genting Highlands (every 20 to 30 minutes, first bus at 7am). Booking in advance is advisable as services can sell out, especially on weekends.

All buses take around one hour and cost around 5 RM one way, with most terminating at the bus terminal beside the Skyway cable car base station, from where it's an 11-minute ride up to the summit of Genting (5 RM one-way; the top cable station is in the Highlands Hotel). You do not have to wait more than 10 seconds for the next cable car. It is slightly cheaper to buy a combined bus and cable car ticket, costing less than 10 RM. Buses departing at 7.30, 8 and 9 PM on Fri, Sat and Sun head directly to the First World Bus Terminal, making it unnecessary to take the cable car up. The buses that depart at 9, 10 and 11 pm on Fri, Sat and Sun for KL Sentral from Genting leave from the First World Bus Terminal, making it unnecessary to take the cable car down.

Transtar [2] operates one daily superluxury "Solitaire" bus direct from Singapore (S$87/77 one-way from/to Singapore). Other companies running direct buses include Five Star Tours, Grassland, Konsortium and Easibook.

It is strongly recommended that you buy the Go Genting Package. It costs 35 RM (39 RM peak period) and covers the return bus ticket (from KL Sentral, Hentian Pasarakyat, Hentian Utama, Gombak), return cable car ride and buffet lunch at the Coffee Terrace (Genting Hotel) or admission to the Outdoor Theme Park plus unlimited bowling sessions and cupcakes at discounted prices. This package is valid only for one day. You must book the onward and return bus journey before you buy the package. You can then decide to have either the buffet lunch or go to the Outdoor Theme Park when you reach Genting. - This has been phased out, the new package cost 119 RM as of 14 Jan 2010, and includes Return transfer from city hotels to Genting Highlands Resort, Return transfer by Genting Skyway, All Park Theme Park ride pass or Buffet Lunch at Coffee Terrace, RM10.00 voucher at The Bakery, Visit to Chin Swee Caves Temple.

[edit] By car and taxi

Genting Highlands is 40 minutes from Kuala Lumpur on the Karak Highway. A private taxi to/from KL Sentral cost 90 RM one way.

[edit] Get around

All hotels in Genting (except Awana) are connected by sheltered walkways and escalators, so you never actually need to go outside. The entire complex is, theoretically, wheelchair accessible.

[edit] See & Do

[edit] Casinos

Let's face it: if you aren't into theme park rides, the only thing to do in Genting is gamble. In the First World Plaza, there are two casinos open to the general public, both of which are open 24 hours and are limited to non-Muslims over 21. (Non-Malaysian Muslims are welcome.) Table games of choice are roulette, baccarat and Chinese games such as tai sai and pai gow, with poker barely registering. There are also countless slot machines, but many if most require signing up with Genting's WorldCard [3] system if you want to withdraw any winnings.

A notional but widely ignored dress code applies, prohibiting T-shirts, shorts and sandals, and while there are theoretical non-smoking zones here and there, all casinos are wreathed in dense smoke. One final difference to Vegas: not only are there no cocktail waitresses, but you can't even buy a drink inside.

• Casino de Genting, [4] is the operator of all the casinos at Genting.

Monte Carlo Casino (Genting/Highlands Hotel) - this is easily the largest of the casinos and you'll probably find your vice of choice in here somewhere — they even have a few video poker machines. Visitors with foreign passports are allowed to enter the "International Room" VIP zone if they agree to sign up to WorldCard.

• Hollywood Casino, Genting/Highlands Hotel
• StarWorld Casino, First World Hotel, [5]. A smaller-size replica of the Casino de Genting.

You are required to leave your bags in the lockers provided (RM 3) and photography inside the casinos is strictly prohibited. In order to play the jackpot machines, you need at least RM 10 credited to your smart card.

[edit] Other

• Arena of Stars, [6]. Hosts concerts and shows most weekends, but most feature B-grade Chinese pop stars or Western artists well past their prime.

• Genting Outdoor Theme Park, [7]. Features numerous rides typical of an amusement park, mostly suitable for children. Day pass 38 RM (off-peak), 44 RM (peak); express-lane 57 RM (off-peak), 66 RM (peak)

• Genting Indoor Theme Park, (located in the First World Plaza). Features numerous rides. Day pass 26 RM (off-peak), 30 RM (peak). This day pass does not cover Signature Attractions such as Ripley's Museum (30 RM), Snow World (17 RM), Genting Sky Venture (simulated sky diving) (50 RM), etc.

• A combined day pass for the outdoor and indoor theme parks cost 51 RM (off-peak) and 59 RM (peak)

[edit][add listing] Buy

• First World Plaza, in First World Hotel, [8]. Malaysia's self-proclaimed highest shopping mall, this is an ungainly mix of indoor theme park and low-rent shopping mall with replicas of random landmarks from around the world, all covered with a giant metal roof that makes the entire place seem dark and dingy.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Food in Genting is generally overpriced and mediocre. Local, Western and fast food are available, but prices are often twice or more what the same meal would cost in Kuala Lumpur. Most restaurants are halal to cater for the large number of Muslim visitors.

[edit] Budget

There are a number of fast food chains like McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, and Marybrown. All these restaurants charge about 50% higher than what they charge elsewhere in Malaysia. Try Marybrown's Nasi Lemak meal as breakfast: one piece of chicken, a hot tea/coffee, and other Nasi Lemak condiments for RM ~10.

• Penang Food Village, (Theme Park Hotel). would be unremarkable anywhere else in Malaysia, but in Genting it's a notch above the competition: prices are reasonable (most remain under RM10), there are no crowds or clouds of smoke, and the food is tasty. Try the lor mee (noodles in black gravy). The spicy prawn noodle soup and the Penang Fried Kway Teow are not to be missed.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

There are some decent Chinese restaurants like the Causeway Bay (FW Plaza Second floor) and Shanghai 10 (FW Plaza Main Atrium). They serve good food and a meal for 3 (One main course, side dish and a drink per pax) should not cost you more than RM60.

• Coffee Terrace, Genting Hotel. Newly renovated restaurant with an international buffet in plush settings, with many chefs cooking on-the-spot upon your orders. It serves 6 different cuisines - Local, Nonya, Chinese, Japanese, Western and Indian. Recommendations include Penang Fried Kway Teow, Chicken Rice, Indian Naan, Japanese Sashimi (really fresh!) and Medium-well beef steak. Depending on different timings, the prices differ, ranging from RM40 to RM60 per person. Lunch - 55 RM net  edit

[edit] Splurge

• The Olive, (Genting Hotel). Genting's signature award-winning restaurant, located in the hotel lobby, attractively done in a very modern style. Very expensive, but if you're going to splurge, you might as well go whole hog and try the Wagyu steak, flown in directly from Japan.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Nightlife in Genting is very limited. There are four (4) bars of any description in the entire complex, three of them (Safari, Cloud 9, Sportsbook) in the lower level of the Genting Hotel and one (Patio) on the second floor of the First World Hotel. Expect to pay north of RM20 for a single drink.

• Safari, Genting Hotel (lower level). Tropical jungle theme, spinning R&B.
• Cloud 9, Genting Hotel (lower level). A more relaxing lounge.

There are several cafes around such as Starbucks Coffee and Coffee Beans & Tea Leaf available in the First World Hotel.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

With 10,000 rooms to choose from, there are usually plenty of beds at Genting. On weekdays in the off-season, rooms can be very cheap indeed (under RM 20), but demand is highly seasonal and the hotels fill up fast in November and December. Note that all rooms are unheated and can thus get chilly at night!

All hotels are run by Genting and share the same reservations center, reachable online or by phone at +60-3-27181118.

• First World Hotel, [9]. Catering towards the masses and the budget conscious, this three-star monolith with gaudy exterior paint is (by some measures) the biggest hotel in the entire world, with 6,118 rooms in two towers. And you aren't likely to forget it: check-in queues often stretch over an hour, room numbers have five digits and the enormous First World Cafe's breakfast buffet has all the charm of a reform school cafeteria. Standard/deluxe rooms are spartan but clean. The main selling point is the price: while rack rate is RM240, advance booking weekday promotions go for as little as RM20.

• Genting Hotel, [10]. One of the earliest to open in the Highlands, this 5-star hotel offers a wide range of entertainment and recreational facilities such as heated indoor swimming pool, 10 restaurants (including the award-winning, The Olive), and a large karaoke center. Rates from RM235 nett (low season).

• Highlands Hotel, [11]. This 5-star hotel is supposed to be furnished as a Scottish castle with dark oak panels and low lighting. 932 rooms, open to invited high rollers and Genting WorldCard Silver and above only.

• Resort Hotel, [12]. The Resort is a four-star hotel adjacent to the Genting Hotel with its own section of the Casino and three F&B outlets. Standard low season rates from RM160 nett.

• Theme Park Hotel, [13]. A French-themed castle-village-hotel notionally modeled on the 16th-century village of Colmar in Alsace, France, complete with drawbridge. It ranks as a 3 star hotel, with affordable yet comfy rooms.

• Goh Tong Hall Residence, beside the Chin Swee Temple [14] - 110 rooms, all rooms with attached shower; off-peak single/double 50 RM, triple 70 RM; peak single/double 110 RM, triple 130 RM

There is cheaper accommodation available a couple km down the slope from the cable car base station, such as Hotel Seri Malaysia.

[edit] Contact

Both Genting Hotel and First World Plaza have Internet cafes. There is also a post office on the lower level of Genting Hotel.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!