16 Ipoh : Lost World Hotel

Out of Kampar and into the Lost World of Tambun. We purchased a two-night stay at Matta Fair promotional rates. It was around RM300 per night for an Executive Suite at Lost World Hotel , with extra bed inclusive of buffet breakfast for three and entrance to the hotsprings night park.

The four-storey hotel faces the exciting Lost World of Tambun theme park with an incredible view of lush ancient limestone hills in the background. Eight of us arrived in the afternoon to wide smiles and heartwarming welcome. As soon as we parked our car, the concierge rolled the luggage carrier over. The hospitality is amazing and check in was quick!

This is the lobby, decorated with out-of-this-world blue circular sofas. I was so attracted to the UFO-styled sofas that I started googling for where to buy this. When I began envisioning how it would fit into our small apartment, it hit me that, "Oi! Comfy meh? ". I mean what was I going to do with it - curl myself around the thing to watch TV? Lol.

Lost World Hotel Check-In Counter

Lost World Hotel's Cute UFO Sofas

We were most excited to see the spaciousness of the room. It was like walking into an apartment. Two toilets, two TVs, a huge living room with a proper fridge and a kitchen sink. Basic amenities like a hairdryer, ironing board, electric kettle, safe, it's all there. What more could we ask for.

Living Room of Executive Suite

A Proper Fridge and Kitchen Sink

The Love Bed

Two TVs? No Way!

Another Angle Of The Room

Dressing Area Next To The Bathroom

Shower Enclosure

Pictured below is the Classical Room which my aunt and cousin stayed in. Compact sized, with basic amenities included plus a minibar. No proper fridge or kitchen sink but as this was a connecting room to our executive suite, my aunt didn't miss out on a thing!

Lost World Hotel, Classical Room

FOOD
The nearest and only eatery I could see, housed within the same building of the hotel, is Papparich. Good thing we brought our own food and snacks because we're complete greedy pigs during holidays. It made for that in between meal before heading to the Night Park because all that exploring the animal kingdom, tin valley, getting our thrills on the roller coaster and swimming tired us out!

We had initially made plans for dinner in town but we each carried that face that said please-let-no-one-insist-on-it. It would cut into our rest time and since we already had an amazing whole day at the park, we were amped up for the night one too - not willing to miss the fire show! But if you insist on going out for dinner, there are places just a minute drive away.

Anyway, on to the buffet breakfast which is located across the road near the entrance of the theme park. It carries both western and asian food. We made sure to eat our fill since there was a 'no outside food allowed' rule in the theme park. Although there are plenty of food stalls inside, you never know if there's a queue that could ruin your mood and if it would burst your travel budget.

The Buffet Breakfast at Lost World Hotel, Ipoh

One last thing, Giant Supermarket is a short distance away, about 1km or more, depending which route you take. FYI, the beer counter closes at 9PM.

That's that on my stay at Lost World Hotel. Wait 'til you read about the fun stuff we did!

Lost World Hotel
Address: 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway, Sunway City, 31150 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone: +6 05-540 8888

19 Penang : Gurney View Inn

With a waterfront view, Gurney Drive is one of the most happening places to hang out in on Penang island. It's a stretch of road known for high end condominiums and pricey hotels. There are many eateries offering authentic local food along it, modern shopping malls and even a local products center for the tourists . Across the road is a promenade lined with trees and tiled benches.

Gurney View Inn, Penang

Nestled between impressive tall buildings is the hidden gem that is Gurney View Inn - a small, cheap hotel for budget travelers. It was RM130 per night for a family room. A surprise find considering the expensive hotels along the stretch! Housed in the same building is a Thai restaurant on the ground floor.

Gurney View Inn - Entrance

I was pleased with the compact sized room - one single bed, one double bed. Bath area was clean with nary a hair nor mould. An old rickety aircon kept us cool at night. The bonus was the unobstructed view of the waterfront. 

The only thing that would have been a put-off was the worn out peeling wallpaper, but hey, we're not fussy people! A comfy bed at a reasonable price to lay our head and within walking distance to several tourist attractions is a dream thing for us.

Gurney View Inn - Family Room

Gurney View Inn - Family Room

Check-in was quick and efficient. Arriving hours early than recommended check-in time, I was prepared to be turned away but the hotel staff was kind and accommodating, and we got our room after half an hour of waiting.

Gurney View Inn, Penang

There is a smoking corner right behind the reservations counter.

Smoking Corner at Gurney View Inn, Penang

The view from our window.

Gurney Drive, Penang

Gurney Drive, Penang

A short walking distance away behind the hotel is the famous Thai reclining Buddha temple and a Burmese Temple with an impressive Golden Pagoda Bell Tower. If you're into wet markets, the famous Pulau Tikus wet market is a street down.

To summarise, this is a good place to stay because it's convenient to get around. I saved on taxi fare. It's near several tourist attractions, has great scenery and food is abundant. I loved the sea breeze walks and having my cuppa at Mr. Pot, a roadside cafe that sits under a big old tree that looks out into the blue of the horizon.


Gurney View Inn
Address: 75, Gurney Drive, Pulau Tikus, 10250 George Town, Penang
Telephone: +6 04-226 1668

12 Penang : A Night At Time Capsule Hotel

A couple of months ago, a friend offered me a night's stay at Time Capsule Hotel, Penang - something she'd won from an online contest. I said yes. Days later, we settled on a date in October, made the necessary hotel reservations and purchased the train tickets weeks in advance. No turning back now, as they say!

Time Capsule Hotel, Penang

It was one of the best holidays. I was excited to experience a night in the minimalist futuristic-looking hotel. It had a "I'm in a spaceship" kind of feeling. A great chap named Jason handled our reservations. Patient, kind and friendly, he was our go-to guy for food and sightseeing suggestions.

We were each given a keycard and a bag containing one towel, bottled water and headphones. I collected a pair of slippers from the small shoe locker beside the lift before heading up to the floor where our 'capsules' were and was impressed with what I saw - cosy, neat and clean! It comes with a shared bathroom. There were sufficient shower cubicles, hairdryers and toilets.

Our Sleeping Quarters - Time Capsule Hotel, Penang

Bathroom - Time Capsule Hotel, Penang

I kept my backpack in the large locker located in front of my sleeping chamber, swiping my keycard onto the one with my capsule number to release the lock. The place was quiet with well-behaved guests. I was thrilled to be there.

Keycard and Capsule - Time Capsule Hotel, Penang

The hotel is located within walking distance from many touristy areas and at night, the street is quite happening with bars and restaurants lighting the area up. Night owls we were not, so we were back in the hotel 9pm-ish.

After a shower and getting into comfortable clothes, I plonked myself onto the lower capsule, plugged my keycard in to power up the space and closed the shutter. The blue lights were definitely my favourite feature! It added to the whole being in a spaceship feel.

My Bed - Time Capsule Hotel, Penang

I spent nearly an hour fiddling around with the controls from lighting, aircon to TV before I dozed off but it was a restless night as I couldn't contain my enthusiasm  - the day's activities playing over and over in my mind. It was 2am, then 3am and soon, 5am! I got up to shower, deciding sleep was a lost cause. Haha. It was zombie Sharon on the loose in Penang that day!

Time Capsule Hotel
Address: 418 & 420, Lebuh Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Telephone:+6 04-263 0888
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeCapsuleHotel/

r u l e s

25 Langkawi : Inner Peace At The Andaman Luxury Resort

A hidden paradise in a secluded corner of Langkawi island, The Andaman Luxury Resort is a dream for anyone looking for some quiet to revitalise themselves. Indulge in holistic spa treatments, take a nature walk or a swim in the beautiful waters of Datai Bay, this place is heaven tucked away in a rainforest with a wide stretch of sandy beach within walking distance from the rooms.

The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort

The Andaman Resort, Langkawi

"Ma'am, we've upgraded your room. Please enjoy your stay." I was ecstatic by the kind gesture upon check-in and in awe by the VIP attention. When it comes to hospitality and attention to comfort, The Andaman Resort is the place to be.

Hubs and I stayed here for a night. It was the best sleep I had ever had. The soft bed felt heavenly on my tired bones, brought on by two days of gallivanting up and down this beautiful island and twice, we were caught in the rain. I huddled under the cool, soft blanket, reluctant to leave the room. But I knew there was a stunning horizon to look forward to when dusk falls.

This is our room, one with a garden terrace.

Our Room At The Andaman, Langkawi

The glass door opens out to a lovely view of the rainforest. There was a warning about monkeys taking guest belongings out of the room so we kept our stuff out of view.

Room With A Garden, The Andaman, Langkawi

The bathroom is the cleanest I had ever seen! The toiletries? Of amazing quality. I tried the shampoo and I'm happy to say that it did wonders to the rain-drenched frizzy mop of locks on my head. Nothing like a good hair day to lift my spirits.

The Bathroom and Toiletries, The Andaman Resort

We took a romantic stroll down the seaside that evening and explored the jungly trails within the resort. It was a treat to see a group of monkeys on the beach. The Andaman Resort is surrounded by an old rainforest which is home to many wildlife.

The Beach At The Andaman, Langkawi

The Andaman, Langkawi

Twilight descended in brilliant hues of pinkish orange. We sat down for a meal at Tepian Laut shortly after, a cosy beach restaurant where the sound of waves rushing to shore is part of the music permeating the air.

Tepian Laut Restaurant at The Andaman, Langkawi

Twilight At The Andaman, Langkawi

Dinner At Tepian Laut, The Andaman

One of the waiters regaled us with stories of his life, adding to the charm of the Malay restaurant. I must warn you that food is very pricey here, but then again this is a 'luxury' resort!

Tepian Laut, Restaurant By The Beach

Breakfast the next morning? Oh, that deserves another blog post. I'm leaving this page with more pictures of the hotel area.

The Lobby Of The Andaman Resort, Langkawi

The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi

The Andaman Luxury Resort, Langkawi - Pool and Guest Room Area

The Andaman is a kind of resort that makes you feel you never want to leave its compound. I was actually sad to get into our rented car to head to the airport that morning...

The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi
Address: Jalan Teluk Datai, 07000 Langkawi, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 4 - 959 1088

18 Only Beautiful People At Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa

Sunny smiles and a down--to-earthness that gave us the warm and fuzzy made my vacation incredibly memorable, or should I say magical?

The year is almost at an end. Hubs and I decided that a holiday was long overdue. So, off we flew to Langkawi for some rest and relaxation. Our two nights stay at Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa was nothing short of exciting. We were on the #MyPelangi special rates promotion package which included breakfast, airport transfers and late check-out.

Rooms With A View Of The Pool

Check-in was remarkable. The hotel receptionist led us to the lounge area where the necessary forms were completed there and then. We were promptly attended to with chilled drinks and a wet towel. I was momentarily stunned by the VIP treatment!

Pelangi Lounge, also the Check-In Centre

An hour later, we were taken to our garden-view room on a buggy, passing rows of blooming bunga raya shrubs.There's even a poultry farm and an exhibit of a typical Malay house.

On The Way To Our Room

Bunga Raya (Hibiscus Flower), A Squirrel, The Poultry Farm and A Malay House

Arriving at the kampung (village) styled double storey building, we were welcomed into the corner unit on the ground floor - an enchanting room with old-style decor that begged for photos.

Garden Terrace Room at Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

Cosy Room, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

It was spacious, the doors leading outside to a large balcony -  I pictured myself lounging on the chair with a book and a glass of mocktail in hand, wearing a wide straw hat for effect.

Garden Terrace Room Balcony, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

Here is a look at the bathroom and the things that were provided. Hair dryer, bath essentials, umbrellas, ironing board, hangers, safe box and even an electric mosquito repellent!

Bathroom and Snacks

The beach, located along Pantai Cenang, is a dream with breathtaking scenery - the perfect setting for romantic evenings. We caught the rainbow and the sunset here, sweetening our experience.

Clean Sandy Beach at Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

Beach Scenery, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

Poolside, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

The resort is impressive, but what captivated me most about Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort is really the winning personalities of the people who work there.

There were so many occasions they touched our hearts - like the time a concerned staff waved a buggy down for us after we were left stranded at the workshop beside the resort having gotten caught in a thunderstorm, the genuine welcome we felt at Leisure Centre when they greeted us with open arms, coffee and cookies, the Pakcik who came to pick me up but still smiled warmly when he found out that he hadn't been informed that I had cancelled the airport transfer, the lady at reservations who remembered my room number although it was already the next day!

Lakefront Rooms, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

Countless others made our day with enthusiastic greetings of "Good morning!" I cannot list down all the moments they made me feel like hugging them so I'll sum it up as this - Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi is about good vibes and making sure that every guest is attended to with TLC (tender loving care).

Lakefront Rooms, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

The picture below was taken at the Leisure Centre where kids and adults can plan and enjoy lots of activities with the assistance of resort staff.

Leisure Centre, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

I enjoyed the buffet breakfast. It was a good spread catering to many types of eaters.
 

Breakfast at Spice Market, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, Langkawi

A short distance away from the resort are duty free shops, beachside hotels and restaurants - it was quite lively in the evening. I shopped for chocolates and had the most amazing dinner but that's a story that will have to go into another post.

To be honest, we were sad to leave this place but on a brighter note, it is now stored in my head under "Fond Memories".

Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi
Address: Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4-952 8888
Website: http://www.meritushotels.com/en/meritus-pelangi-beach-resort-spa-langkawi/index.html

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For more about this resort and other in-depth travel stories, visit www.kuaby.com.

Kuaby is more than just another travel blog. Wayne Liew, the founder, has a passion that goes beyond 'quickly snapping pictures and moving along to the next travel destination'. He takes the essence of a place, brings it to life on Kuaby, leaving readers with a deeper connection to it.