Review: Villa Dahlia Apartment @ Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands

Frankly speaking, I have not stayed in any of the hotels in Cameron Highlands. The reason is simple, because the rate of the hotel can be very expensive especially during the weekends or public holiday. Furthermore, hotel has limited space and as such, an apartment would be more an appropriate choice when you are on a holiday trip with a bunch of friends

The apartment where we crashed in for a night was Villa Dahlia apartment which is located at Tanah Rata. It is located opposite of the Cameron Highlands Golf Course, along the main road of Cameron Highlands.

Villa Dahlia Apartment, Cameron Highlands

The apartment is pretty huge with a sizable living room, equipped with television and basic Astro TV channels.

Living room with Astro TV facility

A refrigerator and stoves are available to aid those that have the desire to cook on the highland. Basic utensils such as fork, spoon and plate are available as well.

Kitchen equipped with basic utensils

Dining area

The apartment does not have a balcony. The windows are attached to the living room, overseeing the main road of Cameron Highlands and the golf course.

View from the window of living room

Each unit of Dahlia Villa apartment came with 3 bedrooms and 2 washrooms. The master bedroom were slightly larger than of the remaining 2 rooms. The rooms are equipped with basic furniture such as a dressing table and cupboard.

Master bedroom with an attached washroom

Second room

Third room

The cleanliness of the washroom was acceptable. Nothing unsightly were spotted.

The washroom

You could see the surrounding apartment units when you are at the walkway.

There is an open air park located in the middle of the surrounding apartment units. For those who enjoy chatting outside the apartment, do utilized the park as it offers some tables and seats. Do note that it can be very chilly though especially during the night time.

A park in the middle

A unit of the apartment is being rented out at RM 250 to RM 300 dependent on the seasonal chart of Cameron Highlands. It might not be a luxurious experience of staying here, but I felt comfortable staying overnight here. In fact, this was my second time staying over here. This apartment might just be a great bargain if you have a group of more than six planning to crash in for a night!

Comfortableness: 6.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Verdict: A good choice for a big group who intended to a have little cooking in the apartment!

Villa Dahlia Apartment
Lot 214, Jalan Besar
39000, Tanah Rata
Cameron Highlands
Pahang
Malaysia

Mum & Dad 30th Anniversary, Buffet Dinner @ Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites Subang, Subang Jaya

Everyday is special on it's own but today is especially special as my parents celebrate their 30th pearl anniversary. Congratulations to both you Dad and Mum and may the happiness last for as long as it can!

Initially, we wanted to go for a family trip but with most placed packed due to the long Hari Raya break, we decided to postpone the trip. We ended up having buffet dinner at the cozy 5 star hotel Holiday Villa Subang.

Holiday Villa Subang

Palm Terrace Coffee House is the cafe that serves buffet in Holiday Villa Subang. As the Ramadhan month has passed, the buffet themed is quickly switched back to international buffet. Priced at RM 69++ per pax, it has 100 over variety of food and desserts to offer.

Palm Terrace Coffee House, Holiday Villa Subang

With the wide array of food, you got to be a little picky on your food selection to fit your limited tummy space.

The Malay delicacy corner

Lamb Kebab with Leak and Cous-cats
A very meaty kebab but let down by it's lacking in flavour.

Lemang and Ketupat
A Malay delicacy that is well savoured during Hari Raya festival. One of my favourite Malay delicacy as well!

Curry Prawn

Fresh oysters
Left untouched as fresh oysters is not my cup of tea.

A big chunk of salmon meat
Please help yourself to slice as much of salmon as you want.

My Japanese savoury
The smoked salmon were pretty fresh and tasted a little like bacon. I would have prefer fresh salmon though.

Roasted Whole Chicken
A very ordinary roasted chicken.

Next, there was a little Italian stall that serves fresh from the pan pasta. Just pick your ingredients and the chef on duty will do the rest.

White Sauce Spaghetti

Both the pasta tasted really awesome thanks to the generous servings of the flavourful sauce. Not only that, I enjoyed the springy texture of the spaghetti as well.

Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce

My food selection from Malay Corner

Tom Yam Soup
It was bursting with flavour. My personal best experience of a Tom Yam soup.

Curry Laksa
Pretty decent one but could have been better with a saltier soup.

The desserts bar

Chocolate Cake
Wanted to have some of it but too bad as my tummy has no space left.

Fruit Punch

Fruits corner
Local fruits such as star fruits, watermelon, papaya and honey dew were served.

A little bit of this and that

My lovey dovey parents

30 years and counting

Happy 30th Anniversary to my parents

With my lovely Mum

Congratulations Dad and Mum for achieving such a milestone!

The food did lived up to my expectation from a 5 star rating hotel. However, the highlight of the night was the celebration of my parents 30th Anniversary. Love both of you, Dad and Mum!

Atmosphere: 8/10
Food: 6.5/10
Price: 5/10
Verdict: Pretty good food from a 5 star rated hotel with an excellent hostess service.

Palm Terrace Coffee House
Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites Subang
9, Jalan SS 12/1
47500, Subang Jaya
Selangor
Malaysia
Tel: 603 - 5633 8788
Fax: 603 - 5633 7449

Review: Tune Hotels Downtown Penang @ Jalan Burma, Penang

Tune Hotels name might be new, but it is expanding aggressively all over the world in the past few years. Tune Hotels is not those hotelier that provide luxury accommodation and facilities as it provides budget hotel with a promise of "5 star sleeping experience at 1 star price".

On my previous trip to Penang, I was at the Downtown Penang Tune Hotels for a stay over of two nights.

Tune Hotels Downtown Penang

Lobby at third flood

There are some computers with internet connection being stationed at the lobby. To gain access, you would need to ask for a passcode slip from the reception and you are entitled to a maximum of 30 minutes usage per session.

Computers with internet connection for the in-house guest
The computer was lag free and the internet connection was pretty fast.

Upon finished checking in, you will be handed a smart card that will be used as an access to unlock your room door and to be slotted into the centralized control to power up the room. The smart card also stored the remaining amount of air-conditioned that can be utilized. The air-condition credit can be purchased at RM 13.49 for 12 hours and RM 21 for 24 hours.

Slot your card into the centralized control

The span area of the room was really small and it doesn't leave you much space to move around. However, you would not complain for the price that you have paid. After all, you won't be staying in the hotel for most of your time if you are an outdoor person.

A pretty sizeable bed for 2 person
I must say the bed provided me the claimed 5 star sleeping experience. Really comfortable.

And some of the facilities that are included in the room.

Air condition
You will need to purchase the credit from the reception to activate the air condition.

Next, the most important thing will be the washroom.

The attached washroom
I was impressed with their layout and design of the washroom. It looked very fresh, tidy and clean for you to spend some time with yourself here. In fact, the washroom is better than some of the hotels that I have visited that claimed to have higher star.

Attached hair dryer
You can keep yours in the home.

Advertisement space

I supposed it's a table

Safe box
A real surprise for me that a budget hotel does provide this facility as well.

On the next morning after getting up from a comfortable sleeping experience, you can choose your bed linens to be changed daily by placing a leaflet on the bed.

Promoting green Earth

Remember to remove your smart card before stepping out of your room.

The smart card

This is what happened when you remove your smart card from the centralized control.

Power will be switched off in 5 seconds

You are required to check out on your final day, to return the smart card and any towels (that you rent) to the hotelier to have your deposit refunded.

Check out at the lobby

I must admit that I'm really surprise at the facilities and the comfortableness provided by Tune Hotels. It has surpassed my expectation of a budget hotel and even better than some hotels that have a higher star rating.

To book a stay at any Tune Hotels, simply log on to their webpage at http://www.tunehotels.com/. From there, you can tune your facilities and need with just a simple click. Then will be proceeded to payment page and your room is confirmed once you have settle the payment.

Tune your needs (screen shot from tunehotels.com)

If you are not the type of person that like to spend too much on lavish hotel, then Tune Hotels is the right choice for you. The price for each night at Tune Hotels starts from RM 18 and very much depends on seasonal time.

Comfortableness: 8/10
Price: 7.5/10
Verdict: My best ever staying experience with a budget hotel!

Tune Hotels Downtown Penang

Jalan Burma
Penang
Malaysia
Tel: +603 - 7962 5888
Webpage: http://www.tunehotels.com/our-hotels/downtown-penang

*Disclaimer: This is not an advertorial post nor I was paid for it. It is based solely on my opinion after a two nights stay at Tune Hotels Downtown Penang.