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

Review: Aeroline Malaysia Bus for Bandar Sunway to Penang Route

Aeroline bus has been in operation for years and been providing executive bus service for the route of Kuala Lumpur to Singapore and Penang and vice versa. I have not travel with them because I usually thought it is more convenient to travel by car especially to Penang.

However, after hearing feedback from my parents about Aeroline bus service to Penang, I decided to give them a try for my first trip to Penang earlier this year. And as expected, I travel again with them on my previous May trip to Penang as I don't see any reason not to. Firstly, their boarding station is just located at a a very convenient place to me, Sunway Pyramid and the drop off is at Queensbay Mall, Penang.

Aeroline Bus, the Double Deck coach

With a double deck coach, it has 30 seats on the upper deck, providing a very spacious and comfortable traveling experience.

Just 30 seats, with a layout of 3 seats per row

Sizeable LCD screen for you to enjoy the movie while on the move

On the lower deck, there is a lounge which can accommodate up to 6 adults. The availability however is based on first come first serve basis.

The lounge on the lower deck

There is also a small washroom available on the lower deck for a short relief. The washroom is not intended for long usage, and should you required so, you will need to speak to their Cabin Crew for a stop at rest area.

A tiny washroom

If you ever need to get some sleep, don't worry as their comfortable wide reclining seats comes with leg support. It feels as good as you are on a cozy sofa.

Very comfortable seat

As the coach started to move, the entertainment station which is available right in front of you will be switched on. However, do take note that not all the coach are equipped with such facility and it is very much depends on the coach schedule.

Tiny LCD screen right in front of your seat

Select your preferred entertainment

A game pad which act as an controller as well

Each passenger will be served a complimentary bottle of mineral water. You may ask the crew for some hot drinks too.

Complimentary mineral water

As the coach nearing it's halfway journey, a meal will be served by the cabin crew. The meal may varied from time to time and is very much at the discretion of Aeroline. At time I get Subway's sandwiches, Chicken Rice Shop's Nasi Lemak and for my previous journey back to Klang Valley, I get a Chicken Rice from Chicken Rice Shop.

A complimentary meal will be served

It definitely does lived up to it's tag line of The Convenient Way to "FLY". The cabin crew was courteous and their service were excellent. Together with the comfortable ride and the spacious seat with a lounge to spare, what else could you have ask more for a RM 60 single way journey ticket.

The convenient Way to FLY

Four hours of driving might not sound too hard, but after considering all the opportunity costs and especially when you are driving alone, you are just thankful to have Aeroline Bus for providing such a pleasant journey to Penang and home.

See you again Penang!

This post concludes my previous holiday experience of Penang in last May. Till we meet again in the near future and thank you Pei Yee for your precious time spent with me while I was in Penang!=D

Aeroline Service Centre Bandar Sunway
OB3.LG2.1A, Lower Ground Two
Oasis Boulevard, Sunway Pyramid
No 3 Jalan PJS 11/15
Bandar Sunway, 46150
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Malaysia
Tel: 603 - 5631 1313
Business hours: 7.30am - 7.30pm
Website: https://www.aeroline.com.my/

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.