Nexus Regency Suites, Subang Jaya, Malaysia

HOTEL RATING: 5.5/10

Hello, my beloved readers! Welcome back to another new blog post of mine! Well, I've been busy, busy, busy and nothing but busy, but of course, I will always put time aside to blog about the places where I've laid my head to rest. Hahaha! So, let's head on now, shall we?

Overview

So today, I'll be blogging about Nexus Regency Suites which is formerly known as BEST WESTERN Nexus Shah Alam. It is located at the borders of Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang and I would say that this hotel is hidden pretty deep inside. Nexus Regency Suites is rated a 4-star hotel and is a 15 minute drive away to the nearest mall that would be called Main Place, a 20 minute drive away to Sunway Pyramid- a bigger shopping mall, a 25 minute drive away to the Subang Airport, and a 40 minute drive away from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. There are no eateries or convenient shops nearby, but the closest you can get to would be a petrol station that sells cup noodles and drinks which would be a 5 minute walk away. 

Nexus Regency Suites's facade

The reception counter and waiting area

So, I checked-in on the 25th of August, 2016, and it was RM177 for a night's stay in their Deluxe King Room, and the price was inclusive of tax and service charge. Do note that a deposit of RM200 will be needed before checking-in, which will be returned to you after you've checked-out.

When you first enter the room, this is what you'll see; a small fitted-against-the-wall counter with cabinets where the basin, mini-bar and coffee and tea maker set would be. A lamp and a one-seater sofa could also be seen, and towards your left would be a small dining table for 4. Straight ahead would be a sliding door to the bedroom. 

Your view when facing straight ahead from the main entrance

The cabinets, basin, mini-bar

Your view when you face to the left

The Deluxe King Room

The Deluxe King Room is a 62m² room with a choice of only a king bed. The room is very spacious and it comes with a large work desk equipped with what a proper work desk should have- a comfortable work desk chair, a desk light, and enough plug points for your laptop, phone, etc. A flat screened TV sits on a table in front of the bed which I honestly think is too low especially when you're lying on the bed trying to watch a movie. 

This room is very energy consuming as there are 3 air-conditioners: 

1 at the dining area,

1 facing the work desk,

 1 facing the bed. 

As much as I tried to save the energy consumption (I'm just tryna' "Go Green" here), 3 air-conditioners was still NOT strong enough to cool and to ventilate the whole place. The room was also stale and dusty upon arrival, making me feel that this hotel does not take the effort in doing regular housekeeping, or at least, in making their guests feel welcomed and comfortable. 

The view of the room after sliding the door open

The bed

The open wardrobes and the many storage compartments

The Bathroom

The bathroom comes with a standing shower and a basic set of toiletries. There's honestly nothing much to shout about compared to my previous bathroom posts, but well, its clean, and enough towels are provided and that's about it. Oh, do note that the bathroom will be dim as there is only 1 light. Ah ha ha ha. How romantic, eh?

The bathroom 

During my stay there, I was told that the swimming pool and lounge area was under renovation, so I couldn't get to see how it would've been. Ah, better luck next time I guess.

Facilities and Services include:

• 1 Restaurant On Site
• Room Service
• Front Desk Services- 24-hour Front Desk, Luggage Storage
• Airport Shuttle

Check-in time: From 3pm
Check-out time: Until 12pm

I would rate this hotel a 6/10 because it is pretty inconvenient as you'd have to travel quite a distance to go out, and the condition of the room was just okay. I do hope that this blog post has given you another option to consider if you're ever thinking of staying around Subang Jaya, Malaysia. Till then. xx

Disclaimer: This write-up and the opinions shared are all mine. I was not paid to promote or to review this hotel whatsoever. Most pictures provided are mine, while some have been taken from the web.

V E Hotel & Residence, Bangsar South City, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

HOTEL RATING: 9/10

Hola, my dearest readers! I hope that life has been treating you well!

Overview

Today, I'll be talking about V E Hotel & Residence in Bangsar South City, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and here's an overview of the place. This hotel is a contemporary 4-star hotel that is true to their headline - "Inspired by Design, Created for Comfort". This hotel is situated in Bangsar South City, on No. 8, Jalan Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and its very convenient as just opposite the hotel, you will be able to find a stretch of restaurants, coffee houses and bars. Mid Valley Megamall, a mall that is connected to The Gardens, another smaller shopping mall is located strategically in the city of Kuala Lumpur would be less than a 10-minute drive away. Suria KLCC, a shopping mall that sits below the iconic twin skyscrapers called the Petronas Twin Towers would only be about a 12-minute drive away, and Kuala Lumpur's International Airport would be a 45-minute to an hour's drive. 

The entrance to V E Hotel & Residence

The lobby and reception

So, I checked-in on the 6th of August, 2016, and it was RM463 for a 2 night stay in their Deluxe Zipper Room, and the price was inclusive of tax and service charge. 

Your view of the room once you open the door

 Deluxe Zipper Room

The Deluxe Zipper Room is a 30m² room with a choice of only a full bed. Right in front of the bed would be a long work desk where you would find a coffee and tea maker set. A 40-inch flat-screen TV hangs on the wall and a small coffee table and a lounge chair sits at the corner. A mini bar, safety box and WiFi is provided as well. 

The large ass bed

The long desk 

Bathroom

With the shower area, toilet area and basin area separated, the sliding door that shuts the wardrobe outside becomes an external door that closes it all up. The water pressure is good and their toiletries? Well, its the best I've came across this far. I must also emphasize that this hotel's bath robes and slippers are just amazing. They're the comfiest ones I've ever tried on. Hahaha! Well, shall we let the pictures that I've taken with a wide-angle lens do the talking now? Heh. 

The basin sits in the middle of the shower area and toilet area

The toilet area with a sliding door

The storage compartments when the door of the toilet is slide closed 

The shower area

The wardrobe outside when opened, becomes a door that closes the bathroom for extra privacy

Infinity Pool

This hotel has an infinity pool (that closes at around 10pm) and a 24-hour fitness center that has everything. Trust me on the fitness center having everything because I was there at 2 in the morning because I had nothing better to do. Hahaha! And about security, well, don't worry about it because for what I know, there will always be a few securities on patrol, even at the wee hours of the morning. So security? Checked. Also, in the late afternoon right up to around 8 in the evening, the small outdoor bar that overlooks the pool area will be opened. There's just so many reasons to be up there.

The pool overlooking some buildings

Even if you're not swimming, it's nice to just sit there at night enjoying the breeze

Facilities and Services include:

• 1 Restaurant On Site
• Outdoor Pool
• Pool Bar
• Fitness Center
• Sauna
• Front Desk Services- 24-hour Front Desk, Luggage Storage

Check-in time: From 2pm
Check-out time: Until 12pm

 I would rate this hotel a 9/10 because this hotel's location is just so strategic. Its of walking distance to the many restaurants and coffee houses opposite, and the interior is just beautiful. I hope this post has helped you narrow down your options if you're looking for a place to stay around Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! Till my next post. Stay tuned xx

Disclaimer: This write-up and the opinions shared are all mine. I was not paid to promote or to review this hotel whatsoever. Some pictures provided are mine, while some have been taken from the web. 

Swiss-Inn, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

 HOTEL RATING: 7.5/10

Welcome back, my dear readers! I hope you have been well and have been looking forward to another blog post update. Heh. So today, I'll be reviewing my stay at Swiss-Inn, Johor Bahru!


Overview
Well, here's an overview of the place. Swiss-Inn is a 3-star hotel situated in the heart of Johor Bahru's city centre. City Square Johor Bahru Shopping Mall will be the closest mall to the hotel which would be a 10-15 minutes drive depending on traffic. I would say that it is of a walkable distance too. Bazaar Karat (Pasar Karat) and Little India would all be around the same distance as well, and the main attraction such as Legoland would be around 22 km away. Larkin Sentral, the main bus station in Johor would also be about a 10-15 minutes drive from the hotel. 

Swiss-In, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

I checked-in on the 15th of July, 2016, and the price was RM330 for a 2 night stay in their Cosy Room, and the price was inclusive of tax and service charge. 

Cozy Room

The Cozy Room is only a 18m² room. You can opt for either a double bed, or 2 single beds. 1 extra pillow is provided and is kept at the storage compartment above the open wardrobe, and beside it would be a safe box. Towards the end of the room, there is a small working desk and a stool, and right in front of the bed on the wall would be a LCD TV, and of course, WiFi is provided. It's a very simple room with all the necessities that you'll need. 

The bedroom

Extra pillow, safe box, and storage compartments

The Bathroom

The hotel room is considered pretty small, but they did a good job in separating the shower area and toilet area. Right after you open the room door, the shower area would be on your left, as seen in the picture below. It looks rather cramped in the pictures, but I assure you that it is fine, and not that bad. Both the shower area and toilet area is pretty spacious, I would say. 

The room door

The shower area

The toilet area

And if you're wondering where the basin area is, well, it's right beside the wardrobe. It has just enough of space for anyone to walk in and out of it effortlessly.

The basin area

This hotel does NOT have a pool, but there is a in-house food and beverage outlet. Room service is available too, and I tried it. It was pretty reasonable - comparing it to other hotels who charges twice as much, and the food was good.

Facilities and Services include:

• 1 Restaurant On Site
• Snack Bar
• Fitness Center
• Billiards
• Front Desk Services- 24-hour Front Desk, Luggage Storage

Check-in time: From 3pm

Check-out time: Until 12pm- 1pm

I would definitely rate this hotel a 7.5/10 as it is pretty close by to many eateries around and yes, I got my money's worth. I hope this has helped you narrow down your options if you're ever looking for a place to stay around Johor Bahru, Malaysia! Till then. xx

Disclaimer: This write-up and the opinions shared are all mine. I was not paid to promote or to review this hotel whatsoever. Some pictures posted in this post are mine, while some have been taken from the web.

D'Majestic Place by Swiss Garden, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

HOTEL RATING: 8/10

Hello, my dear readers! Welcome back, and I hope you've been well and have been looking forward to my next blog post. Well today, I'll be talking about a hotel in Kuala Lumpur! I knew I'd get around it somehow, someday, and the day is today! Hahaha! Let's head on to the overview of this hotel now, shall we?

Overview

So, D'Majestic Place by Swiss Garden is rated a 4-star hotel that is centrally located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur at 376 Jalan Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is said to be only 10 months old, so it is a relatively new hotel! The hotel is 900m from Sungei Wang Plaza, 2.3km from Petronas Twin Towers, 2.4km from Suria KLCC and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport is 43km away. There are many hawker stalls, massage parlors and convenient stores around. Oh, a small 7-Eleven stands right next to the hotel!

D'Majestic Place by Swiss Garden, Kuala Lumpur 

One-Bedroom Apartment

So, I checked-in on the 24th of June, 2016, and it was RM850 for a 2 night stay in their One-Bedroom Apartment, and the price was inclusive tax and service charge. 

When you first enter the room, this is what you'll see; a kitchenette, a fridge, a washing machine, a dining table with chairs, a two-seater sofa, and a coffee table. Straight ahead, if you follow the light, the bright light guiding you, it'll be to the...bedroom. Hahaha!

Your view when facing straight ahead from the main entrance

Your view when you face a little to the left

Your view with your back facing the bedroom

Everything in the kitchenette works. Seriously though. From the cold fridge to the tap and the basin, from the kettle to the microwave, it all works. Hahaha! I mean, based on my previous experiences, either the fridge felt like a sauna instead, or the kettle was giving out some free rust water tasting. Urgh.

The One-Bedroom Apartment is a 65m² room with a choice of only a large double bed. View wise, I got the room which overlooked the streets. It's honestly not such a bad thing because through it, I was able to gauge if the streets were busy, and if it was faster to walk to the nearby malls instead of hailing a cab. Right in front of the bed would be a long work desk with a flat-screen TV hung on the wall. Many storage compartments can be seen as well around the room. A dressing table could be found right in front of the bathroom beside the wardrobe, and that's what I call a legit dressing table. With it comes a large mirror that sits right in front of you, awaiting the vain side of you to come about. Hahaha!

The bed

The flat-screen TV, work desk, and storage compartments

The dressing table that comes with a huge-ass mirror

The Bathroom

The One-Bedroom Apartment's bathroom is just amazing. I like how the basin area, toilet area, and the shower area are all separated. It makes everything that much more spacious and of course, privacy will always be in check. But, but, but, do note that there are NO locks for either of the doors. Hahaha! Your trust game must be hella strong then. The shower area only comes with a standing shower, but I think it's more than enough, and the basin sits on a marble table, giving you the extra space to put your personal items which I absolutely appreciate! Pssstt, the glass that divides the areas are all frosted, so don't worry about someone peeking at ya'. And if you're wondering how I managed to take pictures of the toilet and the shower area since the dividers are frosted, well, let me tell you - I STOOD ON A CHAIR, TIP-TOEING TO GET THE SHOTS. Appreciate my effort yet? Hahaha!  

The basin area

The toilet 

The shower area

Pool Area

If there's one thing this hotel in known for, it'll be for their infinity pool. The view up there is just breathtaking. Okay, it's definitely not "the" best spot in KL, but hey, you get what your money's worth. Hahaha! Before heading to the pool area, they'll be a lounge area where people can just sit around to smoke, drink, or even read. With high bar stools and small neon lights at night, it's a pretty cool place to just chill at night.

Day view of the pool and part of the lounge area

Night view of the other part of the pool

Facilities and Services include:

• Bar
• BBQ Facilities
• Swimming Pool
• Fitness Center
• Sauna
• Airport Shuttle

Check-in time: From 3pm

Check-out time: Until 11am

 I would rate this hotel a 8/10 because this hotel's location is pretty much strategic. It's of walking distance to many hawker stalls and convenient stores, and also to a few malls nearby. The few points that I will have to minus out would be because of the water heater in the shower. It just didn't seem to work even after the maintenance guy was sent up to fix the issue. The other miss would be a no in-room dining service available. But apart from that, everything is good. The staff were helpful and polite, the rooms were good, heck, even exceeded my expectations. I hope this post has helped you narrow down your options if you're looking for a place to stay around Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! Till then. xx

Disclaimer: This write-up and the opinions shared are all mine. I was not paid to promote or to review this hotel whatsoever. Some pictures provided are mine, while some have been taken from the web. 

1825 Gallery Hotel, Melaka, Malaysia

HOTEL RATING: 8.5/10

Hey there, my dear readers! Today, I'll be touching a little on Melaka, or also known as Malacca to some, and of course, not forgetting to review about my stay in 1825 Gallery Hotel, Melaka, Malaysia. Let's start, shall we? 

Well, well, well, Malacca is the capital of the state of Malacca, on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Malacca is rich with history and culture from the previous Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. The city centre was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2008, along with Georgetown, Penang, which I have blogged about previously. If you haven't read it yet, you can click on the link below and be amazed with what Penang has to offer.

http://ofatlasesandemptypockets.blogspot.my/2016/03/glow-hotel-penang-malaysia.html

A map showing Malacca

What, When, Where, Why Malacca?

Just like Penang, Malacca has a background story too! Malacca, the third smallest Malaysian state after Perlis and Penang was founded by Parameswara, also known as the last Raja of Singapore. It was believed that he witnessed a Sang Kancil (mouse-deer) pushing one of his dogs into the river in self-defense after being cornered. Parameswara was impressed with the courage of the little mouse-deer and took it as a good omen, thus decided to build his empire there, naming the state Melaka, after a tree - "Pokok Melaka" that he was resting under. 

Mouse-deer statues can be seen around the roundabout at the Dutch Square, also known as the Red Square where it is surrounded by red painted buildings. It reflects the history of Melaka, the Dutch administration (the Stadthuys, Christ Church), the British colonization (Queen Victoria’s Fountain), and the Chinese settlers (Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower in honor of a generous Chinese tycoon).

The Dutch Square, Melaka

Mouse-deer statues around the roundabout at the Dutch Square

To me, the best way to get around Malacca will be on foot. There really is no better way to explore and to feel Malacca than to walk. But, if you'd rather, and prefer cycling to get around faster, then you can rent a bicycle! Some hotels offer bicycle rentals for their guests, but if they don't, you can always head to Jonker Street to rent one! There are many bicycle rental shops around, and many types of bicycles to choose from. From tandem bicycles to the normal road ones, you'd be feeling wind on your face in no time. The price of the rentals starts from RM10 for a good 6-8 hours and RM15- RM20 for the whole day!

Go by foot...

Or try to cycle "properly", like me!

Another way you can explore Malacca will be with a trishaw! It is a light three-wheeled vehicle with pedals, and they're all lined up at the Dutch Square. No, you cannot "rent" them if you're wondering as there will be a trishaw cyclist who'll be cycling you around, and at the same time, guiding you to all the touristic spots in the city. But well, I find them a tad bit too pricey. They can range from RM15-RM50, depending on the distance. 

Take your pick at the Dutch Square!

Oh, did I tell you that you can also cruise your way through Malacca too? Hahaha! The Malacca River is the river that cuts across Malacca town, on its way to the Straits of Malacca. Through this 45 minutes cruise, you'd be able to cruise past historic buildings, old warehouses (godowns), churches, and villages. You will depart at the Muara Jetty which is next to Quayside Heritage Centre, close to the Maritime Museum that is easily recognizable by the replica of the Portuguese ship "Flor De la Mar". From there, the cruise will take you upstream as far as Taman Rempah jetty where the boat then turns around and brings you back to the starting point. It is honestly one of the best ways to see the city's beauty, especially if you go during the late evening when it's a little cooler outside. Admission fees starts from RM5- RM15 depending on age, as well as if you are either a local or a tourist. 

The Melaka River Cruise

The good part about Melaka is that almost 70% of the major attractions are within a 1 km radius. This means that it is easily accessible and that you can literally walk or cycle to visit all the places of interest in more or less, a day! With that said, they'll be more time for food and shopping then! 

Here's my personal list of some places of interest that you MUST visit!

1) Jonker Street

Jonker Street is the most happening place in Malacca, if you must know. It is in the center of Chinatown and there lays a huge market where you can buy literally anything, and everything! From clothes to furniture pieces to the endless variety of street food, it will surely be a complete delight to spend the weekend there. 

2) Maritime Museum and Naval Museum Malacca

The Maritime Museum, or the Flora de Lamar is a replica of the Portuguese ship which sank in the coast of Malacca while on its way to Portugal. The replica is a staggering 34 meters in height, and 8 meters in width. The main focus of the museum is the maritime history of Malacca and the golden ages of Malacca’s Sultanate as the Emporium of the East. This museum will be a great place for people who love history and of course, for the ship fanatics, as a collection of different ship models are put on display at the museum. At the museum, you will also find exhibits of porcelain, silk, textile and spices used by the seamen in the past. Oh, and not only that, but you can also climb up to the upper deck of the ship to view the diorama of the captain cabin. Cool enough for you yet? There will be an admission fee to get into the museum though, but fret not as it is only RM1-RM3 depending on age.

3) Taman Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park

The Taman Mini Malaysia Cultural Park is situated a few kilometers outside of Melaka, near the town of Ayer Keroh. It'll probably be about a 40 minute moderate walk there from Jonker Street, so I'd suggest you take a cab there instead. You should visit this place if you have an interest in traditional architecture and the ways of life. Here, you can see, feel and touch history. In this cultural park, there will be many homes, each representing the architectural style of the 13 states in Malaysia, and is furnished with various items. From items such furniture to pieces of art which depicts the culture of each state, to the life-like figurines in their respective traditional costumes, you'd leave the place with a hell lot of knowledge! Hahaha! Ticket pricing starts from RM8- RM15.

4) St. Paul’s Church, Malacca

The ruins of this ancient church is not only popular among tourists, but also to the native people of Malaysia. This historic church was built in 1521, situated at the summit of St. Paul's Hill. This Church is now a part of the Malacca Museum Complex.

5) Christ Church, Malacca

This church was built by the Dutch when they took possession of the country. This 18th-century Anglican church in the city of Malacca, Malaysia, is the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia and is within the jurisdiction of the Lower Central Archdeaconry of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. There are 3 services held on Sunday in this church- English at 8.30am, Mandarin at 10.30am, and Malaysian (Bahasa Malaysia) at 4.30pm, so do feel free to drop by!

Malacca is also a food haven. With the river just a stone's throw away, seafood served there are always fresh! So, what are some of the must try food in Malacca? Well, they're all in the picture below! Just walk around Jonker Street and you'll find everything you need there. From Chicken Rice Balls to Satay Celup, Nyonya Kuih's to Satay's, Coconut Milkshake to boiled Cockle's, you'd be craving for more! Feeling hungry yet?

The famous Chicken Rice Balls

Satay Celup

Nyonya Kuih's

Boiled Lala's and Cockles

Overview

And finally, without further ado, I'll be reviewing about my stay in 1825 Gallery Hotel, Melaka, Malaysia! As usual, I'll start with the overview on the place. So, 1825 Gallery Hotel is a relatively new boutique hotel. It is situated at 27, Jalan Bunga Raya, 75100 Malacca, Malaysia and it is along the Malacca River. This hotel is about a 10 minute walk to Jonker Street, and within a 15 minute drive to Melaka Sentral, the largest public transportation terminal in Malacca City.

The front entrance of the 1825 Gallery Hotel

The morning view of the back entrance of 1825 Gallery Hotel

The night view of the back entrance of 1825 Gallery Hotel

I checked-in on the 15th of May, 2016 and it was RM690 for a 2 night stay in their Executive Suite and the price was inclusive of tax and service charge. 

The waiting area at the 1825 Gallery Hotel

Indoor fish pond making the atmosphere that much more cozy

The Executive Suite

The Executive Suite is a 33m² room with only a choice of 1 extra large-double bed. The room is extremely spacious with comfortable bedding, soundproof walls and an amazing view of the river. A flat-screen TV, a wardrobe, a safe, a coffee & tea maker and of course, WiFi is provided.

The Executive Suite

The view from the balcony at night

The Bathroom
The Executive Suite bathroom is just amazing. It is almost as big as the room itself! It comes with 2 basins on a counter, a Jacuzzi with river view, and a standing shower! The bathroom is so big that I needed to take 2 pictures to show you guys! Oh, and the blinds infront of the Jacuzzi? They're motorized. How cool is that? 

The basin area and Jacuzzi at one end

The toilet bowl and standing shower at the other end

The motorized blind

During my stay, their on-site restaurant was yet to be opened, and so I had no chance to see how splendid it would've been. But fret not as I'll definitely be back to review it! So, to make it up to you readers, I have personally taken a video of the hotel just for you guys, so enjoy!

A 1 minute video of the room

Facilities and Services include:

• Garden
• Bar
• 24-hour Front Desk

Check-in time: From 2pm

Check-out time: Until 12pm

I would rate this hotel an 8.5/10 as not only the rooms are spacious, but the bathroom is just amazing and the staff are all really friendly too. The plus point of this hotel would be how easy it is to get to Jonker Street- you exit through the back entrance and follow the river on your right, all till the end, and tada, you're at Jonker's Street! I hope this has helped you narrow down your options if you're looking for a place to stay around Malacca, Malaysia! Till then! 

Disclaimer: This write-up and the opinions shared are all mine. I was not paid to promote or to review this hotel whatsoever. Some pictures provided are mine, while some have been taken from the web.