Furama RiverFront Hotel, Singapore

HOTEL RATING: 7/10

Hello, my dear readers! (If I even have any.) I'm back with a new blog post, so sit back, read up, and do feel free to drop any comments at the bottom of this post! 

Overview

Today, I'll be talking about the Furama RiverFront Hotel in Singapore, and here's an overview of the place. So, this hotel is apparently a 4-star hotel that is an example of traditional architecture that was opened in 1973, and was then fully restored in 2008. It is situated on 405 Havelock Road, Singapore, and it is a 15-minute walk from the Chinatown MRT Station (North East Line a.k.a Purple Line). When walking in to the hotel lobby, you will be greeted by beautiful marble columns and a souvenir shop that is located in the hotel lobby itself.

The Furama RiverFront Hotel, Singapore

The entrance to the hotel lobby, and the souvenir shop's on your right

So, I checked-in at this grand looking hotel on the 10th of October, 2015.

It was 316SGD for a 2 night stay in their Superior Room, and the price was inclusive of tax and service charge, which would mean that it would be RM942 after converting the currency to MYR at a 2.98 high. 

The Superior Room

The Superior Room or Double Room is a 30sqm room with a choice of either 2 single beds, or a double bed. The room looks exactly like the one shown below, and I got the room that overlooked the city. It was a pretty good view, I'd say. And right in front of the bed on the table is a flat-screen TV and a work desk that has ample space for you to do your work. A mini bar, a safe, a coffee & tea maker, and WiFi is provided as well. 

The Superior Room

  

A picture of me still in bed, and the work desk

The Bathroom

The Superior Room's bathroom surprisingly came with not only a standing shower, but a bathtub as well. A beautiful set of toiletries and a hair dryer is also provided on the spacious basin area. Since were's talking about spacious basin areas, hands down if you know someone who likes displaying all their toiletries on the counter, because I sure do know a few. Hahaha! 

The beautiful toiletries provided that I just couldn't get over how pretty they were

The bathroom equipped with a standing shower and basin area

Below is a short video that I took of the room. It was actually supposed to be a Snapchat video for a friend of mine, but I thought that sharing it here would be a good idea as well to let you guys know what to expect from the place. 

A short video of the room

Facilities and Services include:

• 2 Restaurants On Site
• Sun Deck
• Swimming Pool
• Hot Tub/ Jacuzzi 
• Fitness Center
• Airport Shuttle Service
• Front Desk Services- 24-hour Front Desk, Baggage Storage

Check-in time: From 2pm

Check-out time: Until 12pm

 I would rate this hotel a 7/10 because this hotel's location seems to be a little out of the way to many places, and the hotel's website could be updated with more pictures and information as it was a really pleasant surprise when I opened the door to the room because it was not at all like what I has pictured in mind based on the website. But apart from that, the concierge and the door keeper was really friendly and helpful. I hope this post has helped you narrow down your options if you're looking for a place to stay around Singapore! 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. 4 pictures posted in this post are not mine as they have been taken from the web.

Empire Hotel, Subang Jaya, Malaysia

HOTEL RATING: 8/10

Greetings, my dear readers! Today, I'll be reviewing about my stay at Empire Hotel, Subang! So, I've stayed in this hotel for a couple of times now since the middle of last year and I've never been disappointed, or at least, not yet. Hahaha!

Overview

Well, here's a little overview of the place. Empire Hotel is a boutique hotel located in the shopping mall itself called the Empire Shopping Gallery. It is in the business district of Subang Jaya, and to be more precise, it is situated at Jalan SS16/1, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor. It is about an 8 to 10-minute walk from the nearby Subang Jaya train station which is a big plus point if you plan to head down to the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur.

Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang Jaya

For all 3 times that I've stayed in Empire Hotel, I stayed in their Premier Essential and the price ranged from RM210-RM280 per night, excluding taxes and breakfast. Do keep in mind that the rate fluctuates especially during the weekends and during peak periods, so be smart and survey the dates that the rates are at its lowest, and of course, the deals that the hotel, or some websites have to offer. 

The Premier Essential Double or Twin Room
The Premier Essential is a 34m² room and it looks exactly like the one in the picture below except that all 3 times that I've checked-in, there was never once a vase of flowers. So do take note. Of all my stays there, I never once had a view. My room was always facing either the back of some building, or a wall. Hahaha! You can opt for either a twin-sharing bed or a single King size bed. Empire Hotel states that they use exclusive spring mattresses which I'm not really used to as my bed at home is much more cushy compared to their spring mattresses. But really, it's all personal preference. Right in front of the bed on the wall is a 32" Samsung LCD TV, and of course, WiFi is provided.

The Premier Essential King size bed

Work Desk and Wardrobe Area

The picture below is the work desk and wardrobe area. It really is spacious and hella comfortable. (I rushed an assignment there once at 2am. Yay to being a last minute kind of person.) You can also do your ironing here as an iron & ironing board is provided. A safe box, mini bar, and coffee & tea maker is also provided and they're all organized and kept in their own compartments in the wardrobe. Ahhhh, it does make life easier, you know? Oh, they do provide a bathrobe and a slipper too. Yes, just one each so do request for another one if you need to use them.

Work desk and wardrobe area 

The Bathroom 

This is the bathroom. They do provide toiletries and enough towels so fret not. A mini hair dryer is also provided but it is the kind where it's fastened on the wall. For all Premier Essential rooms, only a standing shower is provided, and a frosted glass wall divides the bathroom and the bedroom, so don't worry about getting peeked from the bedroom. But, but, but, what you should know is that I realized that the doors to the bathroom do NOT have a lock. No locks. Nada. Just a wooden sliding door. So if you're staying with friends or anyone, then really, it's all about your trust game. Hahaha!

The spacious bathroom with frosted glass walls

Facilities and Services include:

• 2 Restaurants On Site
• In Room Dining
• Swimming Pool
• Fitness Center
• Airport Shuttle Services
• Front Desk Services- 24-hour Front Desk, Baggage Storage

Check-in time: From 2pm

Check-out time: Until 12pm

Daily housekeeping will start at 2pm, but if you're still in the room at that time, you can always call to arrange for them to come later but preferably before 6pm as housekeeping ends at that time. I would definitely rate this hotel an 8/10 as not only the rooms are inviting, but the staffs are all friendly too, and this hotel is easily accessible and close to many eateries. I hope this has helped you narrow down your options if you're looking for a place to stay 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. All pictures posted in this post are not mine as they have been taken from the web.

Welcome To A Diary Of A Hodophile!

Hi! My name's Tasha Chin, and I'm the one running this humble blog. It was a really spontaneous idea to start one, hence, most of the picture's especially the ones dated back to last year will be retrieved from some websites here and there. But what I can assure you is that those pictures that I'll be sharing will be exactly like the one I've stayed in, or have been to. I cross my heart, and hope to die. Hahaha! Do feel free to drop your comments down below, or ask about things that I'd be more than happy to tell you about. 

Stay tuned! xx