After the past two years of staying in Regalodge Hotel during our annual "balik kampong" trip, this year I decided to book a different hotel. It wasn't because we weren't happy with Regalodge, it was just that we wanted to try some place new.
I checked the various hotel options on Agoda and finally settled for MH Hotel @ Ipoh because of its location. It's a 3-star hotel with 111 rooms spread over 20 floors with a user rating of 7.4 (I use this rating as a guide...7 - 8 is Very Good, 8 is considered Excellent and I usually wouldn't consider anything below 7).
This is what greets you as you walk into the hotel. Service is warm and friendly...and attentive. The staff warmly welcomes and greets you each time too (and never fails to open the door for you).
The cost for one night's stay in a deluxe premier room was around RM250 nett. Checking in was a breeze and took less than 5 minutes.
I must say that the room was a lot more spacious than the one in Regalodge and there was lots of table space. Room was big enough to be furnished with a single seat sofa and small side table (handy if you intend to order room service...hehe!).
The clothing cupboard was a bit peculiar as it was "doorless" but I actually prefer it this way since it's so convenient. Another plus was the full length mirror. The lights were a bit dim as there was just one main hanging light near the TV (Astro channels are limited though) and one in the doorway other than two small bedside lights.
What I liked about the bathroom was the separate glass shower compartment and large shower-head with great water pressure. This also helps to ensure other parts of the bathroom stays dry. I'm one of those who dislikes bathtubs...and, in Regalodge, we were given that! >.< What I didn't fancy was the hair dryer attached to the bathroom (I would have preferred it to be in the room). All toiletries are provided including toothbrush and toothpaste.
View from our room on the 9th floor (early morning prior to breakfast)
Another amenity provided by the hotel to their guests was the free flow of refreshments (coffee, tea & water) and snacks (biscuits & candies) at MH Lyfe (up to 9pm daily).
You can come in and help yourself to the coffee/tea and snacks all day long. We enjoyed our free coffee but nasi lemak bungkus (packet) is payable @ RM3 (and it's available for room service at the same price).
When we checked in, we were given a complimentary voucher for free ice cream at MH Lyfe which can be redeemed only once though.
Since we enjoyed the nasi lemak, we decided to order room service on another night and had their meehoon and kway teow goreng bungkus @ RM3 each. You can add-on a hot drink...Nescafe, Milo or Teh Tarik for just RM2. What a bargain! Now, where can you get room service for only RM8 (okay-lah, RM10 with tips)....hehe! ;D And, mind you, the noodle packets were fairly huge portions...the fried kway teow even came with a large prawn...what....for RM3! O_o They'll even warm it up for you before sending it to your room.
There's also a Chinese restaurant (located next door) which can be accessed from the hotel lobby itself. I can't remember the name since I didn't dine there.
Free parking is available on three floors (levels 2, 3 & 4) for guests and we had no problem finding parking space on level 2 itself whenever we returned to our hotel. The parking pass is just a simple note left on your car dashboard for a hassle-free, uninterrupted parking throughout your stay.
As I booked my hotel (through Agoda) rather late this year (about a month before Chinese New Year), I couldn't find one with an option without breakfast, so the room rate came bundled with breakfast and I had to eat breakfast at the hotel for 3 consecutive mornings (that'll be in a separate post).
My Personal Opinion
For me, it was worth paying an extra RM70 on top of Regalodge Hotel's rate of RM180....and these are my top 5 reasons why:
1. Room was a lot more spacious & had better furnishings.
2. Separate shower compartment (with great water pressure) in bathroom.
3. Cheap room service @ MH Lyfe & McDonald's (next door) to cater to night time snacking.
4. Buffet breakfast (included in room tariff) was pleasant with a good enough variety.
5. Located less than 5 minutes away from my spouse's family home.
All in all, it was a good stay (good enough amenities for the price we paid) and you may want to give this hotel a go the next time you visit Ipoh. It'll probably be our choice for next year as well....it could be yours too! ;)
All in all, it was a good stay (good enough amenities for the price we paid) and you may want to give this hotel a go the next time you visit Ipoh. It'll probably be our choice for next year as well....it could be yours too! ;)
MH Hotel
PT 212695B Jalan Medan Ipoh 1A
Medan Ipoh Bistari
31400 Ipoh
Perak
Tel: 05-545 1000
This hotel sounds like a superb choice. So far I have only stayed in Excelsior hotel, Heritage hotel and the old Casuarina hotel ipoh that is known as impiana hotel ipoh now but they are all old hotels so yours is much better as it is new. I like the freeflow snacks up to 9pm. Can't wait to see what breakfast they offer daily.
ReplyDeleteActually, the hotel is also not all that new (since 2008 but refurbished in 2013) but comfortable enough.
DeleteWhat the... RM 3 for room service food??? Why don't more of such hotels show up?! Kill those big boys' monopoly!!
ReplyDeleteI was shocked too when I found out. Initially, I went to the cafe to "tapau" only to find out they can deliver the food to your room....at the same price! O_o
DeleteI really like the free flow of refreshments and snacks at the in-house cafe. That would make the guests very happy. I don't know if I would ever have a chance to go to Ipoh and if I do, I'll keep MH Hotel in mind.
ReplyDeleteThe free flow refreshments and snacks is a nice touch for those who happen to be in the hotel a fair bit. I went only once during my 3 nights stay...to redeem the free ice cream and that was it! ;D
DeleteI like the rate. Very affordable;)
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed.
Deletesounds good ... the last time i was at ipoh, i stayed at sekeping, and it was ok, but the location was a bit noisy at times, so i might prefer a more tranquil hotel next time ;)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I don't think I'd like Sekeping Kong Heng....great to take photos in but not my idea of comfort...hehe! ;D
DeleteYou didn't show us the photo of the bed :P
ReplyDeleteThe cafe looks lovely decorated though~
Huh? What's there to see...a bed is a bed...haha! :D It's a very small cafe with an alfresco area.
DeleteI concern about the look of the bed, so silly I know, haha!
DeleteI don't like wet bathrooms either, and good strong water pressure is a must.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a good bath to sooth out a tired body ;)
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