Sunday, 5 October 2014

A brand new capsule hotel just opened…in Malaysia | RocketNews24 - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

A brand new capsule hotel just opened…in Malaysia | RocketNews24 - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

A brand new capsule hotel just opened…in Malaysia | RocketNews24

Posted: 20 Jun 2014 01:57 AM PDT

Capsule hotels were something of an anomaly when first introduced to the world through pictures taken in Japan. But it seems the compact rental sleeping areas are catching on abroad. If you thought Japan was the only place you could crawl into a compartment just longer than your body, you'll be surprised to find that you can now have a similar claustrophobic experience in Malaysia.

Conveniently located in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA2), "Capsule" by eco-friendly hotel chain, Container Hotel, is a capsule hotel designed for short overnight stays or quick freshen ups between flights. It is the very first of its kind in Malaysia and has a somewhat industrial feel to it.

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▼ It almost looks like a warehouse, complete with shipping crate-style walls.

The official Capsule by Container Hotel website asserts that their hotel is "great for a short stay, and for people who are trendsetters, value-smart, and eager to experience a Capsule styled lodging without worrying about lengthy stop-over." Judging from the photos, each sleeping compartment looks pretty comfortable, with even a small "entryway" to place your slippers.

▼ It has a very sleek, minimalist feel. reservation2

Each capsule comes with a few convenient amenities (though no TV like the capsule hotels in Japan):

•   2 Pillows
•   Foldable table
•   Hangers
•   Individual ventilation
•   Privacy blind
•   Personal locker / drawer
•   Reading light
•   Power socket
•   Phone (self-setting alarm calls enabled)

However, hallways and corridors of the hotel look like something straight out of a sci-fi thriller.

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But despite its somewhat creepy design, there are a number of other common-area features listed on the website to make you feel nice and comfortable:

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If you find yourself with a lot of time to spend in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the check-in process to start your "hassle-free, artful, and unique experience" is easy. Simply receive your access card, locker key, and amenity bag with towel at the front desk. Next, place your belongings in your locker and exchange your shoes for a pair of slippers. From there, you're free to use the hotel's showers, common areas, or crawl into your cubby hole for some rest.

▼ Washroom reservation4

▼ Showers reservation3

A three, six, or twelve hour stay is priced at RM45 (US$14), RM70 ($21), and RM90 ($28); a very reasonable price even considering the small size of the accommodations. Reservations are encouraged, so be sure to stop by the Capsule website prior to your stay. With clean facilities, convenient amenities, and a very reasonable price, we wonder if more international hotels will take a cue from Capsule by Container Hotel and bring this Japanese-original even further abroad.

Images: Capsule Container

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Flavours of Malaysia 2014 at The Grace Hotel | Penguin says Feed Me - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Flavours of Malaysia 2014 at The Grace Hotel | Penguin says Feed Me - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Flavours of Malaysia 2014 at The Grace Hotel | Penguin says Feed Me

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 05:37 PM PDT

I've never been to Malaysia before but judging from Malaysians' passionate relationship with food, I think I'd fit right in. Malaysia's love of food was clearly evident at the launch of the Flavours of Malaysia buffet at The Grace Hotel, where there was an incredible spread of Malaysian food created by three Malaysian chefs who were specially flown in for the event.

Here's a taste of what was on offer:

Cold salads

DIY Rojak and Pasembor salads

The cold section held a number of salads, including a DIY Rojak (mixed fruit salad with a prawn paste sauce) and Pasembor (mixed vegetable salad with peanut sauce). There were also a few salads that I'd never seen before, like a glass noodle salad with coconut and prawn, and a tripe salad.

Beef and chicken satay skewers
Freshly cooked Beef and chicken satays were being pumped out from the kitchen throughout the night. You have to be quick because as soon as a fresh batch appears, they'll disappear in a flash! The beef satay was particularly tasty, especially with the peanut sauce.

Egg and onion omelette

Making roti jala

Around the middle of the buffet was a roti station where two chefs were continually churning out fresh roti jala (a rolled up, lacy crepe) and roti canai. These were super popular especially when they were still hot, and the chefs could barely keep up with the demand!

Roti station

There was so much to try that I knew I had to ration my portions of each item if I was to get through them all, so I tried to get a little bit of everything for my first plate.

Satay skewers with peanut sauce

Assortment of curries

There's a good range of hot dishes like sambal udang (prawn in chilli sauce), beef rendang, a vegetable and lentil curry, kari ayam (chicken curry), fish curry, chicken in soy sauce and even sambal pineapple which was something totally new to me!

Sambal Nanas (Pineapple in sambal sauce)

Beef Rendang

For noodle lovers, there is a har mee station where chefs will make a fresh bowl of har mee for you. You can also choose your toppings (fish cake, egg, prawns, bean sprouts) as well as the type of noodles that you want. The soup base was quite fragrant with prawn but the prawn taste itself was quite muted. It did have a decent amount of chilli in it though and packed quite a punch!

Har mee station

Fresh bowl of har mee

I had my eyes on the dessert section all night with the brightly coloured kueh and a selection of toppings for DIY Ais Kacang! These were definitely the highlight for me and we loaded up our plates with the layered kueh lapis, balls of onde onde which exploded with palm sugar syrup, and other coconutty kueh. There were also some hot desserts like fried banana and a fried yam and sweet potato cake, but I couldn't stop going back for more kueh.

Dessert station

Onde Onde

Kueh Lapis

Angkoo

Serimuka

Flavours of Malaysia is on at The Grace Hotel from September 25th to October 12th. Prices start from $38pp for lunch on Tuesday to Friday, and $48pp for Friday and Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch. Check out The Grace Hotel's website for more details.

Penguin says Feed Me dined at the Flavours of Malaysia buffet courtesy of The Grace Hotel

The Grace Hotel
77 York Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: +61 2 9272 6670
Buffet Lunch: Tuesday to Friday 12pm-2m, Sunday 12.30pm-2.30pm
Buffet Dinner: Friday and Saturday 6pm-9pm

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Hotel Review: Gaya Island Resort, Sabah, Malaysia - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Hotel Review: Gaya Island Resort, Sabah, Malaysia - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Hotel Review: Gaya Island Resort, Sabah, Malaysia

Posted: 30 Sep 2014 01:38 AM PDT

Gaya Island Resort, a luxury resort by YTL Hotels is located in Sabah within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu and the shores of Pulau Gaya. Beautiful sandy beaches and lush rainforest paired with luxurious accommodation and great hospitality makes Gaya Island Resort a wonderful holiday destination for all.

Gaya Island Resort is ideal for families, couples or simply anyone looking for a memorable vacation.

A few months back, we were here for a family getaway and we had a truly amazing time. My kids were so mesmerized by the whole experience and we definitely made many memories which we can fondly look back on in future.

To get to Gaya Island Resort from Kuala Lumpur, you can either fly via Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia to Kota Kinabalu International Resort. Private transfers via luxury sedan or MPV for families between Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Sutera Harbour Marina can be arranged. We were then escorted to the lounge and refreshed with a welcome treat (lovely sorbet) while being checked in to the resort. Then, it is another 10-15 minutes ride in a speedboat to the resort.

Sutera Harbour Marina

On the speedboat - towards Gaya Island Resort

We were greeted by a natural sanctuary nestled in the hillside of an ancient rainforest with a stunning outline of Mount Kinabalu on the horizon. Breathtaking! There are a total of 121 villas and suites, set amidst lush greenery. The resort's architecture respects local Sabahan elements, by using local materials and blending harmoniously with the natural environment while villa interiors are designed with a contemporary elegance.

We have arrived!

There are 3 types of villas here - Bayu Villa, Canopy Villa and Kinabalu Villa, each offering a different view (either the mangrove, canopy, tropical rainforest and the South China Sea). There is also a 188square metre 2-bedroom Suria Suite.

Luxurious, comfortable beds

Large bath tub and two vanity units in each villa

Mangosteen toiletries

We stayed in the Kinabalu Villa, which has the best views in the resort of the South China Sea, and on a clear day, Mount Kinabalu can also be seen. The 47 square metre villa is luxuriously appointed and features a spacious bedroom, a writing desk, a safe box, a flat screen television with satellite channels, a large open bathroom with an oversized bathtub and two vanity units, and an outdoor verandah with day beds. There is complimentary wifi in the resort, however in the villas, connection may be temperamental.

Outdoor verandah, perfect for chilling

View from our room

Our kids were very excited when they saw their beautiful room and the huge bathtub (which they spent hours in on rainy evenings!). We also love waking up early in the mornings (before 6am!) to catch the sunrise and on our last morning, we were rewarded with a view of Mount Kinabalu plus a beautiful sunrise.

Beautiful sunrise

As Gaya Island Resort is committed to minimise the carbon footprint within its environment, it is therefore a walking resort. From the resort lobby/beach front to our villa is a 10-minute leisurely walk. There is a 40-metre lap pool with floating cabanas fronting the beach and a wading pool for the kids at Gaya Island Resort. Every morning after breakfast, our kids would go down to the beach by the Feast Village and play in the sand or just run at the beach. So peaceful here! Do remember to bring your sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

Pool

Pretty girl by the pool

Happy moments

Beautiful, clean beaches

Jump if you're happy!

Other than the main beach, there is also another private beach at Tavajun Bay. This tranquil beach is a 5-minute boat ride from the resort. Lunch is available here from 12.00pm to 3.30pm or a picnic basket could be arranged. At Tavajun Bay you will also find the Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre which main goals are turtle rescue and rehabilitation, coral reef restoration and conservation through education.

There is also a Library located between the Gymnasium and Feast Village and several relaxation chambers for those who want some quiet time. Board games are available at the library. There is also a kids play room as well as KuRi-KuRi (meaning 'play' in the local Bajau language) Kids Club whereby half day programmes are available to keep young adventurers occupied with activities and games designed to nurture creativity and educate on the natural surroundings.

In the resort, there are a myriad of dining selections. Feast Village offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, Pool Bar & Lounge offers a light bite for lunch as well as evening cocktails, and Fisherman's Cove serves fresh seafood for dinner (children under 16 not allowed).

Feast Village

Fisherman's Cove, serving fresh seafood with a view of the sea and Mount Kinabalu

There are also a host of interesting and unique activities to experience the cultural heritage of the region such as snorkelling explorations, guided nature walks, The Borneo Culinary Journey and Singgah Singgarung. Singgah Singgarung showcases the traditional Borneo life,thorugh native arts, leaf-weaving, traditional bamboo dance as well as trying local snacks and a local rice wine called lihing. There is also a Spa Village at the resort, a unique spa hideaway set in the mangroves which offer treatments that reflect the cultural healing traditions of Sabah's indigeneous people.

Learning how to make local handicrafts from leaves

Tribal games

Guided nature walk

Our green friend

Daniel's first snorkelling experience

With resident marine biologist, Scott Mayback who was also our snorkelling guide

Kadazan Tribal Dinner, a private dining experience whereby we were treated to a tribal-style BBQ (moved indoors to Feast Village due to the rain) with live entertainment (Kadazan music, fire-eater and shooting with a blowpipe)

Fresh seafood

The Borneo Culinary Journey - a fun cooking class which we thoroughly enjoyed

Spa Village Gaya Island - for a pampering, relaxing experience

Thank you to YTL Hotels for this wonderful experience.

See other posts related to Gaya Island Resort here:
Hello from Paradise!
Gaya Island Marine Centre
Feast Village
Pool Bar & Lounge
The Borneo Culinary Journey
Spa Village Gaya Island

Website: http://www.gayaislandresort.com/

Location: Gaya Island Resort, Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia.

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Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Sunday, 5 October 2014