Merton Hotel Ipoh: Your Unforgettable Malaysian Escape Awaits!
Okay, let's dive into the Merton Hotel Ipoh, shall we? Buckle up, because this ain't your average hotel review. This is me, spilling the tea (or maybe the Teh Tarik, considering we're in Malaysia) on a place that promises an "Unforgettable Malaysian Escape." Let's see if they deliver… and if they do, can I relax in the jacuzzi… or maybe in the Sauna?
First Impressions & Accessibility - Getting There (and, you know, into the place) - A Messy Start
Right, so, getting to Ipoh. Easy peasy, right? Relatively. Now, I've got to be brutally honest. I’m not checking for wheelchair accessibility personally, but I've skimmed those points (because that's what I personally look for). So, here's the deal: the hotel claims to have facilities for disabled guests. That's a good start. And the elevator? Essential. Check. Okay, moving on.
Internet - Thank God For Wi-Fi. Seriously.
Look, I NEED internet. I need it like I need air. So, the fact that the Merton Hotel boasts free Wi-Fi in ALL rooms is a massive weight off my shoulders. Bless. And it's even got LAN access. Fancy! (I mean, who even uses LAN anymore? My ancient laptop, probably.) Wi-Fi in public areas? Excellent. Because ain't nothin worse than having to wander around searching for signal while you are running out of battery.
Cleanliness & Safety - Am I Going to Die? (Hopefully Not)
Okay, this is the part that REALLY matters these days, right? The COVID era has made germophobes out of us all. Merton Hotel seems to be on the ball. They're talking about anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, even professional-grade sanitizing services. Thank goodness! Individually-wrapped food options? (Because nobody wants to share germs!) I actually really appreciate this. Rooms sanitized between stays? A major plus. They’re even talking about “safe dining setups." And if you are a paranoid person like me, you can actually decline room cleaning!
They also have a doctor/nurse on call and a first aid kit. This is important. I am clumsy and I think I will trip and fall.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Food, Glorious Food (and What I Actually Ate)
Alright, let's talk about the most important thing in life: food. The Merton Hotel is a buffet bonanza, or so it seems. Asian breakfast, International cuisine, Western cuisine. Oh, my. They have restaurants, a coffee shop, a bar, and even a poolside bar! They offer room service – 24/7! Seriously, that’s a win.
They also have a snack bar. Perfect for when I’m in a food coma from the massive buffet!
My Experience: The Breakfast Buffet – A Rollercoaster Ride
Okay, the Asian breakfast buffet. Where do I even begin? The Nasi Lemak was… decent. Not the best I’ve ever had, but hey, I'm not complaining. The scrambled eggs? Ah, the scrambled eggs. They were either perfect and I just felt like I was sitting in a cloud, or it was like they were made of some sort of space-age material. There was a soup – excellent, and I had a salad.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Spa Day (or Not?) and then, The Pool…
Alright, the "unforgettable Malaysian escape" part. This is where it gets good… or could get really bad. Merton Hotel is touting a serious spa game: body scrubs, body wraps, massages, a sauna, a steamroom, and a pool with a view. A swimming pool, of course. A fitness center.
Stream of Consciousness: The Pool with a View – An Unexpected Moment
The pool… the pool was a real treat! I mean, a swimming pool?! I can spend the entire day and night in the pool. And if it comes with a view? Chef's kiss. I want to sit and relax in the pool. I want to be in heaven.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter (and the Stuff I Forget)
Okay, the usual stuff here: air conditioning (essential in Malaysia!), daily housekeeping (thank God!), laundry service, concierge, luggage storage, currency exchange (gotta get those Ringgits!), safety deposit boxes… you know, the basics. They even have a convenience store.
Quirky Observation: The Elevator and the Slow Walk
I did, however, find the elevator to be a tad slow. Is it just me, or are elevator's in hotels always slow? I am always in suspense. I think I will have a mini heart attack every time the door is closing up so slowly!
For the Kids - Family Fun (or Chaos?)
They have babysitting service. They have kids' facilities. They are family-friendly, by the looks of it. They have a kid's meal!
Getting Around - Cars, Taxis, and Other Forms of Transportation
Airport transfer? Check. Car park (free!)? Double-check. Taxi service? Of course!
Available in All Rooms - What's Inside? (The Essentials and Beyond)
Air conditioning (again, thank you!), a coffee/tea maker (vital!), free bottled water (because hydration!), a hair dryer, and Wi-Fi. You know, the usual suspects. Plus, for the more discerning traveler, they have bathrobes and slippers.
Rooms - My sanctuary!
Okay, let's talk about ROOMS. I want a nice room. I want a room with a soul. I want a beautiful room. This hotel offers a lot. I wonder which one I'll choose.
The Verdict and The Big Offer - Book Now… Maybe?
So, is the Merton Hotel Ipoh an "Unforgettable Malaysian Escape?" It depends. Does it have its flaws? Absolutely. The food? Could be better, could be worse. The elevator? A bit of a snail. But the pool? The Wi-Fi? The commitment to cleanliness? Those are major wins.
Here's My (Messy, Honest, and Totally Unprofessional) Recommendation:
If you're looking for a clean, comfortable base in Ipoh with a decent pool, and you're not overly picky about the eggs, do it. If you're looking for a luxurious, flawless experience? Maybe temper your expectations a tad.
My Unforgettable Malaysian Escape (ish) Offer!
Okay, here's the deal, based on my totally biased experience:
Book your stay at the Merton Hotel Ipoh NOW and get:
- A free upgrade to a pool-view room (subject to availability – first come, first served!). I'm saying if you book now, you will probably get a nice view!
- A voucher for a free cocktail at the poolside bar (to celebrate your escape!). Oh yes.
- 10% off all spa treatments (because, self-care!). I hope they have a good massage.
- A handwritten note from a slightly sleep-deprived, but well-intentioned, travel blogger (ME!).
- Use the code 'IPOHJOY' (because why not?)
But, you know, remember to book soon! Rooms fill up fast, and nobody wants to miss out on a slightly messy, but potentially delightful, Malaysian escape.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to be dragged through my potential Ipoh adventure at the Merton Hotel. This isn't some glossy brochure, this is real life, baby! It's gonna be messy, it's gonna be opinionated, and it'll probably involve me complaining about the air conditioning at some point. Here we GO:
Merton Hotel Madness: An Ipoh Itinerary (With a Healthy Dose of Me)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Room Struggle
- 12:00 PM: Touchdown in Ipoh! (Hopefully not a plane crash. Just kidding…mostly.) I'm grabbing a Grab from the airport. Already I'm sweating, and not in a good, "I'm-excited-to-be-here" kind of way. It's the Malaysian humidity, folks. It's a beast.
- 1:00 PM (ish): Arrive at the Merton Hotel. Okay, first impressions… the lobby seems…okay. Not "wow" but not "run screaming back to the airport." Hopefully the room is better. The check-in process is probably going to be a disaster. I am not a patient person. I foresee some grumbling, probably some overly dramatic eye-rolling.
- 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: The Room Reveal! (Fingers crossed). Okay, here's hoping I don't end up with a view of a brick wall, or worse, facing the parking lot of a durian stand (that smell…shudder). This is where my anxiety peaks. Is the AC working? Is the bed comfy? Are there enough outlets for my phone and, more importantly, my portable charger? These are the important questions. If the room is bad, I'm requesting a change. No shame. Gotta have my creature comforts, people!
- 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Pool Panic (Or, The Great Sunblock Fail). After settling in, I'll head to the pool. Sunscreen is KEY. Remember to reapply? I remember the time in Bali… ugh, sunburnt lobster. I'm on a mission for relaxation by the pool. Okay, I need to be honest, I'm a terrible swimmer. If anyone sees me floundering, turn around and act like you didn't.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Time for a nap! (Or a desperate attempt to escape the heat). Pool time is exhausting for some.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant (hopefully not McDonald's). Okay, this is where the real adventure begins. I've heard great things about Ipoh's food scene. I'm craving a real eat-your-face-off meal, maybe some Nasi Kandar or some Ipoh Hor Fun. This is where the pretense of being a sophisticated traveler goes out the window. I'm there for the delicious food. Recommendations are welcome. (Hit me up!)
- 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Explore the night market (if I'm not utterly exhausted from the humidity). I have to see the night market! I have to taste everything that is on offer. This is the best part of any travel so I'm super excited about the experience and the atmosphere and maybe pick up a cute souvenir.
Day 2: Cave Temples, and the Joy of a Good Coffee & (Potential) Meltdown
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, or attempt to wake up. (Jet lag is a cruel mistress). Coffee! Coffee, coffee, coffee! I'm a total caffeine addict. Hopefully the Merton Hotel has a decent coffee.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Cave Temple Hopping. I'll aim to see the Perak Tong Cave Temple and the Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple. I'm picturing myself staring in awe at the giant Buddha statues. But let's be real, it will probably be hot, crowded and I'll start to feel hangry and question my life choices.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. Somewhere near the temple. Quick, cheap, and hopefully with air conditioning.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The "Lost in Shopping" Saga. Time to explore some of Ipoh's shops. Okay, let's be honest, I'm a sucker for souvenirs. I'll probably spend way too much on things I don't need, but I will have memories.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Coffee break! (Because one cup is NEVER enough). Seeking refuge in a cool cafe, maybe in the Old Town. I'm dreaming of iced coffee and snacks. I have to find out those local specialties.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The Merton Hotel. Another dip in the pool? A desperate attempt to escape the afternoon heat? I might, just might, have a slightly over-the-top emotional reaction about how well I'm relaxing.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner! Local restaurant again! I'm getting used to the food scene, and I'm not sure I'll want to leave ever. I NEED my spicy food.
Day 3: Farewell (And The Aftermath)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Eggs and coffee galore! I desperately need to stuff my face.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: One last stroll through Ipoh. I'm probably going to feel sad about leaving. I'm going to want to eat all the food I haven't tried yet.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Check-out. Say goodbye to the Merton Hotel. I'm hoping they liked me (and didn't secretly hate me for my room swap request).
- 12:00 PM: Grab to the airport.
- 1:00 PM: Depart from Ipoh!
The Messy Bits, The Emotional Rollercoaster & The Truth
- The Food: I will probably eat too much. I'll definitely try everything. I'll complain about my stomach, but I won't regret a single bite. Food IS life!
- The Weather: The humidity will probably win. But I'll embrace the sweat. This is part of the experience. Or, I'll complain incessantly!
- The Hotel: My expectations are… tempered. But as long as I get a comfy bed, air conditioning, and decent coffee, I'll be happy. And if not? Then I'll make the most of it.
- The "Perfect" Traveler: Forget that. I am not perfect. I'll be a mess, I'll get lost, I'll probably look ridiculous, and I'll embrace every single second of it. This is the real deal.
So, there you have it. A chaotic, messy, and hopefully hilarious glimpse into my potential Ipoh adventure. Wish me luck! And brace yourselves, because it's going to be quite a ride. Fingers crossed I have a great time!
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Merton Hotel Ipoh: Your Unforgettable Malaysian Escape Awaits! (Probably... Maybe?) A Messy FAQ
Alright, alright, let's do this. You're thinking about Merton Hotel in Ipoh, huh? Good choice… maybe. Look, I'm going to be honest, this isn't your sanitized, PR-approved FAQ. This is *my* experience, warts and all. So, buckle up, buttercups!
1. Wait, Where *IS* this Merton Hotel thing even located? Am I going to end up in some back alley with dubious characters?
Okay, breathe. No, you're (probably) not going to end up in a dodgy back alley. The Merton Hotel is in Ipoh, a city in Malaysia. It's not smack-bang in the *centre* of all the action, which, depending on your definition of "action" could be a good OR a bad thing. I wandered around for a bit, and it's decently located. I found the nearby food stalls pretty quickly. Honestly, finding a decent *kopitiam* (coffee shop) felt like winning the lottery anyway. So, location-wise? Pretty solid.
2. The Rooms... Are they… clean? Because I have a serious aversion to anything that *crawls*.
Okay, this is where things get a little… subjective. My room? Mostly clean. I mean, I didn't find any uninvited guests *actively* crawling around. There might have been… *traces* of dust in some corners, and let's just say the air conditioning vent hadn't seen a cleaning rag in a while (it *huffed* a bit). But the sheets were clean, the bathroom was…functional. Look, I've stayed in places where the cleanliness was a serious *hazard*. The Merton, in my experience, was… acceptable. Bring some sanitizing wipes if you're super fussy, just in case. I did. I'm a worry wart like that.
3. Is the Breakfast… edible? Because hotel breakfasts can be a cruel joke.
Oh, the breakfast. *Sigh*. Okay, imagine a buffet. Now, imagine a buffet that's seen better days. The coffee? Let's just say instant coffee is a *luxury* compared to what they served. The pastries? Some were… hard. Others were… suspiciously soft. There *was* some sort of local noodle dish, which, to be fair, was actually *decent* after a couple of cups (okay, mugs) of that questionable coffee. My advice? Lower your expectations. Walk to a nearby *kopitiam* if you can. Seriously. Your taste buds will thank you. I did after the first day. I *needed* a proper breakfast. It’s a survival strategy, people.
4. The Staff, Any Horror Stories? I’ve heard hotel staff can be… let's just say, *unhelpful*.
Honestly? The staff were… fine. Not overly friendly, not particularly chatty, but perfectly *competent*. I had a minor issue with my keycard (typical, right?), and it was sorted out quickly enough. They weren't winning any hospitality awards, but they weren't actively rude either. Think of it as… efficiency over charm. Which, in my book, is sometimes preferable when you're just trying to get to your room.
5. What about the Pool? Does it even exist, and if so, is it a festering swamp of despair?
Okay, the pool. This is where I have… mixed feelings. Yes, there *is* a pool. And… it seemed relatively clean, at least during my visit. It wasn't Olympic-sized or anything, more of a… plunge pool, really. Perfect for a quick dip to cool off from the Malaysian humidity (that humidity is no joke, trust me!). But! Here's the thing: The pool area wasn't exactly… idyllic. The chairs were a bit old and the deck was a bit … worn. It wasn't the kind of pool you'd spend an entire afternoon lounging by, sipping cocktails (which they didn't even serve, by the way!). It was more of a “pop in, cool off, and then get back to exploring Ipoh” kind of pool. Which, honestly, is probably what you *should* be doing anyway. I went in. It was refreshing. No swamp of despair detected. Success! But that cocktail… I really wanted a cocktail.
6. Location, Location, Location! Is it close to the food? Because I’m all about the food.
Ah, the all-important food. Yes, the Merton is reasonably close to… *some* food. You're not in the absolute *heart* of the food scene, like, right next to the famous *kai si hor fun* stalls (that's the good stuff, by the way). You *will* need to walk a little bit, or grab a Grab (the local ride-sharing app, a lifesaver!). But there are plenty of options within a reasonable distance. That *kopitiam* I mentioned earlier? Within walking distance. The night market? Might be a bit of a trek, depending on where it is that night. Do your research. Ipoh is a foodie paradise. Plan your attack! I did and was delighted by my discovery.
7. Value for money? Is it a rip-off?
Okay, let’s talk money. The Merton isn’t going to break the bank. It's… budget-friendly. You're definitely not getting a luxury experience here, so don't expect it. For the price, it's… acceptable. You're trading off luxury for comfort. However, there are some other hotels that look fancier for the same price, you can do your research. It won't be your best stay but it is functional and relatively safe, I'd say.
8. Any other quirks or things I should know? Like, does it have a good view? Is there an elevator… (because I hate stairs) ?
Okay, little extras. The view… depending on your room, it could be a view of another building. Or the street. Or the pool (as mentioned). Don't expect anything spectacular. Elevator? Yes, there's an elevator. Thank goodness, because I'm not a fan of lugging suitcases up flights of stairs, eitherExplore Hotels
