DESPITE Ipoh being a favourite tourist spot-- online travel booking platform Agoda's booking data shows the Perak capital is the 6th top destination for local and international travellers-- good hotels in the city are few and far between.
But it has been a habit of mine for many years, that when I'm in doubt over where to stay, I go to the Agoda app, read the ratings and see the location of the premises in the city. In many instances and in many cities-- including Tokyo and Paris-- this has shown to be a reliable method to me to find where to stay.
That is how I found out about Weil Hotel for our weekend trip to the city.
While Weil Hotel is not super-amazing (compared to top-end hotels in Kuala Lumpur), I think it is perhaps the best that Ipoh currently offers. The long queue at check-in is a testament to this. Some guests are holding Singapore passports and most are travelling with families.
Service is great. Luggage is promptly taken care of at drop-off point and reception staff is friendly and very helpful. We even get an upgrade from a Studio --with an in-room jacuzzi-- to a one-bedroom suite, with a bedroom separated by a door.
STAY
The hotel's Superior Rooms feature a harmonious blend of warm and sophisticated accents for enhanced comfort and relaxation. The Deluxe Rooms have meticulously selected fixtures, large bathrooms with rainfall shower and standalone soaking tub. The blissful beds are indulgent spaces to sleep and relax.
Our suite is very spacious, with a kitchenette, refrigerator, dining table and sofa. The space is perfect for families, so much so that when my four-year-old son, Murshid, stepped into it, he said, "Wow, Mama! This room is cool. So cool!"
As a mother to a toddler, I have come to appreciate space above all else because that space would allow Murshid to run around freely. I know I have booked a good space for the family when he would rather stay in the hotel room than go out, and this is one such correct decision.
The dining table can sit a family of six and the adjacent sofa area is a great space for chats or board games. The fridge is large and you can buy necessities from Jaya Grocer at the mall next door and stock up so you don't have to leave the sanctuary for sustenance or snacks.
There's a bath tub in the bathroom and rain shower with water temperature that's easily adjustable. The room is perfect. It is a great space to come back to after exploring the city.
EAT
There are a few food and beverage outlets at the hotel and Tiffin is its all day dining spot. However, except for the nasi lemak, which is tasty and with the right amount of coconut milk, the breakfast spread is rather lame.
It also doesn't help that Ipoh is filled with good food so it's really hard to upstage the city and the affordable food it offers.
In the evening, I see crowd at the Gastro Bar, located next to the pool at the rooftop. Guests savour a panoramic view of Ipoh city centre and its picturesque limestone hills. There are food and good music, and with great company, it's a space to wind down after a day's work.
We are told that Yuk Sou Hin, the hotel's Chinese restaurant, is popular for its dim sum dishes. The restaurant has skilled Chinese chefs who have spent years perfecting the art of Cantonese cuisine.
While we did not try the dim sum, we did order its fried rice to go, the day we checked out. It was for Murshid during the train ride back to the city. The fried rice is tasty, with shrimp and barbecued chicken and he loves the fried rice so much that he calls it Ipoh fried rice. Sometimes, he would ask if we could GrabFood it to our home in Kuala Lumpur.
I guess that's another reason why me might return to Weil Hotel the next time we go to Ipoh.
DO
There's an Infinity Pool on the top floor if you are game for a swim and a gym if you want to work out. Otherwise, the room is spacious enough for the family to laze around and watch some TV.
GO
Our favourite spot is Pod in the Hood, a little independent children's bookstore located along the walkway to Ipoh Parade. It stocks a charming selection of imported books that you might not find elsewhere. There are also educational toys and puzzles and it's a very precious find during our trip.
A breakfast ride to New Hollywood at Canning Garden is just RM5 away via Grab and you can get the restaurant's famous chee cheong fun, coffee and char kuey tiau. The restaurant opens at 7am, and avoid the 8am to 10am window if you don't want to spend time in a queue.
We also went to Taman Dr. Seenivasagam for a morning walk and cycle. It's a great early morning destination and if you are lucky, you get to watch sports matches too.
VERDICT
HIGHS The hotel has an unbeatable location, Situated next to Ipoh Parade, it makes finding food and shopping easy. Service is great, especially the front desk personnel and the concierge.
LOWS The hotel looks pretty dated, but as mentioned, for now, I think this may be one of the best the city has top offer.
HASSLE-FREE BOOKING
Agoda, via its Agoda app, makes accommodation booking very easy.
Agoda has a listing of more that 1,400 hotels in Ipoh and you can choose based on what suit your location, space and budget. We choose Weil as it is only five minutes away by car to the Ipoh KTM station, since we're travelling via the ETS.
The town map in the app is clear, which is helpful if you are not familiar with the city you are heading to.
All you need to do is key in the date of visit and the search button will show you all available hotels. There's also an apartment option if you prefer to stay in a whole house.
The best part is that you don't have to pay immediately. Just browse and book, and should you change your mind or find a better offer, just cancel it within the timeframe. It's a win-win travelling situation.
FAST FACTS
WEIL HOTEL
292, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
TEL 05-208 2228
EMAIL enquiries@weilhotel.com
WEBSITE http://www.weilhotel.com/
Discover Ipoh at discounted rates with Agoda Discount Code.