ASK anyone what they know about Taiping and there's a good chance that the picturesque Lakes Garden will have top of mind recall.
Therefore, it makes good sense when in Taiping to stay within close proximity of this extensive network of lakes, gardens and paths and the city's best-located deluxe hotel to the gardens is, by far, the Novotel Taiping Perak.
The hotel offers rooms overlooking the lake or the city and while those over the urban expanse are pleasant; the preferred rooms offer panoramic vistas of the lake and Bukit Larut as a backdrop.
The Novotel Taiping is a very refreshing surprise in a city that is often overlooked by travellers.
Its facilities and services are equal to those of larger hotels in capital cities. The property's international management is apparent in its professional and hospitable staff and well-maintained facilities.
For a rewarding business or holiday stay, plan to pay a visit to this city in Perak and make sure you place a booking directly with the hotel.
STAY
This four-star hotel offers 197 rooms of 31m2 each made up of doubles or twins. Rooms on the higher floors are the ones to request. The view is arguably better over the Lake Gardens and towards Bukit Larut.
The hotel's elegant rooms include a large flat-screen television with a reasonable selection of local and satellite channels.
Sand-coloured tiles extend from the entrance to the bathroom and carpet extends across the rest of the room.
The double bed is extremely comfortable with four firm and equally restful pillows plus good curtains to ensure a wonderfully quiet sleep.
The bathroom is sufficiently large with a shower recess and glass wall onto the bedroom with a modesty blind for privacy.
It is well laid out with a wall-mounted hair dryer and a magnifier mirror and a well-lit wall mirror.
Novotel-branded toiletries include shampoo, body wash, conditioner and moisturiser. Toothbrushes, a comb, a razor and cotton buds are available. The towels are soft and refreshingly aromatic. The shower pressure in my top floor room is adequate but not with waterfall intensity.
Bathrobes, slippers, shoeshine, iron and ironing board are concealed behind ample cupboards.
There is a kettle with instant coffee and tea, two plastic bottles of water, an empty mini-fridge, a clock on a side table, a lounge chair and table. International power points enable international visitors to power up.
What impressed me most about the room was the high level of cleanliness and attention to maintenance with ample space for luggage.
EAT
Food Exchange serves an extensive Asian and international buffet for breakfast. While not a big breakfast eater, I am impressed with the comprehensive selection of dishes for a hotel that is off the main tourist trail.
The cheese and charcuterie platter, some 10 hot dishes, extensive cut fruits, an egg station and freshly-brewed coffee served here would be the envy of many large city hotels.
The breakfast buffet is an additional add-on charge but well worth the money for those who enjoy a long and leisurely breakfast.
While Taiping really is a tempting dining destination and the hotel is surrounded by a plethora of hawker delights, I choose to have my dinner at Food Exchange because I am impressed with what I see on the menu.
Among them are Slow-baked Lamb Shank (RM60), House Burger (RM23), Chicken Rice (RM13), Spaghetti Bolognaise (RM16) and Fillet Mignon Steak (RM45). If required, dishes can be delivered to your room for just RM2 extra and the 6% government tax has to be added.
It offers great value-for-money for those who appreciate dining in air-conditioned comfort with professional service.
I could imagine families and corporate clients dining here and being very content with the quality, the selection and most of all, the low prices.
The Gourmet Bar in the lobby is the place for gourmet coffee, teas and alcoholic beverages.
DO
Guests can take in the views of the mountains from the sun terrace (the sunset can be good) beside the pool on the seventh floor.
The pool remains open from 7am and closes around sunset. This recreational area extends from the restaurant and includes a small fitness gym and a kid's play room which was closed when I was there but could reopen soon.
Parking for hotel guests is on the sixth floor of the adjoining shopping mall carpark and exiting requires front desk validation before heading off to the carpark on each departure. There is a ballroom and six smaller meeting rooms.
GO
The hotel's city centre and shopping centre location (it adjoins Taiping Mall) will appeal to many.
The 13-storey complex (mall and hotel) appears to be the highest building in the downtown and therefore, should be used as a navigational beacon should you happen to get disoriented.
For those who have come to admire the sights, take an early morning or late afternoon stroll around Lake Gardens, visit the Zoo and Night Safari and explore the city's heritage assets along the Taiping Heritage Trail (www.gotaiping.com).
The parklands of Lake Gardens are just minutes away while Taiping Zoo and Night Safari and the well-maintained Perak Museum are less than 30 minutes-walk away.
The morning market is located behind the hotel and it really is active early in the morning. There is a 'famous' yong tau foo stall immediately opposite the hotel's front entrance in the Taiping Hawker Stall.
VERDICTS
HIGHS Great value, excellent dining options and professional international standards make the Novotel Taiping a creditable choice in a city that is rich in tourism assets.
LOWS The selection of television channels is limited and the lack of a small coffee-making machine in each room is something that could be considered by management.
FAST FACTS
Novotel Taiping Perak
I, Jalan Tupai
Taiping, 34000 Perak.
TEL 05-820 8288
EMAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE www.all.accor.com
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