Hotel Review: Meritz Hotel, Miri

Early of last year, my Boyfie and I decided to do long road trip all the way from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei and Miri. The last time I on this road trip was back in 2012 with my family for my cousin's wedding (My Old Post: 7 Hours From Kota Kinabalu to Brunei). Both Boyfie and I have been through this long and winding road trip quite number of times, just that we're not the who drove all these while. So surprisingly when I told Boyfie about my plan to do road trip across states and international borders, he agreed instantly to be the one who handling the steering wheel - guess, he doesn't trust my driving skills. 

As this road trip takes almost 20 hours to go and back, the choice is either overnight in Brunei or Miri. However taking into consideration that a Brunei Dollar is almost equivalent to RM3, hence I opted to stay in Miri for a night. Thanks to my BFF who is living in Miri, she recommended me to stay in this hotel, Meritz Hotel. 

#1: Meritz Hotel of Miri

Meritz Hotel is the latest four-star business hotel smacked right in the center of Miri city center. The two main reasons why I chosen this hotel are because first, it adjacent to shopping mall, the Bintang Megamall - that's pretty cool! Secondly, complimentary parking space provided as we're driving our car. I rarely take into account for parking space but this time, I have to. 

#2: Friendly front-desk staff . The check-in process was easy and breeze

#3: Hotel room cards

#4: Hotel floors

The hotel houses 290 elegantly and beautifully appointed rooms and suites for a comfortable night of stay. There is four types of room to choose from; Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Grand Deluxe Room and Family Room. All the rooms and suites are situated on 8th floor onward up to 16th floor. 

#5: Superior double bed room 

Thoughtfully designed in such a rich brown wood tones, both Boyfie and I never expected the room to be relatively huge and spacious even for our superior double bed room type. Our modern and contemporary elegant room is well-equipped and furnished with the up-to-date facilities for entertainment and connectivity including flat screen LED TV, minibar fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, in room locker, iron and ironing board, hairdryer and my worst fear of all time, weighting scale. Wait, there is even a sofa places inside the room which making us feel like our own home sweet home. Our room view is overlooking the main street, in case you are wondering. 

#6: Facilities within the room 

Bathroom wise, we're so delightful to find out there is a bathtub inside. Time to soak our body after driving for more than 9 hours. Although the bathroom lighting was a bit dim and wasn't bright enough, I was pretty satisfied with the hot shower bath and daily bathroom amenities provided. 

#7: Bathroom with bathtub 

#8

#9: Complimentary full breakfast buffet

The room that we booked come with complimentary full breakfast buffet which serves on the highest floor. Serving both local delights and international cuisines, I can see that majority all the hotel guests were indeed enjoy the breakfast to kick start their day.

#10: View overlooking of Miri town from the top of the hotel 

#11: Overview of the hotel from the street

#12: The hotel adjacent to one of the lifestyle themed mall, Bintang Megamall

Meritz Hotel is not just perfectly catering for both business and leisure travellers, it even suits for the big group of family and friends to enjoy the exceptionally pleasurable and unparalleled experience of staying in this well-designed and luxurious hotel.

Date Stayed: 17th - 18th January 2015 (1 night)

Rate We Paid: RM320 per night for a superior double bed room with breakfast (Booked via Agoda)

Disclaimer:

This review is truly based on my own personal experience and is my genuine and honest opinion of this hotel, and that I have no personal or business relationship with this establishment. 

South Korea (2014): Accommodation in Busan & Seoul

Choosing accommodations in South Korea are practically quite subjective, most of the times depends on the locations and needs of one own preferences. Some might travel in tight budget, whereas some might don't mind splurge themselves in finding better accommodation. For me, I'm in between, depends on which cities and countries I visited. I often received email from blog readers asking where to stay in Busan and Seoul. So, this post I share where I stayed before and which area I personally like. 

Accommodation in Busan: E-Fashion Hotel





Date of Staying: 20 March - 22 March 2014 (2 nights)

Room Rate: RM83 per night for standard double bed room without breakfast. Booked via Agoda.

Location: Conveniently located in the center of popular Haeundae area. Less than 10 minutes walk to the Haeundae Beach and Market. 

Facilities: Air-Conditioning Room attached with Private Bathroom

Advantages: Spacious and very close to metro station (Choryang Station)

Drawback: Weak WiFi within the room and the lights inside the room were too dim. 

Note: I tried to search high and low of this hotel again but I think it has been permanently close down.

For Busan city, two areas I would highly recommend to stay:

• Jung-gu, area closer to Busan Main Station like Toyoko Inn 1
• Hauendae-gu, an affluent beach area and home to Korea's most famous beach.

Accommodation in Seoul: Namsan Guest House 3

I stayed in this guesthouse before during my maiden trip to South Korea and I personally love it so much that I return to stay here again with my family. I found out this guesthouse is popular among the Malaysian and Singaporean cause I met quite number of visitors from these two countries throughout my stays there. 

My Old Post on Namsan Guest House, Seoul

Date of Staying: 22 March - 26 March 2014 (4 nights)

Room Rate: 65,000 won (approx. to RM202) per night for private twin room. No upfront fee and pay upon check-in

Location: Less than 5 minutes walk from the Myeongdong Subway Station. And just opposite of the road, it's where the Myeongdong Shopping Street situated. 

Facilities: Private style room attached with Private Bathroom with free WiFi connection, 

Advantages: Friendly Staff, Excellent and Great Location, Free Breakfast in the common kitchen

Drawback: Small room with limited space and bathroom is significant small. 

Direction: Myeongdong Station - Exit 4. Walk on the right side road of Pacific Hotel and walk up the hill, Namsan Guest House is on the left side. 

For more information about Namsan Guest House, check out their official website:
http://www.namsanguesthouse.com/

No doubt my favourite area to stay in Seoul would be none other than Myeongdong itself. Some travellers prefer to stay in Insadong, Dongdaemun and latest one in Hongdae for more youthful ambiance. 

Disclaimer:

This review is truly based on my own personal experience and is my genuine and honest opinion of this hostel, and that I have no personal or business relationship with this establishment.

Mystical Myanmar (2014): Accommodations

Here is the compilation of all the accommodations my friends and I stayed throughout our trip in Myanmar including Bagan, Inle Lake and Yangon.

Thiri Marlar Hotel, Bagan (Currently known as Thurizza Hotel)

Among all the three hotels we stayed, this is our favourite one. I couldn't remember how I came across this hotel, either recommended by a blogger or my friend but this hotel also featured in Lonely Planet. 

With the cozy and inviting rooms which exceeded our expectations, top notch services and most importantly, friendly to our pocket, this is absolutely great value hotel. Situated in New Bagan, this hotel consists of 15 spotless rooms which each and every room features beautifully decorated tiled private bathrooms, LCD television, air-conditioned and free WiFi connection. 

Complimentary of free breakfast served on top of the roof

Bicycles and motorbikes are available for rent

Room Rate: US$50 per night for room with queen or twin bed and US$75 for triple room

Inle Star Motel, Inle Lake



Situated less than 10 minutes away from the bus station, this hotel is facing directly to the boat station.

Simple and basic room attached with private bathroom. Each of the room is equipped with television, fan (without air-conditioned), kettle and drinking waters. One of the rooms assigned to us was overlooking the river, it might seems fascinating to watch how most of these boats passby but in the case where you are light sleeper, you may find it's hardly to fall asleep with all the loud sounds from the motorboats at night.   

Another breakfast on rooftop

Room Rate We Paid: RM230 per night for a standard family room including breakfast (Reservation made through Agoda)

Myint Myat Guest House, Yangon

Everything is pretty okay for us - the room itself, clean bathroom, attentive services except for the location. I doubt most of the reviews on Agoda and Tripadvisor lately. I thought this guest house is situated not far away from Boygoke Aung Sang Market but in reality, it was quite distance away that we need to hail for a taxi. 

Room Rate We Paid: RM98.50 per night for a superior room including breakfast (Booked via Agoda)

WOLO Bukit Bintang Hotel

I love to stay in boutique hotels, that's pretty obvious.

And I love to stay in Bukit Bintang whenever I went Kuala Lumpur.

Combine both of these, WOLO Bukit Bintang Hotel certainly suits my preference and taste.

#1: It's easy to spot WOLO - Just next to Tous Les Jours

One of the main reason I chosen this boutique and chic hotel is because of its strategic location - situated right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle. Less than 5 minutes walk from the 

Bukit Bintang Monorail Station, this hotel is easy access to majority of the famous and popular spots such as Jalan Alor, a haven for hawker and street fare, numerous of shopping malls such as Sungei Wang Plaza, Lot 10, Pavilion KL, Fahrenheit 88, Berjaya Times Square and more. 

#2: The hotel lobby is located on the second floor 

#2: Colourful and artistically decorated wall behind the front desk 

#3: The key to our room

#4: Our room theme with two single beds

Stepped into the room, both my friend and I were absolutely being "wow-ed" by its chic concept and interior design of the room. We were underestimated the size of the room and we're totally wrong about it. The room was pretty huge and spacious. The two single beds were surrounded by a wooden platform which I found it's unique and special. 

#4: Free drinking waters were provided

Wide range of amenities are available within the room such as free WiFi, mini bar, LCD/plasma screen, work desk, telephone, iron, iron board and more. 

#5: Black coloured marble bathroom - Love this concept

The bathroom is divided into two partitions; the toilet and shower room. The interesting about the shower room is the glass covered by the blind and if don't mind showing off your sexy and fit body, you can open up the blind and enjoy the beautiful scenery outside of the room. 

#6: View outside from our room - Intersection of Bukit Bintang road and Jalan Sultan Ismail

The room that we booked inclusive of breakfast. And guess where we had our breakfast? None other than the notable authentic French bakery, Tous Les Jours. I dined in here before and frankly speaking, I love the bread and pastries here. 

Breakfast was served from 7.30 am until 10.30 am at the first floor, which mainly catered for the hotel guests only. By the time we were there, it was quite packed and crowded but luckily we found a table for us. The breakfast consists of Western meals such as sausages, ham and numerous of breads and pastries, fruits juice, coffee and tea. There even has live egg station (my favourite) where the guests can order sunny side up, scrambled egg and mini omelette. 

#7: Breakfast served at first floor

#8: Western breakfast which consists of bread, pastries, sausage, hams and fruit juices

#9: Tous Les Jours on the ground floor

With its perfect and convenient location, WOLO Bukit Bintang hotel is definitely one of the hotels I'm looking forward to return again when I back to Kuala Lumpur. 

Date Stayed: 29 May - 30 May 2015 (1 night)

Rate I Paid: RM274.81  per night for a "Our Room" twin bed including breakfast (Booked via Agoda)

Disclaimer:

This review is truly based on my own personal experience and is my genuine and honest opinion of this hostel, and that I have no personal or business relationship with this establishment.

Follow me on Twitter | Instagram | Dayre cause I'm currently away for Winter Wonderland! 

Japan (2013): Accommodation in Osaka & Kyoto

I think I mentioned quite a few times that I travel in flashpacking style, instead of backpacking. It's actually almost similar trail to the backpacker, but as a flashpacker I tend to have more flexible and with little bit extra of budget looking forward to travel in slightly luxurious. Instead of staying in hostel and dormitories, most of the times I prefer to splurge myself staying in trendy and chic boutique hotels.

And because I travel with my mom for this trip to Japan, hence finding a comfortable and great location would be my main priority. We stayed in three different hotels throughout our trip there, 2 hotels in Osaka and the final one in Kyoto. Bear in mind as all of these hotels we stayed are indeed located in great and excellent location especially so near to train station and bus stop, thus the price is relatively higher. 

Brief Details of the Hotels I Booked

1) Hotel Consort Osaka

Address: 1-12-7 Nishinakajima, Yodogawa-ku

I booked this hotel for the first two nights in Osaka cause my initial plan is to go Tokyo but when I decided to cancel my Tokyo plan and continue stay here, unfortunately no more rooms available. Overall, this is one of the cheapest hotels I came across in Osaka which charge less than RM200 per night and for its absolutely fantastic location, it's exactly icing on the cake. Even my mom recommended this hotel to her friends and relatives.

Room Rate: RM188.51 per night for a twin bed room without breakfast. Booked through Agoda.

Location: Nishinakajima-Minamigata (Midosuji Line) and Minakigata (Hankyu-Kyoto Line) stations are literally just outside the hotel. Besides that, the hotel is surrounding with supermarkets, restaurants, eateries, drug stores and Lawson convenience store.

Facilities: Free WiFi access, Air-Conditioning Room attached with Private Bathroom, Mini Bar with coffee and tea making

Advantages: Cheap, affordable and most importantly this hotel is so near to train stations. 

Drawback: Weak WiFi, Facing difficulty to communicate with the staff although they're being helpful and friendly.

Direction: Exit 2 of Subway Midosuji Line Nishinakajima-Minamigata station and the hotel on the left side.

2) Remm Shin-Osaka Hotel

This is one and only hotel I made reservation with them through email directly. No deposit or up-front fee required and we paid in Yen upon check-in. As I desperately need to stay significantly near to the train stations especially Shin-Osaka to be specific, hence this is my last resort seeing that I cancelled my plan to Tokyo last minute. It's utterly expensive but if taking into the consideration of the comfort and location we experienced, I guess it's pretty worth. 

Room Rate: 8,000 yen on Monday; 13,700 yen on Saturday; and 11,700 yen on Sunday. Averagely it's like RM350 per night. 

Location: Adjacent to Shin-Osaka Station and Tokaido Shinkansen, other JR lines and Subway Midosuji station. 

Facilities: Free WiFi access, Air-Conditioning Room attached with Private Bathroom, Drinking Waters, Air Purifier System and Massage Chair (I only found out on second night that the chair I was sitting is also a massage chair) 

Advantages: Love the massage chair, the bathroom for its slightly bigger size and chic design as well as the rain-style shower. Another plus point for its great and excellent location. 

Drawback: The room was compact and smaller than the first hotel I stayed and it's absolutely pricey. 

Direction: Central Ticket Gate of JR Shin-Osaka Shinkansen line

3) Best Western Kyoto Hotel

Staying in Kyoto for at least two nights has always being part of my plan but in dilemma when come to choose the area to stay; either nearby Kyoto Station or more liveable area such as Kawamarachi-dori but then it require back to back of taking public bus.  

Room Rate: RM315.48 per night for standard double bed room without breakfast. Booked via Agoda.

Location: Right in the center of Kawaramachi-dori surrounding with restaurants, eateries, shops and shopping malls. Nishiki Market and Teramachi Arcade are just few minutes walk. 

Facilities: Air-Conditioning Room attached with Private Bathroom

Advantages: Spacious and Artfully Japanese Style Room, Extremely Liveable Location and Fluent English Speaking & Friendly Staff

Drawback: No WiFi in the room and can only be accessed in lobby area.

Direction: Take Kyoto City Bus and stop in front of Mina Shopping Mall. Walk through the small alley and the hotel located behind it.

All in a nutshell, I'm pretty satisfied with all the above hotels and in case I'm going back again to Kansai region, I don't mind return to the same hotels provided budget is not my biggest issue.

Next Post>>> Oishii Everywhere in Japan