After that memorably bad experience my parents and i had in our last free and easy trip to Cameron Highlands eighteen months ago, i know i must carefully select the choice of overseas accommodation in the most recent trip.
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French Hotel was eventually selected for three reasons; it was voted number two out of thirty nine hotels in Ipoh, the pictures of the rooms looked so inviting and review score on Agoda was a fantastic 8.2!
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Honestly not too bad for a two-star hotel even though i neglected to spot any France-related item in the surroundings! A weird phenomenon when it was named as such.
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Oh yes, the above may be considered as remotely French inspired.
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I am going to fast track to the time when i stepped into the Super Deluxe King room; the largest accommodation type in the hotel. The king sized bed was literally luring us to take a good rest and the modern, tidy concept felt more like a home rather than a hotel.
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Most of their room types come with a window view except for Superior King, which also happened to the cheapest of the lot. For me, it's important to have sunlight streaming it, even if i am looking out to a dilapidated, seemingly haunted building.
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Pictures can be deceiving in many cases but i would like to assure you that this would not be the case for French Hotel. Well, at least not at the moment!
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My key concern when i was checking out the online pictures was hoping that the room assigned to my family would not feature the bathroom with translucent glass! How the hell am i supposed to take a bath ?!?!
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The opacity was thankfully of a high percentage and there was no issue of seeing anything obscene in my two nights stay in the hotel. Phew..
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This was my virgin experience with a rain shower and boy was it therapeutic! No wonder so many of my friends have that intention to install one in their new flats! It must be so relaxing to wash yourself under a "raindrop" canopy after a busy day at work.
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Other amenities in the room included a safebox, a dressing table with hair-dryer, a mini fridge, double glazed windows for extra soundproofing, two universal plugs and a couple of three-pin plugs for the many devices we have in this IT era and free wifi in the room!.
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Complimentary bottles of mineral water, tea and coffee packs were also inclusive. I don't drink from the tap, so i really appreciate it when hotels provide mineral water for their guests!
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Toiletries in the French Hotel - pretty basic although i absolutely love the bottles of shower foam and conditioning shampoo; had to bring them home after my stay! :P
For mom, there was no doubt that a combination of a comfortable bed and a mounted 32-inch LCD TV screening Hokkien dramas would be her version of a perfect enjoyment for an overseas trip.
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Location
60-62, Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar
Price
RM 178 a night for Super Deluxe - King with breakfast via the official hotel website. I booked via Agoda and breakfast was not included. Rates would be different for high seasons (weekends i presume) and of course, subject to change on a periodical basis. Check out the following website for rates of other accommodation type.
Website
Additional Information
Breakfast would be served in the Jose & Deli Eatery although do note that it would not be buffet style. I could not comment much on the food since my booking did not include breakfast.
There was large board at the lobby where you can find some helpful information on Ipoh and activities to do should you have sufficient time.
Contrary to many beliefs and assumptions, including among the locals, there are seriously more to just food in Ipoh! You may even consider going for a day trip to the cooling Cameron Highlands or the relaxing Pangkor Island.
Ask the friendly counter staff should you have more questions; every single one i met was more than willing to share! With a big smile to match. The first question i asked was food and before i knew it, the lady whipped out a food map from god knows where and patiently taught me how to navigate.
Now, that's impressive service at 6.30 in the morning.