Four Points by Sheraton, Penang

Its great to see new and upcoming international brand hotels in Malaysia. Maybe its because now that I'm involved in the industry, I keep up with hotel news more.

The breath of fresh air around town came with the opening of Grand Hyatt KL in August 2012.
Since then, there were few other international chain hotels opening and newly announced hotels in the pipeline for the country.

Four Points by Sheraton Penang

In Penang, Four Points by Sheraton Penang opened its doors officially on 30th October 2013.
It is refurbished and rebranded, previously was Tanjung Bungah Beach Resort.
I took the opportunity for the opening celebration rate of only RM199++!! There was also a red hot deal and includes breakfast, the total rate came up to RM210.94.
The oceanfront rooms are priced starting at RM249++.
Its really value for money and everyone should take advantage of it.

Four Points by Sheraton Penang is not a premier beach resort, but its mighty fine. Just the right amount of space and amenities. It has small stretch beach, spacious lobby overlooking the beach with lounge furniture and colourful cushions, all day dining restaurant with beachfront sitting terrace and swimming pool.

I spent a lot of time at the beachfront terrace over tea, dinner and the next day breakfast. Its so nice to have food and drinks, and relaxing overlooking the beach and coconut trees with sounds of waves..

As the space is limited, I would think that it could get a bit crowded and noisy especially during peak season. Its a good hotel for family with young kids.
Its not a good hotel if you are looking for a quiet getaway, but perhaps you could still do off season.

The room is pretty comfortable at 25sqm. The furniture are mostly built-in so there lots of area to move around. I love the sofa by the window, it makes a good reading corner. The toilet is small for my liking, but it does just fine for short stay.

Overall, I enjoyed my stay here..

Four Points by Sheraton Penang

Courtyard by Marriott, Penang

Courtyard by Marriott, Penang

Tropicana Corporation Berhad and Marriott International had an official signing ceremony for development of Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Penang at Tropicana 218 Macalister, Penang project.

This will be the first Courtyard by Marriott brand in Malaysia.
The opening is scheduled for 2018.

Signed and sealed: Peter Gassner (far left), Director - Hotel Development Asia-Pacific, Dato’ Dickson Tan (second from left), Group Managing Director of Tropicana, Dato’ Yau Kok Seng (second from right), Group CEO of Tropicana and Robert Stark (far right), Vice President Operations of Marriott International Incorporated. Witnessed by Guest of Honour, YB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow (third from right), Penang State Executive Councillor for Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation and YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Danny Tan (centre), Founder and Group Executive Vice Chairman of Tropicana.

All About Afternoon Tea

I love afternoon tea..
Porcelain white, silver of floral teapot; fine china and sparkling silverware; fragrant tea, butter-y scones with clotted cream and jam, decadent desserts, ladies in pretty dresses..

Harrods KLCC

Harrods on the first level has a posh setting for afternoon tea, and can be seem a bit 'snobbish'. I prefer Harrods Café on the ground floor, it has a more casual feel to it and friendlier atmosphere.
The staff looks cute too with the striped apron and straw hat.

TWG tea, Pavilion KL

I was kind of disappointed to found out that its not established in 1837, in fact the company is founded in Singapore in 2008 and 1837 commemorates the year of the establishment of Chamber of Commerce for trading, including tea.
TWG has the look and feel of Mariage Freres in Paris. It is cited as the "first and only upscale tea salon" in Singapore (~Wikipedia), and is a nice consolation when not in Paris.

I tried the tea salon in pavilion for my birthday in 2012. I would prefer if its in a retail area instead of in the middle of the concourse, but nevertheless the tea set is simply delectable.

Hotel Majestic, KL

Hotel Majestic, a colonial building was built in 1932 and recently refurbished. It is now included in the Leading Hotels of the World luxury hotel collection and is a popular place for weekend afternoon tea at its Colonial Café or the exclusive and pretty Orchid Conservatory.

The good part about the afternoon tea set here is that it includes local delicacy of hot fresh currypuff and other fried kuih.

1885 @ E&O Hotel, Penang

I've been wanting to come here for afternoon tea for awhile. Now that I'm in Penang a lot, its about time I try it.
The restaurant and setting is elegant, the tea set too is delectable but somehow maybe I had too high expectation for it.

 

Delicious
That being said, the best scones for me is from Delicious.
Oh, those butter-y, crumbly scones is just sooo good..

Ritz-Carlton or Carcosa Seri Negara, anyone?

Butterfly Travels