The bathroom looks rather spacious and this is because of the heavy usage of glass and mirrors in it. The light coloured them also gives it a refreshing look and at first sight, it does look like a newly renovated room. However, there are some disappointments that guests might encounter upon usage of the bathroom.
For starters, the floor tiles of the bathroom are not all that clean even though it is a newly renovated hotel. Even before entering the bathroom, there are dark patches on the tiles and inside the bathroom, it becomes evident that maintenance is not taken too seriously. Take a closer look and you can see that there are many stained tiles and even strands of hair left behind by previous guests which are not thoroughly cleaned up by hotel staff. Though many of these easily slip the eye and are not that all obvious, it does make a strong statement about Hotel Excelsior’s commitment to keeping the rooms in tip-top condition.
The sink area is clad in classy looking black tiles and is very spacious. Over here,guests can make use of the complimentary standard toiletry kit which includes basics like toothbrushes, a soap bar and a shower cap. I also thought that the individually packed glass cups are quite practical and beneficial as it ensures that the washed cups do not become a collection area for dust and germs should the room be unoccupied. Female guests especially will appreciate the ample table top space as they will face no trouble storing and sorting out all their make up and cosmetic products. Also, a hair dryer can be found by the sink for convenience – another point for appreciation.
The toilet is tucked snugly into a corner of the bathroom and it is wedged between the standing shower and a wall. Though it is adequately equipped with the basic necessities of a washing hose and spare toilet paper, the area itself is slightly cramped and the claustrophobic might not feel too comfortable. Above the toilet, guests will be able to find a handy extendible clothes line that comes in extremely useful for drying clothes and towels for an extended stay.
Due to space constraints, most of Hotel Excelsior’s rooms comes equipped with only a standing shower and no bath tub. The showers work well and the water pressure is definitely sufficient for a clean shower. However, taking a shower will indubitably be a wet and messy affair due to the lack of a proper enclosure around the shower area. Due to the lack of a shower curtain or glass door, water from the shower splashes right out of the shower area into the rest of the bathroom with such ease that any effort to control the spray of water is futile. Hence, after every bath, the entire bathroom floor becomes wet and the foot towel gets drenched, turning the bathroom from a modern place into a humid and uncomfortable one.
The shower is adjacent to a large glass panel that allows for an unobstructed view of the television and the rest of the room. This design surely gives the bathroom a much more spacious feel and helps in making the bathroom seem larger than it really is. For those lodging alone or for couples, this design will probably be welcome as it also allows guests to enjoy the television while in the shower, though it will be much better if there was a bathtub as well. However, for those who are shy or are living with friends, there is a manual blind that can be lowered so as to completely cover the glass panel. Such usability and versatility is rather unexpected from an old hotel like Hotel Excelsior Ipoh and I must commend the management for including such a modern design in the hotel’s rooms.
Hotel Excelsior Ipoh does not have a full range of facilities like you would expect from large renowned hotel around the world. In fact, there isn’t either a swimming pool or a fitness centre that guests can use to keep fit or for leisure. This is an upsetting point as Hotel Excelsior Ipoh is one of, if not the largest and most internationally renowned hotel around the tiny town and I would expect some from of recreational facility from a hotel of such a calibre.
What Hotel Excelsior Ipoh has, however, is a number of meeting rooms and a business centre that guests on business trips can utilise to their advantage.
The business centre is located on the ground floor of the hotel and can be found tucked into a corner beside the reception counter. Inside, guests can find business essentials such as a computer, printer, telephone and some magazines. However, I must say that the rooms itself is quite barren for a business centre. It is also rather disappointing as there are no basic office supplies provided there. There is only one computer available for use and this means that should it be occupied, you will probably have to give up or postpone doing any work. Furthermore, internet connection throughout the entire hotel is slow and this applies even in the business centre. I must say that with the lack of office supplies and a good internet, getting much productive work done.
Adjacent to the business centre is a small meeting room designed so that it is capable of seating up to as many as 20 people. Even so, the meeting rooms does not look professional, neither does it look fully equipped. There does not seem to be a projector or computer available and thus, I do not see how this meeting room can be a conducive place for business travellers. Also, the meeting room is not well protected from the prying eyes of other guests as it is enclosed by glass without any blinds. This results in a rather distracting scene and would not be exactly productive. There are other meeting rooms available for use located in the basement level of the hotel and also on the 5th floor and those meeting rooms seem slightly more well appointed. Even so, I doubt that there are many business travellers to Ipoh and perhaps, some of those under utilized meeting rooms can and should be converted to house more practical and useful facilities for the comfort and convenience of Hotel Excelsior Ipoh’s guests.
Hotel Excelsior Ipoh mainly offers three food and beverage outlets which are open to guests and the public.
For a late night of drinks and fun with friends, guests can check out the Sonata Lounge, located on the first floor of the hotel. The lounge has a disco theme to it and is dimly lit, with loud music playing as entertainment. There, guests can also entertain themselves with dart stations and a pool table while socialising and mingling over drinks. However, it is important to note that smoking seems to be allowed in Sonata Lounge and thus, those with a strong disdain for the smell of smoke and cigarettes might want to avoid the lounge.
Another dining place would be Dulang Coffee house, located on the ground floor. This little casual eatery serves up a buffet spread for breakfast every morning. While the buffet spread has a small but still acceptable selection of local foods and a noodle station, it tends to be over crowded and many a times, guests will find it hard to find good seats, if any are even available. The restaurant is also small in size, so walking around and choosing your foods might be tough due to the narrow walking spaces. As such, it would probably be better for those with ample time and energy to explore the nearby eateries for a more authentic and enjoyable dining experience.
Hotel Excelsior Ipoh does delight guests because of its newly renovated interiors. Guests stepping in for the first time will definitely be pleased to see such a positive contrast as compared to the hotel’s run down looking exterior. While everything within the hotel seems new and the rooms all look vibrant and refreshing, I must say that not all the services and the quality of the hotel actually match up to its new look. Those with a detailed eye and experience at many hotels will be able to see inconsistencies with what the hotel has to offer and while it is part of an international chain of hotels, Hotel Excelsior Ipoh lacks the most in providing guests with convenience services, such as facilities and late night dining options. However, even with all these in mind, readers might want to take note that when visiting a less modern and small town like Ipoh, what Hotel Excelsior offers relative to its localised competitors can be considered pretty good. It also has a convenient location close to many local attractions and food outlets. Whilst there is surely room for improvement, Hotel Excelsior Ipoh is still one of the best hotels you can get around town.
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