Budget hotels trendy but don't spoil 'homestay' market, Lee tells ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Budget hotels trendy but don't spoil 'homestay' market, Lee tells ...
Hotel Seri Simanggang opens to tourism fanfare in Sri Aman ...
Top Hotels in Sarawak | Cuti Cuti Malaysia Holiday and Hotel Portal

Budget hotels trendy but don't spoil 'homestay' market, Lee tells ...

Posted: 25 May 2014 12:01 PM PDT

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MIRI: Miri City Council (MCC) and Ministry of Tourism have been urged to check the status of some budget hotels and inns including 'homestays' in the city.

These lodging facilities are mushrooming due to rising demand of tourists and visitors in tandem with the fast-paced progress of the city.

Welcoming the establishment of such services befitting Miri's resort city status, Assistant Minister of Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin, when asked for comment yesterday, said: "It is a good and healthy trend for tourism and service industry in Miri as a resort city. Visitors and tourists alike now have a choice of more affordable accommodation here."

However, Lee said it is important for operators to be properly registered with a licence from Miri City Council and the ministry to safeguard the image and reputation of the city and Sarawak.

Disclosing this to The Borneo Post after launching the inaugural inter-hotel Bewabaco (Bed, Waiters, Bar, Cooking) games held at Bulatan Park here, he said: "In case of any untoward incidents like fire or building collapse, guests staying in the hotels are not protected (by insurance). It will give a negative and bad image on the industry and Miri."

On the right to use the 'homestay' tag name by some operators, Lee reminded them not to simply use it as it may confuse when it doesn't meet the expectation of visitors and tourists.

Lee said homestay carries certain requirement or criteria to entitle an operator to advertise the service. "It is not just providing their guests with bed and bathing facilities (shower and toilets) among others. There is more to it. I believe that they are using the word 'homestay' to attract more guests," he added.

As such, he reminded the operators to apply and get registered with Ministry of Tourism apart from getting a proper licence from city council.

Earlier in his speech, Lee who is also Senadin assemblyman, reminded hospitality and service industries players to stress on the quality and standard of their services.

"It is not just about good service. Guests are expecting more than good service …. they want quick, efficient services that worth paying for," he said, adding that it is important for the industry to always upgrade quality and standard of services in the hotels and its staff, especially front-liners like receptionist.

The Bewabaco games which encompass cooking, bed-making, bartenders and waiter and waitress race was organised by Grand Palace Sports and Recreational Club. Around 40 staff from Grand Palace Hotel, Meritz Hotel, Imperial Palace Hotel and Mciti Suites took part in the games.

Commending Grand Palace Hotel for initiating the games, Lee said it was one way to upgrade the standard of services apart from sending them to refresher courses or in-house training.

Meanwhile, Grand Palace general manager Vincent Nonis, said they are looking into the possibility of making the games an annual event here in Miri.

"We hope to get more hotels to participate in the games next year. We sent invitations to other hotels in Miri but they can't send teams this year due tight schedules and unforeseen circumstances," he added.

Category: Sarawak

Hotel Seri Simanggang opens to tourism fanfare in Sri Aman ...

Posted: 18 May 2014 03:43 PM PDT

by Kelvin Lambai reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on May 19, 2014, Monday

SRI AMAN: The new Hotel Seri Simanggang here can serve as a generator for the tourism industry in Sri Aman.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said with the completion of the hotel in November last year, it is an added option to the number of existing hotels here.

According to him, visitors from out of town often face accommodation problems whenever there are grand events held in the division.

"However, with the launch of this new hotel, the government believes it can now accommodate visitors in town," he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of Hotel Seri at Simanggang which was officiated by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pehin Seri Abdul Taib Mahmud here yesterday.

Also present were Taib's wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Sri Aman Resident Jonathan Lugoh and Hotel Seri Simanggang general manager Tay Choo Huat.

Abang Johari noted that the development plan of Bandar Sri Aman was part of Taib's concept to continue developing the division through the 84-acre site.

He pointed out that the 10-storey Simanggang Hotel comprised 18 rooms including the Presidential and Junior Suites, a banquet hall for 1,000 people as well as four seminar rooms.

"The overall cost of construction of the hotel as well as an upcoming commercial centre is RM43.7 million," he said.

He said the hotel, which was completed four months ahead of schedule, was part of phase one which includes 40 units of three-storey houses and 114 units of government quarters to accommodate government officers and staff based in this division.

"Other components which will be built in phases are 45 units of two to four-storey shophouses, one block of six-storey commercial offices, one block of eight-storey office tower, one block of one-storey market and a bus terminal for phase two.

"For phase three, there will be 28 units of three-storey shophouses whereas in phase four, a six-storey commercial office block, an eight-storey office tower and 22 units of two to four-storey shophouses will be constructed," he revealed, adding that the overall construction cost for phases one to four involved an estimated RM200 million.

Top Hotels in Sarawak | Cuti Cuti Malaysia Holiday and Hotel Portal

Posted: 11 May 2014 12:21 PM PDT

I am going to take you to a country which is full of islands. Any guess? Yes, you are right. It's Malaysia. There are878 islands in Malaysia. This country is known for its stunning sights and attractions. We are going to explore its astounding natural beauty that magnetizes vacationers/ tourists or visitors attraction. It's a country of exclusive culture and tradition. It's one of the best places on the globe with delicious cuisine and hospitable people. Kuala Lumpur is its capital with charming iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Malaysia has many offshore geographical places. There would be around 510 which include ridges, sandbank and rocks. It's a multicultural state with many festivals and celebrations. Tour to Malaysia, is really a unique and pleasant experience.

There're lots of choices to stay in Malaysia, so it's tough to decide where to stay?

Mid-range hotels and 5 stars hotels with Chinese, Indian or Malaysian traditional cuisine and cozy rooms are easily available for vacationers/visitors anywhere in cities. You can enjoy luxury hotels or resorts located on islands. Accommodation is so cheap in Malaysia, you can easily get a room for $ 3 to $ 9 USD/night. Private rooms are available for $ 11 to $ 20 USD/night. You can camp in Taman Negara and can save lodgings cost.

Anyways, here're some suggestions.

Lone Pine Hotel, located Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, posses welcoming staff, stunning swimming pool, lip-smacking food, and calm atmosphere with beautiful sea views. You can get a huge variety of cocktails in bar corner.

Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La, located on Batu Ferringhi beach, Penang Island, is a fantastic family resort, offers services such as water sports, tennis court, delicious food, pools, cozy rooms, hospitable staff and family entertainment center. Its cuisine includes Bar & Grill pizzas and seafood, tea/coffee, snacks, pastries.

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, is a fantastic hotel with superb services. Welcoming staff, comfortable rooms, suspended pool and delicious Malaysian food make it more worthy staying.

Tanjong Jara Resort, located on Batu, Dungun, is one of the top 25 hotels in Malaysia, offers services such as Spa village, Pools, tennis court, delicious dining out, air-conditioned rooms, seafood and bar. You can spend a relaxing morning with coffee and newspaper on the beach.

Berjaya Tioman Resort, located in Pulau Tioman, is a traditional Malay style resort, offers services like pools, golf, tennis court, spa, coffee, snacks, global drinks, tasty food, air-conditioning cozy rooms and water sports including diving, fishing, snorkelling etc.

The Majestic Hotel, Majestic Malacca, Cameron Highlands Resort and Sama-Sama Hotel, in Kuala Lumpur, Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa and Four Seasons Resort in Langkawi, Miri Marriot Resort & Spa, Mega Hotel, Grand Palace Hotel and Imperial Palace Hotel in Miri, Seven Terraces, Yeng Keng Hotel, Museum Hotel and Hotel Panega are also wonderful places to stay in Malaysia.

As far as meal is concerned, you can have it in restaurants, western hotels , cooking own when living in camping or as a street meal and just have to pay $1 to $3 USD /head for street meal, $4 to $6 USD/head in restaurants while western food is a bit expensive. Malaysia is a Muslim country that's why drinks are expensive here. Anyways, here are some suggestions of restaurants for you.

Dining in the Dark, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, is an amazing restaurant deeply into darkness and offers delicious food including soups, desserts etc.

Black Forest, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, offers German cuisine.

Kebaya, located on Stewart Lane, Georgetown, Penang Island, offers good services and food.

Living Room Cafe Bar & Gallery, located on Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, is a good place for families, lovebirds, special occasion or groups. You can enjoy Bar, Asian and Eclectic cuisine here until late night.

Top Spot Food Court, located Bukit Mata Kuching, Kuching is a family restaurant, offers best seafood and opens until late night.

Jambu Restaurant and Lounge, located on Crookshank Road, Kuching is a restaurant offers best pasta in town. It also deals with Bistro, Bar for cocktails and Tapas etc.

Black bean, The Heritage, Tribal Stove and Bella Italia are also superb restaurants in Kuching with the fantastic setting near river.

La Casa Kuantan, Crocodile Rock Pizza & Grill Restaurant, Satay Zul, and Dallah Restaurant in Kuantan offer great services with superb cuisine.

Malaysia is a country with many attractions or points of interests and more exciting thing is those are quite cheap. Here're some suggestions, and you must visit those places once you are in Malaysia.

Birch Memorial Clock Tower, located in one of the biggest cities of Malaysia named "Ipoh". Here're plenty of attention-grabbing sights such as museums, temples and historical buildings.

Galeria Perdana, Rice Museum, and Padi Langkawi, in Langkawi, are amazing places with precious stuff and collection, to visit. Langkawi is a beautiful island with lovely beaches and plenty of interesting sights. Ave Stella Maris Catholic Chapel is a beautiful church. Langkawi Wildlife Park and Underwater World are educational and exciting places with lots of fun.

The Islamic city "Kota Bharu" is a great city with royal places, museums, and plenty of other eye-catching sights.

Taman Negara National Park is a beautiful park in oldest rainforest Taman Negara. It's a place with lots of activities like trekking, safaris, and canopy walks.

Islamic Art Museum, Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya Bridge, Petrosains Science Discovery Centre, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Thean Hou Temple, and Lake Garden Parks are some suggested amazing places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.

Mount Kinabalu National Park, is the best choice for hiking, this Park is full of fun and will never disappoint you on your visit.

Malaysia is a land of festivals and celebrations as multicultural people exist here. Tourists or vacationers can enjoy these festivals almost every month of the year. Here are some suggestions for our visitors.

Tamil Community celebrates festival named "Thaipusam". It's a unique festival that is worth seeing. It can be best observed at Batu Caves in Selangor or Penang, in Januanry.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in February and last for 15 days. You can enjoy lion dances, fireworks, and delicious Chinese meal.

In April, Good Friday and Malaysia Water Festival are celebrated.

Wesak Day, and Harvest Festival are celebrated in May.

June is a month with amazing festivals like Hari Gawai and Dragon Boat Festivals.

July and August are the months with festivals such as the Rainforest World Music Festival, Independence day, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hungry Ghost Festival.

September becomes more colorful with Malaysia Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali Festivals of Lights, and Christmas are celebrated in October, November and December.

Malaysia is not less than a heaven for shopaholics. Super international brands have covered Malaysian market and have luxury stores here. Sales at shopping mall attract many tourists every year. Mega Sales held on Christmas and Independence Day and last up to two months.

Utama, BB Plaza, Fahrenheit88, Lot10, Plaza Low Yat, Suria KLCC and Sogo are some remarkable shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur.

ICT@Komtar, Island Plaza, Midlands One Stop, Plaza Gurney, Prangin Mall, Queensbay Mall and Straits Quay are some suggested shopping centers in Penang.

Langkawi Fair is a beautiful place for a shop in Langkawi.

Malaysia is a country with beaches. Therefore, beach holidays can be enjoyed all around the year. Summer season is mild, and usually climate is pleasant in Malaysia so you can visit it in all seasons. Anyhow, December and January are two peak tourists' seasons. From June until August is also a good time to enjoy beaches activities.

I assure you, your vacations to this country holding natural beauty, would be a treasured and unforgettable experience.

Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Sunday 25 May 2014