| Hotel Rating: |   | | Satisfaction: |   | | Reviews: 6 | Photos: 8 | | 97 Batu Ferringhi |
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 | Lone Pine: A gem at Batu Ferringhi
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Lone Pine Hotel was one of the highlights during our Malaysia trip as goes for places to stay.
This old but renovated hotel is one of the few - if not the only one! - midrange or higher standard option in Batu Ferringhi that is not a colossal high rise appartment block.
It is maximum 3 strorey high but most of it has only two. In total there are 50 rooms in various categories. It is set on a large grass field only seperated from the beach by a small stylish fence to ensure guest privacy.
We stayed here for 2 nights and enjoyed very much.
Although you can see from most rooms that you're in a 60 year old hotel, they had all the facilities we needed, including the cheaper standard rooms that are a bit smaller with less good views than the superiors, but equally well equipped. The deluxe rooms are huge and come with two queen/kingsize beds. Prices start at about USD 60.
Great qualities:
* The relaxing grounds are very, very large, with several big trees to provide shadow and furnished with comfortable hammocks fetched for guests and loads of loungers. The next door Shangri La mastodont has a similar setup but there the space per guest turns pale in comparison.
* Complimentary mineral water, daily newspaper and unlimited bathtowels for the take.
* Excellent breakfast buffet, incredible variation for a smaller hotel (that however is fully booked much of the time).
* The hotel restaurant is very good, but foodcourts, restaurants and nightmarket are all within 5 minutes walking time from the hotel entrance.
* very pleaseant swimming pool and dito area.
Less exciting: the beach is not like paradise and the sea locally too dirty too swim in. Watersports business guys on the beach can be a bit too persistant.
Service is excellent, a bit toooo good at times as you got the feel that staff is keeping an eye on you all the time, whether it be the waiter or the security.
Overall however, this is one of very few places that I rated a great experience Theme: HotelPrice: US$40-80 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averagePhone: (6) 04-881 151Directions: 35 minutes from the airport by taxi.Website: www.lonepinehotel.com Other Contact: info@lonepinehotel.com
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| Lone Pine: Live like a Duke
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After reading some not-so-nice reviews about Lone Pine, we were wary about our booking in July 2007 for 6 nights. Had we been more organised, we would not have been in the predicament where all beach hotels were fully booked and Lone Pine's only available room was the Casuarina Executive Suite for a whopping MYR870 per night with breakfast thrown in for 3 adults (Mummy came along) and 2 kids. Much to our surprise, it turned out to be a most pleasant stay. Such a wonderful throwback to the past to be in a place with so much history. I have to hand it to the British - they really knew how to live it up. The suite comprised of 2 bathrooms, 2 TVs, 4 air-conditioners, DVD player, 1 dining area, 1 living area, 1 guest bedroom with folding doors as separation, and tea and coffee-making facilities. We soaked up the amazing ambiance of the place. Lone Pine has a quiet dignity about it, which modern chock-a-block hotels just cannot hold a candle up to.
The suite was clean. Still, it brings to light how difficult it can be maintaining old buildings. The toilet flush could not be flushed in quick succession, although it did work perfectly at half-hour intervals. The shower curtain in the guest bathroom was too short, making it difficult to shower without getting the floor wet. Wood around the windows was rotting away due to humidity and the salty air. But these were small things that did not bother us much.
The beach front was not crowded, the pool was very clean and not over-chlorinated. It was lovely waking up to the sound of the sea. Penang beaches are nothing to shout about, but that's another story. The children loved being close to the beach. Even at night, just looking at the stars or going crab-spotting proved great fun. Eating out was easy. Lots of activity in the night markets just around the corner.
Staff were fairly laid back but very friendly, in keeping with the pace of bygone days. The breakfast buffet was nowhere near as good as Evergreen Laurel's.
Unfortunately there is a "beach sports centre" situated between Lone Pine and Golden Sands, making the beach generally noisy, not to mention dangerous. The Malaysian authorities should really clamp down on usage of beach buggies, motor boats, jet skis and horses on beaches. They are not doing the tourism industry and favours by letting thugs run the scene.
I took a quick peek into one of the cheaper rooms once and was appalled at the state of things. I understand that maintaining old tiles and furnishings are not easy, but the rooms were downright grimy. A real shame, considering how unique Lone Pine is. The Malaysian crowd may also not have been especially civic-conscious about the hotel rooms they rent. I hope people try to be better people.
So perhaps I got one of the best rooms because I paid 4 times more the price of a regular room. But it was worth it. After all, Rasa Sayang would have cost even more! Theme: HotelPrice: US$120-180 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averagePhone: 604-881-1511
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| Lone Pine: Small and convenient
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 Deluxe-You can swing in it! by anoum
It used to be family owned and rundown but was bought over by the company that owns E&O Hotel and refurbished although a lot of the original is still there.
Took two rooms - Standard on the ground floor and just nice for my mum who can't climb stairs and Deluxe on the first floor.
Standard room is small with 2 single beds but it has a little courtyard of its own, somewhat like in hotels in Bali.
Deluxe room is big with two big double beds (can sleep four people), a coffee table and chairs at the large glass floor-to-ceiling windows where you can sit and enjoy the view of the beach. Also a chair you can sit and read comfortably.
The staff is small and friendly but could show more initiative. They don't smile unless you do first. Service is good.
Has a small L-shaped pool where you can see the sea nearby.
Has a private atmosphere, like a home away from home, less commercial.
Very small hotel, about 30 odd rooms and the buildings are old. Only two stories.
Very convenient as you need not ride lifts or walk long distances to your room and the pool.
The hotel is also in the middle of the town but shaded by trees and foliage, so you don't feel or hear the bustling street and traffic.
At night, the night market is just outside the gates of the hotel.
Also nearby are two hawker centres. Go to the one that is a short distance away, left of Lone Pine. The atmosphere is better and there are better and wider choices. Many foreign tourists eat there. Theme: HotelPrice: US$20-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averagePhone: (604)881 1333, fax (604)881 3933Directions: Turn right immediately after the traffic light in town of Batu Feringghi.Website: www.lonepinehotel.com
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