I’m breaking my usual posting schedule to bring you a deal.
I found out about a Tune Hotel Ipoh promo. It’s a collaboration between Tune Hotel and the Malaysian railways to encourage people to take the ETS from KL to Ipoh. Even if you are not taking the train, it applies to you too!
Room rates are RM68 nett from Sunday to Thursday RM100 nett for Friday and Saturday.
Rates include 1 unit Cozy Package (24 hours air conditioning, 1 towel and toiletry set, 24 hours TV and WiFi.
Use promotion code KTMIPOH
Other terms and condition
Stay period: 2 Jan to 31 Mar 2013
Rates valid for 1 double room or 1 twin room (subject to availability) per night
Black-out dates for stays: 1 Jan, 24-27 Jan, 10-14 Feb
Promo only for Tune Hotel Ipoh
(I’ll bring the flyer to a scanner soon so you can read all the nitty gritty fine print.)
My thoughts on Tune Hotel Ipoh promo
I’ve stayed at Tune Hotel Ipoh before and liked it a lot. My promotion then was a lot cheaper than what they have now: RM61.14 for room, 12-hour air conditioning, rental towel and “free essentials toiletries kit”.
But the deal’s quite good for weekenders. I just did a fake booking and the fees turned out to be RM142 for all the benefits they are including.
The hotel is a little walk from the old town area where food is congregated. Exercising is good, my friends.
I also love Ipoh for its food and sights (they have a damn castle!). It’s a great weekend trip if you are in Peninsula Malaysia or Singapore.
For me, the most stressful part of planning a trip is booking the right hotel. The price has to be right. The distance to town should not be too far. The beds should be comfy with no bed bugs.
I guess that’s the reason why I keep choosing Tune Hotel when there’s a branch at my destination. When I found out that there was an opening sale for the new Bangkok branch. Tune Hotel – Asoke, I immediately made my booking.
During the sale, the basic room fee was 299 baht before taxes, Based on my past three experience staying at different Tune Hotels (Kota Bahru, Ipoh and Kuching), I decided that I needed to add on 24 hour airconditioning and Wi-Fi. The bill came around to 661.92 baht. Tune Hotel Asoke bill
I’m not sure if it’s any cheaper than other hotels but I was sure that Tune Hotels have comfy beds and powerful showers. (5 star for 1 star price)
Airport to Tune Hotel
It’s a bit tricky to find how to take public transport from Don Muang airport to Tune Hotel as even the Web site is vague.
I printed out the hotel name and address (in English and Thai), showed it to the lady at the taxi counter who gave me a slip of paper and told me to wait for a cab.
To reach the hotel, the cabbie had to drive into the narrow lane of Sukhumvit Soi 14. The trip came up to be about 210 baht, even though the lady at the airport said it might be 350 baht.
If you are taking the public transport to Tune Hotel Asoke, stop at the BTS Asoke station. You will see a sign pointing to the hotel. Actually, you can see the hotel from the station. Sign pointing to Tune Hotel
After turning into Soi 14, you can see Suda Restaurant and a sign pointing to the hotel. (According to online reviews, this restaurant isn’t too bad. I’ve not tried it though.) From Soi 14 to Tune Hotel
The hotel sticks out like a sore thumb (in a good way) among the posh housing. Facade of Tune Hotel Asoke
The guard was very enthusiatic about helping me with my luggage. Unfortunately, I only had a backpack so he couldn’t help me. If you are heading out, he can help you call a cab too.
Checking in
Tune Hotel Asoke reception
When I reached, there was about 15 minutes before checkin time 1400. The receptionists were very strict about the time so I sat at the bench with the other early guests.
There was a play area where you can take photos of yourself and send it to your e-mail box. Tune Hotel Asoke lobby
Finally! 1400 hours arrived. I queued behind some of the guests who were even more anxious about checking in.
There was quite a long form to fill out. The receptionist also scanned my passport and the immigration entry form.
I was roomed on the fourth floor which is not the most auspicious. Tune Hotel 4th floor
The room
Double room of Tune Hotel Asoke
As the hotel only opened recently, everything was brand spanking new. I was quite happy that the toilet did not smell mouldy like it did in Kuching.
Strangely, there was a large mirror above the bed. It made the room seem larger but I cannot figure out what it is for. Double room of Tune Hotel Asoke
Since I booked 24 hours of airconditioning, the key slot did not show the count down to my airconditioning-less hour. Insert key here
As usual, there is a TV (which you can pay for) but I used it as towel rack. There’s also a menu for room service above the TV. The food is a bit overpriced though. Le TV
Wrapping up this post, I love everything about Tune Hotel Asoke, the location and price.
I stayed at Tune Hotel Waterfront Kuching during my weekend in Kuching on Sep. 15.
When I booked my plane tickets for Kuching, the plan was to go to Sematan where my two friends were vacationing at a resort. Unfortunately, it takes a while to get there and the pools close in the evening so D suggested I stay in the city.
I checked out room prices. 360xpress Hotel where I’ve spent a night before was absurdly expensive. Luckily, Tune Hotel was having a sale and I got my room for RM66 (including airconditioning and towel rental).
Tune Hotel Kuchingl
Even though Tune Hotel Waterfront Kuching say they have a shuttle, you have to have 2 passengers as a minimum and call in advance or something. I ended up taking a RM30 cab there.
I’ve stayed at Tune Hotel in Kota Bahru and Ipoh so I was familiar with the facilities.
The location of Tune Hotel Kuching was fabulous (even better than 360xpress Hotel). It’s just opposite Hilton Hotel (dimsum buffet lunch!) and a stone’s throw away from the Waterfront.
If you’re interested in how the single room looks like, check out a video tour of the room:
In a nutshell
Stayed at Tune Hotel Waterfront Kuching
Pros: Cheap, near waterfront
Cons: No real shuttle to hotel
I’ve only stayed at Tune Hotel once before the Ipoh Tune Hotel stay. It was in Kelantan and the twin bed room wasn’t too bad. My parents who have stayed at Tune Hotel KLIA-LCCT complained that their room was too tiny they can’t even open their luggage.
Tune Hotel Ipoh opened in March 2012. They had a sale in mid-January and I snatched up two RM39 double-bed rooms.
Similar to AirAsia’s tickets, the bare price only includes the minimum “comforts”, so I had to pay an extra RM15 to buy a package of 12-hour air conditioning, rental towel and “free essentials toiletries kit”. All together, it was RM61.14 for the room, with service charge.
YQtravelling 