Kangar's Megastar Inn: Your Dream Malaysian Getaway Awaits!
Kangar's Megastar Inn: Your Dream Malaysian Getaway Awaits!
Kangar's Megastar Inn: My Honest Take on Your Malaysian Dream Getaway (SEO-Powered Ramblings!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to take you on a wild ride through the supposed "Dream Malaysian Getaway" that is Kangar's Megastar Inn. And believe me, after spending a week there, I have opinions. This isn't some polished, PR-approved review. This is REAL. Get ready for messy structure, honest takes, and maybe a few tangents.
First things first: The Website Lied (Mostly. Kinda.)
You know how it is. You’re browsing, dreaming of sunshine and… well, whatever you dream of when you’re clicking "book now." The Megastar Inn's website promised… well, it’s the usual: "Your Dream Malaysian Getaway Awaits!" My dream was about to be tested. And let me tell you, the reality was a mixed bag. The SEO terms were definitely there. Let's break it down, shall we?
Accessibility: Ugh, Not the Best, Sadly.
- Accessibility: This is crucial. I’m not personally wheelchair-bound, but I always look for accessibility because… well, everyone deserves a good vacation, right? The website vaguely mentioned facilities for disabled guests. I'd rate it a "maybe". Didn't see anything that screamed "fully accessible" but didn't see anything that screamed "impossible" either. Investigate further if this is a MUST for you.
- Elevator: YES! Thank goodness. My knees were screaming after a long day exploring.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Mixed bag, wasn't clear from my visit as to what exactly those entail.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Nervous Smile
- Cleanliness and safety: Overall, I wasn't totally disgusted. But I wasn’t entirely thrilled, either. It felt… ok. Not sparkling, not grimy. Just… there.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Hmm, how would I know? They saidthey used them, but did I see it? Nope. (See: trust issues).
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Definitely saw staff wiping down surfaces, which was reassuring.
- Hand sanitizer: Readily available. Yay!
- Hygiene certification: I didn’t see any certificates plastered around. (Again, my inner skeptic activates).
- Individually-wrapped food options: This was a definite plus, especially at breakfast.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried. It’s a bit tricky in a bustling buffet, but there were efforts made.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Unconfirmed, but I suspect that someone, somewhere, was trying their best.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Didn't see that option.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Hope so!
- Safe dining setup: Pretty standard, nothing groundbreaking.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Looked clean, but who knows what goes on behind the scenes?
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I saw staff following the masks and sanitizer stuff.
- First aid kit: Present, always a relief.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Didn’t require it, thankfully, but good to know.
- CCTV in common areas & outside: Pretty good, made me feel a bit secure.
- Fire extinguisher: Present, hurray!
- Safety/security feature, security (24-hour), smoke alarms: These were there, which is always great.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast, a Tale of Two Buffets.
- Restaurants & That Buffet: Okay, let's talk about breakfast. The website gushed about the “Asian Buffet” and “Western Buffet.” Honestly? The Asian buffet was infinitely better. The Nasi Lemak was actually delicious (praise the Lord!), and the dim sum was surprisingly good. The Western side? Sausages that tasted vaguely of sadness and scrambled eggs that resembled… well, let’s just say they weren’t winning any culinary awards. But the coffee was good. Phew!
- Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast: Covered, mostly.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: Saw these, but didn't actively try them.
- Poolside bar: Yup! Handy for a quick thirst quencher after swimming.
- Room service [24-hour]: Great!
- Snack bar: The convenience of a snack bar!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Not sure this was entirely accurate. But they had something for everyone.
- Bottle of water: Always welcome.
- Happy hour: Didn't get around to partaking.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Unclear.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or Not): The Spa Dilemma
- Things to do: Kangar is a jumping-off point. You need to venture out.
- Ways to relax: That's the juicy part, isn't it?!
- Spa/sauna, Steamroom: There was a Spa, and I used it! It was… well, okay. Far from the luxurious spa experiences I have had in the past.
- Pool with view, Sauna, Hot tub Pools, The outdoor pool was a definite highlight. The view wasn’t stunning, but it was pleasant, and it was fantastic to unwind after a long day of exploring. It got a bit crowded, though.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: They had them, but I couldn't fully enjoy them.
- I was particularly excited about the sauna, and, to be honest, it was one of the worst saunas I've ever used.
- For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: These where there but mostly not my area of expertise.
Services and Conveniences: The Necessary Grind
- Services and conveniences: Basically, everything you expect.
- Air conditioning in public area & in all rooms, Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Ironing service, Laundry service: Present and functioning!
- Air conditioning in public area: Thank God. Malaysia heat is no joke.
- Concierge, Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Doorman, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: Standard.
- Contactless check-in/out: YESS!
- Business facilities: Not really my jam, but they had them.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Cute little shop, perfect for forgetting to buy a gift for your sister.
- Food delivery: Not that I know of.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, On-site event hosting, Seminars, Wi-Fi for special events: Unused.
- Shuttle service: I didn't avail of it.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Free parking is always a bonus.
- Car power charging station: Haven't seen it.
- Convenience store: Essential for snacks!
- Invoice provided: Nope.
- Meeting stationery: Not used.
- Outdoor venue for special events: Didn't see those.
- Projector/LED display: Not used.
- Safe deposit boxes, Xerox/fax in business center: Fine.
- Terrace: A nice enough terrace!
- Wi-Fi for special events: Unused.
Available in all rooms: The Essentials (and the Not-So-Essentials)
- Additional toilet: Unsure.
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet: All present and accounted for.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Essential! The coffee was good, too.
- Desk: Good enough.
- Extra long bed: Yes!
- Free bottled water, Hair dryer: Good.
- High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available: Unused.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens: Mostly good.
- Mini bar: Could be better!
- Mirror, Non-smoking: YES!
- On-demand movies: I think.
- Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature: Essential.
- **Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to wade through the glorious, chaotic, and potentially disastrous (but hopefully mostly glorious) adventure that was my stay at the Megastar Inn Vacation Stay in Kangar, Malaysia. This isn't your perfectly-edited travel blog; this is the unfiltered truth, with all the quirks and anxieties of a person who forgets to pack underwear. (Don't judge. It happens.)
Megastar Inn Vacation Stay: Kangar - Operation: Get My Chill On (and Maybe Not Die From Spicy Food)
Day 1: Arrival and (Mostly) Smooth Sailing… With a Side of Mild Panic.
- 1:00 PM: Land at the Alor Setar Airport (Langkawi was out of my budget for the trip), and immediately realize I've drastically underestimated the heat and humidity. I mean, I knew Malaysia was hot, but good lord. My carefully crafted "stylish traveler" look (linen pants, breezy shirt) is already clinging to me like a sweaty second skin. First impressions of Kangar? It felt like a beautiful, baking oven.
- 2:30 PM: Taxi to the Megastar Inn. The driver, bless his soul, didn't understand my overly enthusiastic attempts at Malay (basically, "hello, thank you, and more spicy food, please!"), but we eventually made it. Checking in! Smooth! A little too smooth. I’m already bracing myself for something to go wrong. It's a vacation, right? Things always find a way to malfunction.
- 3:00 PM: Holy Mother of Air Conditioning! My room! It’s an oasis! A glorious, frosty escape. The room isn't exactly five-star; it's functional. Decent bed, working AC, clean-ish bathroom. The TV? Well, let's just say I'm pretty sure I've seen more channels in a prison. But hey, I'm here to explore, not watch Malaysian soap operas (though, who knows, maybe that'll change).
- 4:00 PM - 6:00PM: A quick dip in the pool. The water was a delightful, slightly tepid temperature. Good for cooling down, but the pool didn't scream the cleanest pool in the world. The only other people in the pool were two kids, who were screaming and playing and making me feel very old. The pool itself was a fairly small size.
- 7:00 PM: Food! It's the highlight of every trip, right? I have a bit of a food tour planned for the trip. I was off to Restoran Nasi Kandar Yasmeen. Okay, it wasn't exactly planned. I did a quick google search, and this place seemed to be a local favourite. The place was packed, and the air crackled with the delicious scents of curries and spices. I attempted to order, and, through a combination of pointing, miming, and a lot of smiling, I miraculously managed to communicate my desire for something… reasonably spicy. (I said I was adventurous. My taste buds might disagree.) I ended up with a plate piled high with rice, chicken, and sauces of varying colours and intensities. The verdict? Delicious. And a little too hot. I think I sweat enough to fill the pool. Ate like there was no tomorrow and went back to the room to get some rest, so I could recover from the spice!
Day 2: Culture and Spice (Again!) - And A Near Disaster.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The buffet was… well, it was breakfast. Lots of white bread, some sad-looking fruit, and the obligatory (and strangely appealing) nasi lemak. Coffee? Let's just say it tasted like instant regret.
- 10:00 AM: Tour of the local area! I went to the Perlis State Park, which was beautiful! The views were spectacular, and the air was much fresher after the morning. I did a bit of hiking at the park and started to feel a sense of calm, which was great!
- 12:00 PM: Lunch! More amazing food, this I knew already. Today I ventured in at a place named, Restoran Kak Mah Nasi Kukus. What I got was a serving of Nasi Kukus which was made with a fluffy rice which was steamed. I loved it, and I am definitely making this a go to meal!
- 3:00 PM: THE NEAR DISASTER: I was walking around the town centre, innocently browsing souvenirs. Suddenly, a swarm of bees attacked, and I panicked! I run, flailed my arms, and started screaming. Some locals came and helped me get away from them. My first emotional reaction was fear. I then felt ridiculous for panicking; then I felt grateful to the kind people who helped. After that it was back to calmness. The whole thing lasted no more than five minutes, but it felt like a lifetime. I got myself a ice cream and calmed down!
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at another place I had been told about - Nasi Kandar Mat Jusoh. This place was so good, the food was so varied. It took me ages to decide what to get. This place was definitely a go-to restaurant!
Day 3: Leaving and the lingering feeling of… content.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast! Again, the instant regret coffee. I guess I should bring my own next time.
- 10:00 AM: Checkout! Surprisingly easy. No hidden charges. No frantic searches for missing towels. Success!
- 11:00 AM: Taxi to the airport. Wave goodbye.
- 1:00 PM: Landing back home.
Final Thoughts:
The Megastar Inn Vacation Stay wasn't perfect. It wasn't a luxurious, instagrammable haven. But it was a base. It was clean enough. It had air conditioning. It was conveniently located, and if I’m honest, the local food was incredible. The people were friendly, even when I butchered their language.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Maybe with a stronger tolerance for chili. Maybe with a can of cockroach spray. Maybe with some decent coffee. But definitely. Because even with the minor mishaps, the sweat, the mild panic, the food coma, and not being able to understand a lot of what's going on - it was an adventure. And, in the end, that's exactly what I wanted.
Meridiana Djerba: Your Tunisian Paradise Awaits!
Okay, so, what *is* the Megastar Inn anyway? Is it, y'know, fancy?
Alright, alright, let's be real. "Megastar" might be a *slight* overstatement. Think... comfortable. Think... clean. Think... a solid, reliable basecamp for exploring the wonders of Kangar, Malaysia. It's not the Ritz, but it's not a hostel where you'll be dodging questionable stains either. Picture a cozy Malaysian version of a Motel 6, but with better air conditioning. Seriously, the AC is a lifesaver in that humidity.
How do I even *get* there? Flying? Driving? Teleportation (wishful thinking)?
Getting to Kangar, and thus the Megastar Inn, involves some level of planning, unless you somehow *do* possess teleportation technology. (If so, please share!) Most likely, you'll fly into Penang or Alor Setar. From there, it's a bus or taxi ride. The bus is definitely the budget option, and a bit of an adventure in itself. Let's just say I experienced a *brief* but very awkward sing-along with a group of elderly ladies on one trip. The ride itself is generally good and comfortable, but make sure you get the right route! Check maps first to make the drive as straightforward as possible.
Is the Wi-Fi decent? Because let's be honest, a working internet connection is practically oxygen these days.
The Wi-Fi… ah, the eternal traveler's battle. It *works*. Mostly. Expect moments of glorious, lightning-fast connectivity, followed by… a bit of buffering. Think of it as a chance to appreciate the simple things, like the birds chirping outside your window (and the delicious Malaysian food you'll be craving!). It's better than nothing, which, believe me, I've encountered. Just don't expect to stream HD movies without a little patience... or a pre-downloaded collection. Pro tip: the signal is often stronger in the lobby. Perfect for people-watching, too!
What about the rooms themselves? Clean? Spacious? Do they have, like, a working shower?
The rooms are… decent. Clean, generally. The air conditioning is actually *good*, which is a HUGE plus in Malaysia! Space-wise, don't expect a ballroom, but it's perfectly adequate. And yes, they have working showers! With hot water! Hallelujah! I've stayed in places where the shower was basically a glorified drizzle, but the Megastar Inn delivers on the basics. The towels… well, they're towels. Not the fluffiest, but they get the job done. Don't expect luxury, but do expect a comfortable sleep after a day spent wandering around. Also, be sure to grab an extra pillow. It's a small thing, but it makes a big difference after a long day in the sun!
Do they offer breakfast? I'm a grumbling monster before my morning coffee.
Breakfast… is available, but it’s not exactly a culinary masterpiece. Think simple: toast, maybe some eggs, sometimes a local Malaysian dish or two. It's enough to get you started, but if you're a breakfast fanatic, you *might* be disappointed. But hey, Kangar is overflowing with amazing street food! Head out and find yourself some *nasi lemak* or *roti canai* – trust me, your taste buds will thank you. The food in Malaysia is really something else. Just… don't expect Michelin star experiences at breakfast.
What else is there at the hotel? Pool? Gym? (I’m dreaming, aren’t I?)
Okay, let's manage those expectations. No pool. No gym. The Megastar Inn is all about the basics. There *might* be a small, rather sad, outdoor seating area, but I wouldn't write home about it. It's more about the location – central to everything Kangar has to offer! Think of it as a launching pad for your adventures rather than a destination in itself. You're here for the culture, the food, the *experience*. Plus, who needs a gym when you're exploring all the amazing sights? Walking is a great workout, anyway!
Is the location any good? I wanna be near the action! Or at least the good food.
YES! The location is a huge selling point! You're right in the heart of Kangar. Close to restaurants, shops, and the bustling local markets. Foodie heaven! Seriously, you can walk to so many amazing places. The night market is a must-do! I’m talking sizzling satay, fragrant curries, refreshing fruit juices… It’s sensory overload in the best possible way. Just be prepared to try new things! And maybe bring some wet wipes, because things can get messy (in a delicious way!).
What's there to do in Kangar itself? I'm not just going to sit in my room, am I?
Oh, absolutely not! Kangar is a fantastic jumping-off point for exploring Perlis, the smallest state in Malaysia. You can visit the Wang Kelian Sunday Market, a unique border market experience. You should definitely visit the Gua Kelam caves! The view is stunning, but please, be prepared for many walking. Don't forget to visit the nearby paddy fields! These gorgeous, sprawling rice paddies offer a truly calming and traditional Malaysian scenery. The views are great, especially during the sunset! I was there during sunset, and it was the experience of a lifetime!
What's the staff like? Are they friendly? Helpful? Do they speak English?
The staff… is… variable. Some are incredibly friendly and bend over backwards to help. Others… well, let's just say their English might be a little rusty. But they're generally trying their best! Be patient, be polite, and a little charm goes a long way. I had an experience where I needed to get a taxi to the airport. The lady on the reception was so sweet and nice, helping me to book the taxi and negotiate the fare! I was late and in stress, but her kindness and professionalism were incredibly helpful. But, sometimes it can be difficult to get your message through. Just remember to keep smiling, and youEscape To Inns
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