I have just read a review of this hotel on a frommers forum. A person recently stayed there and complained bitterly about wear and tear and filthy bedding and carpets and so on. This is all too incredible to believe or is it? Are hotels in the Cameron HIghlands generally unclean and dilapidated (this isn%26#39;t the first time I have read something as scary as that). If this is true are there reasons for this?
Ye Olde Smokehouse - is it dirty?
Dear xiantraveller,
First of all, the Smokehouse is Old, very old and old indeed, it has been there since 1937, so its about 70 years old and it has not been renovated much since. Polstery is the management%26#39;s duty to replace, but the wear and tear on roofs and walls are caused by our infamous wet and hot Malaysian weather. Well, of course not all hotels in CH are like that, the Smokehouse is one of the historical houses there. If you wnat something nicer and newer, i would reccomend you:
1. High end : Cameron Highlands Resort - Newly refurbished Merlin Inn, just across the golf course from Smokehouse. Spa, yoga, suites, white linen, Jim Thompson style and all.
2. Budget: Century Pines : Newly renovated and new management from the Eastern Hotel. Opposite the playground and police station in Tanah Rata. Large clean rooms with balcony, great toilets and great staff.
Cheers!
Ye Olde Smokehouse - is it dirty?
Its all a little bit dated now, but thats part of the attraction. Never stayed but did go in and do the tea and scones thing (such a tourist). Generally it looked ok, very nice gardens and in a good location but you do need a car to get around in CH.
If you want something a bit more modern have a look at the Equatorial, big modern resort, but alas, zero character.
Global ....... 70 years old property is not old, also better built than most buildings you%26#39;ll find in KL. YOS is brick built, not like the poured concrete constructions you find all over asia.
In Europe (have you been) its not unusual to live in houses far older than this. In fact they are often more expensive than new housing.
It is not the age of the building but the cleanliness and state of maintenance.
Quite right ! Thats why I recommend the Equatorial to you.
So its old (at least in Masia) - no one cared to renovate it - no one maintained it - the wood gets rotten really fast - resulting to all the wear and tear. People in Europe renovate their houses almost every 20 years depending if the house how fast it colapses.
I am not sure how far the foundation columns go down the earth, and if they even did soil-sampling around Kea Farm (these kinda unforseen matters are pretty common among Malaysian contractors) but I wouldn%26#39;t really want to stay there during the monsoon season or keep to the first few lower floors.
European houses are not renovated every twenty years. The way to keep the building in good shape is to do regular maintainance. European buildings are usually built to higher standards than those found in Asia (modern) i.e. over the last century. Bricks not concrete.
Well have any of you stayed at the Lakehouse? Is that the same as the Smokehouse - ie stay there only if a monsoon is not forecast or you can put up with bed bugs?
Did not stay at the Lakehouse, always with the family.
The big problem with the highlands is general lack of investment. Westerners get enough cool weather in europe, the camerons are damper than many places in europe, so they all head for the beaches.
Equitorial is very good, clean, comfortable and warm at night.
Often had to wear a coat in the evening in CH.
Don%26#39;t write it off, very much worth a 2/3 day visit.
Hi,
I am sure there are many negative review about every single place on earth....there are no exception to Cameron.
Generally, Cameron is quite a clean place and of course newer place are more condusive and cleaner to stay. It depend on how adventurous your preference is. For instance, I would recommend Strawberry park if u like quiet %26amp; chillin%26#39; walk like myself.
Currently, the resident start to rent a clean 3 bedroom apartment for tourist (equip with furniture) for about RM200/night. If you are in a group, these are a better deal than hotel itself.
Welcome to Malaysia and I hope you would enjoy your stay in Cameron. It%26#39;s not always a bad experience, just give a shot.
Cheers!!
Positive Malaysian
Just been there half hour ago for TEa - scones are great but the service is poor.
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