Checking Out The Equatorial Hotel, Cameron Highlands

To tell you the truth, Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highland wasn't high on our list for a place to crash in when we were making plans for our break. We initially wanted to go to Strawberry Park Resort or the Cameron Highlands Resort but I'm glad we decided to choose Equatorial in the end.

Checking-in

The hotel looks quite popular with families, the lobby was quite busy with guests milling around the lobby. The reception area seen here, with flags of Malaysian states hanging above.

The lobby was huge and there was plenty of space of guests to chill out there. Sofas scattered around fireplaces (two fireplaces in the lobby), pool tables, popcorn counter, tour desk and even a kids' corner. But with such a popular spot to hang out in the hotel, when the crowd was big, you can't get away from screaming kids and maybe noisy, irritating guests in the midst.

The noise made by the huge TV connected to a PS2 game console (RM8 per game) was rather disconcerting for me. But the TV wasn't switched on the next day on Tuesday when the crowd had noticeably thinned out. So the lobby was a more comfortable place when there were lesser crowd.

Checking-in went without a hitch. We were met by the Front Office Manager who walked us through the check-in process. So that was a pleasant experience.

After check-in, we headed to the pool area. Equatorial Cameron Highlands has an indoor pool. Rather small in size, but if you or your kids fancy a splash, you can do so here. I was informed that the water was kept at room temperature.

After that, we headed down to the gym. Unfortunately the gym was locked and the key had to be collected from the Front Office (same goes to the pool towel). The reason being, I was told, to avoid children from entering the gym. Due to very low usage by guests, the gym was not manned and it will be dangerous if children were to run around in it unsupervised.

There is wireless internet connection in the common area and in rooms on certain floors, but they are chargeable. No free wi-fi connection here. I called for the duty manager to check on the speed of the internet connection, but the staff who answered wasn't sure whether it is fast or not. Pity. I'm not going to fork out RM14.95 for an hour of so-so connection (RM39.90 for 24 hours usage).

We then headed to the hotel courtyard to enjoy the lovely flowers planted around the hotel. I'll put up some flower photos in the future.

From the hotel, it is just a walking distance to Kea Farm's market so buying souvenir items was just a short walking distance away. So convenient!

Checking-out

Check-out wasn't as breezy as the check-in process. I would've thought, at 10.30am, more staff would be manning the check-out counter instead of the check-in counter; the check-in time being at 3.00pm and all. Only 1 staff was manning the check-out counter, and guests had to queue whilst the staff manning the check-in counter (3 of them, I counted) didn't offer any assistance at all.

The staff was polite and professional, but I do wish she can inject more warmth when interacting with guests. Smiling back at frumpy 'ol me wouldn't hurt either. So, unlike Equatorial Bangi where I can joke around with the front office staff (I do like yakking away with strangers, in case you haven't notice), at Equatorial Cameron Highlands, I just kept quiet and toe the line. Though I wonder how did the Hotel get a Sabah address for my receipt. My IC address is a Bangsar address. I know there's a magistrate in Sabah who has the same name as mine, so that could be it. Have to ask the hotel next time I visit.

OK lah, cannot talk so much with staff and slow down their work. Other people want to check-out too.

Anyway, if you want to avoid crowd while vacationing in Cameron Highlands, visiting during off-peak season is advisable. Not only you get a full and busy hotel during school holidays and weekends, the road in Cameron Highlands can be quite jammed too. Seriously jammed.

I am so excited to share our Cameron Highlands trip photos, there'll be a post about our vacation everyday for a week! Bear with me people. :-)