Merits Hotel Cameron Highlands

Room 1112 had plenty of space for two adults and a child. Cleanliness was about 9/10, though the bathroom lost a point for lots of water marks and a little thin mold on the floor. A bit of scrubbing should take care of it. Basic toiletries were supplied, including bath gel and shampoo. The staff were polite and helpful. There’s a water dispenser and iron in the hallway. Nearby are cat house, zoo mania and butterfly farm. The surroundings are all buildings, so don’t expect a great nature view 😂

The front desk staff were friendly and really helpful, and I enjoyed my stay. It’s a new hotel, with a clean room that’s quite spacious for a boutique hotel. The lift is still under maintenance, and they should provide an extra pillow.

The hotel looked good on arrival, and reception welcomed us warmly. Check-in was quick and easy. The beds were comfortable, the room spacious, and the bathroom looked luxurious. But the lift wasn’t working, which was a hassle for our group of elderly people and children carrying lots of luggage. We were lucky to get rooms on levels 1 and 2, though it was still inconvenient. If you’re travelling alone or with young people, it may not be much of an issue. Like most places in Cameron Highlands, there’s no air conditioning, just an adjustable wall fan. The bathroom was the highlight, but the water heater needed manual adjustment. To get hot water, we had to use low pressure. Turn it up and the water went cold straight away. Toothbrushes and toothpaste weren’t provided, so bring your own. The doors don’t block much sound, and around 11pm some guests were talking loudly in the corridor while we were hoping to rest after a long day. Karaoke from the bar/restaurant opposite could also be heard in the room. It was a fine stay, with great rooms, but the amenities were lacking and there’s room for improvement. I’d only come back if the hotel improves.

I chose Merits because it was reasonably close to Simpang Pulai and had tourist attractions nearby, with some restaurants within a five-minute drive. I’d heard it was a new hotel in a newly developed area, so I didn’t expect much. The construction all around it made for a poor first impression. Still, there was plenty of parking on the street facing Merits, and staff greeted me warmly. Check-in was smooth and quick, and they took a RM50 deposit. Staff suggested parking on the next street behind the main building, which worked well since my room was next to that lot. The back entrance uses a security tag on the room card, which felt reassuring, and my room was beside the entrance with no awkward steps to climb. The main drawback was that the lift wasn’t working. For two people the room was very spacious, and the twin beds were comfortable. As usual in Cameron Highlands, there was no air conditioning, just one wall fan. A desk attached to a rack with a mirrored door sat near the bathroom. The bathroom had a much-needed water heater, but the bidet hose leaked, leaving the floor wet and slippery. Nearby, I had an Arabian dinner in a mall and picked up snacks at a close-by store. I slept well and went looking for a good sunrise view from the hotel, but construction next door got in the way of what could have been a great view. The shower was hot with excellent water pressure, and checkout was quick and easy. I’d probably wait until the construction is finished before staying here again.