Homestay @ Kinta Riverfront Ipoh

At Ampas Coffee House, my husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day on February 14th with the “Shape of Love” package. It was a lovely chance to pause and appreciate all the years we've shared. This was our 39th Valentine's Day together, and the evening gave us a memory we'll keep close. The atmosphere felt romantic, the food was fresh and delicious, and each dish looked beautiful. A special thank you to Aida, whose attentive, observant, polite, and caring service made the dinner feel personal and warm.

The hotel was extremely run down and nowhere near a 4-star standard. We booked a family room, but it didn't feel prepared for families. Our 15-month-old had a runny nose, so we arranged medication through Grab. Reception refused to hold it for the driver and sent the delivery to the suite instead. They claim to provide a baby cot, but what we got was more like an infant bassinet. A mobile toddler could climb out and get hurt. The air conditioning wasn't working well, and there was a musty smell throughout the lobby, corridors, and room. The curtains were old and dusty. Cleanliness was poor: the 11th-floor carpets were dirty, the room floor was peeling, there was mould in the toilet, and the towel had a hole. The couch was in such bad shape I didn't dare sit on it. The Wi-Fi didn't work at all. We also had trouble arranging transport. My husband asked by text if they could arrange a chauffeur from Ipoh train station because we had a car seat, but they told us to take Grab. When we arrived, we asked about a private charter or limousine for our trip and were told they offered no such service, even though two hotel cars were parked just outside.

This was my first time staying here, and I was happy to come for a staycation. My room on the 16th floor was huge, with a king-size bed and my favourite, a jacuzzi. Breakfast had plenty of variety, but some dishes weren't tasty: the bihun was very dry and had no salt, and the nasi goreng was dry too. The traditional kuih muih and tea were top-notch. Thanks, Kinta Roverfront team.

Our breakfast was included for two. The spread looked impressive, though the food itself wasn't great. We didn't use the facilities, but the gym looked new and the pool seemed well kept, with a kids' pool and different depths for adults. The hotel is a little way from Ipoh's main attractions, but most places are a short walk or drive away. It's also a bit far from eateries. On arrival, parking was confusing because red warning tape blocked the entrance to the lift, so it was hard to find the way to the lobby. We eventually managed. Staff were welcoming and smiling, and check-in went smoothly. Our room was very spacious, including a huge bathroom with a separate shower room. There were enough toiletries, including body lotion, which I liked. The bed was cosy and comfortable, with three pillows per person, and we slept well. We also had a nice city view. Bottled water, coffee, tea, and sugar were provided, but the coffee was 3-in-1. I'd prefer 2-in-1 or separate coffee and creamer, since I don't add sugar. A few things brought my rating down. The frosted shower glass let so much light into the room that it could disturb someone sleeping when the other lights were off. The hot shower temperature kept changing and was hard to adjust, usually lukewarm or cold. When it did get hot, the water pressure was very slow. The soaking tub didn't seem properly cleaned. The TV wasn't smart, so there was no YouTube or Netflix, and the available channels were boring and not even fully clear. Housekeeping missed strands of hair in the bathroom and room at check-in, and they were still there each day even after the room was made up.