Paya Bunga Hotel Terengganu

Room 1519 was bigger and more upscale than 1706. It had a microwave, a laundry bin, and an extra 30 juz Quran, plus decorated shower tiles. Its Wi-Fi was better too, about 100Mbps in the photos, though there was no Ethernet outlet. The TV was the same size and type as in 1706, a Sharp with a generic remote wrapped in plastic. Room 1706 floods in strong winds and heavy rain, so avoid it during monsoon season. The Wi-Fi there was weak, around 30Mbps. Neither room had a bathtub or free newspaper. Rain and storms have also flooded the dining hall. One section was closed during breakfast, leaving too few seats and long queues, so arriving early in monsoon weather may help avoid frustration. The pool, gym, and dining hall share a floor, and the lifts get crowded and jammed at peak times. The pool is beside the dining area, which may not feel private. The gym hours are 8:30am-9pm, the pool runs 8:30am-7pm, and breakfast is 7am-10:30am. Parking is on the partly open-air sixth floor, so the pavement can be wet in rainy season. Bring an umbrella and raincoat.

The location worked well for getting around. The hotel is beside the bus station and within walking distance of Pasar Payang, the state mosque, and Chinatown. A Grab ride is only RM5, so nearby places are easy to reach. I was there for an office event, and the room had lovely views, was clean, and came with tea facilities, an iron, and an ironing board. Room service orders go through a QR code on your phone and the prices seemed reasonable. The Wi-Fi in the room was patchy, and the PA system in my conference room wasn't very good. The gym and pool are on level 11. The gym is open 9am-8pm, but its entrance looks like a hotel room door, so look carefully. Some gym equipment needed oiling because moving the weights was difficult, though I still got a good workout. The pool opens from 8:30am and requires a swimming vest or syariah-compliant swimwear, unlike pools I've used in west and borneo Malaysia. If you don't want to cover up to swim, this may not suit you. It's a decent place to sleep, but the spotty Wi-Fi makes it less suitable for work, and the pool isn't really a place I'd choose for swimming.

I've stayed here several times for work and would come back. Parking is plentiful and free once the receptionist validates it. The room is roomy and has toiletries, an iron, and a sejadah. I liked the instant coffee so much I went searching for it on shopee. A couple of things could be better: I don't think the TV is smart, and the toilet in room 1617 smelled like it was coming from the shower drain or floor trap. I was only staying briefly, so I didn't mention it. Hopefully management can look into it.

The setting was peaceful despite being close to everything, and the view was one of the best parts of the stay. The room felt private and cozy thanks to decent soundproofing. Wi-Fi was reliable for both work and streaming, and hot water worked every time. Check-in and checkout were quick, with no unnecessary waiting. The elevator wobbled just a little, enough to give you a small thrill.