Hotel Bahagia

I was expecting a lot worse from a budget hotel, so arriving to find a working gym and a pretty decent room for the price was a surprise. Breakfast was included too. It was way better than the nearby five-star hotel where I had a horrible experience. I won't name it, but a quick search should turn it up.

The hotel was in a convenient spot, so we could get around the local area and reach nearby attractions and places to eat easily. The pool and gym were well maintained, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. Check-in went smoothly, and they dealt promptly with any issues. Alan, the manager, deserves special mention: he helped us arrange car rentals, island hopping and mangrove tours, which made our outings memorable. His hospitality added a lot to the trip. The room was clean, and the air conditioning kept it comfortable. The one letdown was breakfast, especially if you're looking for Indian options. A short walk away, APATHAAS TASTE INDIAN RESTAURANT has tasty, reasonably priced breakfast and lunch, and its quality is better than many other eateries in Langkawi. Aside from the breakfast shortfall, we had a very enjoyable stay and would consider coming back.

There are several places to eat within walking distance, though the area itself isn't especially nice. The hotel's three-star rating may have fit years ago, but it doesn't seem deserved now, and the service was terrible. At the breakfast buffet, the person taking room tickets just held out her hand, with no hello, good morning, or eye contact. Breakfast was bread with margarine, not butter, plus two dishes of rice and noodles.

There isn't customer parking at this big hotel, just public parking. My standard room had two single beds and felt too small for the price, which seemed above average for that kind of room. On the good side, the beds were so comfortable I could snore loudly, the room wasn't smelly or gross-looking, and the air conditioning was cold enough. Lighting was just right, and the shower worked well, though the water pressure could be a little stronger. All in all, it was a good stay.