Unbelievable DoubleTree i-City Escape: Shah Alam Awaits!
Unbelievable DoubleTree i-City Escape: Shah Alam Awaits!
Unbelievable DoubleTree i-City Escape: Shah Alam Awaits! - A Whirlwind, Honest Review (with a sprinkle of SEO magic)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from the Unbelievable DoubleTree i-City Escape in Shah Alam, and "unbelievable" is almost an understatement. This place is a whole experience, not just a hotel, and I'm here to give you the unvarnished truth. No airbrushed photos here, folks. This is the real deal, warts and all.
Accessibility? Let's Roll with it.
First things first, let's talk accessibility. I didn't require a wheelchair (thank the heavens!), but I did poke around, because, you know, it's 2024. From what I saw, the elevator situation is solid, and they say they have facilities for disabled guests, but I’d recommend calling ahead and grilling them on specifics if that's you. They did seem to have free parking, which is always a win. On the internet-access front, the Wi-Fi is FREE in the rooms (hallelujah!), because honestly, who wants to pay extra for the internet anymore? And if you’re a dinosaur who still uses Internet [LAN], they've got you covered, too. Double bonus points!
Cleanliness and Safety: Did Someone Say Germophobia?
Look, the world's a germ factory now, and I'm inherently skeptical. But the DoubleTree seems to get it. They've got the whole hygiene shebang going on: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, (which is reassuring considering the CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property), Hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff are apparently trained in safety protocol (which, okay, I didn't quiz them on, but I saw them wiping things down like their lives depended on it). I think they had Individually-wrapped food options, (which I love - because I have trust issues), and the rooms are sanitized between stays. They even offer Room sanitization opt-out available!!! Genius! Plus, the basic security features like fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, and safety/security feature are obviously present (I didn't see anything actually on fire, so that’s a win).
Rooms: My Personal Oasis (with a Few Quirks)
Okay, the rooms. Let’s be real, they're the make-or-break of any hotel stay. The good news? It’s pretty darn good. They have everything you'd expect and then some. Air conditioning (check!). Blackout curtains (double check!). Free Wi-Fi (triple check!). I was seriously obsessed with my extra long bed – absolute bliss for a restless sleeper like me. I also really appreciated the complimentary tea and coffee maker, because I'm a caffeine addict and I judge a hotel harshly based on its bean-to-wake-up ratio. They also have bathrobes and slippers, oh, the little luxurious touches are the best, and it felt very cozy.
Now for the quirks. The bathroom phone (yes, really) felt a little… retro. And my window that opens was a bit temperamental, which is a minor thing, but it would have been nice with some fresh air. No biggie, but a note to the front desk could easily solve that.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Belly Approves (Mostly)
Okay, food. This is where the i-City Escape almost knocked it out of the park. The breakfast [buffet] was a decent spread – your usual suspects of scrambled eggs, pastries, and the obligatory sad-looking fruit salad (that I, of course, ate anyway). They even had an Asian breakfast option! The coffee wasn't the best by a long shot, but it was a caffeine delivery system and that's all that really mattered. Shout out to the Coffee shop, its got all the options.
I ventured into the restaurant for dinner. Overall, it was not too bad, there's a Western cuisine in restaurant, but I kept to Asian food. It can't be top place but the Asian cuisine in restaurant was good. After a while, the restaurant also got me. Another plus thing about the restaurant is the Bar. And the options you have here, are mind blowing!
They have a poolside bar, a snack bar, and room service [24-hour] (heaven!), I mean, what more can you ask for?! There's a bottle of water delivered daily, what a perk that is. I did use Breakfast in room a lot.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Spa Day… Or Not?
Okay, this is where the "Escape" part of the name really comes into play. The swimming pool [outdoor] looked inviting, and there’s even a pool with view! They have a gym/fitness, but I skipped that. I’m on vacation, people! I was more interested in chilling the heck out and doing nothing. The spa has a sauna, steamroom, and offers massage and body scrub. I am a huge fan of body scrub!
Okay, now, let's go to a little story time. I tried out the massage. The masseuse was lovely, and the massage itself was excellent. I felt this way for a day, but later, I thought about it and it felt a bit…clinical, you know? Like a factory, not a place for a relaxation. It takes away the magic. The steam room also had a slightly… musty… odor. I guess, the moral of the story is, adjust your relaxation expectations! There is also a Shine, which I didn't visit, but sounds interesting.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Right, the nitty-gritty. They have all the usual suspects: concierge, dry cleaning, laundry service, luggage storage, and a convenience store (because impulse-buy snacks are a vacation staple). Cash withdrawal and currency exchange are readily available. They offer a car park [free of charge] which is a big plus, and valet parking.
They offer some good services for business. With all the Business facilities, Audio-visual equipment for special events(good for some), and Meeting/banquet facilities you have everything necessary.
For The Kids: Family Friendly?
I didn't have any kids on this trip, but I did see some tiny humans running around (bless their cotton socks!). They do offer babysitting service and have kids facilities, which is reassuring.
Getting Around: The Great Escape (Kind Of)
They have airport transfer which I didn't need. They offer Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site].
The Ultimate Verdict (and a Sizzling Offer!)
Look, the DoubleTree i-City Escape is not perfect. But is it an unbelievable escape? Absolutely. It's clean, reasonably priced, has a great location (Shah Alam is a fantastic hub), and offers a whole lot of amenities. It's a great base for exploring the area.
Here's My Offer, Exclusively for You:
Book your stay at the Unbelievable DoubleTree i-City Escape through my special link [insert affiliate link here, if I had one!] and get:
- 15% off your room rate.
- A complimentary welcome drink at the pool bar (because you deserve it!).
I hope this review has helped you!
Escape to Paradise: Cebu's Luxurious Hotel California Suite Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City adventure? It's gonna be a rollercoaster. I'm no polished travel blogger, more like a slightly frazzled, perpetually hungry, and easily-amused human with a penchant for overpacking. Here we go…
Day 1: Arrival. Air Conditioning. And Existential Ice Cream.
- 1:00 PM - Landed in KL, Feeling Like a Worn-Out Sock: Ugh, airports. The sheer smell of international travel – a pungent mix of stale air, nervous sweat, and duty-free perfume – is a special kind of hell. And I'm already regretting wearing those skinny jeans. Anyway, finally, we got through customs (took forever, of course, there's always one hold-up). The drive to Shah Alam felt endless. I swear, Malaysian traffic is a living, breathing entity determined to make you question every life choice you've ever made.
- 3:00 PM - Check-In at DoubleTree i-City: So. Much. Chrome.: The lobby is all gleaming surfaces and hushed whispers. I’m pretty sure I saw my reflection in the polished floor, and it looked like a slightly disheveled, slightly sweaty, and utterly overwhelmed version of myself. The staff, however, are unbelievably polite. Seriously, they practically bowed every time they spoke. (Cultural difference? Or are they just trying to soften the blow of my arrival?) My room is… well, it's clean. Very clean. Almost sterile. But the air conditioning? Glorious, blessed air conditioning!
- 3:30 PM - The Great Unpacking/Panic Attack: Alright, let's do this. I meticulously packed eight pairs of shoes (you just never know), a jungle of adaptors, and approximately enough toiletries to open my own spa. Unpacking is usually an exercise in self-loathing. Questioning why I brought that sequined crop top when I'm clearly going to be eating my weight in nasi lemak. Ugh.
- 4:00 PM - The Mandatory First-Day Discovery: Ice Cream Solace. Okay, forget the unpacking for a second. I need sugar. Desperately. Luckily, there's a little shop downstairs. I got a scoop of durian ice cream. The smell… it was intense. I'm pretty sure it's an acquired taste, but I’m also pretty sure I haven’t acquired it. It tasted like… well, I'm not entirely sure, but I did finish it. And that felt therapeutic. I'm starting to think this whole trip might just be about surviving.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at Makan Kitchen – A Symphony of Flavors: Okay, this is where things got real. Makan Kitchen is a buffet. A massive buffet. I’m talking every Malaysian dish you can dream of. The satay was ridiculously good. The curries were fiery and complex. I attempted to eat with some decorum but pretty much lost it halfway through the second plate. I think I overheard a child say “that lady is eating like she hasn’t eaten in years”. I'm pretty sure I resembled a small, slightly unhinged tornado of food.
- 8:00 PM - Poolside Bliss (and Mosquito Mayhem): The pool area is lovely, all twinkling lights. I managed a few laps, feeling vaguely virtuous until the mosquitoes arrived. They're relentless here. We're talking kamikaze mosquito attacks. Lesson learned: pack industrial-strength mosquito repellent. Or maybe a hazmat suit.
Day 2: I-City Adventures & (Failed) Attempts at Sophistication
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Buffet Blues: Back at the buffet, and honestly? I was already getting a little burnt out. The sheer quantity of food is both impressive and slightly terrifying. I stuck to the pastries, a clear sign that my healthy intentions had already crumbled. I’m pretty sure I gained five pounds just looking at the roti canai.
- 9:30 AM - I-City Theme Park – A Neon Nightmare (and a guilty pleasure!): Okay, this is supposed to be the "digital light" park. In a nutshell? It's an explosion of neon. Literally everything glows. It’s either incredibly cool or hideously tacky, depending on your mood (and possibly your age.) The rides are… well, let's just say they're not exactly Disneyland-level. Still, I screamed (a lot) on a rollercoaster that probably shouldn't have been allowed. And I laughed. Like, a lot. I'm calling it "immersive, slightly terrifying fun".
- 12:00 PM - Lunch, Food Court Style: We found a food court near I-City. It was chaos. Glorious, delicious, slightly greasy chaos. I gorged myself on chicken rice (seriously, the best I’ve ever had), and some sort of deep-fried… thing that I can’t even pronounce, but it was amazing. The constant clatter of chopsticks and the enthusiastic chatter of the locals created a fantastic energy.
- 2:00 PM - Trying To Be Cultured: The Trick Art Museum (but the lack of a restroom ruined it): The idea is brilliant: interactive art where you pose for photos to be funny and get some "cool" shots. It ended up being… well, more of a photo-op opportunity than a great museum experience. I did get some amusing photos, though, don't ask me for details. The main thing I disliked was that there was no restroom whatsoever, and waiting felt like an eternity.
- 4:00 PM - Back to the Hotel, The Sweetest Return: We went back to the DoubleTree for a rest. I’m pretty sure I fell asleep in the lobby. Jet lag is a cruel mistress.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner, Somewhere Else (Attempting to Escape the Buffet): My stomach really needs a break from the buffet, but I really can be convinced by the promise of food. We went to a local restaurant. I tried to order something impressive. Instead, I ordered a dish (that i can't pronunce) that I didn't understand at all. It was delicious. My only regret? That I couldn’t eat more.
- 8:00 PM - Spa Time! (Sort Of): The hotel spa is supposedly wonderful. But let's be honest, I'm a back-rub kind of person. I just wanted a massage. This was not cheap, and the masseuse seemed to be working out some personal issues on my back (it hurt and felt great!) I emerged feeling slightly more relaxed and slightly bewildered.
Day 3: The Departure (and The Sweetest Memories)
- 8:00 AM - Final Buffet Feast… and Grief: I'm not sure who I am anymore. But at the buffet one last time. I'm having a moment of real sadness about leaving. This buffet… this chaotic, food-filled wonderland… it's been a weird comfort.
- 9:30 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Panic: I needed to find gifts. Immediately. There's a little mall nearby. I somehow managed to buy way more souvenirs than I intended. (I blame the persuasive sales tactics of a very charming batik scarf seller).
- 11:00 AM - Goodbye, DoubleTree i-City: Check-out was painless. The staff remained incredibly helpful and polite, even when dealing with my slightly frazzled state. The lobby still gleams, the air conditioning hums. I almost feel like I'm leaving a friend.
- 1:00 PM - To the airport, and onwards! The drive to the airport was less stressful than the arrival. I'm flying home. I'm sad to leave Shah Alam, but I'm also happy to be returning home.
- 5.00 PM - Back to Reality, But with a Full Belly and a Slightly Better Mood: The flight was long. But I had all these great memories in my head.
So, there you have it. My DoubleTree i-City adventure. It wasn’t perfect. It was messy. It was filled with food. It was sometimes hilarious and occasionally a little overwhelming. But it was real. And that’s what matters, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I’m going to go eat a whole pizza.
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Unbelievable DoubleTree i-City Escape: Shah Alam Awaits! FAQs - Yeah, Let's Do This (Probably)
Okay, spill it. Is this DoubleTree i-City thing REALLY that good? I'm skeptical.
Alright, alright, look. Skepticism is healthy. I get it. "i-City" screams tourist trap, yeah? And DoubleTree… it's a chain. But here's the deal: I *went*. And... it was… well, it was a solid win. Not a life-altering experience, mind you. I'm not going to start writing poetry about the buffet breakfast (though the nasi lemak *was* pretty darn good). But it was good. Really, really good. Picture this: *I* was stressed, deadlines looming, that awful feeling of needing a vacation but not having the time. Then, boom! This i-City thing. Converted. Relaxed.
The location… i-City. Isn't that place... busy? Like, ridiculously overcrowded?
Okay, *yes*. i-City itself is… an experience. Like, a sensory overload sprinkled with flashing lights and screaming kids. Think Disneyland, but… less polished. The water park? I *definitely* saw someone’s kid lose a shoe in the wave pool. But! The hotel itself is a proper escape. You retreat into this oasis. Look, I actually *enjoyed* the chaos of i-City’s entrance. It's an odd dichotomy. Inside the walls of the hotel, it's surprisingly serene. The madness? It's… contained. You can dip in and out as your mental state allows.
What about the rooms? Are they… you know… clean? And worth the price?
Clean? Yes. Spotlessly clean. The bathroom sparkled (important!). Worth the price? That's the tricky one. Price fluctuates dramatically. I got a deal; check around constantly, because hotels do that. You know the drill. The room? Comfy beds. Good AC (essential in Malaysia, trust me). A decent TV (for that end-of-day collapse after a long day of dealing with the world). It's not the Four Seasons, but it's *exactly* what you need when you NEED a break. Okay, I'll admit it, the "Sweet Dreams" bed was *actually* quite comfortable. And the view? Look, it was of… i-City. The lights weren't as annoying as I thought they'd be. I mean, that's a win, right?
Food! Tell me about the food! Is it all just buffet chaos?
The food situation is… complex. The buffet breakfast is a *must*. Seriously. Nasi lemak (I mentioned this) was legendary. The pastries could use a bit of work – it wasn't Parisian pastries. But the variety was there. Dinner? There are other options, which is handy. One night I tried the, let’s call it… *fusion* restaurant. It was good, but let’s just say, stick to the local stuff. Malaysian cooking… it's just… better, you know? There are nearby restaurants too, don't rely on only hotel’s food if your taste buds are used to variety.
What's there to *do*? Beyond the usual hotel stuff?
Ah, the activities. i-City is… well, it *is* i-City. There's the snow walk (surprisingly fun, even if it does feel a bit… artificial). There's the water park (see previously mentioned shoe incident). There's the… well, there's *stuff*. Honestly? I mostly chillaxed by the pool. Yes, it's busy, but it's a decent pool. Reading a book, drinking a cold drink… that's what I needed. I will be honest, the pool experience was… mixed. The water was clean, thankfully. But the noise… it’s i-City, so expect some noise!. If I did it again, I’d definitely upgrade my pool lounging game and get a better spot.
Is it kid-friendly? Because, well, kids.
Oh, boy. Kid-friendly? Yes. *Very* kid-friendly. The hotel is built for them. There's a kids' club. There are the pools. There is i-City. Basically, if you have kids, they'll love it. If you *don't* have kids… pick your travel dates carefully. I'm just saying. This place is a magnet for families. I loved watching them enjoying themselves, and I hope they loved watching me, too. The fact is that the hotel is also designed around the young ones – don’t be surprised if they're noisy.
The service. How’s the service at the DoubleTree? You know, does anyone there help?
The service was great. They were super friendly. Quick check-in. I asked the front desk for extra pillows. Done. They were always happy. The staff was *uniformly* polite and helpful. They handled everything with a smile. The staff *really* tried. That’s a big plus. Look, you’re in a hotel, so be nice. They deserve it.
Okay, Okay, you went. Would you go back? And why?
Hrmm… *Yes*. I really would. And, like I said, I’m a bit of a skeptic. Because it’s… a good break. The hassle is low. The chaos is contained. The pool, the air conditioning, the comfy bed… all are perfect after a long day. The DoubleTree i-City gets you there, and also gets you back. It’s not perfection, I know. But sometimes, it really is enough. And frankly, sometimes that’s all you need. Do it! Just do it.
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