Savouring the Delights of Kuantan and Temerloh with Hotel Seri Malaysia

Text by JUHAN KAMARUDDIN Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI

Established since 1994, Hotel Seri Malaysia is the largest medium budget hotel chain in Malaysia. Created to help spur Malaysia’s tourism industry by providing more affordable accommodation options to travellers, the chain currently has 21 hotels in its stable, which are present in most states throughout Malaysia except Sabah and Kelantan.

Over the 25 years of its existence, the properties within the Hotel Seri Malaysia chain are upgraded from time to time to ensure guests’ comfort. The chain is also undergoing a rebranding exercise to remain current and relevant, especially in attracting new generation of travellers.

To increase Hotel Seri Malaysia’s appeal and even enhance awareness towards its brand, Hotel Seri Malaysia – in collaboration with Gaya Travel Magazine – organises three-day-and-two-night familiarisation trips for members of the media, bloggers and influencers to selected properties within its chain, among them Hotel Seri Malaysia Kuantan and Hotel Seri Malaysia Temerloh, both located in the state of Pahang. The familiarisation trip made by the media, bloggers and influencers to both properties opened their eyes to what travellers can expect when staying there since both have their own charms and in proximity to memorable attractions.

Hotel Seri Malaysia Kuantan (https://www. serimalaysia.com.my/en/hotels/HsmKuantan) nestles in the relatively quieter side of Kuantan city along Jalan Telok Sisek but still considered central, only 20 kilometres from the airport. The property appears unassuming from the outside, not more than three-storeys high, while its interiors are down-to-earth, easy-going and downright practical. Though its architecture and interior do not make a statement, it does well in meeting travellers’ essential needs, including notable food offerings. In the first glance, the property might not be your first choice for staycation but is undeniably useful for those seeking an uncomplicated place to stay. It even suits business travellers since it is straightforward, fuss-free and pocket-friendly, hence cost-effective.

There are 31 standard twin rooms, 26 family rooms and 35 standard queen rooms in this hotel, bringing the total number of rooms to 92. Each room in this property comes with iron and ironing board, including Muslim prayer mat. There is a modest-sized swimming pool too that guests could use for a quick dip or for travelling families to entertain their small children.

Hotel Seri Malaysia Kuantan is one of the six fortunate Hotel Seri Malaysia properties to be endowed with the trendy and urbane Kafe RASA RASA Seri Malaysia, which aims to move the hotel chain with the times. Interestingly, each Kafe RASA RASA Seri Malaysia is unique to the Hotel Seri Malaysia that it is attached to and possesses its own personality, especially in its choice of menu. In the case of Hotel Seri Malaysia Kuantan’s Kafe RASA RASA Seri Malaysia, it has successfully created its own oeuvre of signature dishes that impress diners such as the appetising pisang panggang gula melaka (pan seared bananas drizzled in cinnamon and palm sugar then served with chocolate syrup); set mangkuk tingkat daging bakar (steamed rice served together with roasted mutton, vegetables and mackerel cooked in aromatic spicy sour curry, all presented inside a tiffin carrier); and bihun sarang telur (vermicelli wrapped inside an omelette bathed in Thai gravy, together with seafood and vegetable). Mind you, such dishes might not be available at the other Kafe RASA RASA Seri Malaysia and are only available at Hotel Seri Malaysia Kuantan.

So, after checking in and getting acquainted with Hotel Seri Malaysia Kuantan, what are some of the things you can do in the destination? Below are some of the things that Gaya Travel Magazine team recommends:

Due to Kuantan’s large youth and college student population who sought for eateries that are valuefor-money yet trendy-looking, the city now boasts an impressive number of hipster cafes to the point that travellers could even create a one-day itinerary just concentrating on café-hopping. Below are some of the cafes that that might interest you:

i. Lena (https://www.facebook.com/lenabykayuwoods/) – rustic, homely and photogenic, this café is ideal for diners to pose for selfies.

ii. Tjantek (https://tjantek.blogspot.com/) – vintage artsystyled cafe with Nusantara (Malay archipelago) vibe, this café is deemed as one of the trailblazers in introducing chic ambience to Kuantan café culture.

iii. Kuantan Pickers (https://kuantanpickersdankedaikopi. business.site/) – wistfully nostalgic eatery that serves allday breakfast menu for instance toasted bread and eggs, including comforting favourites like mee rebus (boiled noodles immersed in gravy) and satay.

iv. Kopi & Teh (https://www.instagram.com/kopiteh.co/ )– affordable hipster cafe selling local favourites amidst pared-down and almost industrial interiors. The specialty here is kopi terbalik (coffee served upside down), which the café is famous for.

Since Kuantan is close to the sea, the best spot to spend at the beach while taking in the breeze is definitely the quaint Teluk Chempedak that is replete with eateries, shops, and stalls selling knick-knacks and souvenirs. Since the place is popular among locals, the crowd tends to swell at sunset. Travellers should expect the road leading to Teluk Chempedak from Kuantan city congested on weekends and finding a parking spot challenging. It is still worth visiting nonetheless because the area is wellmaintained and offer family-friendly respite.

(Tel: +6 013 998 9175) in Tanjung Lumpur Besides the restaurant’s renowned grilled fish cooked with spices and mung beans that give it an appetising aroma, it also serves up other seafood dishes like crabs, mussels, shrimps, and three-flavoured fish. It is best for travellers to avoid dining at the restaurant during weekends, including public and school holidays, because the place can get too crowded due to its immense popularity.

Surrounded by greenery and tranquillity, Hotel Seri Malaysia Temerloh (https://www.serimalaysia.com. my/en/hotels/HsmTemerloh) is normally full during weekends with travellers fleeing the urban bustle, especially those from Klang Valley considering Temerloh is merely two hours’ drive from Kuala Lumpur. The hotel is also a stone’s throw to Temerloh Esplanade and the weekly Sunday market called Pekan Sehari where travellers can frolic and relish the town’s delights. For those who want to commune with wildlife and nature, the hotel is less than an hour’s drive to Deerland Park, National Elephant Conservation Centre Kuala Gandah or Lata Bujang Waterfall.

Hotel Seri Malaysia Temerloh offers 50 rooms: three Deluxe Rooms (the highest category and currently priced at RM208 per night per room), 15 Standard Queen Rooms, 15 Standard Twin Rooms, and the remaining are Family Rooms. 50% of the rooms at the hotel have already been upgraded, while the rest will be refurbished in stages. There are also spaces where small and medium-sized meetings, functions and events can be held.

The hotel’s Kafe RASA RASA Seri Malaysia is renowned for its delicious patin (silver catfish) dishes prepared in different ways such as cooked in fermented durian gravy, steamed or fried. As a matter of fact, the state of Pahang, particularly the town of Temerloh, is synonymous with patin cooked in fermented durian gravy – travellers from far specifically come to Temerloh simply to enjoy this satiating dish.

Since you are already in Temerloh, how about dropping by at the nostalgic and Instagram-worthy Warong Selai (https://www.facebook.com/warongselai), founded by husband and wife team Mat Kamal and Kaka Fairy? Located by the roadside at the 4th Mile on Jalan Maran, it takes around 15 minutes’ drive to get to the cafe from Hotel Seri Malaysia Temerloh. Besides taking selfies, be sure to pick a selection of the café’s seductive pastries like cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes, brownies and buns, including beverages like homemade passion fruit tea.

For more information on Hotel Seri Malaysia, visit https:// www.serimalaysia.com.my/en/Home.