Hotel French Ipoh

“Good deal”

Area is a little shady but the hotel is nice, nicer than the two star rating it has. Check-in was smooth, although I am not used to leaving a deposit. Rooms are comfortable and quiet. Have a small coffee maker and a couple of free bottled waters. I paid a few bucks extra for room with a window. S… more

Area is a little shady but the hotel is nice, nicer than the two star rating it has. Check-in was smooth, although I am not used to leaving a deposit. Rooms are comfortable and quiet. Have a small coffee maker and a couple of free bottled waters. I paid a few bucks extra for room with a window. Sunlight is nice but no view to speak of. About a 15 min walk to old town.

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“No technical service on Sundays.”

Generally good but technical service needs to be available on Sundays. Aircon in room 302 couldn't be controlled due to a defective thermostat that couldn't be fixed on Sundays. Had to bear with the very cold conditions last night. Other than that, rooms were clean and comfortable. Free bre… more

Generally good but technical service needs to be available on Sundays. Aircon in room 302 couldn't be controlled due to a defective thermostat that couldn't be fixed on Sundays. Had to bear with the very cold conditions last night. Other than that, rooms were clean and comfortable. Free breakfast acceptable but not good.

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“Basic but good enough”

This is a basic hotel which is fine for short stays. For the price paid we were happy with the accommodation (Deluxe King Room) and location. The room and bathroom is very clean, and the bed was super comfortable. There is only 1 tiny lift to service the entire hotel. Staff are OK, Reception is a… more

This is a basic hotel which is fine for short stays. For the price paid we were happy with the accommodation (Deluxe King Room) and location. The room and bathroom is very clean, and the bed was super comfortable. There is only 1 tiny lift to service the entire hotel. Staff are OK, Reception is available 24hrs. Within walking distance there are many local eateries.

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“good location, decent rooms”

Booked via Booking.com for 349 MYR for 2 nights (around 50$C per night). Check in was quick and easy Room had a king bed, older TV with bad image, work desk, clean bathroom with tepid water for shower. Wifi was a bit spotty. Bottled water provided each day. Location was good to visit the city. P… more

Booked via Booking.com for 349 MYR for 2 nights (around 50$C per night). Check in was quick and easy Room had a king bed, older TV with bad image, work desk, clean bathroom with tepid water for shower. Wifi was a bit spotty. Bottled water provided each day. Location was good to visit the city. Plenty of eating options around. I did have the breakfast once , and it was rather poor (one egg, some beans, lettuce, one toast and coffee) with mediocre service. I recall it was around 10MYR. Eat out....

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“Some things changed, some good things remained. ”

10 years ago, French Hotel was relatively new and I had written a review about it then. The bed and pillows were superbly comfortable. Wasn’t and still isn’t those down pillows which gives me neck and shoulder pains. I had the Deluxe King room. Fast forward 10 years later, this side of the town … more

10 years ago, French Hotel was relatively new and I had written a review about it then. The bed and pillows were superbly comfortable. Wasn’t and still isn’t those down pillows which gives me neck and shoulder pains. I had the Deluxe King room. Fast forward 10 years later, this side of the town like some other parts of Ipoh have become dingy. Now, there’s a 7-eleven next door and a few convenience stores run by foreigners mostly Bangladeshis. It's no longer vibrant like before. There used to be a hair salon opposite the hotel and it’s no longer there. Ala carte breakfast is now given and selection is done from their simple menu a day before at the front desk. I started contacting the hotel a month before and confirmed my booking over the phone after a few text messages on prices and room types. Thought that was sorted, then weeks later, which was a week before my arrival, I sent another message and gave a call to confirm once more – rate and room type. That wasn’t without confusion on the hotel’s side. The day of my arrival, I got a call from the hotel to ask about my arrival time and there I was again, bringing up about the room type I had booked and that I had asked for the quietest side of the property. Sorted…. Or so I thought, until I got to the hotel and again, the confusion about the room type and having the room at the top floor (5th floor) at the corner. Check-in was not smooth. My expectation was, it’s a simple booking in such a small hotel. With calls and messages sent to confirm the booking prior my arrival. That person I had on the phone a month ago was on leave and so in the end, the colleague at the front desk sorted it out. Someone when taking down the booking and made room arrangements must have written something wrongly on the list which I was shown to. Anyway, because it was a Deepavali weekend, I paid 2 nights for RM228 each, another night for RM178. So it was RM634 nett for 3 nights. Room type: Super Deluxe King. Sure the price is still lower than most hotels around. The room has a small TV and the room/ bathroom showed age. Patches of repairs here and there. Clean, didn’t smell bad, decent size. This room type has a bit more space than the other room types which I wanted so it wouldn’t feel so crammed with a large luggage. The bathroom is quite tight but the shower is superb. Pressure and temperature was good. Light sleepers to take note - The curtains need replacing. Light leaks and they’re not total blackout, probably old. On Sunday mornings, the ”Thieves Market” the vendors start setting up from about 6am and some use loudhailers. Even the most quiet room in French Hotel still get noises Better than the one I got the last time 10 years ago. Noises blaring and I was on the 2nd floor, I could look out to the stalls right from the windows then. So this time, I planned it. Wake up earlier to have breakfast at the dim sum kopitiam that was within walking distance. I went to Chang Keong Dim Sum and it was good. That’s very near to Foh San. The pillows I had were slightly lumpy. I can’t fault the cleanliness in the room, the bed and the sheets. Btw, I wanted an extra pillow and I was told there is an additional charge of RM10 for an extra pillow. There is only 1 lift and sometimes, it’s a long wait especially when the lift is full. It’s a small lift. Too bad the surrounding is a drab and with so many other newer choices in Ipoh, I might give my old friend French Hotel a miss the next time I’m in Ipoh. This review was by me in 2012 https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g298298-d1220782-r140577577-Ipoh_French_Hotel-Ipoh_Kinta_District_Perak.html

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