Month: May 2019

Ramadan Buffet & Corporate Dinner at Fresh Restaurant in Thistle Port Dickson

Thistle Hotels & Resorts Malaysia operates the Thistle brand in Malaysia. Currently, it has 2 properties, Thistle Port Dickson Resort which rebranded from Guoman Resort Port Dickson in April 2009 and Thistle Johor Bahru which opened its doors in June 2009. Both properties are 5-star hotels, endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia. Their hotels seeks to deliver a traditional hotel experience including attractive accommodation, fast & free wireless broadband, great places to eat and drink, and of course, warm Malaysian hospitality.

In line with this, Thistle Port Dickson held a corporate dinner Ramadan buffet called Thistle Nostalgia Ramadan for companies and organizations related to them.

The buffet has 11 food cooked in Kawah, which all has exceptional food varieties that will surely satisfy your cravings.

You can also see the live cooking areas like the Satay and Murtabak. Watch the above videos!

They have wide choices of food & desserts, which includes ABC (Air Batu Campur) and Fried Noodles – which was Yusof’s favorite because it was hot & spicy and just cooked so they serve it warm (watch the above video – it’s still smokin’ hot even when we were about to eat)!

There are also the laksa, noodles & kuetiaw variations.

Of course a buffet will never be complete without roasted lamb. This is perfect for the lamb lovers and it is presented still on a grill! Surely your mouth will water with just the view of it.

Of course a meal can never be complete without rice. In this case, you can pick between plain rice which you can pair up with many of the main dishes or try their chicken rice as it is.

Shafa’s found her favorite roti jala at the buffet table too. There are also different kinds of salad to choose from if you want to go light on the meals.

But of course, there are various desserts to choose from. The buffet caters desserts from traditional to modern ones that would surely fit one’s love for something sweet. Watch below live videos for full understanding of the Ramadan Buffet and the corporate dinner. We even managed to get the head chef to speak on the first video!

Thistle Port Dickson is located at KM16, Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan within a 36 hectares Tropical Paradise and only an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the Resort boasts a private 3KM sandy beach shoreline.

The Ramadan buffet 2019 is available till 02nd June 2019 at RM68.00nett (Adult) | RM38.00nett (Child: 7-12 years old).

Ramadan Buffet at Reef Cafe in D’Wharf Hotel & Serviced Residence

This year, Reef Cafe set up delicious local fare, highlighting traditional Malay and kampung flavours throughout this fasting month. Menu is rotated daily from 10th May to 2nd June 2019, promising a buka puasa treat with more than 50 traditional Malaysian dishes comprising appetizers, soups, main dishes, drinks and desserts that will satisfy your palate!

The buffet is set up at one corner so it is easier to spot.

Ulam, Sambal & Keropok will greet you immediately as you approach the set up.

They also have ayam kerutuk & daging goreng kunyit, which are Shafa’s favourite, as well as Pucuk Paku Kacang Panjang.

The main highlight would be the “Special Spice Lamb Soup & D’ Wharf Lamb Legs” served with specialty sauce at the carving station. With its secret marination and seasoning recipe, the lamb is roasted to perfect succulent meat texture, smothered with homemade gravy and served with side servings. There will be 5 stalls items which changes on daily basis.

The Special Spice Lamb Soup is Shafa’s favourite since she was a kid. Brings back a lot of good memories with her late father.

Bubur lambuk is also served for rice porridge lovers.

They also served another one of Shafa’s favourite : Salai Ikan Keli Masak Lemak Cili Api.

And for those who like simple food, there’s the Fried Noodle to balance the overwhelming food choices.

Also there’s Sambal Tauhu & Ikan Bilis for a delightful taste.

One may continue his/her dinner journey with assorted local desserts such as the Apam, Cara Berlauk, Kuih Bakar, Kuih Lapis, Puteri Mandi, Wajik, Asssorted French Pastries, Assorted Jelly & Pudding, Assorted Cream Caramel, fruits and assorted flavoured ice-cream.

Choose from various traditional and modern desserts available.

This cafe is overlooking PD Waterfront and it’s near to the beach. From the café you can see the PD Waterfront. As we finish up with this buffet experience, we managed to get the picture of the chef with the buffet!

To complete the Ramadan package, D’ Wharf Hotel also provides prayer facilities for the Muslim patrons and ample free parking space. This year, the Ramadhan Buffet is priced at RM 68 nett per adult and RM 30 nett per child / Senior citizen for the Walk-in Guest.

Room Promotion Packages
Date Promotion: 5 May to 9 June 2019
Superior Room – RM 180 nett inclusive Breakfast or Sahur for 2 person. Premier Suite – RM 350 nett inclusive Breakfast or Sahur for 4 person.

Date Promotion: 10 May to 2 June 2019
Superior Room – RM 278 nett inclusive Breakfast/Sahur for 2 person & Berbuka Puasa for 2 person
Premier Suite – RM 548 nett inclusive Breakfast/Sahur for 4 person & Berbuka Puasa for 4 person

D’ Wharf Hotel & Serviced Residence is strategically located in the heart of Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The Hotel is accessible via the North-South Expressway and is about an hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Ramadan Buffet at Klana Coffee House in Klana Beach Resort

We get the chance to spend time at a Muslim-friendly hotel – the Klana Beach Resort located at Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Read our previous post on stay review at Klana Beach Resort.

Aside from the mesmerizing view of the sea and sky while having a refreshing dip, we also get to enjoy the food the resort offers!

The main buffet of various food is located inside the cafe of the resort but they have a few stalls outside surrounded with beautiful string lights which really intensifies the experience.

Eating a delightful food right outside – beside the beach – what a view to enjoy a sumptuous meal, right?

One of the food that we tasted was the Lai Chi Kang, which satisfied our sweet tooth cravings.

We also tried the Ayam Rendang Cili Api, Pucuk Ubi Tempoyak and Gulai Siput Sedut. They were hot with the right amount of spices, making us went for second serving!

Sambal and salted fish were star food for Kampung food lovers like Shafa. There were many types of sambal available, you will surely find one that suits your taste bud. Mouth-watering, right?


The savory Lemongrass Rice paired with meals like Ayam Penyek, Daging Masak Hitam, Kacang Buncis Goreng, Ikan Masin and Bubur Lambuk & Bubur Kacang Hijau.

The selection was really wide, I know. But here’s more! The Sambal Udang, though, is a star. Every bite is bursting with the delicious flavor of the prawn and complex flavor of the fiery sambal.

And of course, there are these various types of Keropok – Malaysian’s favourite finger foods!

And what better way to end tasty meals than by having luscious desserts! And like all the meal, the selection is also wide. You can pick from a combination of traditional and modern desserts like chocolate fountain with fruits, cakes and Lemang, which is a traditional Malaysian favourite.

Watch the above live video, recorded on Facebook, for the full information on the menu available at the Ramadan Buffet in Klana Beach Resort.

What also made us happy was the availability of surau nearby, which is perfect for Muslims to perform their prayers.

Have you tried Ramadan Buffet at Klana Beach Resort before? Let us know your experience!

Ramadan Buffet at TrEat Restaurant & Bar in Oakwood Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur is conveniently located on Jalan Ampang which is also known as the Embassy Row, home to many diplomatic missions and also a stone’s throw away from KLCC and Bukit Bintang areas. Read our previous post on stay review at Oakwood Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur presents another feast of local cuisine called ‘SAJIAN MELAYU ASLI’ at TrEat Restaurant & Bar, and is available until 2nd June 2019. When we came, there was an event held with orphanage, which is part of the CSR initiative by the hotel.

The specialty of Malay dishes are prepared from family recipes that were handed down from generations. These dishes are strong, spicy and aromatic, combining the rich taste of herbs and spices. Syaiful Alwi, the Head Chef of Oakwood Hotel & Residences Kuala Lumpur, has searched far and wide for traditional recipes when putting the buka puasa buffet together.

Desserts are prepared from traditional to modern, as well as varieties from hot to cold ones. Of course they have Dates; a must-have for Ramadan!

House special includes a juicy lamb with choices of sauce: Mint, BBQ, and Black Pepper.

Dalcha Kambing is served for another choice of lamb.

Nasi Kambing & Kambing Bakar are also in the selections but be prepared to wait since the stall is busy because it is everyone’s favourite.

Traditional ulam is also offered along to eat with varieties of sambal for a healthier course aside from western salad selections.

Kailan Ikan Masin, Shafa’s favourite type of vegetable cooking is also there!

Various types of Kerabu, traditional salads for Malay, are also served such as Kerabu Mangga, Kerabu Pucuk Ubi, Kerabu Taugeh, Kerabu Udang, Kerabu Daging, Kerabu Kacang Botol and Kerabu Kaki Ayam.

Papadom, Keropok Ikan and Ketam Goreng Bercili for chili crab lovers are also present.

Squid lovers on the other hand can enjoy a taste of their Sotong Kembang Kicap Pedas.

And Asam Pedas Ikan Pari just perfect for anyone who loves stingray.

But for chicken lovers, there’s Ayam Masak Merah.

Another one of Shafa’s favourite, the Nasi Hujan Panas, looked so good with the cashewnuts served on top of the colourful rice.

Just right for their scrumptious servings of grilled fish and prawns.

Different kinds of fritters are also available: Pisang Goreng, Sukun, Cempedak, Cucur Ikan Bilis and Cucur Udang.

Malaysian’s favourite desserts ABC & Cendol of course will never be missed in the buffet!

Aside from the cold drinks available by the pool, there are also burgers, Sup Gearbox, Lemang and Satay.

Fruits, coffees and teas are available to finish off a full belly along with performances from the orphanage as they say thanks.

The Sajian Melayu Asli buffet price is at MYR 75nett (adult) and MYR 38nett (children aged 4-12 and senior citizens aged 55 & above). In-house guests can enjoy this Buka Puasa buffet at 20% discount and large groups can take advantage of the “Buy 8, Free 1” discount.

We would like to send our special thanks to Ellie Abdul Aziz for accompanying Shafa on this event since Yusof cannot be there. She helped us a lot especially with the photos!

And of course, a big thank you to Carol Chin from Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur for the arrangements!

Ramadan Buffet at Dondang Sayang Coffee House in Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur

On the spot with Malaysia’s culinary offerings with creativity and culinary skills, Dondang Sayang Coffee House in Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur serves a wide variety of specialty dishes to mark the fasting month. The hotel is only a two minute walk to the underground Putra LRT and a five minute walk from the magnificent Kuala Lumpur City Centre, home of the world’s tallest building, the Petronas Twin Towers and the city’s premier shopping centre, Suria KLCC.

The windows of the café provides an overlooking view of the busy life of Kuala Lumpur.

The name of the Ramadan Buffet at Dondang Sayang Coffee House in Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur is “Selera Rasa Ramadan”.

The ambiance of the café itself is very warm and calming along with beautiful flowers to grace the food offerings.

Thoughtful decorations of the mosque are also found, symbolizing the Islamic celebration.

A variety of Malay-favorite beverages are readily available such as Sirap Limau & Sirap Bandung and of course, coffees!

Various ulam served with varieties of sambal, each has their own unique distinctive taste are also prepared.

There is a wide variety of main food to choose from, along with different kinds of rice. We choose Nasi Briyani Kambing. We think it tasted very good. The gravy was quite salty, but just nice to suite and complement with the spices. The lamb blends with the taste of the rice & gravy as well.

As lamb lovers, we did not miss the chance to try the Lamb Tandori. The spices were very delicious and the taste was “ummpph!”. The spices managed to tone down the strong taste and smell of the lamb, which is very good for those who are very picky in eating lambs!

We also tried the Daging Masak Lemak Rebung, which was hot but tasted just right – just like how Negeri Sembilan people would have prepared (Yusof’s family is from Negeri Sembilan – somebody’s pleasantly tasting home cooking here)! The meat was also soft, easy to chew (My worst nightmare is non-soft meat – it’s a nightmare for every person who wore braces before).

The main buffet was nicely and neatly decorated with each food shown well and can be reached into easily.

The Sotong Kunyit Goreng Bawang was really tasty. You can taste the sweetness of the onion, on top of the saltiness and spices of the turmeric squid. The onion provides the balance on the taste.

There was also Oxtail Stew for oxtail lovers.

We also tasted the Udang Sambal Petai. It was very delicious and hot! The petai and prawn were also fresh and it was really superb.

There was also Telur Masak Lemak Pucuk Ubi.

There’s also the Live Cooking area.

It smelled so nice while they were grilling sate!

There was also Ikan Sembilang Sambal Hijau. It’s Shafa’s favourite but her stomach was already too full to make room for it.

And of course, for people with Javanese root, like Shafa, wouldn’t want to miss to try their Kentang Goreng Tempe Jawa! It was hot and spicy, just like how Javanese would have cooked!

Another favourite is the Puyuh Goreng Berempah! We can really taste the spices, and the quail was bigger than average.

There was also Ketam Goreng Cili for Chilli Crab lovers!

They offered a variety of awesome desserts from traditional ones like Talam Jagung, Talam Ubi, Talam Keladi, Talam Pandan & Cucur Badak to modern ones like the cakes and cookies in jars.

And also Malaysian favourite finger food – Keropok Ikan!

And we were lucky enough to taste this scrumptious Ayam Percik Serai Wangi! We can taste the lemongrass, but the taste was just nice, not too strong.

There was also Gulai Kawah Tulang Rusuk and Ikan Patin Tempoyak! Everything looks too tasty but we already ate a lot so we can’t have some anymore.

There were traditional side dishes, too, and every Malaysian’s favorite food – Pulut Lemang Rendang Ayam and Otak-otak!

And we also tasted the Kuah Kacang. It was really delicious that Yusof said it was just like his mom’s cooking! The peanuts were crunchy. The gravy was not too hot & not too sweet.

There was also Beef Satay, Chicken Satay & Nasi Impit.

Yusof enjoyed his Teh Tarik, which was really delicious!

We took a picture with Ms Azlinda, the Senior Marketing Manager of Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur, who made the arrangement to make all this possible. We couldn’t thank her enough!

Leo Palace Hotel (New Wing) – Strategic Location Beside PWTC

We had a three days and two nights stay at the Leo Palace Hotel at Kuala Lumpur before Ramadan.

The room we got was quite neat and had a comfortable space for a family of three with a toddler.

We had a study table where you can do work (which I don’t recommend if you are on vacation – but of course, travel bloggers don’t have much choice), charge mobile phones, and have coffee because an electric kettle and coffee mix is readily within your reach.

We got the Executive Suite which comes with a decent bathroom that has the basic toiletries and a hair dryer.

It was a bit small but the size was fairly comfortable.

From our room, we had a view of Kuala Lumpur city lights, Sunway Putra Mall, KL Tower and The Petronas Twin Towers. We love watching beautiful lights of the city at night, so this is a plus for us!

At the new wing of the Leo Palace Hotel we found a spot where you can chill while waiting for your partner to check in or check out of the hotel. But of course for us, this was the perfect spot for taking pictures!

The Leo Palace Hotel (New Wing) is located just beside the Putra Worldtrade Centre, so they are usually fully booked when there are events or conferences. I would advise you to plan ahead and book early if you want to stay here to avoid inconvenience.

Of course, we wouldn’t miss the chance to make the most of this staycation without trying out their swimming pool. It was perfectly situated on a height in the 9th floor where you get the wide view of the city with the nearby public transport (woo hoo for the kids to see trains!), buildings, and PWTC of course.

Our son loves the water, so this was really fun for him! We were able to capture a moment with the beautiful sky in the late evening at the rooftop of the hotel. We believe we got the perfect picture with all the beauty in it. The beautiful scenery with our beautiful family.

On our last day at the hotel, we had their mini breakfast buffet with a pretty good choices of food for guests of different ages. It was just right to have our bellies full to conclude our stay.

Definitely try this accommodation if you need to be near the area, and especially if you are attending event at PWTC! The price is pretty much reasonable for the convenience, comfort and service they provide.

VHM Experience – Vivatel Kuala Lumpur

Vouk Hotel Management offers a range of hotel brands that offers top quality services. One of the hotels under their management is the Vivatel Kuala Lumpur, and we got a chance to book a stay with them before Ramadan. Here is our experience!

We were greeted with a green lit lobby upon check in. The lobby interiors were beautiful. It really made the hotel memorable and unique.

Oh, we need to mention that there was also a vending machine placed in the hotel. This is perfect for the late night-snackers like me! You can grab a snack fast without leaving the hotel premises. But if you are looking for something heavier, there is a mamak restaurant just across the road.

When we got to our executive suite room number 1017, it was a sweet surprise.

Our room had a mini living room where you can entertain guests or just sit and read or watch the television while you relax. It is not that big but quite spacious for three people and a toddler to spend some time.

Our bedroom, on the other hand, was very spacious. A large bed with a very inviting interior will really provide a good rest if you are looking for one.

There was also a study table where you can do some work.

We like that the closet was all mirrors. It made the space look a lot bigger than it was.

Inside the closet were the usual complimentary hotel room items like bathrobe, ironing board and an iron. We especially love the laundry bag!

The washroom was also surrounded with glass doors. I like that it looked neat and clean with the whole bathroom layout. They have a tub that had glass doors leading to the shower and wash area as well.

Our room was basically surrounded with glass, too, so you can see a whole view of the city.

Our suite also had a mini kitchen which lets us dine inside or have coffee any time of the day if we want to stay in for a little bit.

Since we checked in during the night, it was a pleasant surprise the next morning! The full windows provided a good morning view that even my toddler couldn’t resist. We were even surprised that he was not afraid of heights!

We opted to add an extra bed, which was placed in the living room, yet we still got plenty of room to move. And of course, it was now time to check out their café for a good breakfast.

Hotels under Vouk Hotel Management are not only known for good service but also for good food.

Vivatel has Retro Café which has colorful seats waiting near the reception area and a great window view.

Inside the café there were white tables and a very good interior decorations which were somewhat geometrical in pattern but looked really modern.

The breakfast buffet offered variety of beverages, fruits, cereals and pastries which you can warm depending on your preferences. They had a wide range of offerings for a full breakfast meals as well.

They also had a gym where Shafa’s mom decided to have a brief workout.

The glass around the room allows you to see some greeneries outside and the pool beside it makes going to the gym awesome.

The swimming pool had a chilling place where you can sit if you don’t want to get in the water but you need to watch the kids.

The pool was located at the 5th floor and had a partition for kids and adults. And yes, the kid’s swimming pool was safe for even our toddler’s height!

If you are not a fan of working out, you can still have your exercise while taking a stroll at the Viva Mall just beside the hotel. It was connected at the ground floor of the hotel, so you can easily access the mall if you need to go buy something or have more choices for food.

Overall, our short stay in Vivatel was wonderful. The decorations made you feel closer to nature and it was very refreshing to see a lot of greens in the surroundings. They also had a very modern interior concept. Definitely checking out more hotel under Vouk Hotel Management!

Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur – An Elegant Stay With Great Food

Offering a range of elegant hotel rooms and serviced apartments, we picked the Oakwood Hotel & Residences, Kuala Lumpur to be our home for a 2-nights stay. This hotel is perfectly located in te Kuala Lumpur city while not far from the Petronas Twin Towers, so it is just right if you want to walk around the area and visit tourist spots.

They offered variety of rooms that would fit every guest needs from a Deluxe Room to a 2-Bedroom Apartment. When we walked into our room, we were pleasantly surprised to see the very smart division between the bedroom and the living room with mini kitchen.

It was quite spacious that our son was able to run around in circles without bumping to the furniture. Watch the above live video, recorded on Facebook, to see how the room looks like, and the cheekiness of our toddler!

The kitchen had cutlery, plates, bowls, a microwave oven and a rice cooker if you want to eat inside the room. The counter top also had enough space and was arranged neatly with the basic hotel complimentary coffee, tea and water. There was also a mini fridge in one of the cabinets that will be very useful to breastfeeding mothers for proper milk storage.

The bed area also had enough space to fit our things in. The closet had the usual safe, iron and ironing board. There was also a study table in one corner if you need to have a quick look at work or businesses you need to attend to.

The bathroom was really nice. It had a very relaxing shower and a clean space – you’d be comfortable to spend your morning and night grooming sessions. But what really made us smile was that the room had 2 flat screen TVs, which means that we don’t need to give way to children’s shows because we can just watch in the living room while our toddler watches his favorite shows from the bed (and vice versa) !

As to the facilities of the hotel, the pool and the gym were located just beside each other. Watch below live video, recorded on Facebook, for a tour around the swimming pool and gym.

Our son was enjoying the pool with his dad while his mom tried to burn some calories on the treadmill while watching them. This is awesome for moms who want to have a personal time at the gym but need to keep an eye on their kids enjoying the pool!

On the same day, we wanted to visit Suria KLCC, which was very near to the hotel.

If you will be staying at Oakwood Hotel & Residences, this will be your go-to place for shopping, dining and attractions in KL. From here you can easily access the following spots to visit:
• Petronas Twin Towers
• Esplanade (Lake Symphony)
• KLCC Park
• Petrosains Discovery Centre
• Petronas Art Gallery
• Aquaria KLCC
• Kuala Lumpur Convention Center
• Dewan Filharmonik Petronas
With this list just in the area, you will definitely have a down time. If these are not your thing, you can always explore restaurants or go shopping because they always offer good deals.

The next morning we enjoyed the breakfast buffet! There was a wide variety of food that will accommodate not just the adults but the kids’ hunger as well. Watch below live video, recorded on Facebook, for a tour around the breakfast buffet.

We bid goodbye to the hotel and we got a token of thank you for the stay.

We didn’t know that we’ll find our favorite mug in here! Thank you Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur for the stay and thoughtful gift!

Updated: We just found another blog that gives a detailed explanation of the hotel as well. Check it out here: https://www.kuaby.com/oakwood-hotel-residence-kuala-lumpur/