Novotel Taiping

This article is part of my 2018 Taiping and Kuala Sepetang trip series.

Special thanks to Novotel Taiping for extending this hotel review invitation.

Novotel Taiping is a 4-star hotel in Taiping. It is a property of AccorHotels, a French-based international chain of hotels that also owns luxury brands like Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman and Grand Mercure.

Novotel Taiping shares the building with Taiping Mall, which has its own grocery store, department store, cinema, 24-hour convenience store and several restaurants. The hotel is also strategically close to major attractions in Taiping such as Zoo Taiping & Night Safari.

Food Exchange at Level 7 is the hotel's main dining facility. This halal-certified restaurant serves Asian and Western flavors for lunch and dinner. Buffets are available on selected days of the week. This is also where in-house guests are served breakfast every morning.

The Gourmet Bar at the hotel lobby provides a cozy setting for guests to relax and mingle. The eatery serves light snacks, pastries, gelato, coffee and alcoholic beverages. Do take advantage of the Coffee & Cake promotion here. A mere RM10.00 gets you a cup of espresso-based coffee and a slice of cake!

Novotel Taiping has 197 guestrooms in 3 room categories: Superior Room, Premier Room and Premier Grand Deluxe. There are rooms with city view or lake view. Request for the latter as the scenery afforded is breathtaking. The hotel's check-in and check-out times are 2:00pm and 12:00pm respectively.

Each guestroom comes with an ensuite bathroom. There is a glass wall between the standing shower and the bedroom. I guess this is useful if you want to watch television while bathing. Basic toiletries like dental kit, body shampoo and soap are provided. The bathroom is also equipped with a hair dryer.

In-room entertainment involves a large LED television with cable channels. A work desk allows business travelers to catch up on work. High-speed Internet access is available. Other room amenities include minibar, electric boiler, clothes iron and safe deposit box.

Novotel Taiping has an outdoor swimming pool and a children's pool at Level 7. Arranged on the deck are several sunloungers. From here, sunbathers may enjoy a scenic view of the majestic Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill), a charming hill resort in Taiping's backyard.

The hotel's fitness center, Inbalance, is also located at Level 7. The room is furnished with exercise equipment like treadmills, stationary bicycles and weight machines. Clean towels are provided. The changing room and lockers are conveniently nearby.

Adjacent to the gym, the Kids Club serves to keep the young ones entertained during their stay at the hotel. In effort to present a family-friendly atmosphere, Novotel Taiping allows up to 2 children to stay with their parents (inclusive of breakfast) at no extra charge.

As for business travelers, the business center provides a private setting for sensitive business discussions. The center is also equipped with a facsimile, photocopier and printer. Secretarial services can be arranged upon special request.

Novotel Taiping has several function rooms of various sizes for corporate and private events. Meanwhile, the Grand Ballroom is currently under construction. Once completed, the ballroom can accommodate 1,500 guests in a banquet setting. This makes it the largest pillarless ballroom in Taiping.

Breakfast is served at Food Exchange from 6:30am to 10:30am on weekdays, and from 6:30am to 11:00am on weekdays. Alternatively, guests can also take advantage of the 24-hour room service in the comfort of their own rooms.

The buffet counter contains a number of Western breakfast items such as Turkey Strips, Chicken Sausages and Hash Browns. In addition, there are also assorted cold cuts like beef and chicken slices.

I am particularly fascinated by the Grilled Tomatoes. Gratinéed with cheese, the tomatoes are juicy indeed.

Next, Fried Mee Hoon is a staple dish in Malaysia. The noodle is slightly spicy, just the way many Malaysians like it.

Noodle is also prepared at the open kitchen. Today, the choices are Clear Chicken Soup and Mee Kari. Guests can select their favorite ingredients before handing them over to the kitchen staff for cooking.

Porridge comes with several condiments like fried breadsticks (油条) and salted eggs. Speaking of eggs, guests can order all sorts of egg dishes at the egg station. My favorite choice is omelette.

Nasi Lemak is regarded as the national dish of Malaysia. The rice is infused with aromatic coconut milk. Meanwhile, the spicy sambal udang (prawns in chili paste) is quite appetizing. Other ingredients for Nasi Lemak are ikan bilis (anchovies), hard-boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, cucumber slices and crackers.

As for Chinese comfort food, Baozi (包子) or steamed buns come in 3 different fillings: sweet bean paste (豆沙), lotus seed paste (莲蓉) and coconut jam (咖央).

Meanwhile, Chapati (சப்பாத்தி) is an unleavened flatbread from India. Chapati is commonly eaten with dhal (lentil curry).

The salad bar provides fresh produce like Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, kidney beans, carrots and corn. Several types of dressing are provided.

Last but not least, the pastry section has interesting choices like vanilla pound cake, butter croissants, mocha Danishes and Kaiser rolls. There are also different types of sliced bread and bread loaves every morning. A conveyor toaster is provided for reheating purpose.

Located in the heart of Taiping, Novotel Taiping is easily accessible to the town's major attractions. In fact, bicycles are available for rent at the hotel lobby. Guests can also get useful travel information and dining suggestions from the friendly concierge here.

Novotel Taiping is probably the most comfortable accommodation that one can find in this lovely town. Would-be guests are encouraged to book from the hotel's website to get the most attractive rates. Meanwhile, frequent travelers may take advantage of Le Club AccorHotels, the hotel chain's loyalty program.

Name: Novotel Taiping
Address: 1, Jalan Tupai, 34000 Taiping, Perak
Contact: 05-820-8288
Business hours: 24 hours
Website: https://www.accorhotels.com/9233
Coordinates: 4.85031 N, 100.74278 E
Directions: Novotel Taiping is located at Jalan Tupai and shares the building with Taiping Mall. The hotel provides complimentary parking at Level 6 for in-house guests.