Thistle

Special thanks to Thistle Port Dickson Resort for extending this hotel review invitation.

Thistle Port Dickson Resort is approximately 16 kilometers south of the town center. The property is surrounded by a sandy beach and 36 hectares of verdant tropical paradise.

Arriving guests are first welcomed by a huge porch that leads to the reception area. The open-air lobby takes advantage of cooling breeze that seems to blow perpetually.

The 5-star hotel has 251 guestrooms throughout its 6 floors. The rooms are divided into multiple categories to suit the needs of every guest. Sea-facing rooms, especially those at higher floors, afford idyllic views of the Malacca Strait.

This weekend, we are staying in the Deluxe Seafront Room. The size is just perfect for the two of us. Our room comes with modern amenities like television, Wi-Fi connection, minibar, electronic safe and more.

A daybed next to the window serves a vantage point of the resort grounds. Alternatively, the balcony allows us to enjoy the rejuvenating breeze from the sea.

Our ensuite bathroom is fitted with a bathtub, which is a rarity in hotels nowadays. In addition, toiletries like shampoo and toothpaste are provided.

Swimming in the resort's pool is a great way to cool down on a hot sunny day. Do you know that Thistle has the largest free form swimming pool in Port Dickson?

The swimming pool is divided into several sections with varying depths. For instance, the children section is quite shallow and has a water slide that is just right for kids.

Other water features around the swimming pool include a jacuzzi, an artificial waterfall and several water jets. There is even a Pool Bar where swimmers can quench their thirst without leaving the pool.

Thistle Port Dickson Resort is literally one step away from the beach. If you are interested in water sports, the resort offers banana boats for rent. In addition, Thistle will be introducing transparent kayaks and standup paddleboards in the near future.

As for dining, Fresh serves as the resort's all-day dining outlet. The halal-certified restaurant is led by F&B Manager Azlin and Chef Helmy. Their signature Minangkabau dishes have been endorsed by the Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

Besides traditional delicacies, Fresh's à la carte menu also covers classic favorites such as noodles, pizzas, pastas and burgers. Craving for food in the middle of the night? Many of these dishes are also offered in the 24-hour room service menu.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the restaurant serves Cita Rasa Gerai Buffet Dinner. Diners can enjoy a wide variety of hawker fare while watching the lovely sunset.

Fresh is also where in-house guests have breakfast every morning. Worthy of particular mention is the Nasi Lemak counter. Delectable dishes like chicken rendang and beef rendang are prepared. If you love spicy food, make sure you try the signature Thistle sambal too!

Roti Canai is loved by Malaysians from all walks of life. The flatbread is typically eaten with chicken curry and dhall.

As for Noodle Soup, I find the fried wanton to be pretty addictive. The type of soup varies from day to day.

Sliced bread goes well with butter and jam. I prefer to have my bread toasted on both sides. Croissants and Danish pastries are available too.

Other sweet confections include bread & butter pudding, Malay kuih and sliced cakes.

The buffet spread also covers crowd favorites like Fried Noodles, Chicken Sausages, Hash Browns, Chicken Porridge and more.

Next to Fresh is an Italian-Mediterranean restaurant called Glass. The eatery provides indoor and alfresco dining options.

Meanwhile, Chinoise is the Chinese restaurant at the resort. Led by Chef Min at the helm, the eatery specializes in Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine. Chinoise does not serve pork.

Chinoise offers Dim Sum Semi-Buffet Lunch every Saturday and Sunday. Dim sum is served from steam-heated carts that are wheeled around the restaurant. So you can indulge in dim sum to your heart's content without having to leave your seat!

Steps is conveniently located at the hotel lobby. The café serves light snacks like cakes and sandwiches throughout the day. Sip a cup of joe while you enjoy elevated views of the resort grounds.

Interested in having barbecue with your family? The beachfront cabanas here are equipped with grills. Thistle offers several BBQ set meals for 3 to 10 persons. The sunset view here is mesmerizing indeed.

Speaking of tents, Thistle Port Dickson Resort has an enormous marquee tent on the green lawn. The marquee has a capacity of up to 300 people and is an ideal venue for large outdoor gatherings like garden weddings.

With a picturesque view of the sea framed by a heart-shaped arch, it is no wonder that the resort is a popular place for couples to exchange vows. For more details on wedding events, please check out Thistle's wedding brochures and wedding packages.

As for indoor venues, the resort offers 12 meeting rooms of various sizes. The largest of which is the pillarless Seri Menanti Ballroom, which can accommodate 200 round tables in a banquet setting. Thistle's banquet kitchen has halal certification.

The SWAT Camp is where participants can put their physical and mental endurance to the test. Interestingly, the resort has a certified HRD trainer on site who can facilitate all types of team-building events.

Get closer to mother nature by taking a casual stroll through the resort's Eco Park. Along the winding footpath are local plants of different shapes and sizes.

Challenge your buddies to a game of Snake & Ladders or Checkers. But these aren't your usual board games; the playing surface and game pieces are supersized!

At Thistle, there is certainly no shortage of recreation options for families with young children. For instance, the resort has a rabbit enclosure where kids can play with furry animals.

There is also a children's playground that is covered with non-slip mats. In case of inclement weather, the resort also provides indoor entertainment such as video games and movies.

Thistle Port Dickson Resort is within close proximity to many attractions around the area. For example, the historic Cape Rachado Lighthouse is just a 5-minute drive away from the resort.

Thanks to its family-friendly amenities and dining options, Thistle Port Dickson Resort is a popular choice of accommodation in this resort town. To enjoy the best room rates, guests are encouraged to make their booking through the resort's official website at www.thistle.com.my/portdickson.

Name: Thistle Port Dickson Resort
Address: KM16, Jalan Pantai, Teluk Kemang, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Contact: 06-648-2828
Business hours: 24 hours
Website: https://www.thistle.com.my/portdickson
Coordinates: 2.43062 N, 101.85908 E
Directions: Thistle is approximately 16 kilometers south of Port Dickson town center. Turn right as soon as you see the resort's signboard and follow the winding road to the hotel lobby. The resort provides complimentary parking for in-house guests and dine-in customers.