D'Festivo '24 Ipoh: Malaysia's MUST-SEE Festival!
D'Festivo '24 Ipoh: Is This Festival REALLY Malaysia's MUST-SEE? My Unfiltered Take (and Hotel Review!)
Alright, folks, buckle up. I just got back from D'Festivo '24 in Ipoh, and let me tell you, the hype train was real. Or… was it? It's time for the unvarnished truth, with a healthy dose of hotel review thrown in for good measure. Because let's be honest, a festival is only half the battle. Where you crash matters. So, here's the lowdown, with some truly colorful commentary, because who wants another boring, sanitized review?
First things first: The Festival Itself - Did it Live Up to the Hype?
Look, "MUST-SEE" is a bold claim. D'Festivo had its moments, definitely. The sheer energy of the place was infectious. The street performers were… well, they were trying their best. One guy juggled flaming torches while balancing on a unicycle. (Impressive, right? Except he totally dropped the ball - literally. But he recovered with a grin and the crowd went wild! Gotta love that Ipoh spirit.)
The Hotel - Let's Talk Comfort (and Potential Drama!)
I stayed at a hotel nearby, and this is where things get interesting. Because a festival is one thing, but a decent night's sleep (and a decent bathroom!) are non-negotiables.
(Before I get into the hotel specifics, a disclaimer: This is MY experience, and yours might be different. Hotel reviews are subjective, people!)
Accessibility: Did They Even Think About It? Well, there's hope! I spotted elevators, which is a win! But real-world experience… well, I didn't personally test it, but I saw a few ramps, and the hotel's website claimed to accommodate folks with mobility issues. Fingers crossed! I wasn't able to experience the on-site accessible restaurants / lounges since i was trying to experience the festival, though.
Rooms: The Good, The Bad, and The "Wait, What Did I Just Pay For?"
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank GOD!), alarm clocks (who uses those anymore?), bathrobes (fancy!), bathroom phones (seriously?!), bathtubs (yay!), blackout curtains (essential!), carpeting (meh), closets (a must!), coffee/tea makers (blessed!), complimentary tea (nice!), daily housekeeping (appreciated!), desks (useful!), extra-long beds (SCORE!), free bottled water (hydration is key!), hair dryers (thank you, hair gods!), high floors (no preference), in-room safe boxes (paranoid? maybe.), interconnecting rooms available (for families or annoying friends), internet access - LAN, internet access - wireless, ironing facilities (rarely used), laptop workspace (needed), linens (clean!), mini bars (tempting!), mirrors (essential!), non-smoking (thankfully!), on-demand movies (who watches those?!), private bathrooms (yes, please!), reading lights (good for, you know, reading), refrigerators (handy!), safety/security features (peace of mind!), satellite/cable channels (again, who watches TV on vacation?!), scales (judgemental!), seating areas (essential!), separate shower/bathtubs (luxury!), showers (necessary!), slippers (comfy!), smoke detectors (safety first!), sockets near the bed (genius!), sofas (relaxing!), soundproofing (priceless!), telephones (for emergencies!), toiletries (meh), towels (clean!), umbrellas (Ipoh weather!), visual alarm (thoughtful!) wake-up service (who needs a wake-up call?!), Wi-Fi (free) and WINDOWS THAT OPEN (FREEDOM!).
- So, what about those "imperfections"? Well, the "mini-bar" consisted of some overpriced snacks and a lukewarm can of soda. The Wi-Fi? Let's just say I did more contemplation than connection in the lobby. The room decoration felt a little… sterile. Like a committee had decided on "beige."
Cleanliness and Safety: Did I Catch Anything Worse Than Festival Food Poisoning?
This is where the hotel REALLY redeemed itself. I'm a bit of a germaphobe (don't judge!), and I was impressed. Every where i went, Staff were actually trained in safety protocols, and I saw hand sanitizer stations everywhere (thank you, heaven!). Also, Anti-viral cleaning products were used, breakfast takeaway service, cash less payment service, daily disinfection in common areas, first aid kits and food was individually wrapped! Other features: First of all, there was a Doctor/nurse on call. The hotel had rooms sanitized between stays which is a must for me. All kitchen and tableware items were sanitized.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Festival Fire!
- Breakfast: Asian breakfast, and Western Breakfast. I took advantage of the breakfast buffet, the breakfast service, the buffet in restaurant and the coffee/tea in restaurant. The Western breakfast was kinda disappointing, but the Asian breakfast? Seriously worth it!
- Snacks: I spotted a snack bar, which was a lifesaver in the afternoon. The pool-side bar was ok and the restaurants, a la carte in restaurant.
- Drinking: I wasn't expecting a super fancy bar, so the bar did the job. It was better than nothing! There was no happy hour.
Hotel Services and Conveniences: The Little Things Matter
- Excellent: Air conditioning in public areas (praise be!), concierge (super helpful!), daily housekeeping (appreciated!), doorman (a nice touch!), elevator (for the win!), facilities for disabled guests (important!), food delivery (essential!), gift/souvenir shop (tempting!), luggage storage (always useful), safety deposit boxes (good to have!).
- Meh: Luggage storage, the convenience store, and the cash withdrawal.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (If You Can Actually Relax!)
- Fitness Center: I went to the gymnasium. It was a bit crowded, but the equipment was okay, and I managed to get a workout in.
- Pool and Spa: Ah, the pool. The outdoor pool was a lifesaver and the pool with a view was gorgeous!
The Verdict (Finally!)
D'Festivo '24 was an experience. A messy, chaotic, exciting experience. The hotel? It wasn't perfect, but it mostly delivered. The staff were generally helpful.
Here's My Offer to You:
Book your stay at [Hotel Name] or a similar hotel near D'Festivo '24 through [Booking Link – Affiliate link to Hotel]. You'll get:
- Peace of Mind: Knowing you have a comfortable and safe base camp after a day of festival madness! I have to tell you: the soundproofing was crucial after those late nights!
- Free Wi-Fi: (Hopefully better than what I experienced!) to share your festival adventure with the world.
- A Comfortable Bed: (Essential, trust me!) to recover from all that fun.
Why Book Now?
- Early Bird Deals: Secure your spot before prices skyrocket.
- Avoid the Chaos: Don't wait until the last minute -- availability disappears fast!
D'Festivo '24 is an adventure. Be prepared. Book your hotel. Enjoy the ride. And maybe, just maybe, pack earplugs.
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Shiva Lake Mussoorie Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into D FESTIVO' 9 in Ipoh, Malaysia. Forget those perfectly polished travel blogs – this is going to be a glorious, chaotic mess, just like me after a plate of nasi lemak. Get ready for the REAL deal.
D FESTIVO' 9 - Operation: Ipoh Delight (and possible disaster) - The Itinerary (ish)
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Coffee (and Sanity)
Morning (ish) - Arrival in Ipoh: Landed (finally!), bleary-eyed and slightly terrified of the impending humidity. The flight was… well, a flight. You know, the usual cramped seats, questionable airplane food, and the guy snoring like a walrus behind me. Seriously, I think he was dreaming of the deep sea, judging by the sound effects. I have NO idea how anyone can sleep so soundly in a plane.
Mid-Morning - Hotel Check-In at The 1919 Hotel (allegedly "charming"): Ah, the hotel. It was… charming. In a slightly faded, slightly crumbling kind of way. The aircon was a gamble, but the staff was lovely, which is basically the most important factor. The room - I swear, one of the legs of my bed was made of wood. I didn't even try the coffee provided in the room.
Late Morning - The Coffee EMERGENCY: The first order of business was finding decent coffee, which is practically a religious requirement for me at this point. I’d heard about Plan B, so I set out, guided by Google Maps and the burning need for caffeine. Found it, eventually, after getting spectacularly lost and asking a bewildered elderly lady for directions, who seemed to think I was trying to sell her something. The coffee? Glorious. Finally, a moment of peace.
Lunch - Lou Wong Bean Sprout Chicken (the hype is REAL… mostly): Okay, so this is the "must do" activity. I am a HUGE fan of chicken, especially bean sprouts, so I obviously needed to try this place. The queue? Monstrous. The jostling crowds? Intense. The food? Oh. My. God. The chicken was so tender it practically melted in my mouth. The bean sprouts were perfectly crisp. This was a moment of pure, unadulterated culinary bliss. (Okay, maybe a touch dramatic, but I was hungry.) Sidenote: be prepared to wait. And brace yourself for the throngs of tourists. It's worth it though. Totally.
Afternoon - Exploring Old Town & Street Art… and Getting Lost (again): Ipoh's Old Town is adorable, a colorful mix of colonial architecture and vibrant street art. I spent an hour completely mesmerized by a mural of a coffee shop owner, so much so that I got completely disoriented, wandered in several circles, and ended up buying a ridiculously oversized, brightly colored umbrella from a street vendor. It has a picture of a cat on it. Worth it.
- The "Lost in Translation" Moment: I tried to ask a local for directions – my Malay is approximately zero. Let's just say the result was a lot of confused nodding and me pointing vaguely east. It worked, eventually.
Evening - Dinner at a Local "Kedai" (Warung) and Attempted Durian Experiment: Found a tiny, bustling warung (small, informal restaurant) that looked promising. The food was fantastic – spicy, flavorful curries, and I definitely think I saw some people smiling at each other around me. The durian, however… shudders. I braved the "King of Fruits" as a recommendation (and in the name of cultural immersion!). Let's just say it was an experience. A pungent, lingering, slightly terrifying experience. I washed it down with a lot of iced tea.
Day 2: Caves, Temples, and the Pursuit of Perfection (in Fried Noodles)
Morning - Kellie's Castle (and the Ghostly Vibes): Kellie's Castle is a fascinating place - a partially finished mansion with a tragic history. The architecture is stunning and I spent a good long time taking photos because I love architecture. It’s also supposedly haunted, which, of course, made me jump at every creak and shadow. I'm a sucker for creepy stories.
Mid-Morning - The Cave Temples: Sam Poh Tong and Kek Lok Tong: These cave temples are breathtaking, absolutely stunning. The colours, the incense, the sheer scale of it all is awe-inspiring. I was slightly overwhelmed by the number of people, but the serenity of the place still shone through. I even bravely attempted to navigate a small maze inside one of the cave temples, which resulted in a near-claustrophobic panic attack.
Lunch - The Quest Continues: Ipoh Hor Fun! (and the search for "perfect"): I have been on a mission since arrival: to find THIS restaurant where I can eat the best Ipoh Hor Fun. I will try every single one, until I can no longer eat.
- First Attempt: Restoran Thean Chun (the "famous" one): This place was BUSY. The hor fun was good, but… not perfect. The broth was a little bland. The noodles, however were beautiful.
- Second Attempt: Restaurant Sun Marpoh (the "local" one): THIS HOR FUN, however! The noodles, the broth, the perfectly cooked chicken were all divine. It was light, flavourful and truly beautiful. It's my new favourite.
- "The Great Hor Fun Struggle" Note: The amount of sweat and dedication to find the perfect hor fun is perhaps excessive. But you know what? No regrets.
Afternoon - Relaxing by the Pool (and desperately trying to avoid sunburn): The humidity, the walking, the general Ipoh-ness of it all had taken its toll. So, I spent a couple hours by the hotel pool, where I promptly managed to get a touch of sunburn, despite slathering myself in sunscreen. Sigh.
Evening - Farewell Dinner at a "Fancy" Restaurant (and inevitable overeating): I treated myself to a "fancy" dinner, which turned out to be a bit less fancy then anticipated (but still delicious). I, of course, over-ordered like a maniac, and ended up almost needing to be rolled out of the restaurant. Worth it.
Day 3: Departure and the lingering taste of Ipoh (and durian):
- Morning - Last-Minute Coffee and Souvenir Shopping: One last burst of caffeine before the flight. And, because I’m me I ran to the local shop to buy some souvenirs. Because of my huge umbrella, I bought a smaller one.
- Departure:
- Post-Trip Reflections:
- Ipoh, you beautiful, chaotic, food-filled wonder. You were a whirlwind of sights, smells, and tastes.
- The imperfections were part of the charm. The wrong turns, the language barriers. They made the experience richer, more real, and more memorable.
- Durian. We had a complicated relationship, and I'm still not sure I'm over it.
- Would I go back? Absolutely. And next time, I'm bringing a bigger stomach (and maybe a gas mask for the durian).
So there you have it. My unfiltered, slightly messy, and utterly human account of D FESTIVO' 9. You might have a better travel blog, but you won’t have more fun! Now, get out there and explore. And for the love of all that is holy, try the hor fun. And maybe avoid the durian. Unless you're brave. Or slightly masochistic. Enjoy!
Tangerang's Dream Home: Sky House Alam Sutera Awaits!
D'Festivo '24 Ipoh: Your Burning Questions Answered (and My Chaotic Rants!)
What *is* D'Festivo '24, anyway? Sounds fancy!
When and Where does D'Festivo '24 take place? Gotta pencil this in!
Okay, the food. Tell me everything! Is it worth the calories?
What kind of music acts can I expect? Is it all buskers?
Are there kid-friendly activities? My little monsters are coming with me!
How crowded does it get? Should I brace myself?
What should I bring? The essentials!
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Any Pro Tips? Spill the tea!
