Cheras' BEST Kept Secret: Luxury Guesthouse in KL!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into reviewing Cheras' BEST Kept Secret: Luxury Guesthouse in KL! And let me tell you, after poking around and getting up close and personal, this place is… well, it's a thing. Let's be honest here, sometimes a hotel review feels like a sterile robot giving you data. I'm shooting for more human!
First Impressions & The "Oh, WOW" Moment (or Two!)
So, I'm a sucker for good design. I mean, sucker. The moment I walked into Cheras' BEST Kept Secret, my jaw actually dropped. Okay, maybe not literally dropped, but close! It's got that refined, modern vibe but doesn’t feel cold. It's like, you know, when you walk into a friend's super-stylish apartment and you're IMMEDIATELY jealous? Yep. That's the feeling. The lobby? Clean lines, welcoming lighting, and a faint aroma of… well, I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but it was GOOD. Like, really, really good. And definitely NOT the stale air you find in some KL hotels that have been stuck in the 70s (shudder).
Accessibility: Not Just a Buzzword (Thankfully!)
Right off the bat, they seem to actually care about accessibility. Huge plus, because let's be real, it's 2024, and it shouldn't even be a question. I didn't personally need wheelchair facilities, but from what I could see, the ramps, elevators, and room layouts are thoughtfully designed. This is huge if you need it. And honestly, it’s just good practice for everyone. No more crammed spaces!
The Bedroom: My Temporary Fortress of Comfort
Alright, let’s talk rooms. The “Available in all rooms” list is LONG:
- Air conditioning: Check. Essential in KL.
- Alarm clock: Check. Though my phone is usually the villain in wake-up calls.
- Bathrooms, Hairdryer, Toiletries: Check, check, and check! The toiletries weren’t some cheap plastic soap you get in some budget hotels. Proper stuff.
- Blackout curtains: YES! Finally, a hotel that understands the importance of a decent sleep. (Hello, jet lag!)
- Closet, Desk, Ironing facilities: All the standard essentials are there and in a good state.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Okay, so it was a little patchy at times (don't tell them!) But, hey, free Wi-Fi is always a win. The connection was better in some areas than others.
- Laptop workspace: Yup, suitable for those of us who work while traveling.
- Mini bar, Refrigerator: Sweet! A quick evening snack without having to move more than arm's length, perfection.
- Seating area, Sofa: Cozy and inviting for those Netflix & Chill moments.
- Soundproofing: Pretty good. I wasn't bothered by any street noise or conversations from next door.
- Telephone: Useful, not essential - I mean, who calls reception these days?
- Extra long bed, High floor: My room was high up, and the bed was HUGE. Seriously wanted to just roll over and sleep.
- Smoke detector: Always appreciated.
- Bathroom phone: Never used it, but hey, if you have to call…
- Bathtub, Separate shower/bathtub: I love the bathtub! I'd happily soak there for hours.
- Bathroom phone: Never used it, but hey, if you have to call…
- Bathtub: I love the bathtub! I'd happily soak there for hours.
- Complimentary tea, Coffee/tea maker: Early morning tea? Excellent!
- Daily housekeeping: Good job!
- Free bottled water: Never a mistake.
- In-room safe box: Always good to have.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: No use for me, but could be a winner if you are travelling as a family.
- Linens, Mirror, Non-smoking: All the essentials are there!
- On-demand movies: No use for me, I prefer my own streaming.
- Private bathroom, Reading light: Always appreciated.
- Scale: No thanks. I don't need that kind of reality check on my holiday.
- Shower: Always good to have.
- Slippers, Socket near the bed: Slippers were a nice touch.
- Soundproofing, Window that opens: The natural light was a plus.
- Towels: Fluffy and fresh.
- Wake-up service: Unnecessary, as my phone.
- Daily housekeeping: Good job!
- Extra long bed, High floor: My room was high up, and the bed was HUGE. Seriously wanted to just roll over and sleep.
Dining: A Culinary Adventure… or at Least, a Pleasant Snack
- Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: They have the essentials covered.
- A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Breakfast [buffet], Coffee/tea in restaurant, Poolside bar, Snack bar: Good!
- Desserts in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: Yes!
- Happy hour, Bottle of water, Breakfast service, Coffee shop, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant: Great.
The breakfast buffet was pretty decent. I'm not going to lie, I've seen better (and worse!) but the Asian options were a standout. The coffee shop was a godsend for my caffeine addiction. The poolside bar? Well, let's just say I spent more time there than I probably should have. The snacks were good. The desserts? I’m not a big dessert person, but they looked beautiful.
Relaxation, Spa & Wellness: My Personal Paradise
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: They have EVERYTHING.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I never saw the gym. I was more into swimming!
Now, the real gem here (for me, anyway) was the spa. I was there for a massage, and oh my GOD. It was pure bliss. I’m talking, melt-into-the-table, forget-all-your-worries kind of bliss. The massage was so good that I almost fell asleep (I think I did, actually). I also tried the sauna and the steamroom - both were top-notch. The pool was beautiful, with a view. This is the kind of place where you can just unwind.
Cleanliness & COVID-19 Precautions: Feeling Safe (Which Matters!)
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: All the boxes are ticked.
Okay, let's get real. Traveling post-pandemic is… different. But Cheras' BEST Kept Secret really nails the safety aspect. They’ve clearly put a lot of thought into cleaning and hygiene. The staff were good. And I had a real sense of security. Not just the lip service, but actual measures. It's reassuring. Everything felt clean, they used anti-viral cleaning products and the staff were wearing masks and keeping their distance. The level of hygiene was very high.
Services & Amenities: The Little Extras
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Lots of things here.
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Great for people with cars!
Airport transfer: Useful!
The concierge was super helpful – sorted out a taxi for me and gave me some great recommendations for food. The convenience store was handy for snacks and drinks. Overall, they've thought of everything.
**Things To Do & For the Kids (If
Escape to Shakopee: Your Baymont Wyndham Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause here's the lowdown on my whirlwind, likely-to-be-disastrous (but hopefully hilarious) trip to Kuala Lumpur, all starting from… First Guest House Cheras! Yep, the heart of the beast, or at least, the launching pad. Pray for me, friends, because my travel style is "organized chaos" mixed with "hoping for the best, expecting the worst".
My KL Kerfuffle: A Travel Itinerary (with a healthy dose of "what even?")
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Glorious, Glorious Air Conditioning (and the Mild Panic)
- Time: Early afternoon, after a flight that felt longer than the entirety of Lord of the Rings (extended edition, naturally).
- Event: Arriving at First Guest House Cheras. The photos online? Immaculate. The reality? Hopefully, not a cockroach infestation. (Deep breath). Finding the place… which, let's be honest, could be an adventure in itself. Navigating the local transport system. Praying the taxi driver understands "First Guest House Cheras" and more importantly, doesn't take me to a goat farm.
- Mood: A mix of adrenaline pumping (Yay! Travel!) and a low-grade terror (What if I can't use the toilet? What if I accidentally order a meal made of something I can’t identify?).
- Anticipations: The air conditioning. I am specifically looking forward to the air conditioning after my plane! The food! The culture shock (which I secretly love). Mostly, the idea of being somewhere new after what felt like an eternity of the same old, same old.
- Actual Reality: Found the guesthouse! It was…fine. The air conditioning was my best friend. After that, it was time to explore the immediate world around Cheras, which was full of busy markets and busy streets.
Day 2: The Petronas Towers and a Serious Case of Overwhelm
- Time: Mornings is the way to go, after a night of adjusting to the new pillow and new sounds (or perhaps a late night out)
- Event: The Petronas Towers are the first stop! Booking tickets in advance? Check. Knowing which line goes where and knowing if I am in the right queue? Absolutely not. Prepare for the possibility of getting totally lost!
- Quirk: Obsessively checking my phone for picture-perfect angles, possibly annoying everyone around me. Probably tripping over something elegant in the process.
- Lunch: After that, my stomach and my mood is just screaming out for a meal! Definitely in a food stall - maybe some local food, just because.
- Downfall: An afternoon of trying to navigate the public transport and possibly getting hopelessly lost.
- Mood: Absolutely flustered because of the high-speed life, but secretly loving it.
- Emotions: High. Very high. Tower-high.
- Additional Notes: Possibly crying at the sheer beauty of it all. Definitely getting sunburnt.
- Evening: Something low-key. Maybe a quiet dinner at a hawker centre and reflecting on the day.
Day 3: Temples, Tea, and a Potential Food Coma
- Time: Morning. Need to get the day started earlier to make the most of the day!
- Event: Visiting Batu Caves. So many stairs! So many monkeys! Trying not to get my stuff stolen by a particularly cheeky primate. Taking a million photos of the colourful steps and the towering statue of Murugan.
- Quirk: The "amateur photographer trying to get Insta-worthy shots" act. Be prepared for me to get in everyone's way.
- Lunch: Something spicy. Something flavorful. Something that will make me sweat.
- Afternoon: A tea ceremony! Trying to be cultured and enjoy the moment. I hope I don't make a fool of myself, but that's my superpower.
- Evening: Trying all of the street food. Absolutely everything. Resisting the urge to try food from every single stall because, food coma.
- Mood: Content, slightly overwhelmed by flavours.
- Emotions: Pure joy, mixed with a touch of panic about the future.
Day 4: The KL Street Art, Shopping and Another Dose of Culture
- Time: Another early start, because, well, I'm trying!
- Event: Discovering KL’s street art scene, which is supposed to be amazing. Finding hidden murals and taking more photos. Probably getting distracted by a stray kitten.
- Quirk: Getting lost. Repeatedly. Asking for directions, probably from locals with zero English.
- Afternoon: Shopping at central markets or malls. Possibly buying things I definitely don't need but absolutely must have.
- Evening: I might go out, but I might not! Maybe some quiet time, or maybe taking a break.
- Mood: Exhausted, yet thrilled.
- Emotions: Appreciating the small details and possibly feeling a bit homesick.
Day 5: Departure and the Sadness of Leaving
- Time: The flight in the afternoon.
- Event: One last breakfast in KL. Packing. Saying goodbye to the lovely people who helped me.
- Quirk: Trying to squeeze in one last adventure before the taxi arrives. Probably rushing around like a mad person.
- Mood: A wave of mixed emotions - happiness at going home, and a tinge of sadness at leaving.
- Emotions: Overwhelmed. Proud. So many feelings.
Important Notes and Disclaimers:
- Flexibility is Key: This itinerary is more of a suggestion. Things will go wrong. Plans will change. Embrace the chaos!
- Food is a Priority: I'm there to eat. Period. Be prepared for copious amounts of food-related descriptions.
- My Sense of Direction is Non-Existent: Getting lost is a certainty. If you see me looking utterly bewildered, point me in the general direction of something interesting.
- Honesty Warning: I'll probably complain about the heat at some point. Or the humidity. Or the crowds. But I'm also going to love everything about it, eventually!
- Have Fun! The point is to have fun!
Okay, spill the tea! What IS Cheras' BEST Kept Secret? Is it REALLY all that?
Alright, alright! Deep breaths. It's a luxury guesthouse... in Cheras. I know, I know. Cheras isn't exactly Bali. But hear me out. This place... it's like stumbling into a hidden oasis. It's called, well, I'm intentionally not saying the name yet. Gotta keep SOME of the secret, alive, right? ;) Let's just say I initially, as a born-and-bred KL-an, was highly skeptical. Cheras? Luxury? My brain short-circuited. My first thought was: "Seriously? Is this some elaborate prank?" Believe me, I'm a cynical bugger, but It Is THAT good. It offers a level of luxury that’s usually reserved for the swankiest of hotels, but with a much more, say... intimate feel. And yes! It *is* all that. And more.
So, what makes it "luxury"? Don't give me buzzwords, give me *details*!
Okay, buckle up. This is where it gets dangerous... for my wallet, at least. First off, the bedrooms. Think: HUGE. Like, 'could-easily-fit-a-small-dance-party' huge. Then, ridiculous comfy beds. Seriously, I actually had a brief panic attack the first night because I was convinced I wouldn't wake up the next day. I have a history of struggling to sleep in any place that isn't my own bed. I can't say this often enough: The beds are glorious. Then, the bathrooms. Marble. Rainfall showerheads. All the fancy toiletries you could possibly dream of. (I may or may not have shamelessly taken a few extras. Don't judge me!). BUT it's not just the stuff. It's the service. The staff? They're angels. They're friendly, helpful, discreet. They anticipate *everything*. I swear, I thought about needing a coffee and BAM! Coffee appeared. (Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a *little*... but you get the idea.) They’ve got a pool. It’s not the biggest, but it's perfect. The food? OMG, the food. Breakfast is a highlight. I spent a solid hour each morning just *staring* at the spread. I even tried to sneak in a second breakfast. Failed. They were onto me. Again, don't judge.
Location, location, location... Cheras, right? What's the deal? Is it hard to get to? And safe, actually?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: Cheras. I gotta be brutally honest, I’d never really *explored* Cheras. It was always just that place you drove *through* to get... *somewhere* else. Yes, it's a bit of a trek from the city center, especially if you're depending on public transport. Grab's the easiest, obviously. But here's the thing: once you're *there*, you're in your own little bubble. It feels miles away from the hustle and bustle. Cheras itself is actually surprisingly vibrant. Plenty of local eateries, shopping malls (if that's your thing), and, most importantly: it feels SAFE. Really, really safe. (Which coming from me, someone who gets jumpy at the drop of a pin, that's saying something.) The guesthouse is in a quiet neighborhood, well-lit, and the staff is super vigilant. I felt more secure there than I sometimes do in my own apartment! So, yes, the location requires a *tiny* bit of planning, but the peace and quiet are worth it. Think of it as a mini-escape, a little getaway from the usual KL chaos.
Can I just walk in?! Are we talking booking months in advance?
Absolutely NOT. Even with the "secret" status, it's popular. Booking in advance is crucial. Weeks, if not months, especially if you’re targeting a weekend or a holiday. I'm thinking of just booking a whole week for myself next month, to recharge. That's *how* good it is. I've attempted a last-minute booking once and felt like a sad puppy when they were fully booked. So, planning is your friend here. Check their website; they have a pretty simple booking system, which is a lifesaver for someone like me who considers navigating the internet like the Wild West.
Spill *one* specific thing that blew your mind. ONE.
Okay, okay... ONE thing. Fine. But it's hard! There are SO many things. Okay, the one thing. The *personal touch*. I'd mentioned, casually, to one of the staff members that I was coming for a bit of "me time" because I'd been ridiculously stressed at work. The next morning, I walked into my room and there was a *care package*. A *care package*! It contained: a scented candle, a face mask (my skin is thanking them still), a selection of teas, and a small notebook. A *notebook*! I literally burst into tears. I’m not even kidding. It was so unexpected, so thoughtful, so perfectly timed. It wasn't even fancy or expensive, but it was EXACTLY what I needed. It’s details like that that truly transform a stay from "nice" to "unforgettable." Seriously, I still get a little misty-eyed thinking about it. The small things ALWAYS have the biggest impact. And yes, I used the notebook. In it, I wrote: "I will come back. I must come back."
Okay, what's the WORST thing? There *has* to be a downside!
Alright, truth time. Yes, there is *one* downside. A big one. It's the moment you have to *leave*. That's the worst part. Seriously. Leaving a luxurious, beautiful cocoon, with all of its comforts. The service, the bed, the delicious food. You step back into reality, back into the KL traffic, and you're instantly hit with a wave of melancholy. I left feeling, just a little bit, like I'd been spoiled. That's honestly it. I guess if I *really* nitpick, for some, it might be the slightly less-than-perfect-soundproofing of the rooms to the outside noise but that's nothing major. Honestly, that's really all I can fault it for.
Who is this place FOR? Is it for couples? Solo travelers? Rich people?
Honestly? It’s for anyone who appreciates quality and wants to escape. Couples? Absolutely! It's incredibly romantic. Solo travellers? YES! It's a perfect place to recharge, to escape the grind. I went solo and it was bliss. Families? I'm not 100% sure. It might be too *quiet* for rambunctious kids. Let's just assume that it's better if they're well-behaved. Rich people? Well, it’s not the cheapest place, but considering what you *get*, it's a justifiable splurge. Honestly, the level of service and detail make it feel like a bargain. So, really, it's for anyone who's looking for a little bit of magic. And a seriously good sleep.
Where To Stay Now
