ONE WEIL OF A WINE, DINE & PARTY TIME IN IPOH (Part 2)

Yum cha sessions, indulgent buffets, afternoon tea treats and romantic dining rendezvous. Since WEIL Hotel opened, the various Food & Beverage outlets on-premise have emerged as popular go-to outposts among Ipoh-ites to indulge in their culinary cravings.

The proverbial proof of the said pudding is definitely in all the eating...and drinking that went on during our recent staycation as we gamely devoured everything served by the Weil Hotel team.

Bountiful Buffets at Tiffin

Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner take pride of place at this all-day dining restaurant. The selection is ample enough to satisfy diners of all ages, with a decent selection that straddles Malaysian, Asian and Continental fare.

Keep your eyes peeled for local favourites such as Ipoh white coffee, fruit rojak, and pomelo salad (another famed produce of the city) amongst the veritable spread of tempting specialities laid out.

On Sunday-Thursday, the Fish Market theme buffet (RM56 per adult) reels in seafood lovers for dinner. Expect poached and chilled prawns, mussels, scallops, and flower crabs, alongside grilled seafood and cooked to order dishes.

Offerings at the buffet spread are cooked in small portions and replenished frequently. Hence the overall taste and variety are up to par, in keeping with the Hotel’s quality standards.

Tea-rific Dim Sum Treats from Yuk Sou Hin

"Yum cha" or drinking tea is a popular euphemism for Ipoh’s long-standing sociable ritual where family and friends gather to enjoy copious amount of Chinese tea over servings of freshly made dim sum.

 

Chef Allan Tse proves a dab hand at churning out a plethora of dainty pork-free savoury and sweet morsels to satisfy the tastebuds. Recommended specialities worth sampling include Steamed Siew Mai with Crab Roe (RM11), Chicken Xiao Long Bao (RM10), Steamed Cod Deluxe Dumplings (RM12) and Crab Meat Dumplings (RM12) among others.

 

Distinctive baked and fried options range from Deep-fried Chives & Prawn Dumplings (RM10), Signature Baked BBQ Honey Glazed Chicken Buns (RM12) and Fried Turnip Cake (RM7).

Much vaunted house specialities such as Signature Roast Duck (RM45 half duck) – scrumptiously tender with subtle smoky lychee wood aroma and palate-pleasing Fried Mian Xian (RM37) also got resounding thumbs up from us. Should you wish to wrap things up on a delicately sweet note, some chilled Avocado Puree (RM12 per bowl) won’t go remiss.

Dim Sum is served at Yuk Sou Hin Mon-Sat 1030am-230pm, Sun & public holidays 8am-230pm. The restaurant opens for dinner nightly from 6pm-10pm.

Tipples at Tea Lounge

 

Welcome drinks for hotel guests are served in this serene haven one floor above the lobby. Furnished with cushy armchairs and comfy settees in muted gray and dusky blue, lit by strategically placed modern geometric lights, and linear stone and wood trims, Tea Lounge is also the place to go for tête-à-tête over afternoon tea.

 

Sunset Rendezvous at The Deck

For a glimpse of Ipoh’s sunset spectacle, head on up to The Deck – WEIL Hotel's rooftop gastropub. Its red brick and wood-clad mod-vintage interior evoke a comfy, laidback atmosphere with huge picture windows looking out to an expansive faux lawn and pool deck.

 

Wet your whistle with a Virgin Mojito (RM20) as you peruse the contemporary Euro-slanted menu selection. Conceived to jazz up sultry nights for dating couples, foodies or anyone yearning for some sophisticated fare in Ipoh, popular meal openers here straddle the likes of Prawn Cocktail (RM25) and Cream of Asparagus (RM15).

While the classic appetiser passed muster, the creamy soup du jour hit the spot with its on-point lushness. Hot on its heels came Pasta Vongole (RM28), a decent crowd-pleaser that was rather tasty but seemingly a tad underwhelming after that excellent broth.

 

Dessert treats to indulge in veer between Mango Cheesecake and Chocolate Lava Cake (RM15). Luscious yet mercifully low-key in sugar quotient, these option should amply satisfy one's sweet tooth.

Throughout July, different guest DJs will hit The Deck to spin current hits and mixes on Saturday nights from 9pm onwards. So on your next sojourn to Ipoh, be sure to paint the town red at this hot spot.

For reservations and more information, call tel: +6 05 - 2082 228. WEIL HOTEL IPOH is located at 292, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

A WEIL OF A GOOD TIME IN IPOH (PART 1)

Our recent staycation at WEIL Hotel, located next to Ipoh Parade Shopping Mall, proves Ipoh is very much on every travel hipster ‘must visit’ list. Be it within the hotel or out in town, the capital of this Silver State is fast gaining a reputation for its good local food.

 

Thanks to the generosity and courtesy of WEIL Hotel, our weekend staycation was thoroughly enjoyable from the get-go. For the uninitiated, the hotel name is a reversal of the owner’s surname – Liew – the family behind Malaysia’s famous Pagoda brand groundnuts.

This is our second stay at WEIL Hotel but I’m happy to note the 313-room property still appears as immaculate as ever and has established itself as a notable special events/weddings venue in this neck of the woods.

Flaunting soaring high ceiling with modern circular light fittings, the spacious lobby has clusters of cosy armchairs, ottomans and two-seater lounges that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also evoke a convivial welcome for every guest who steps in.

After a hassle-free and quick check-in, we spent some time lolling around in our tastefully furnished Premier room: neutral wood, sand, white and grey tones coupled with unfussy clean lines made us feel right at home instantly.

Later, we slept like logs, snugly tucked into the pristine white linen-covered bed laid with fluffy pillows. There’s plenty of space on the in-room elongated table top to keep our personal knick-knacks – the generous space is a boon for biz travellers who need to work.

Besides a two-seater sofa, we couldn’t resist nestling in the comfy chaise reading lounge; perfect for avid bookworms like moi. We also helped ourselves to the complimentary canned soft drinks and packets of Pagoda nuts provided. The little courtesies were in addition to our in-room coffee/tea-making facilities and comp bottled water.

My fave space is the glazed white tile, warmly lit bathroom with its dark marble-topped vanity area, walk-in rain shower cubicle and a standalone bath tub. Subtle luxe touches like fluffy towels and premium toiletries add to its allure.

Another plus point here is the handy smartphone – a complimentary guest amenity offering free connectivity, localised travel-centric and visitor-friendly content, relevant services and in-destination offers.

Facilities such as function rooms and a Ballroom are available on-site. I’d recommend heading up to the Rooftop Infinity Pool for a dip and a panoramic view of Ipoh. Fitness bunnies will find the in-house gym adequate for basic workout routines.

A canopied patio furnished with weather-proof outdoor mock cane-weave chaise lounges, and pool deck chairs make the poolside a relaxing haven for guests to while time away after their swimming and recreation session.

WEIL Hotel probably ranks as Ipoh’s best hotel at the moment. Its strategic location and comprehensive facilities make it a preferred choice for discerning travellers, for personal or business purpose.

Coming Up – Part 2: Wine, Dine & Party Options at WEIL

For reservations and more information, call tel: +6 05 - 2082 228. WEIL HOTEL IPOH is located at 292, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.