Putra Palace in Kangar is popular for many government and company functions, writes PUTRI ZANINA.
AFTER about eight hours of driving from Kuala Lumpur, the sight of Putra Palace hotel was welcome indeed. Earlier, we had been going around in circles looking for the hotel, where we were booked for a four-day stay in Kangar, the capital of Perlis.Being not familiar with the place, it took us a while to find the hotel located near the roundabout leading to Arau, the state’s royal town. It is actually a strategic location, within walking distance of the state’s mosque, Masjid Alwi.
All the strain of long-distance travelling melted away when I entered the room to be greeted with warm, cheery colours. The bed had a bright flowery bedspread and was set against a cool green wall. The curtains and carpet had warm shades of orange and brown that immediately brightened me up.Drawing the curtains wide, the vast expanse of greenery and hills was a welcome relief from the bustle of the city. Perlis is pretty much flat with some places dotted with stunning limestone hills, fringing padi fields and forested areas. It is very laidback and quiet. I could feel this as I looked out from our room on the ninth floor.
I could see a football field in the compound of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Indra. Near it are a stadium and a couple of other schools.Walking about the hotel the next day, what caught my eye was the beautiful exterior of the hotel’s coffeehouse, the Bendang (padi field). Adorning its walls were intricately-weaved buluh bertam (species of bamboo) and woodwork with floral motifs. The coffeehouse depicts the traditional Malay house and scenery of padi fields.Inside the restaurant, items commonly used by padi farmers, such as mengkuang hats and bamboo fish traps, form the main display.
Outside the restaurant, in the lobby area, spiral staircases lead to the upper floors. Looking up, I saw a mural of blue sky and white clouds embellish the ceiling of a dome. That added charm to the basic and very busy lobby.
Its busy-ness is not surprising as the hotel, with 145 rooms, is the largest in Kangar. Owned by the State Economic Development Corporation, it is the only star-rated hotel there.
The hotel’s public relations manager, Tengku Rusilawati Tengku Abd Rahman, said the bulk of the hotel’s guests were civil servants. It is big in the meetings and seminars market, and for private functions, too. The reasons are obvious as the hotel is the best equipped in town to handle large groups of up to 1,000 persons.“The other reason,” said Tengku Rusilawati, “is that there are simply not many other distractions in Kangar.
Companies find this place ideal for meetings and they can expect their staff to stay at the meetings as there is nothing much else happening in town!”Yes, indeed, Kangar is a rather sleepy place but there are still pockets of commercial areas to perk you up. As for us, the hotel with its sweeping view of greenery was just perfect for winding down.
HOTELPutra Palace135,
Persiaran Jubli Emas
01000 Kangar, Perlis
Tel: 04-976 7755
Fax: 04-976 1049
Email: support@putrapalace.comWebsite: http://www.putrapalace.com/
GETTING THERE
The hotel is about 1km from town centre. Persiaran Jubli Emas passes in front of Masjid Alwi, the fire station and police station. An easier option is to look out for signboards in town pointing towards Arau. Next to the police station is the federal building. The hotel stands opposite this building. About 100 metres from the hotel is the Golden Jubilee roundabout. One of the roads from this roundabout leads to Arau.
MAIN ATTRACTION
Rooms that accord a countryside view of green fields and hills, and also the hotel’s quiet location though it is still within town. From the hotel, it is easy to go to many parts of town and other places in Perlis, including Arau and the border town of Wang Kelian.
FIRST IMPRESSION
It looks like a very “important” hotel with many people in business clothes milling about at the lobby area and in the coffeehouse.
RATING
Four-star.
ROOMS
Total 145 rooms, comprising Standard rooms, King Deluxe, suites and penthouse. All are air-conditioned and come with basic amenities, including coffee/tea making facility, TV and iron.
RATES From RM145 nett. Please contact the hotel directly for the latest room promotion.
OVERALL SERVICE
Genuinely friendly like what you often encounter in villages.
F&B OUTLETS
Bendang Coffeehouse offers northern-style Malay dishes as well as Thai and Western food. Enjoy daily food promotions: “Mai Pekena Gorpis” — freshly fried bananas (gorpis is short for goreng pisang) served with kopi kampung (kampung coffee) from 3pm to 5.30pm; “Roti Time” (all kinds of bread), including Roti Arab with fish curry from 11am to 11pm; and Steamboat from 7pm to 10pm. Prices of snacks set like the “Mai Pekena Gorpis” start from as low as RM5 per set per person while steamboat is priced at RM20 for adult and RM11 for child.
FACILITIES
These include swimming pool, fitness centre, kids’ club, seven meeting rooms and Kayangan Ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 people. The place is ideal for meetings and various functions, including weddings (there are several packages to choose from).
PLACES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCEMasjid Alwi and a few roadside stalls and restaurants.
Pictures by Zaaba Johar
