Unbelievable Kangar Stay! OYO 90039 Coop Hotel Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Unbelievable Kangar Stay! OYO 90039 Coop Hotel Review (You Won't Believe This!) - Buckle Up, Buttercups!
Okay, friends, gather 'round. Because what I’m about to tell you about the OYO 90039 Coop Hotel in Kangar… well, it’s gonna be a wild ride. I’m talking rollercoasters and maybe a stray pigeon or two along the way. I’ll be brutally honest because, let’s be real, you deserve the truth. Think of me as your hotel-hunting guru, your travel-troubleshooting bestie, and your truth-telling narrator all rolled into one slightly frazzled package.
(First off, disclaimer: my experience might be different than yours. Prices fluctuate, service waxes and wanes like the moon. This is just my take, okay?)
The Good, the Bad, and the Bathtub (Spoiler Alert: It Gets Weird)
Accessibility & Safety First – Always! (Mostly)
Alright, so accessibility. This is important, people. The Coop Hotel does have an elevator, which is a massive plus. That’s a big tick for Accessibility. I didn’t personally need a wheelchair-accessible room, but I did see a few features that seemed potentially helpful, like wider doorways (again, potential - I didn't test it!). There’s CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside the property, which is reassuring. Security [24-hour] is also a big win. And the presence of Fire extinguishers and Smoke alarms? You want those, trust me.
However… and there’s always a however… I didn’t see a ton explicitly geared towards accessibility, like grab bars in the bathrooms. This is where those details are needed, not just the bare minimum. So, while it’s probably better than some places, check with them directly if you have specific needs.
Now, safety during the current times… They claim to have Anti-viral cleaning products and Professional-grade sanitizing services. They advertise Room sanitization opt-out available, too (which, hey, good to have the option!). They also boasted about Staff trained in safety protocol. Daily disinfection in common areas could also be a plus. I saw little evidence of this, BUT it was a few days away, so I guess it's a good thing they said they were doing it? Hand sanitizer stations were present, which is always appreciated. Individually-wrapped food options are also a thing, which is a solid pandemic precaution. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter seems to be a vague idea and not always observed. Frankly, I didn’t experience that level of sanitization. I’d rate the actual execution of all the safety measures as… let's say a work in progress. Proceed with cautious optimism.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the…Slippers?
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. The rooms themselves… they're… well, they're what you'd expect from an OYO. The Air conditioning worked, thank the heavens. Free Wi-Fi is listed. Wi-Fi [free] mostly worked… There were definitely moments where it vanished into the digital ether, but eventually, it re-emerged. The Desk was… a desk. The Bed was big. (I think it was an Extra long bed. My sleep quality didn’t warrant close study. Seriously, I am talking sleep to an oblivion.) Had a TV, satellite/cable channels were present, and I may have watched entirely too much of it, given the options.
The Bathroom… this is where things get interesting. The shower was… a shower. With hot water. Blessedly. They give you Toiletries, but I'm still not sure what they were. The Mirror was perfectly capable, it was the only thing not trying to ruin my day. They put slippers in the room. I genuinely loved the slippers – little, fluffy, hotel slippers. What a delightful, nonsensical detail!
Now, here’s a confession: I had a complete meltdown the first night, there was nothing appealing about it. The room wasn’t dirty per se, but it wasn't… inspiring. There was a slight whiff of… something… a lingering ghost of burnt toast and despair, maybe? The Blackout curtains were a savior. The Soundproofing… let’s just say you’ll hear the karaoke from down the street. They have Non-smoking rooms, thank goodness. And, of course, a Coffee/tea maker for the essential morning revival.
But… and this is a big but… I'm convinced nobody at this hotel had ever actually lived in this place. It felt like a hotel that had been designed by someone who'd only read about hotels, never experienced one.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking – Buffet Blunders & Coffee Chaos
FOOD. Ah, the glorious subject of food. The Coop Hotel… offers a buffet. Breakfast [buffet] and Buffet in restaurant are listed. (They really want you to know about that buffet.) It is a buffet, a rather… sparse one. I’d say… a generous and bland option. Think mystery meats, slightly sad-looking pastries, and coffee that tastes like…well, you know. The Asian breakfast was definitely the better choice, which is what I had. It wasn't bad, but it wasn’t exactly a culinary revelation. There is a Coffee shop so, at least the coffee is present. Room service [24-hour] is available, I think. I never tried because I was terrified. You can get Coffee/tea in restaurant, which is either a different type of coffee, or has something actually good. Restaurants are listed, so there is definitely a place to eat. Desserts in restaurant are also present, but you can take my word for it, and don't venture there.
There's a Snack bar and, according to the listing, possibly a Poolside bar. I didn't see a bar, and the "poolside" area was… well, we’ll get to that. They highlight Asian cuisine in restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant, which is something.
The Amenities (Or, Where the Dreams Go to Die)
This is where the review gets truly existential. The Coop Hotel lists a Swimming pool [outdoor], and a Pool with view. The view was… of a wall. The pool was… small. And I’m pretty sure I saw a rogue frog in there. (Okay, maybe not, but the vibe was very “frog potential.”)
They have a Fitness center, a Gym/fitness, and a Spa/sauna, and a Steamroom. Good luck finding them. I wandered around for about an hour, asking bewildered staff members who looked terrified of me. Eventually, I gave up. I did, however, enjoy a soothing Foot bath in my room, in a bucket. (I made it myself.)
They claim to have Facilities for disabled guests, which I can't verify.
Services and Conveniences – The Good, the Bad, and the Unbelievable (Part 2)
Services and conveniences, that are listed, and you can guess how far I'll go with them:
In the plus column: Daily housekeeping was pretty good, and that's always a plus. They offer Daily housekeeping. Elevator is listed. Luggage storage is listed. Concierge is listed. There's a Cash withdrawal machine.
Now for the messy reality that is the Coop Hotel:
Air conditioning in public area will be there, if you can find the public area. Audio-visual equipment for special events will probably not work. Business facilities is… well… they say they have them. Contactless check-in/out is listed, which is good in theory. Convenience store is something, but you wouldn't think that if you knew there wasn't one. Currency exchange is… probably also a lie, at this point. Doorman? Nope. Dry cleaning, in my experience at least? Nope. Food delivery: possible, but you'll be eating off your lap. Gift/souvenir shop: good luck finding that one. Indoor venue for special events is available, but I have my doubts. Ironing service is there. Laundry service: probably! Car park [free of charge] is available. Car park [on-site] is available. Meeting/banquet facilities are listed. Meetings: if this is something you count as well. On-site event hosting: sure. Outdoor venue for special events: if you want to get eaten by mosquitoes, yes. Projector/LED display: no. Safety deposit boxes: for those of you that live in the "real world". Seminars: listed. Xerox/fax in business center: in a "business center" that I
Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport: Luxury Redefined in Switzerland's Hottest Spot!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this trip to Super OYO 90039 Coop Hotel Kangar Malaysia? It wasn't exactly a flawlessly executed Instagram post. More like a delightfully chaotic, slightly sweaty, and endlessly memorable adventure. Here's the (mostly) truthful story:
Pre-Trip Debacle: The "Lost Visa" Incident (aka, My Own Personal Disaster Movie)
Before we even got to Kangar, there was a visa. Or rather, the potential for a visa. Or, more accurately, the missing visa. I swear, I spent three frantic hours tearing apart my apartment, convinced some rogue squirrel had absconded with it. Found it eventually. In the freezer. Don't ask. The point is, we almost didn't make it ANYWHERE. Lesson learned: triple-check EVERYTHING. Also, maybe get a squirrel-proof apartment.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Nasi Lemak Hunt
Morning (sort of): After surviving the visa drama, a flight which, let's be honest, felt longer than the entire history of the universe (thanks, budget airlines!), we finally touched down in Malaysia. The air hit me like a warm, fragrant blanket. Gorgeous. The airport was a blur of unfamiliar signs and excited chatter – loved it. We grabbed a cab, and off we went to Kangar, visions of tropical bliss dancing in our heads.
Afternoon: Arrived at the Super OYO 90039 Coop Hotel. Okay, let's be real. It's not the Four Seasons. It's… functional. Clean enough. The aircon worked (praise the gods!). The staff? Sweet, but English proficiency was… let's say "emerging". Checking in took a bit longer than anticipated, mostly because I was distracted by the incredible smell of something amazing wafting from the street.
The Nasi Lemak Mission: That smell? Nasi Lemak. I was obsessed. The mission? Find the best nasi lemak within a 2-kilometer radius. This led to us stumbling around, map app flailing, sweating like we were auditioning for a monsoon. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we found a tiny stall tucked away. The nasi lemak? Absolutely divine. Creamy coconut rice, spicy sambal, crunchy anchovies… I could have eaten three plates. Maybe I did.
Evening: Back to the hotel, exhausted but happy. I took a dip in the pool. The water was… lukewarm. But hey, it was a pool. I’m embracing imperfections. The rest of the evening was spent nursing a Tiger beer and fighting off the urge to call my mother to tell her all about it.
Day 2: Temples, Markets, and a Brush with Roadkill (and My Existential Crisis)
Morning: Decided to be "cultural." Grabbed a Grab to a local temple. The architecture was stunning. The colours vibrant. My brain, however, was already frying in the Malaysian sun. After an hour, I was melting. This led to an existential crisis. Why was I not born with some sort of internal air conditioning? Why didn’t I bring a hat?
Afternoon: The Market: The local market was pure chaos, in the best possible way. A symphony of bartering, smells I couldn't identify, and produce that was truly stunning. I bought a durian (it smelled like gym socks and heaven at the same time… weird), attempted to haggle for a souvenir that I probably didn't need, and felt utterly, gloriously lost. Then it started pouring down rain, and it was suddenly the most beautiful thing to ever happen. The colours of the market became even more vibrant because of the rain!
Evening: Dinner and Roadkill: We were walking back to the hotel when we saw a roadkill. My friend was very sensitive, and I was concerned. She got to have a good cry, and I started feeling a little bad. After a while, we took her for dinner. The food after that was amazing though, we had the best nasi kerabu.
Day 3: The (Disappointing) Park and the Unexpected Kindness
Morning: Decided to visit a park outside of the city. The park was beautiful, I'll give it that. But I also found out that I was having a heat stroke. I was getting dizzy and wasn't feeling well. I told my friend, and she called for help. I was able to get to the hospital, and they helped me get my head straight again.
Afternoon: After finally getting back to the hotel room I was very exhausted. My friend gave me a cup of tea and we talked about the day. I eventually fell asleep, and my friend went out to grab some dinner.
Evening: The Unforgettable Kindness: After some time she came back with some food. I was genuinely surprised and happy. During that situation, I felt so loved and cared for. I felt so grateful for her. She was literally the best friend I'd ever have.
Day 4: Departure (and the bittersweet feeling of leaving the chaos)
Morning: Woke up feeling… better. The heat was still heavy, but somehow, the thought of leaving was a bit heartbreaking. We packed our bags. Said a reluctant goodbye to the staff at the Coop Hotel (who, by now, seemed to have gotten used to my particular brand of clumsiness). The taxi to the airport.
The Airport (and The Final Thoughts): Malaysia, if you're reading this? You're a beautiful, chaotic, sweaty, and utterly captivating mess. I loved it. And the Super OYO 90039 Coop Hotel? It was a base. It was a place to shower and sleep and escape the heat. It wasn't fancy, but it was real. Just like this trip.
Will I return? Absolutely. Do I have a million stories to tell? You bet. Am I still slightly traumatized by the durian smell? Maybe. But that's just part of the adventure, right? Now, excuse me while I go plan my next escape. And this time, I'm buying two hats.
Unbelievable Kangar Stay! OYO 90039 Coop Hotel Review (You Won't Believe This!) - FAQ
Okay, spill the tea. Is this Coop Hotel, like, a real hotel, or a cleverly disguised…something else?
Alright, deep breath. Let’s just say “hotel” is used *very* generously. Think less Ritz-Carlton, more... well, a place that *probably* used to be a hotel. Like, you can *sense* the ghost of a lobby that *once* existed. My first impression? Pure, unadulterated confusion. I swear, I thought I’d accidentally wandered into a heavily discounted, vaguely motel-adjacent time warp. Was it real? Yes. Was it what I expected? Absolutely, positively *not*. The pictures online? Let's just say they were edited with the precision of a brain surgeon. I almost feel bad for the staff, probably as jaded as me after a few months of cleaning up after us.
Let's talk about the rooms. What did they *smell* like? Be honest.
The smell… oh god, the smell. Okay, here's the breakdown. A potent cocktail of… *wait for it*… stale air conditioning unit, a faint whiff of something that *might* have been disinfectant applied hastily, then a heavy dose of… *something* I couldn't quite place. My best guess? The lingering aroma of a thousand forgotten dreams, a dash of desperation, and a healthy helping of “budget accommodation.” I swear, my sinuses were having a full-blown intervention. Honestly, the air freshener's scent was stronger than actual cleaning products, and that felt like a metaphor for something I couldn't quite grasp.
Okay, BUT, was the bed at least *kinda* comfy? Because sleep is important.
Comfort? My friend, we're redefining the concept here. Imagine a mattress that’s seen better days. Like, *much* better days. It probably had a history more interesting than mine. It wasn't *terrible*, per se, but it definitely wasn't a cloud. Think firm, slightly lumpy, and, oh yes, accompanied by a blanket that looked and *felt* like it might have been involved in historical events. My back still hurts a little (weeks later), just from *remembering* the bed. It was like sleeping on a forgotten relic of the past. I'm pretty sure there was a spring poking me in the spine. The only saving grace was the thought that I couldn't complain too loudly, it was probably a bargain.
What about the bathroom? Spill.
The bathroom. A close-up study in the art of compromise. A tight space, I'll say. The tiles… well, they'd seen a few battles. The shower? Let's just say the water pressure was the equivalent of a polite suggestion instead of a true shower. And the hot water? Intermittent. You'd get a glorious blast of steaming bliss, followed by a glacial plunge that’d make you question your life choices, and your ability to make it through the night. The whole thing felt like a slightly uncomfortable but manageable art piece. I kept expecting the shower head to fall down on me. I survived though, and that felt like a massive accomplishment.
Did you experience any… interesting… encounters with the staff?
Oh, boy. The staff. They were... *present*. Let's just call them characters. There was the perpetually tired guy at the front desk, who seemed to have seen it all (and possibly lived it). And then there was the housekeep, who appeared and disappeared like a friendly ghost cleaning the room, always saying "can I help?". Overall, it was a very "live and let live" atmosphere. They knew what they were doing. It's hard to fault them, really. Underpaid and working under less than ideal conditions, but they were there. That's all I could ask for.
Was there anything *good* about this place? Anything at all?
Okay, okay, I’ll concede. Despite all the… *quirks*, there were a few glimmers of light. It was cheap. Like, unbelievably cheap. And for that, you can't really complain. It's in a decent location. Though, it's a little away from the main attractions and very close to the quiet locals who would look at you weirdly. It was an experience. And honestly? After surviving the Coop Hotel, I feel like I can handle anything. It’s a story. A darn good story. And if you're looking for raw, unfiltered, budget-friendly, and a place you won't likely forget, then... well, you might actually like it. Just lower your expectations. Way, way down.
Would you stay there again? Be honest.
Heck no. Unless I'm desperate, broke, and have absolutely zero other options. Absolutely zero. Still, I'm not *completely* ruling it out. There's a perverse charm to the whole thing. The chaotic energy. The underdog spirit. The sheer audacity of it all. I'd probably recommend it to my friends, with the caveat of, “You HAVE to go. Just… be prepared.” In a weird way, I kind of miss the place. But no, I wouldn't. Maybe. Okay, probably not. Definitely no. But… maybe.
Was the TV working?
Ah, the TV. Yes! Sort of. It was *there*. The screen was of the old tube kind, so it was heavy. The channels? More like the ghosts of channels past. Static was the most reliable program. I think I got one channel in Malay. I attempted to find some good news there, but it wasn't even there. It was an experience. It made my phone feel like the most amazing thing.
What's the one thing you'll *always* remember about this experience, and will it haunt your dreams?
One thing? Oh, easily the bed. I swear, the mattress was a portal to another dimension. I still have nightmares about that mattress. Everytime I walk around, I think about it. I'll never forget the spring, and the fact that it pushed on my back until the sun rose up. I'll likely never look at a mattress the same way again. It wasn't the worst stay, I won't say it was. But it's definitely not the greatest.
