Auntie Ely's Taiping Homestay: Your Malaysian Home Away From Home!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of Auntie Ely's Taiping Homestay: Your Malaysian Home Away From Home! It's not going to be all sunshine and rainbows, mind you. This is real life, baby, with all the bumps and bruises (and maybe a little bit of extra sambal) that come with it.
First Impressions: Getting There and Settling In (and a Slight Panic About Accessibility)
So, Taiping. Lovely, green, a bit off the beaten path, which is exactly what drew me in. Finding Auntie Ely's was pretty straightforward, thankfully. Look, as someone who's… ahem… a little less mobile than I used to be, accessibility is HUGE for me. I was a bit freaked out when I couldn't find a concrete answer on the website. But the elevator was a godsend, and the staff were incredibly accommodating, making sure I got a room on a lower floor. (And even though it's not specifically listed, they were super helpful about getting me around, even though I needed a bit of help. This whole "Facilities for disabled guests" thing is a little vague. They try, bless their hearts, and that's what matters.)
Rooms: Cozy, Comfy, and a Mini-Fridge to Die For!
Okay, the room. It was…well, it was a room. Like the kind your grandma’s house. Clean. Comfortable. The bed was surprisingly excellent! And the blackout curtains deserve a medal. Seriously, I slept like a baby. Ahhh, the little touches! Free bottled water? Yes, please! Complimentary tea? Double yes! The mini bar, though, was a triumph. Full of treats and drinks that I quickly devoured. I’m not sure why they needed the alarm clock, the mini-fridge was enough to wake me up every morning.
The Room Rundown:
- Air conditioning: Essential in Malaysia. Check.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Worked like a charm. I could upload pictures, read books, and catch up with friends.
- Internet access – wireless: Yes, and the speed was great.
- Free WiFi in all rooms! YES!
- Bathroom: Basic, but clean. The shower had great water pressure, which is a big win in my book. A special mention for the towels! They were fluffy.
- Additional toilet: Hmmm… no. But the bathroom was adequate.
- Desk?: Yes, and a laptop workspace too. Perfect for getting some work done.
- Socket near the bed: A godsend for charging your phone.
- Slippers: Yes, and incredibly comfy ones!
- Mirror: check
- Air Conditioning in public area: Check
- Alarm clock: check!
- Bathtub: Yes and no.
- Hair dryer: Yes but I haven't use it.
- High floor: no
- Smoking area: check
Food, Glorious Food! (And My Epic Breakfast Adventure)
Okay, let's talk about what really matters: eating. Auntie Ely's offers a decent range of options.
Breakfast [buffet]: Yeah. This is where the magic really happened (and where things got a little messy). The Asian breakfast was amazing! The Western breakfast was also good! I went in for the local dishes. I think I tried everything on offer.
My Breakfast Anecdote: The first morning, I was a bit bewildered--so much food! And, full disclosure, a little overwhelmed. I piled my plate high with nasi lemak (amazing!), some sort of spicy noodle dish I couldn't identify but loved (again, amazing!), and a selection of tropical fruits. I sat down and started eating, totally lost in foodie heaven… until a stray bird decided my plate looked like a buffet too. I'm not saying it was a disaster, but let's just say I had to move to a less bird-populated table. The staff were so incredibly kind about it. They whisked away my half-eaten plate without a flinch, apologized profusely (it wasn't their fault!), and brought me another plate, loaded with more deliciousness. That's what you call good service! They also have some great coffee/tea in restaurant, but I am not that type of person.
Restaurants: The in-house restaurant offered a decent variety.
- Buffet in restaurant: yep
- A la carte in restaurant: also yep
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: YES!
- International cuisine in restaurant: yes, and also good
- Vegetarian restaurant: Yes.
- Salad in restaurant: yes
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: yes, but I haven't try it.
- Soup in restaurant: yes
- Desserts in restaurant: yes
- Western cuisine in restaurant: yes
- Room service [24-hour]: very handy!
Snack bar: I only used this once, for a quick bite. It was fine. And they have some desserts in restaurant, which is always a plus.
- Poolside bar: I didn't go to the pool.
- Happy hour: I didn't notice it.
Alternative meal arrangement: Didn't see it.
Breakfast in room: available, but I preferred the buffet experience.
Breakfast takeaway service: available. I didn't tried it.
Bottle of water: Provided in the room.
Essential condiments Yes!
Relaxation and Leisure: Almost Paradise (and a Slight Spa Letdown)
Okay, here's where things get a little complicated. Auntie Ely's markets itself as a relaxing retreat, and it mostly delivers.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool itself looked lovely, but I didn't actually get in it, as it was raining.
- Pool with view: Yes, the view from the pool area was pretty.
- Fitness center: I glimpsed it. Looked functional, nothing fancy. (I'm more of a Netflix-and-chill kind of person, anyway.)
- Spa: Now, the spa experience was… a bit underwhelming. I went for a massage, hoping for a bit of pampering. It was okay, but it didn't quite live up to the description.
- Sauna/Spa/Steamroom: I didn't try it.
Things To Do and Ways to Relax:
- Ways to relax: I will relax as soon as I can.
- Body scrub: didn't try it.
- Body wrap: didn't try it.
- Foot bath: didn't try it.
Cleanliness and Safety: A+ for Effort (and Actual Cleanliness)
In this post-pandemic world, cleanliness and safety are paramount. Auntie Ely's takes this seriously.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: definitely seemed like it.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed conscientious.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yep, saw it happening.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: I’m assuming they used them.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- First-aid kit: check
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know.
- Hygiene certification: Didn't see it but it felt clean.
- Safe dining setup: Yes, good spacing and precautions.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: The room felt clean.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yes, at the buffet.
- Shared stationery removed: Yes.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes.
- CCTV in common areas/ outside property: Yes, and reassuring.
- Fire extinguisher/Smoke alarms: Yes, essential.
- Safety/security feature: Yes, several.
- Soundproof rooms: Yes, they were.
- Security [24-hour]: Yes.
- Hotel chain: No.
Internet Access: (Mostly) Smooth Sailing
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank goodness! The internet access - wireless and the Internet access - LAN performed well in my room.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Front desk [24-hour]: Yes, always a plus.
- Check-in/out [express]: Yes, super quick.
- Concierge: Nice to have.
- Luggage storage: Available.
- Laundry service: Yes – and reasonably priced.
- Dry cleaning Yes.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, efficient and friendly.
- **Car park [free of
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your slick, Instagram-filtered travel guide. This is the REAL DEAL, my trip to Auntie Ely's Homestay in Taiping, Malaysia. Prepare for some glorious chaos.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Auntie Ely Embrace (and a LOT of Food)
- 12:00 PM: Touchdown in Penang. Blimey, the humidity hits you like a wet sock. Straight from the air-conditioned comfort of the plane to this wall of heat. Fantastic. Taxi to the bus station, sweating buckets already. Note: I need to invest in some proper moisture-wicking gear. This linen shirt is a joke.
- 2:00 PM: Bus to Taiping. Seat isn't the comfiest, but alright. Trying to get some work done on my laptop, but the constant bumps and the boisterous chatter around me make it impossible. Okay, focus. Gotta channel my inner Zen master.
- 4:00 PM: Arrive in Taiping. The air feels different here, less… frenetic than Penang. Auntie Ely's son, bless him, picks me up. Drives me to the Homestay, a charming little bungalow overflowing with plants. It's like stepping into a jungle that ate a house.
- 4:30 PM: The Grand Arrival. Auntie Ely! She's a whirlwind of smiles and welcoming words. The hug is a full-body squeeze, the kind that rearranges your internal organs. Then, she practically shoves a plate of Nasi Lemak in my face. "Eat! You must eat! You look skinny!" Oh, I love this woman already.
- 5:00 PM: Nasi Lemak demolition. Okay, that was genuinely the best Nasi Lemak I've ever had. Seriously. The sambal? Spicy, sweet, and addictive. Had to resist asking for seconds (though the temptation was STRONG).
- 6:00 PM: Unpack, get settled in. Realization: packed way too many outfits. When will I learn? The room is simple but clean, with a mosquito net draped over the bed. Hope I'm not too tasty for those little buggers.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Auntie Ely's generosity knows no bounds. More food. This time, some kind of delicious fish curry, rice, and… everything. So much food. I'm pretty sure I ate about the equivalent of my weight in food. I swear I'm going to roll myself into bed.
- 8:00 PM: Chatting with Auntie Ely in the living room. She tells me about her life, her family, her love for cooking. She's a natural storyteller, and I could listen to her all night. This feels like a hug for the soul. Absolutely enchanting. Feel myself forgetting my phone, which is one to be thankful for.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Stuffed, content, and already utterly in love with this place.
Day 2: Lake Gardens, Tea, and a Failed Birdwatching Attempt
- 7:00 AM: Wake up to the sounds of birds and Auntie Ely in the kitchen, already bustling. I feel like I've fallen into some sort of idyllic dream. Breakfast: Roti Canai with dhal. Again, incredible. I swear, this woman is a food wizard.
- 8:00 AM: Quick walk to Taiping Lake Gardens. Absolutely stunning. The lake is shimmering, the trees are enormous, and it's all just… peaceful. I could just sit here forever.
- 9:00 AM: Attempt at birdwatching. Armed with a borrowed pair of binoculars, I stalk around, trying to spot the elusive… well, anything. Mostly just succeeded in attracting the attention of a very judgmental squirrel. Note to self: birdwatching is harder than it looks.
- 10:00 AM: Visit the Taiping War Cemetery. A sobering but important experience. It's a beautifully kept place, a reminder of the cost of conflict. I find myself a bit lost, staring and remembering.
- 11:30 AM: Back to the homestay and a steaming cup of hot tea with Auntie Ely, while she cleans some vegetables, which she then offered me. "You need to drink, you no drink enough!" I'm starting to wonder if I should just resign myself to permanent tea-buzzed state.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. This time, a mountain of local Taiping food, which is mostly vegetables and small dishes. Auntie Ely keeps heaping the food on my plate. I think she might be trying to fatten me up.
- 2:00 PM: Siesta time! The heat is brutal, and I'm still digesting lunch. Time to retreat to the air-conditioned sanctuary of my room and attempt to read. But I end up napping.
- 4:00 PM: Tea time with Auntie Ely again, because, of course. We talk some more, this time about language. I think I'm starting to learn some Malay words, but I'm mostly just good at saying "terima kasih" (thank you).
- 5:00 PM: Another walk around the Lake Gardens. This time, I just wander, soak up the atmosphere, and generally feel grateful for life.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Is it even possible to get tired of Auntie Ely's cooking? Apparently not. Tonight: fish curry. I might have just found a tiny bit of heaven on Earth.
- 8:00 PM: More chatting, more laughter, more stories. Auntie Ely is a pure delight. Feel bad that I don't know more about Malaysia.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Exhausted in that good kind of way, completely content.
Day 3: Waterfall, Street Food, and the Farewell Feast
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Roti Canai again. I'm not complaining. It's just so good.
- 9:00 AM: Off to the Burmese Pool and Waterfall. The drive is green and lush. The waterfall itself is gorgeous, but the water is FREEZING. I stand there and get soaked.
- 10:30 AM: Visit the Taiping Zoo. It's the first zoo in Malaysia, but it is not the best zoo in the world. There were some monkeys that were definitely judging me.
- 11:30 PM: Back to the homestay for a rest.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. Auntie Ely made us this amazing chicken dish which was heavenly. I swear she must be a culinary genius or something.
- 2:00 PM: Exploring the streets. We are going to try to find the famous local delicacies of Taiping. We started with the local bakery. The pastries were fresh and flaky, and I had to get more.
- 3:30 PM: Searching for the best mee rebus in Taiping. We went here and there, but couldn't find one that was the best. It was disappointing, but we'll get them next time.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the homestay.
- 5:00 PM: Auntie Ely starts cooking for my farewell feast. I try to offer to help, but she waves me away, saying, "Just relax! You're a guest!"
- 7:00 PM: The Farewell Feast. It's a culinary masterpiece. Everything I've loved over the past few days is on the table, plus so much more. I eat until I can barely move.
- 8:30 PM: We say goodbye. Another full body hug.
- 9:00 PM: Time to leave. The drive to the bus station, the bus to wherever I'm going next. I'm a bit teary, honestly. I'm going to miss Auntie Ely and her incredible cooking, the peace of her homestay.
Final Thoughts:
This trip has been messy, imperfect, and absolutely perfect. Auntie Ely's Homestay is more than just a place to stay; it's a sanctuary, a place to feel welcomed, and a place to eat until you can't possibly eat anymore. I came here looking for a vacation, and I found something far more meaningful. I'll be back. I already miss it. Terima Kasih, Auntie Ely. sniff
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Auntie Ely's Taiping Homestay: Your Malaysian Home Away From... Wait for the Rambles!
Okay, so, *who* is Auntie Ely and why should I care about her homestay?
Auntie Ely? Ah, she's... well, she's a force of nature. Imagine a hug shaped like a walking, talking, perpetually-smiling whirlwind with opinions as strong as her Teh Tarik. She's lived in Taiping *forever* (seriously, I think she was here before the lake!). And, here's the thing, she genuinely *loves* people. She's not just running a homestay; she wants you to feel like you're part of her family. You think I'm exaggerating, right? Oh, just wait. I remember the *first* time I went. I was a disaster, jet-lagged, grumpy, and convinced Malaysian food was going to be my undoing. Auntie Ely met me at the door with a plate of Nasi Lemak – the *good* kind, the one with the crispy anchovies – and a smile so bright, I nearly tripped over my own feet. I swear, within five minutes, I was eating like I hadn't eaten in days and she was telling me *all* about her cat, "Si Comel" (cute one, in Malay, and boy, is she!). And the homestay itself? Charming, comfortable, and it smells faintly of pandan cake (best smell ever!).
What's this whole "Malaysian Home Away From Home" thing really about? Is it just marketing?
Look, I'm cynical by nature. Marketing buzzwords? I roll my eyes. But with Auntie Ely, it's actually true. It's not about fancy hotels or polished service. It's about… community. Seriously! She gets everyone involved. You get a WhatsApp group (yes, you *will* be added), and suddenly you're getting suggestions for where to eat, invites to impromptu BBQ parties (her satay is legendary!), and updates on the local gossip. It’s chaotic, it's sometimes overwhelming (especially if you’re an introvert like me!), but it's also… lovely. Really, truly lovely. I remember feeling homesick once – just a blip of sadness, nothing dramatic. Just missing my dog, you know? Auntie Ely *sensed* it. No grand gestures, just a quiet offer of a cup of tea and a story about her own childhood, which somehow, miraculously, made everything better. It’s that kind of connection, that genuine feeling of being *cared for*, that makes it different. And yes, sometimes she meddles! "You need more rice, dear!" But it always comes from a place of genuine warmth.
The rooms... what are they like? Clean? Air-conditioned? Bearable?
"Bearable" is a low bar, friend! Relax. The rooms are… comfortable. Okay, look, this isn't the Ritz. They're not exactly minimalist chic. Think homey. They're clean, though, I can personally vouch for that. Spotless, even! Air-conditioning? Absolutely, thank goodness! And, crucial point: the beds are actually comfortable. Not the rock-hard Malaysian bed situation I've encountered elsewhere. Each room is decorated with… character. Let's say that. Some mismatched furniture, a few family photos, maybe a random trinket or two. But it all adds to the charm. And, important note: she's always upgrading things. I swear, the last time I was there, she'd just installed a new showerhead that was practically a spa experience. So, in short: Yeah. Clean, air-conditioned, comfy beds. Consider it a win.
What's the food situation like? Should I pack snacks?
Pack snacks?! Are you kidding me?! Auntie Ely will *feed* you. Constantly. Prepare to loosen your belt. Breakfast is usually a feast – Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, fruit, coffee, tea… the works. And she’ll often insist on sharing dishes for lunch and dinner. I mean, you could offer to share with her, but that's beside the point. Honestly, the food is a huge part of the experience. She knows all the best local places for amazing street food, and she’ll happily take you around. She knows the secret to the perfect Char Kway Teow (it's the *wok hei*, apparently), and where to get the best cendol. And she will *judge* you if you don’t finish your plate. It’s all about the food, and it’s all about sharing it. She sees it as offering hospitality. Just… be prepared for the deliciousness. And the inevitable food coma.
How about getting around Taiping? Is it easy to explore?
Taiping is a delight to explore, and Auntie Ely will help you navigate. Walking is easy, it's a relatively small place. The town center isn't huge, so you can walk to many attractions. She can arrange for taxi rides, and she’s usually happy to give you rides herself! She almost always has a spare seat! I remember one time, I wanted to go to the Taiping Lake Gardens, but I was utterly lost. She not only drove me there but gave me a mini-tour explaining all the trees. As if she weren’t busy enough always cooking or entertaining! She's like a walking, talking encyclopedia of Taiping history. You can always ask, but be prepared for a ten-minute introduction leading into the answer. Public transport is less straightforward than for some places, and she probably won't let you use it.
What are some things to do in Taiping? Are there any attractions or things to do in case I get bored?
Bored?! In Taiping?! Impossible! Okay, maybe if you’re glued to your phone the whole time… but I doubt Auntie Ely would let that happen. It's the rainiest town in Malaysia and it's packed with stuff to do! The Taiping Lake Gardens are beautiful. You can rent a boat, walk the trails, and just… relax. And, the zoo! Taiping Zoo is the only zoo in Malaysia and it's super interesting to see the variety of animals within the tropical environment. And then there's the Perak Museum, which is a bit dusty but full of history (and air conditioning!). If you're feeling adventurous, you can hike up Maxwell Hill. There’s the Burmese Pool. It’s charming. Auntie will give you lots of recommendations, don't worry. It's a great place to relax, soak up the atmosphere, and sample some incredible food. You'll want to stay longer than you originally plan.
So, what's the *one* thing I should know before I go? Anything I need to mentally prepare for?
Alright, the single most important thing? Be prepared to be *loved*. Seriously. It's not a polite, commercial sort of hospitality. It's the kind that comes from the heart. Auntie Ely wants you to be happyBest Stay Blogspot
