Unbelievable AnZa Troika Stay: Kota Bharu's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable AnZa Troika Stay: Kota Bharu's Hidden Gem! – A Hot Mess Review (with a hint of magic)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe a little bit of the coffee, judging by the excitement) on the Unbelievable AnZa Troika Stay in Kota Bharu. Forget the polished brochures; this is the real deal, warts and all. And spoiler alert: there are some seriously amazing warts. We're talking hidden-gem-level goodness with a side of "did I pack enough underwear?" anxiety.
First things first: Accessibility. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I always appreciate hotels that think about it. And AnZa Troika? They seem to have a good handle on things. Elevators (yay!), facilities for disabled guests… it's a good start and makes me think they're trying hard. I didn't specifically test all the facilities, but the base level seemed promising if that is important to you.
Getting Around: Yeah, that was easy. They had free parking–a definite plus! And even bike parking. I used taxi service. No complaints. Easy. Plus, Airport transfer. Yes!
Let's dive into the juicy stuff: Dining, Drinking, and Snacking. This, my friends, is where the magic really starts. Seriously, my stomach is rumbling just thinking about it!
- Restaurants, Bar, and a Poolside Bar: The restaurants? Plural! This, even before I experienced them, got me VERY excited!
- Asian Cuisine: Yes!
- International Cuisine: Uh-huh.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Oh sweet baby Cheeses! The breakfast buffet… let's just say I may have strategically skipped lunch for a few days. The Asian breakfast was a symphony of flavors, the Western breakfast held its own. The coffee? Excellent. They even had little bottles of water on the table.
- Room Service [24-hour]: Ah, sweet, sweet ambrosia. (Or, you know, just delicious noodles at 2 AM).
- A la carte in restaurant: Well, yes.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes!
- Happy hour: Oh, yes.
- Poolside bar: Yes, yes, and YES!
- Snack bar: Useful.
- Soup in restaurant: I'll admit, I love soup.
- Desserts in restaurant: A little too easy to indulge.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Check.
- Bottle of water: Check.
I did try a few things at the poolside bar, my biggest regret was not going even more often. It's one of those places where time just melts away. The staff were so chill and friendly – it really added to the vibes. I spent a lot of time staring at the view (more on that later) and trying not to spill my drink into the pool.
My biggest food moment? Okay, get this: I ordered the… (I'm drawing a complete blank on the actual name; you know that's how memorable it was. But it was like the best Asian fusion meal of the year!) I can’t remember the exact name… but I can remember the taste! It was intense. Salty, a little sweet, with a kick like a mule! But this sauce… oh, this sauce, it was like a flavor explosion. I seriously considered licking the plate clean. Yeah, I definitely should have taken more pictures .
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (and the occasional near-death experience with a towel):
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool with a view? Oh. My. God. Seriously, the view! I spent so much time floating in that pool, staring up at the sky, that I'm pretty sure I started to grow gills. The pool itself was clean, well-maintained, and the perfect temperature. And there are always chairs. And towels. And… oh, I almost forgot; they had comfy chairs!
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I went. Once. Okay, twice. I felt like I needed to work off all that amazing food. Equipment was good enough. Clean. And no one laughed at me. Yet.
- Spa, Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath: Umm… I did it all. (Okay, not all. But I had a massage and it was transcendental. My masseuse, bless her heart, somehow managed to knead out a year's worth of stress. The spa area itself was beautiful, peaceful, and smelled divine. The sauna and steam room looked enticing… next time!)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: My kids are not here with me, but there is an option.
Cleanliness and Safety (because, you know, we're still living in the age of the pandemic):
AnZa Troika gets HUGE brownie points for this. They're taking it seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, 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, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher
- Doctor/nurse on call: Thankfully not needed, ha!
- First aid kit: Good to see.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Yes!!
- Safe dining setup: Check.
- Even Cashless payment service: Nice.
It definitely helped ease my mind!
Unbelievable in Detail:
- Accessibility: Seemed pretty decent.
- Internet: Got it.
- Internet [LAN]: Not sure.
- Internet services, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events: Yes. Yay!
- Things to do: A lot.
- Ways to relax: All of them.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: Delicious.
- Services and conveniences: Lots.
- For the kids: Sure.
- Access: It was easy.
- Getting around: Easy.
Services and Conveniences:
- Luggage storage, Concierge, Doorman, Front desk [24-hour], Safety deposit boxes, Cash withdrawal, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, Meeting/banquet facilities (and all the fixings), Daily housekeeping, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Seating area, Shower, Slippers, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service
The staff? They were so helpful and friendly. Seriously, everyone. From the front desk to the servers to the cleaning staff – everyone was welcoming and genuinely seemed to care.
For the Kids?
Not really an area I inspected. I did see a pool for kids!
Rooms (aka My Cozy Sanctuary):
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
My room? It was perfect. Honestly. The bed was like sinking into a cloud. The blackout curtains meant I could sleep until noon (which, let's be honest, happened more than once). The air conditioning worked like a dream. The bathroom was spotless. And the complimentary tea and coffee? Heavenly. I even used all the toiletries!
The "Unbelievable" Factor:
So, what makes AnZa Troika "Unbelievable"? Well, for starters, the vibe. It's not stuffy. It's not pretentious. It's welcoming, friendly, and just plain comfortable. It feels like a place where you can truly relax and recharge.
The food, though… that's where it truly shines. The quality, the variety, the flavors… it’s a feast for the senses. The staff. Truly wonderful. And that VIEW from the pool. I'm still dreaming about it.
**The Not-So-Unbel
OMG! Cebu's BEST Studio Near SM City—You WON'T Believe This!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause this ain't your grandma's sanitized travel brochure. This is my Kota Bharu adventure, starting from the oh-so-charming AnZa Troika Homestay. And trust me, it's gonna be a bumpy, delicious ride.
Kota Bharu Kerfuffle: A Rambling Itinerary (Prepare for Chaos!)
Day 1: Arrival – Expect the Unexpected (Mostly Sweat)
- Morning (ish): Landed at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport. Let me tell you, after the flight, this airport felt like an oasis! Grabbed a Grab (thank god for apps!) straight to AnZa Troika. Man, the heat hit me like a brick wall. Instantly regretted not bringing an extra pair of everything.
- Afternoon: AnZa Troika. Gosh, this place is a colourful explosion of personality! It’s not your sterile hotel room; it feels like falling into a friendly auntie's living room. Everything's a bit mismatched, in a good way. The owner, someone named "Mr. Khai", greeted me with a booming laugh and a glass of something vaguely green and refreshing. Perfect start.
- Minor category: Room check! My room name is "The Batik Den". The batik isn't my thing, actually, but the aircon is a godsend. Exploring the room- what else can I say? The mosquito net? I'm not a mosquito magnet (hopefully). I can see on my face that I'm not comfortable with the space.
- Evening: Wandered around the area, or at least, attempted to. Kota Bharu's a maze! Ended up at a hawker center, got completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of food. Satay, nasi kerabu (the blue rice? Intriguing!), and some questionable-looking, but delicious, fried chicken. The sheer sensory overload was incredible, which made me happy. I'm getting used to the flavors of Kelantan, and I love it!
- Emotional reaction: I am absolutely drenched in sweat, I'm probably lost, and I'm grinning like an idiot. This is great!
Day 2: Markets, Museums, and a Near-Religious Experience (of Eating!)
- Morning: Wake up. The roosters started at, like, 4 AM, so, yeah, not a late sleeper. Breakfast at AnZa Troika – fluffy pancakes, local fruits… just what I needed. Tried to be a cultured tourist and headed to the Central Market (Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah).
- Minor category: Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah is a mind-boggling experience. The colors, the smells, the people. Saw some ladies wearing elaborate headscarves and selling vegetables, and somehow, I ended up buying a few lychees when it was too early to eat. I don't know what I expected to find there, but I certainly didn't expect to stumble on a treasure trove of things that I might want to buy.
- Afternoon: Museum time! Kota Bharu's got a bunch of museums. Went to the Istana Balai Besar (Royal Museum). It was interesting, but frankly, the aircon in the museum wasn't enough to stop me from sweating. The king's throne room? Impressive. My sweat? No.
- Quirky observation: Malaysian Museums and their air-conditioning seem to have a love-hate relationship.
- Evening: Dinner. The Nasi Kerabu Pilgrimage began. This is where things went from good to holy crap. I found a little stall, slightly away from the main road, that claimed to have the "best nasi kerabu in Kelantan". And they were right. That blue rice? To die for. The crunchy fish, the fragrant herbs, the sambal… I had two helpings. Straight up. I thought that the smell of the ingredients wasn't so nice, but when I finally tried the dish, I realized that they were the essential part of the dish.
- Emotional reaction: Food coma commencing. I'm pretty sure I could eat nasi kerabu every single day for the rest of my life. This is what travel is all about.
Day 3: Crafts, Caves, and Cranky Locals (Maybe It Was Just Me)
- Morning: Decided to get some authentic Kelantan crafts. Visited a batik workshop. The batik designs are beautiful, and I'm beginning to appreciate the artistry. Bought a scarf (because, you know, tourist). Got stuck in mud, which I didn't anticipate.
- Messier Structure: The batik workshop incident - yeah, that's true.
- Afternoon: Went to some caves and the waterfalls around. Really nice scenery, but I have to admit, I felt a little awkward around the locals. They seemed… a bit wary. Maybe it was my terrible Malay.
- Opinionated Language: The caves were stunning, probably the best tourist spot I visited during my entire stay in Kota Bharu. The waterfalls were lovely, and the local atmosphere was amazing.
- Anecdote: Walking in the caves, I had to be careful. I was looking out for snakes and scorpions.
- Evening: Tried to find a massage. Total failure. Went to bed early.
Day 4: Beach, Boat, and a Bittersweet Farewell
- Morning: Decided to check out the beach. Went to Pantai Cahaya Bulan (PCB). It has a nice, breezy atmosphere. Pretty clean.
- Minor category: PCB is nice, the wind feels great.
- Afternoon: Took a boat tour along the coast. Saw local fishermen doing their thing (respect!). Started feeling a little sad that my Kota Bharu adventure was coming to an end.
- Emotional reaction: I'm actually really enjoying myself in Kota Bharu.
- Evening: Back to AnZa Troika. Dinner with Mr. Khai. He told me stories about the area, and I really enjoyed it. One last nasi kerabu, of course (had to!). Packed my bags.
- Stream-of-consciousness: This place has a different vibe, a soulfulness that I like. I realized that it doesn't matter what kind of room I booked.
Day 5: Departure - Until Next Time!
- Morning (early): Got a farewell hug (yes, really!) from Mr. Khai and, after some goodbyes to others, took a Grab to the airport.
- Afternoon: Headed back home, already making plans for my next trip to Kota Bharu.
Final Thoughts:
Kota Bharu is a bit rough around the edges, a bit chaotic, and a whole lot of real. It's a place you get lost in, both literally and figuratively. It's got amazing food, welcoming people (mostly!), and a charm that seeps into your soul. And AnZa Troika? Well, it felt like coming home. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to start planning my return trip… and maybe learn some basic Malay this time!
Uncover London's Secrets: The Courthouse Hotel's Hidden Gems
Okay, so, like, what *is* all this even *about*? What's the deal?
Alright, deep breaths. Honestly? I’m still trying to figure that out myself. But in the context of a FAQ page… it's supposed to answer your questions. Like, the random, slightly panicked thoughts that pop into your head when you're staring at the ceiling at 3 AM. Think of it as… a digital existential therapy session. Or, you know, a way to kill some time. Your call.
I'm completely lost already. What, in a nutshell, is your *thing*?
Okay, quick recap. The "thing" here is… well, there isn't one. I'm not selling you anything. This isn't a sales pitch. I’m just… *thinking*. Out loud. In FAQ format. It’s like, you know how when you're waiting in line at the grocery store and you start making up stories about the people in front of you? Except instead of making up stories, I'm… answering questions. It's all a bit wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey, and vaguely philosophical. You've been warned.
Can you… *do* things? Like, seriously? Help me with, like, a real question. Not just this… *meta*-stuff.
Oh, heck yes, probably not. Look, I’m not a wizard or a chatbot designed to be helpful. If you're looking for practical answers, I'd suggest Google (or, you know, a real wizard). I’m more in the realm of… unhelpful, but maybe – just *maybe* – entertaining. Fine, okay, ask your question. But don’t expect miracles. Or even decent advice.
Fine. So, what's a good ice cream flavor? Don't be all philosophical on me now.
*Finally*, a question I can actually *answer*! Look, this is a deeply personal thing. BUT, and this is important, *but*… If you haven't tried salted caramel pretzel ice cream, you. Are. *Missing. Out.* Life is short, and you've got to find joy where you can, okay? This isn’t just ice cream; it’s a *moment*. The perfect balance of sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy. It's *chefs kiss*... Okay, I'm getting carried away. Vanilla with chocolate sauce is also good. But seriously, the salted caramel...
Okay, I think I get the vibe now. So, what's your biggest flaw? Aside from, you know, everything.
Ah, now *that's* a question. My biggest flaw? Where do I even *begin*? I'm… probably too easily distracted. And prone to rambling. And I almost *always* go off on tangents. Like, the ice cream. See? I can’t help it! Also, I might have a slight (okay, HUGE) problem with self-deprecation. And a profound fear of… well, EVERYTHING, to be honest. But hey, at least I'm honest about it. Right? (nervous laughter)
What are you *really* afraid of? Spill the beans!
Oh, you wanna go there? Okay, fine. Here's the deal. I'm afraid of… a lot. Like, the dark (classic!), the vastness of space, spiders (I saw one the size of my hand, once... it was traumatic!), and disappointing people. But the biggest thing? The relentless march of time. The fact that one day, all of this… will be over. And I'll have spent all my time worrying about ice cream flavors and answering silly FAQs. Is that a terrible answer? Probably. But truthful!
What are you hoping to accomplish with all of this, then? Anything at all?
Honestly? Absolutely nothing. Or, maybe… to create a tiny, little moment of… something. A flicker of amusement. A shared sigh of recognition. Maybe, just maybe, to remind myself (and anyone else who stumbles upon this mess) that it's okay to be imperfect. And that, sometimes, the best way to deal with the overwhelming absurdity of existence is to embrace it… and maybe eat some ice cream. Yeah, definitely ice cream. Lots of it. (Seriously, try the salted caramel pretzel).
So, in short, what is this supposed to be about?
I suppose, at its heart, it's about… being. The messy, wonderful, terrifying, and utterly ridiculous act of simply *being* alive. It's about stumbling through life, making mistakes, asking dumb questions, eating ice cream, and trying to find some kind of meaning in the chaos. That’s it. And it's probably not even that.
Do you ever feel like you should… you know… be doing something *productive*?
ALL. THE. TIME. Like, constantly. I'll be staring at a blank screen, thinking, "Shouldn't I be learning a new skill? Building a business? Saving the world?" Then I remember that thing about being afraid of everything. And… the ice cream. (Okay, I am officially fixated.) And the fact that I’d probably mess up any productive endeavor anyway. But yeah, the guilt is always there. It lingers… like a bad smell. A very persistent, very naggy bad smell.
Enough with the self-pity, what will you DO with your free time?
I'll probably do what I'm currently doing. I'll keep thinking and overthinking my way through life. I'll read too many books, watch too many documentaries about things I don't understand, and probably end up staring at the ceilingBoutique Inns
