D'Reko Suites: Your Dream Bangi Condo Awaits! (UKM, KL)
D'Reko Suites: Your Dream Bangi Condo Awaits! (UKM, KL)
Okay, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into a review of D'Reko Suites: Your Dream Bangi Condo Awaits! (UKM, KL). And let me tell you, after actually being there, it's less "dream" and more… well, let's find out. I'm going to try to give you the straight scoop, warts and all, because honestly, who needs another sanitized puff piece?
First Impressions & the Accessibility Angle (Because Let's Be Real, It Matters)
Right, so, Google Maps said it was here, and after a frankly terrifying taxi ride (more on that later), we pulled up. The exterior is…clean, modernish. It’s not going to blow your mind aesthetically, but it's not ugly. Score one point.
Now, the accessibility stuff. This is HUGE for me. I'm constantly battling the "accessible" myth. D'Reko, from what I could see (granted, I didn't have a wheelchair, but I did spend a good chunk of time observing – nosy, I know), seems to have made a genuine effort. The lobby was spacious, good for maneuvering, and the elevators seemed up to par. Elevator. Yes. Crucial for those with mobility issues.
They list "Facilities for disabled guests" so that better be true! I saw some ramps and wider doorways, which is a good start. But, the devil's in the details, and my research needs to be more intimate.
The Room: My Home Away From (Slightly Less Cluttered) Home
Alright, the room itself. We opted for a "Deluxe Whatever" and it was… okay. Cleanish. Let's be honest, I'm pretty picky about cleanliness. I did a quick bleach wipe down the light switches myself, just in case. (I'm a germaphobe, sue me.)
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes (don't use), bathroom phone (no seriously, who uses those?), bathtub (nice, but I don't have the time), blackout curtains (thank god), carpeting (fine, but I'm not sleeping on it), closet, coffee/tea maker (essential), complimentary tea (another nice touch), daily housekeeping, desk (essential), extra long bed (appreciated!), free bottled water (always a win), hair dryer, high floor (not in my room), 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 (weird, I never used), seating area, separate shower/bathtub, shower, slippers (iffy), smoke detector, pocket near the bed (yay!), sofa, soundproofing, telephone (no, no, no), toiletries (meh), towels (decent!), umbrella (helpful), visual alarm (hopefully not needed), wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], window that opens.
The bed was comfortable enough. The internet? Wi-Fi [free], but the speed was… well, let's just say I was tempted to start dialing up the old dial-up tone. The desk? Adequate for laptop work, I suppose. I did appreciate the blackout curtains because daylight is the bane of my existence.
The bathroom was… functional. The toiletries were the generic hotel kind, so bring your own if you're picky (I am!). The water pressure was a little weak, but hey, at least it was hot.
The "Things to Do" & "Ways to Relax" (aka, Let's Get Pampered-ish)
- Ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
Okay, this is where things get a little…ambitious. They list a ton of stuff: spa, fitness center, sauna, the full works. I made it to the swimming pool. It was… outdoor. The view was whatever, a bunch of other condos, but the water was clean. So, that's a win.
I didn't manage to test out the entire arsenal. The fitness center looked passable; maybe a bit small, but it had machines. I’m not a spa person, so I skipped that, but they appeared to offer various treatments. Hopefully they’re good, because for me, it always feels like a gamble.
Dining & Drinking, or "Can I Actually Get Fed Here?"
- Dining: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Okay, food, important stuff. They promise a lot, right? Restaurants, bars, a buffet. I did the buffet breakfast. Let's just say it was… forgettable. Standard hotel fare, not particularly exciting, but it filled the void. The coffee was, as is often the case, lukewarm and weak.
Room service was a life saver, I'll admit. Especially since I got tired of walking (more on that later). They had a decent menu and the food showed up on time, which is more than you can ask for sometimes.
The pool side bar? It exists. I didn't actually stop.
Cleanliness and Safety – (Because We're Living in the Apocalypse, Apparently)
- Cleanliness and Safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, 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, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
This is what I really care about right now. D'Reko seem to be trying. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff seemed to be following protocols. The fact that they're offering options to “opt-out” is a really smart move. I noticed people trying to socially distance (it’s a hard world out there).
Services and Conveniences – (The Nuts & Bolts of Hotel Life)
- Services and Conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
Concierge was… pleasant. Not overly helpful, but pleasant. Daily housekeeping was good, and the room was always tidied. Other services? Basically, the standard hotel offerings. The elevator was a godsend.
Getting Around – (The Taxi From Hell)
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
This is where my blood pressure spiked, folks. The taxi ride from the airport was… let's just say, a scene. The driver clearly took the scenic route, which involved a lot of honking, near misses, and what I think was a lecture on the history of Malaysian traffic laws (in Malay). I definitely recommend arranging airport transfer with the hotel in advance, assuming you can afford it. Otherwise, you’re in luck! Parking is free, so I’m told.
For the Kids (Because You Might Have Them)
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
I'm not a parent, but D'Reko seems to be trying their best. I did see some families, which is a good sign. You will see a kids meal.
The Verdict & The Compelling Offer (Because, Well, You're Reading This)
Okay, here's the brutally honest truth: D'Reko Suites is not a perfect hotel. It's a condo, so it's not like a fancy, ultra-luxury hotel. It's not going to knock your socks off, but it's a solid option, especially if you're in the area for business or visiting UKM.
Here's the offer:
Tired of Boring Hotels in Bangi? D'Reko Suites: Your Surprisingly Solid Choice!
**Book your stay at D'Reko
Bohol's Hidden Gem: Stunning Peace Lily Studio Apartment!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your average "perfectly curated itinerary." This is a D'Reko Suites @ Vista Bangi Condo, UKM, Jalan Reko Kuala Lumpur Malaysia experience, and trust me, it's gonna be… something. Let's call it "Operation: Bangi Bliss (and Possibly Mild Disaster)."
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Condo Conspiracy (or, Where's the Damn Key?!)
- 14:00 - 15:00: Arrival and the Apartment Hunt: Landed at KLIA2 (after a flight that felt like I was strapped to a caffeinated hummingbird), and that awful KL traffic. Finally arriving at Vista Bangi, the promised land! Except… where's the key pickup? Cue frantic WhatsApp messages to the host. Apparently, it's a "self-check-in." Okay, cool. Except I'm the kind of person who forgets where they parked the car while they're still in the car. Thirty minutes of circling the complex, feeling like a lost badger, and finally, victory! Found the secret key box. Relief washed over me… followed by a wave of existential dread about entering a place with a key.
- 15:00 - 16:00: Condo Recon and the Aircon Apocalypse: So, D'Reko Suites. Not bad, not bad at all. Spotless (thank God), a decent view, and a sofa that practically screams "Netflix and chill." But then… the air conditioning. It's cranked up to arctic levels. I'm pretty sure I can see my breath. Adjusting the thermostat seems to have the opposite effect. It gets colder. Do I have a faulty air-conditioning unit? I swear, I can hear the ice age creeping into the bedroom.
- 16:00 - 18:00: Food Quest: A Mission of Mee Goreng and Mamak Mayhem: Okay, food. Gotta eat. Starving. Google Maps to the rescue… or so I thought. Ended up lost in a labyrinth of alleyways. Stumbled upon a "Mamak" stall, promising the holy grail of Malaysian food: mee goreng. And I found mee goreng glory! The noodles were glistening, the flavor, a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and chili-induced tears. Ate until I could hardly breathe. The bill? Like, five bucks. Suddenly, that aircon crisis didn't seem so bad
- 18:00 - 20:00: Poolside Peril and the Great Mosquito Massacre: Ah, the pool! Time for a swim to cool off. The water is crystal clear, a mirage of relaxation. Until… the mosquitoes. They're out for blood. So many mosquitoes! I'm pretty sure I've donated enough blood out there to qualify as a regular donor at the local hospital. Abandoned the pool, defeated, covered in bites.
- 20:00 onwards: Netflix and Chill (and Shivering): Conquered the aircon, found a blanket. Curled up on the sofa, inhaled a bag of chips, and succumbed to the sweet embrace of Netflix. Tomorrow, hopefully, will be warmer.
Day 2: Cultural Encounters, and a Questionable Breakfast
- 08:00 - 09:00: Breakfast Blunders and the Mysterious Toast Machine: Breakfast. This is where things start to go sideways. The condo provides basic breakfast ingredients. "Great!" I thought. "I will make amazing toast." The toaster is a relic from the 80s, it works but it's slow. The bread keeps getting stuck. The whole thing felt like an amateur science experiment. The bread came out, more burnt than crispy. Forced to make myself a coffee to wash it down.
- 09:00 - 12:00: Journey to the Heart of Kajang: Exploring the City of Satay: This is where the real adventures begin. Kajang is the heart of satay culture. Getting there required a bit of a hike and some questionable public transport, but hey, adventure! I ventured out to Kajang, a bustling place. The narrow streets, the aromas, the general frenetic energy. It was intoxicating! Now, time for the satay. Ordered a mountain of it, each stick a tiny masterpiece of charred meat, dipped in a peanut sauce so good it brought a tear to my eye. It's absolutely the best satay.
- 12:00 - 14:00: The Long Walk and the Unexpected Rainstorm: Okay, sated with satay, I decided to walk around, take in the sights. Feeling like a local. But the weather had other ideas. A sudden, torrential downpour. I ducked under the awning of a convenience store, watching the city transform into a watery wonderland. The rain was refreshing.
- 14:00 - 17:00: Back to Base (and a Near-Death Experience with Laundry): Back to the condo! And suddenly, the clothes washing machine. It seemed harmless enough. It wasn't harmless. It was a horror show waiting to happen. The clothes were still wet. The machine was an absolute disaster, but hey, I lived to tell the tale.
- 17:00 - 20:00: Sunset Views and Ramen Therapy: The view from the condo is pretty great during sunset. Watched the sky turn into a riot of colours. Then, back to the food. Found a ramen place. The warmth of the ramen and the beauty of the sunset.
- 20:00 onwards: Quiet Night In Back to the condo.
Day 3: Departure and the Final Evaluation (Spoiler Alert: I'll Be Back!)
- 09:00 - 10:00: Final Breakfast Panic: Breakfast, the final battle. The toaster remained a nemesis, but at least I knew what I was dealing with this time.
- 10:00 - 11:00: Packing and Reflection: Packed my bags. The whole experience? Messy, chaotic, hilarious, and absolutely wonderful.
- 11:00 - 12:00: Check-Out and the Departure Blues Sigh. Time to check out. Said my goodbyes to the condo, the aircon, the mosquitoes, and the ghost of the burnt toast.
- 12:00 onwards: Airport and Beyond… Headed to KLIA2, already thinking about my next trip. I'll be back, D'Reko Suites. I'll be back.
D'Reko Suites FAQs: Prepare Yourself for Bangi's Buzz! (UKM, KL) - The Inside Scoop (and My Headaches!)
So, D'Reko Suites... Is It REALLY 'Your Dream Condo'? Because, Let's Be Honest, Dream Condos Rarely Exist.
Okay, first things first. "Dream Condo" is a strong statement. It depends what your dreams are made of! Are you dreaming of perfectly symmetrical balconies? Probably not here. Are you dreaming of a place that's actually *livable*, close to UKM (that's Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, for you folks across the pond), and has a decent swimming pool? Yeah, D'Reko's got a shot. My dream, personally? Somewhere my cat, Mittens, wouldn't shred the curtains. Still working on that one, even here.
Honestly, I'd compare it more to… a decent first date. A few awkward moments, maybe, a slightly undercooked meal (the construction process? Kidding!), but ultimately, you can see *potential*. The potential for actual, functional living, which, in Bangi, is a win. My initial impression on this new condo? Let’s just say the first time I encountered it, I was more bewildered than bedazzled.
Location, Location, Location! How's the Proximity to UKM? Because Walking Miles in Malaysian Humidity is NOT My Idea of Fun.
Alright, this is a biggie. And it's pretty good. Let's be real: it's not *literally* UKM's doorstep. You won't roll out of bed and be in class. But… it's a reasonable distance. I'd say a quick drive, maybe 5-10 minutes off-peak. Crucial point: Traffic. Bangi traffic can be a beast. Factor in extra time during rush hour. It's a learning curve, trust me. I still end up yelling at my GPS sometimes. One time, I got so frustrated, I tried to navigate using my phone. Somehow, it ended up taking me on a scenic tour of a rubber plantation. Not ideal when you're late for a lecture, and the lecture is on Rubber Plantation Management!
What Are the Amenities Like? Gym, Pool, That Sort of Thing. Is it Worth the Hype?
The amenities are… well, they exist! There's a gym. I've been. It has treadmills. I mostly looked at them. I'm not exactly a gym bunny. The pool is decent, a good size for splashing around. Definitely a lifesaver in this heat. I’ve seen kids doing cannonballs. I've seen adults looking stressed. There's a playground. I haven't tested the swings. I'm a grown-up, technically. Maybe. The hype? It's there, but remember my "decent first date" analogy? They're functional, not five-star, yet still far better than a walk to the nearest public park for a swim.
However, the management… that's where it can be a bit hit-or-miss. My biggest gripe initially was the water. Sometimes it was just a trickle! Imagine trying to shower after a sweaty gym session. Not fun! They eventually sorted it, but the initial stress… phew! I actually considered moving back to my parents' place just to avoid it! The memory makes me shudder a little even now.
Parking Situation? Because Finding Parking in Bangi is a Full-Time Job, Isn't It?
Oh, the parking! Okay, so the good news is: there's parking. The less-good news is: sometimes it's… crowded. It's allocated, but during peak times, you might have to circle a bit. I've definitely had moments where I've seriously considered just leaving my car on the side of the road and hoping for the best. Which, in Malaysia, might be a good idea, or might get you towed. It's a gamble. I think the struggle builds character, or maybe just makes you late. One time, I was running so late, I parked in a spot that clearly said "Reserved for Management." I spent the next two days terrified I'd be towed. Luckily, I got away with it. But let's just say, I now walk a little further! But you’re not going to love the limited availability, even with allocation. Prepare for the minor heart attacks.
Is D'Reko Suites a Good Choice for Students? Or Just People with Strong Bladders and Limited Patience?
For students, it's got potential. It's close to UKM (again, with the caveats about traffic). You've got the pool for destressing after those grueling exams. The gym… well, you know. But here's the thing: the price. It's not the cheapest option. Factor in the rent, utilities, and the inevitable "oops, I accidentally ordered too much food" impulse buys. So, if you can swing it financially, it's decent. But… if you're on a shoestring budget, you might have to look elsewhere. The truth? The cost of living in Bangi, and the prices of property, make me want to weep sometimes. I’d be a better student if I was simply richer.
Any Downsides I Should Know About? Like, Seriously, What's the Catch?
Okay, the catch! Alright, let's get real. I've already mentioned the parking and the potential water issues. There's also the… let's call it "proximity to other buildings." Some units, from what I’ve heard, are closer to other blocks than you’d like. Meaning, peek-a-boo neighbours and a lack of privacy. Another thing? The lift situation during peak hours. Sometimes, you're waiting for ages. A total first-world problem, granted, but frustrating nonetheless. I've taken the stairs more than once, gasping for air five floors up.
And construction! Construction is a constant companion in Bangi. Be prepared for dust, noise and the occasional crane outside your window. It's the price you pay for living in a developing area, I guess. But, still. But the biggest thing is the occasional loud music. I'm not sure why people feel the need to blast their speakers at 3 AM, but they do. It helps if you're a deep sleeper, or have a noise machine.
What About the Food? Because Let's Be Honest, My Stomach is the Ultimate Authority.
Food is a major win for Bangi in general. D'Reko itself doesn't have a ton of eateries *inside* the complex. But, being so close to UKM and the main areas of Bangi, you're spoiled for choice! You've got everything from Mamak restaurants (Malaysian-Indian) where you can get your roti and teh tarik fix, to fancier cafes. IFind Secret Hotel Deals
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