Unbelievable D'Gunduls Homestay: I-City Shah Alam's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable D'Gunduls Homestay: I-City Shah Alam's… Well, Is It a Gem? (A Brutally Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just wrestled with the beast that is D'Gunduls Homestay in I-City, Shah Alam, and I'm here to spill the tea. Forget your polished travel brochures and the "everything is perfect!" reviews. This is the real deal, warts and all. And trust me, there were a few warts.
Accessibility & Safety: The Okay-ish Zone
First things first: accessibility. This is where D'Gunduls gets a bit…complicated. They say they have facilities for disabled guests ("Facilities for disabled guests" – check!), which is great, but the specifics are a bit fuzzy. Didn't try it with a wheelchair, so can't personally vouch. The elevator (Elevator – check!) is a godsend, especially if you're on a high floor (High floor – check!). CCTV cameras are everywhere (CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property – check!), which, while comforting for security (Security [24-hour] – check!), also felt a little Big Brother-ish. They definitely take safety seriously (Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Smoke detector – check, check, check!), which is, you know, good.
Cleanliness & Safety in the Age of Germs: An Attempt Was Made
The pandemic has clearly changed things. They've got the checklist: “Anti-viral cleaning products,” “Daily disinfection in common areas,” “Hand sanitizer.” (All check!) I felt relatively safe, which is more than I can say for some places. They even touted (Sterilizing equipment – check!) and room sanitization (Rooms sanitized between stays – check! Room sanitization opt-out available – also check!). That's a good start. There's even “Professional-grade sanitizing services,” whatever that truly means. Though, I’m a little cynical, you know? How REALLY professional is it when it’s just a dude with a spray bottle? But hey! At least they’re trying. The staff, bless their hearts, seemed trained in safety protocols (Staff trained in safety protocol – check!).
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Rollercoaster!
Alright, let's talk food. This is where things get interesting. I'm a foodie, so this was IMPORTANT.
Restaurants (plural!): Yes, they mention "Restaurants" as a category. But… the actual culinary options are… varied. There's an "Asian cuisine in restaurant" (check!). And "International cuisine in restaurant" (check!). But the buffet? It was… a buffet. (Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant – check, check!). I went down there starving. I remember piling my plate high with… things. There was certainly food – breakfast, and salad… But the selection lacked pizzazz. The coffee? (Coffee/tea in restaurant – check!). Weak. The dessert? Well…let’s just say, the dessert was forgettable. (Desserts in restaurant – check!) I think I may have even spotted a sad, lonely-looking piece of something that might have been a cake.
Room Service (24-hour): Praise the gods! (Room service [24-hour] – check!) I can't stress how crucial 24-hour room service is. This is a HUGE plus. Perfect when you're battling jet lag and the munchies at 3 AM, the time I decided to order a burger that was surprisingly edible.
Snack Bar & Drinks: (Snack bar – check!) A solid selection, the bar itself (Bar – check!) had a decent selection of drinks. "Poolside bar" (Poolside bar – check!) also available – if you’re into that.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day or Stay Away?
Alright, here’s where my inner couch potato had a heart attack of joy!
Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, & Pool: (Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom – check, check, check, check!). This is what I live for! Now, the spa experience? It was… fine. (Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap – check, check, check) but not the "OMG, I'm completely reborn" kind of transformative. The pool (Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view – check, check, check!) was gorgeous though. The view from the pool? Stunning!
Fitness Center: (Fitness center, Gym/fitness – check, check!) I didn't exactly use the fitness center, but it looked like a fitness center. You know, the kind with treadmills and those scary weight machines that I’m pretty sure are just designed to humiliate you… But it was there!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, or Family-Frustrated?
They claim to be “Family/child friendly” (Family/child friendly – check!). "Babysitting service" (Babysitting service – check!) which is great if you need it, and "Kids meal" (Kids meal – check!) which, honestly, makes life easier.
Rooms: The Home-Away-From-Home (Kinda)
The rooms… well, they weren't bad. (Non-smoking rooms – check!, Non-smoking – check!). They certainly had the essentials: Air conditioning (Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area – check, check!), a comfy bed (Extra long bed – check!), and a TV (Satellite/cable channels, On-demand movies – check, check!), plus some other random stuff. But the decor? It felt…generic. Plain. The kind of room you’d expect in a mid-range hotel chain…Which I guess is what you get!
The Nitty-Gritty: Services and Conveniences - Yay or Nay?
This is a mixed bag, folks.
- Good Stuff: Daily housekeeping (Daily housekeeping – check!), a concierge (Concierge – check!), and a convenience store (Convenience store – check!) are always welcome. Luggage storage (Luggage storage – check!) is a lifesaver. Cash withdrawal (Cash withdrawal – check!) is handy.
- Less-Good Stuff: I didn't see a "Cashless payment service" (Cashless payment service – check!) - needed cash for the snack bar and parking. The "Breakfast takeaway service" (Breakfast takeaway service – check!) could use some work. The Wi-Fi reliability? (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Wi-Fi [free]– check, check!) Hit and miss. Sometimes, the internet was lightning fast (Internet access – wireless, Internet – check, check!). Other times; it was like trying to download a file on dial-up.
Services and Conveniences: The Devil is in the Details
- The Good: The elevator made life easier (Elevator - check!). Free parking (Car park [free of charge] – check!) is a huge win in a busy city. And the front desk was staffed 24/7 (Front desk [24-hour] – check!), which is always reassuring.
- The "Meh": The "Meeting/banquet facilities" (Meeting/banquet facilities, Business facilities, Audio-visual equipment for special events – check, check, check!), I didn't use them, so I can't comment. "Car power charging station" (Car power charging station – check!) - great, if you drive an electric car. The rest: It felt a bit… standard.
Getting Around: Smooth Sailing (Mostly)
Airport transfer and taxi service (Airport transfer, Taxi service – check, check!) are available, which is convenient. Car park is onsite, too (Car park [on-site], Car park [free of charge], Bicycle parking - check, check, check!).
The Verdict: Is D'Gunduls Really a Gem?
Look, D'Gunduls Homestay has its pros and cons. It's not the best place I’ve ever stayed, but it's also not the worst. It’s generally safe, the rooms are decent, the pool is lovely, and the 24-hour room service is a major plus. But the food? And a few minor issues, which kept it from full-on greatness.
My Final Score: 6.5/10. It’s decent. It’s…okay. Not unbelievable, by any means, but definitely not entirely terrible. Just… remember to lower your expectations slightly, and you should have a perfectly acceptable stay. It has a good enough location for I-City, and if you’re looking for a solid, budget-friendly option with a nice pool, it's worth considering. If you are looking for luxury? Maybe look elsewhere.
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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously color-coded travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into D'Gunduls Homestay at I-City, Shah Alam, Malaysia. Prepare for glorious chaos.
D'Gunduls Homestay: The Rollercoaster of a Trip (Or, How I Survived I-City and Didn't End Up Needing Therapy)
Day 1: Arrival (and Mild Panic)
- 14:00 (give or take an hour – let's be real, I'm ALWAYS late): Touchdown at KLIA and the usual airport shuffle. Lost my boarding pass (again). Found it clutched in my sweaty palm. Crisis averted. Sort of. Then it's the epic struggle to find the Grab driver amongst the sea of hopeful faces. Seriously, the airport is a jungle. Finally locate him, a cheerful dude named Abu who immediately starts chatting me up about football. I feign enthusiastic agreement even though I can barely tell a free kick from a penalty.
- 15:30 (fingers crossed) : Arrival at D'Gunduls. First impressions? Clean. That's good. Place is bright and airy. The owner - this super friendly woman who introduces herself as "Aunty Liza" - is practically beaming, and immediately apologizes for the "slightly" noisy construction next door. Seriously, "slightly"? It sounds like they're building a skyscraper with a jackhammer symphony. She's super eager to help however she can which is amazing too.
- 16:00: Unpacking (or throwing my bag against the nearest surface), settling into the room. Ah, the sweet, sweet silence…before the jackhammers start again. I realize I haven't eaten all day yet, and a gnawing hunger is building. Time to find some food.
- 16:30: Wander around I-City. I was warned about this place. It's like someone took a theme park, threw in a bunch of Instagrammable photo ops, and then decided to make everything… sparkly. I'm slightly overwhelmed by the sheer, dazzling, blinding, over-the-top-ness.
- 17:00: Food hunt! Found this little food stall selling Nasi Lemak, which tasted just like heaven. It was so good, a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, savory, and all things delicious. I ate it with abandon, getting sambal all over my face (classy, I know).
- 17:30-21:00 The I-City experience. Okay, the lights may be ridiculously bright, and the crowds overwhelming, but I'm in Malaysia! I had to do this. I am now the proud owner of some questionable photos with a massive, illuminated…something. The ice skating rink? A hilarious disaster. I slipped, I slid, I nearly knocked over a small child. I felt like a newborn giraffe trying to walk. But hey, at least I tried.
- 21:30 Exhausted, slightly frostbitten, and thoroughly over-stimulated, I retreat back to D'Gunduls. I sit on the balcony - a bit quieter. I enjoy a drink to calm down my nerves. I am ready for bed.
Day 2: Culture Clash (and Delicious Dim Sum!)
- 07:00 (ish): Wake up to the glorious sound of…construction. Sigh. Coffee time. The coffee machine at D'Gunduls makes a surprisingly decent cup of joe, thankfully.
- 08:00: Breakfast. As I was getting ready for the day, I had asked a local for places to get some breakfast. I am craving dim sum! I want to try the ones with curry!
- 09:00: Transportation. I get someone to take me to this place in town. The drive was so beautiful. I was really happy to see the local sights more.
- 10:00: Dim sum heaven! This place was a local gem. The dim sum was hot, fresh, and bursting with flavor. Curry was definitely a highlight. I devoured everything I could get my hands on.
- 12:00-14:00: Some local sightseeing. I went to see some local architecture, and a new friend showed me where to go. We went for lunch and had a great time.
- 14:00: Nap time. I am exhausted. The combination of the lights, the noise, and the overeating has taken its toll. I crash hard.
- 16:00: Afternoon snack. I find a fruit stand. The fruit is so juicy, and sweet, and unlike anything I can buy home.
- 17:00 onwards: Back to D'Gunduls. Write a bit. Watch the sunset. Start researching where to go next. Try not to think about the jackhammers. Try.
Day 3: Departure (and Undeniable Nostalgia)
- 08:00: Wake up. Okay, the construction noise is slightly less…aggressive today. Maybe the builders are having a day off.
- 08:30: Last breakfast at D'Gunduls. It's sad to leave. I've actually come to find the hustle and bustle a bit endearing. Aunty Liza comes to say goodbye, and I'm sad to see her go.
- 09:00: Pack. Okay, I'm not going to lie, my suitcase is a mess, but who cares?
- 10:00: Check out. Say goodbye, exchange hugs (we're practically family now!), and promise to visit again.
- 11:00: Head to the airport. Abu, my Grab driver, is back! We spend the ride reminiscing about my trip. I realize the memories made in I-City will stay with me forever.
- 14:00: Flight out. Land back home, completely exhausted, but with a heart full of memories, and a stomach full of delicious food.
Final Thoughts:
D'Gunduls Homestay. It was a solid place to stay, with a super friendly owner. I-City? Prepare yourself. The lights are dazzling, and the crowds are intense. But Malaysia? Amazing. The food? Divine. The people? Wonderful. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I bring earplugs next time? You bet your sweet bippy I would.
Escape to Paradise: Samet Pavilion Resort Awaits!
Okay, so... what *is* Unbelievable D'Gunduls Homestay? Honestly?
Alright, picture this: I-City, right? All flashing lights, theme park madness. Then, BAM! D'Gunduls. It's a homestay, supposedly. But honestly, it felt more like crashing at your coolest, slightly eccentric aunt's place. Think cozy, slightly mismatched furniture (in a good way!), and a general vibe of "Welcome, make yourself at home, even if you spill coffee." The 'Unbelievable' part? Well, we'll get to that. 😉
Is it actually *good*? Or is it just... there?
Okay, this is where it gets tricky. "Good" kind of depends on what you're after. If you want sterile, predictable perfection like a hotel, RUN. This isn't that. If you want charm, personality, and a genuine experience? Then, absolutely, YES! It's got that lived-in, loved-in feel. Like the kind of place where you wouldn't mind finding a stray board game piece under the sofa. (I may or may not have found one. Don't judge me.) It's not perfect, and that's the beauty of it. It's got heart.
Tell me about the location. How far from I-City itself?
It's basically *right there*. Seriously, you could practically roll out of bed, stumble across the road, and be inhaling the scent of questionable greasy food at the theme park entrance. Okay, maybe not *literally* roll, but it's super, super close. Which is amazing, especially after a long day of screaming on rollercoasters. Or, ya know, arguing with your significant other about which ride to go on next. (Just me?) The convenience is a huge plus. Plus, you avoid the whole "driving and parking nightmare" of I-City. HUGE win.
The "Unbelievable" part. What's the deal? That's what I really want to know!
Okay, buckle up. This is where things get… interesting. So, I booked based on the photos, right? Looked lovely. Arrived, slightly dusty from the Malaysian humidity, and… well. The photos were… *enhanced*. Let's just say the real-life version had a bit more… character. The bathroom sink was, let's be frank, a little *wobbly*. And the air conditioning? Worked, but sounded like a jet engine taking off. For a full *hour* after I turned it off. Now, is that what I expected when I booked? No. Did I have a moment of panic? Absolutely. But here's the kicker: within minutes, I was charmed. It felt *real*. It was far from perfect, it was a little gritty, but it was memorable. And honestly? The jet engine noise was endearing after a while (sounded like a sleeping machine). It sounds crazy, but I miss it now.
Amenities. What should I expect other than character?
They offer a handful of things, I mean, basic stuff like towels and soap are provided, also some of the rooms have private bathrooms. Not all of them do though, and that's important to remember when booking. They do have wifi, surprisingly decent considering some of the quirks. There's a communal area – a kitchen too! I think, I remember seeing a fridge and microwave, but I didn’t actually cook myself, far too busy getting the best Roti Canai and exploring the area. Oh, and don't expect a fancy gym. This place is all about chilling, not pumping iron. Trust me, after walking around I-City all day, you won’t need extra exercise.
Is it family-friendly? Got kids in tow.
Hmmm… that's a tough one. I *saw* families there, so technically, yes. But… it really depends on *your* family. If you have kids who NEED pristine perfection, who will screech at the slightest imperfection, who need a mini-bar in their room… maybe not. But if you've got adventurous little ones who appreciate a bit of realness, who are happy to embrace the quirky, then, yeah, probably. It’s not a designated "kiddie paradise" by any means. And you might want to bring some earplugs (for the jet engine… and your kids, let's be honest). But really, that's up to you and your comfort level. I’d say proceed with caution… or prepare yourself to embrace the chaos! 😉
What's the vibe with the other guests? Is it a social place?
This really depends on who's staying at the same time. But yes, it's definitely got a more social vibe than your average cookie-cutter hotel. People were chatting, sharing tips about the local food scene, and generally being friendly. One night, I got roped into a spontaneous card game (I lost, spectacularly). It's not a forced "forced fun" kind of place, though. You can easily keep to yourself if you want to. But it does have a certain community feel. Maybe it’s the imperfections, the shared (slightly) rough experience, that brings people together. It's not fancy, no one’s pretending to be something they're not.
What's the staff/host like? Helpful? Invisible? Eccentric?
The host was… memorable. Let's put it that way. They were extremely friendly, really welcoming, but… let’s just say communication wasn't always their strongest suit. (Getting responses to my pre-arrival emails felt like a mission.) They were definitely hands-on, and they genuinely *cared* that you were having a good time. They also seemed to know *everything* about the local area, like secret food gems, they suggested some fabulous eateries. If you need constant attention or handholding, maybe seek out another place. But they definitely made the place. It's almost like they've made a place built on imperfections. Honestly? I loved it so much. I could write a book!
Tell me about the food! Is breakfast included?
Breakfast... ah, yes. Okay, the official answer is: it varies. Sometimes it's included, sometimes it's not. I'll be honest, I can't remember what it was when I was there. It's been a while (and my memory isn't great). Let’s say it’s a ‘maybe’. BUTBackpacker Hotel Find
