Genting Highlands on a Budget: The 99 Homestay Steal!
Genting Highlands on a Budget: The 99 Homestay Steal! - A Brutally Honest Review (With Wi-Fi!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into Genting Highlands, the city in the clouds, on… well, a budget. And by budget, I mean we're talking about the infamous "99 Homestay Steal!" I'm talking no-frills, maybe-a-little-iffy, but potentially rewarding experience. Let’s get messy, shall we?
First Impressions - The Struggle is Real (Accessibility, Kind Of)
Okay, the accessibility aspect is… well, it's Genting. Getting to Genting Highlands is an experience in itself. Expect winding, rollercoaster-esque roads. Public transport? Possible, but plan accordingly. It's a hike and might not be the easiest for anyone with mobility issues. Forget about a wheelchair-accessible dreamscape here. The 99 Homestay, in its own right, probably isn’t the epitome of accessibility either, from what I can tell. I didn't personally check, but if you need super easy access, call the hotel directly before you go.
The Wi-Fi Gods and the Digital Nomad's Prayer
Let’s talk internet. MY PEOPLE! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! And not just that, you get Internet access – wireless AND potentially Internet access – LAN! (Remember LAN cables? Throwback!) This is where things get decent. I'm all about staying connected, so this was a major win. Seriously, a lot of hotels in this price range skimp on this. The Wi-Fi in public areas was… variable, let's say. Don't completely ditch your data plan just yet. But in your room? Pretty solid. I could actually, you know, work without wanting to throw my laptop out the window. Important for a freelancer like me! Internet services overall were good.
Location, Location, Location (and What You Can Do)
Genting Highlands is all about the views, baby! The air is cooler. The atmosphere is different. There's a definite "escape" vibe, even if it's just from the steamy Malaysian lowlands.
Things to do – Casino, theme parks, shopping, general touristy stuff. So, what about the 99 Homestay location? The convenience of hopping to different attractions might not be at the forefront of the 99 Homestay offering, but hey, that’s what Grab (taxi service) is for, right?
The Comfort Zone (Or Trying to Find It)
Available in all rooms: Okay, this is the checklist: Air conditioning (thank GOD!), Alarm clock (because, you know, adulthood). Bathrobes? A little bougie for this budget, but hey, welcome! Bathtub? Possibly, depend on the room (remember: 99 price point). Blackout curtains (essential for sleep, especially after a bad day in the casino), Carpeting (sometimes a little questionable, but hey…), Closet (for your slightly-worn clothes). Coffee/tea maker (yay!), Complimentary tea (bonus!), Daily housekeeping (thank the heavens!), Desk (gotta work!), Extra long bed (nice!), Free bottled water (always welcome!), Hair dryer (essential!), High floor (might get lucky!), In-room safe box (always good). Interconnecting room(s) available (if traveling with a crew), Ironing facilities (hallelujah! wrinkles be gone!). Laptop workspace (important!), Linens (hopefully clean…), Mini bar (probably empty!), Mirror (yup), Non-smoking (thank you, because I’m so not a smoker!) On-demand movies (doubtful, but hey, you never know!), Private bathroom (essential!), Reading light (for those late-night novel binges), Refrigerator (handy for drinks), Safety/security feature (important!), Satellite/cable channels (TV!), Scale (uh, thanks?), Seating area (sometimes), Separate shower/bathtub (score!), Shower (yes), Slippers (possible), Smoke detector (good!), Socket near the bed (yay!), Sofa (maybe?), Soundproofing (fingers crossed!), Telephone (who even uses these anymore?), Toiletries (meh), Towels (essential!), Umbrella (always!), Visual alarm (potentially), Wake-up service (if you can't wake yourself up) and Wi-Fi [free] (YAS!). And finally, a Window that opens (fresh air!).
Cleanliness and Safety: The Big Scares - This, my friends, is where it gets… interesting. Let's be real. You're not expecting five-star perfection. Anti-viral cleaning products? Perhaps not. Breakfast in room? Unlikely. Breakfast takeaway service? Perhaps. Cashless payment service? Modern times have this everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas? Questionable. Doctor/nurse on call? Maybe, but don’t bet on it. First aid kit? Always good. Hand sanitizer? Perhaps. Hot water linen and laundry washing? This is important! Hygiene certification? Doubtful. Individually-wrapped food options? Not really. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Unrealistic in busy areas. Professional-grade sanitizing services? Nope. Room sanitization opt-out available? Probably not. Rooms sanitized between stays? Fingers crossed! Safe dining setup? Questionable from my experience. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Hope so. Shared stationery removed? Unlikely. Staff trained in safety protocol? Maybe minimally or not at all. Sterilizing equipment? Nope.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
Okay, so you're on a budget, right? The dining at the 99 Homestay itself isn't going to blow your mind. But, you're in Genting! You've got options.
- Restaurants are plentiful nearby, with various cuisines.
- Asian breakfast options.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant.
- Desserts in restaurant.
- Bar.
- Room service [24-hour]… Probably not.
- Snack bar.
- Western cuisine in restaurant.
- Alternative meal arrangement, may not be available at the lowest price.
Services and Conveniences: The Perks (and the Lack Thereof)
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, thankfully.
- Concierge: Nope.
- Contactless check-in/out: Maybe.
- Convenience store: You are in a tourist spot so yes!
- Daily housekeeping: Yup.
- Elevator: Yes, for easy access.
- Facilities for disabled guests: I'm just going to assume, no.
- Food delivery: Not necessarily
- Gift/souvenir shop: Yes.
- Laundry service: Probably not.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Maybe, probably not at this price.
For the Kids (if the little buggers are tagging along)
- Family/child friendly - Genting HIGHLANDS.
- Kids meal - In nearby restaurants? Sure. At the 99 Homestay? Maybe not.
- Babysitting service - Definitely not.
The Emotional Rollercoaster (My Personal Experience)
Okay, so I stayed here. It wasn't perfect. The room? Basic, but clean enough. The bedding? Alright. The Wi-Fi (bless you, Wi-Fi Gods) was fantastic. The shower? Hot water! Success! But the true charm was the unexpected. I remember one morning, I woke up, and I swear I saw a GIANT squirrel on the balcony. I mean, gigantic. I almost screamed. (Disclaimer: it was probably just a regular squirrel. Genting air, right?)
It wasn't luxurious. But it was… an adventure. It showed me I don’t need all the fancy stuff.
Let's Be Honest: The Downsides
The noise. Oh, THE NOISE. Thin walls are a definite feature of the 99 Homestay. Also, don’t expect the Ritz. Don’t expect pristine everything.
So, Is It Worth It? (The Verdict)
For the price? Absolutely. For a no-frills, budget-friendly, adventure-seeking trip to Genting Highlands? Yes. If you want luxury, look elsewhere. If you want a basic, clean, well-located, and Wi-Fi-equipped basecamp for exploring, the 99 Homestay is a gamble worth taking. Just… pack ear
Beijing's Hidden Gem: Atour Hotel Lishuiqiao - Unbelievable Luxury!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt to survive The 99 Homestay in Genting Highlands, Malaysia. Prepare for chaos, questionable food choices, and a whole lotta altitude sickness.
DAY 1: Arrival & Altitude Anxiety (and that suspicious air freshener)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Okay, so far, so good. Except I seem to have packed only one pair of socks. One. This is gonna be a problem.
- 2:00 PM: Taxi to KL Sentral. Traffic is brutal in KL. Like, soul-crushing brutal. I swear, I saw a snail overtake us at one point. Maybe I'm just delirious from lack of sleep and the lingering memory of airport coffee.
- 3:00 PM: Train to Genting Highlands. Ah, the ascent! The air is noticeably thinner already. My ears are popping, my head feels like it's inside a bouncy castle, and I'm pretty sure I saw a small cloud float past the window. Getting on the ride now.
- 4:00 PM: Arrive at The 99 Homestay. Oh boy. Okay, first impressions… well, it's definitely "budget." The lobby smells faintly of that weird, overly-sweet air freshener that's supposed to make things smell "fresh" but actually just gives you a chemical headache. The receptionist (a very sweet young woman) seems a bit overwhelmed, which, honestly? Relatable.
- 4:30 PM: Check into my room. The pictures online might have been a tad… optimistic. The bedspread looks like it was borrowed from a particularly bland 70s motel. But hey, it's clean-ish. And the view from the window… well, if you squint really hard, you can almost convince yourself you're looking at something majestic. Mostly, it's just the side of another building.
- 5:00 PM: Altitude Adjustment Attempt 1: Deep breaths. Drink water. Try not to panic. I swear, my heart is pounding like a drum solo. This air is thin.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a random restaurant nearby. Ordered some spicy noodles. Bad call. Between the altitude and the fiery food, I'm pretty sure my brain is currently playing a conga line with my tastebuds. The chilli? It was a whole experience on its own. I am on fire for the first meal of the trip.
DAY 2: Theme Park Trauma & the Gambling Gods (and a surprise cockroach)
- 9:00 AM: Conquer the altitude sickness… ish. Managed to eat some toast and a questionable-looking fried egg. The coffee tasted like mud, but hey, caffeine is caffeine.
- 10:00 AM: Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park – Oh dear God. This place is a massive assault on the senses. Bright lights, screaming children, and rides that seem to defy the laws of physics. I bravely opted for the tamer rides… mostly. The "Twist and Shout" was enough for me, thank you… and a little vomit on the way out.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a theme park cafe. The food looked like it had been sitting out for a week but I was hungry and this was the only option.
- 2:00 PM: Theme park exploration. I am very tired.
- 4:00 PM: Back at the hotel. I am very tired.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner. I have no idea about what to eat.
- 6:00 PM: Casino time? I decided to be brave and went in. Turns out I am terrible at all forms of gambling. Lost a small amount of money and decided to go back to the hotel.
- 8:00 PM: Cockroach Encounter. Okay, this is where things took a turn for the, well, unpleasant. Right as I was drifting off to sleep, I saw it. A cockroach, the size of a small mouse, scuttling across the floor. Cue frantic screaming (probably). 15 minutes of trying to kill it, and I finally did. This is supposed to be a holiday, people, not a horror film!
DAY 3: Departure & a Moment of Zen (maybe)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Alive. Thank goodness.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at a local stall. I had some delicious laksa from a stall nearby. The broth was rich, the noodles were perfect, and it was, for a few precious moments, utter bliss.
- 10:00 AM: Check out of The 99 Homestay. Honestly, it was a wild ride. The hotel might not have been fancy, but it served its purpose. And hey, at least I survived the cockroach. And the altitude.
- 11:00 AM: Shuttle back to KL Sentral.
- 12:00 PM: Train to KLIA.
- 2:00 PM: Head back.
So, there you have it. My chaotic, imperfect, and utterly memorable adventure in Genting Highlands. Will I go back to The 99 Homestay? Probably not. But the memories? Those, I'll cherish forever. And maybe, just maybe, I'll bring a can of bug spray next time. And more socks. Definitely more socks.
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Genting Highlands on a Budget: The 99 Homestay Steal! (Or Did I Get Swindled?) - An FAQ (With a Side of Panic!)
Okay, spill the tea! Is this "99 Homestay" even real? Sounds too good to be true.
Listen, I went in with the skepticism of a seasoned travel blogger (aka, someone who's been burned *lots* of times). 99 Ringgit! For a place to *stay* in Genting? I was picturing a damp, cockroach-infested lair. I mean, this is Genting Highlands! The land of million-dollar casinos and folks dressed like they're about to win the lottery. And here I am, trying to find a cheap bed. Yeah, it's real, alright. I found it on Airbnb, saw the pics, and thought, "Meh, what's the worst that could happen? Sleep on the floor? Been there, done that, thanks to a particularly disastrous backpacking trip through Thailand." Turns out, I wasn't *entirely* wrong about the "worst that could happen" part...
So, what's the actual room like? Was it... livable?
"Livable" depends on your definition, honestly. It wasn't luxurious, let's put it that way. Picture a student dorm room, maybe slightly worse. The view was… the other building. And the "mountain air" they advertised? Well, I'm pretty sure I smelled more of the lingering scent of someone else's dinner than fresh mountain air. The bed… Let me just say it felt like sleeping on a slightly softened plank of wood. My back was *screaming* the next morning! I swear I felt every single spring. BUT – and this is a big but – it was clean-ish. And it *had* a shower. The water pressure was… a trickle, but hey, I wasn't homeless, and for 99 Ringgit! I survived. Barely.
Where exactly is this "99 Homestay" located? Is it convenient?
Okay, here's where things get *slightly* tricky. It’s not *right* in the thick of it. You're not stumbling out of a casino and faceplanting into your room. It's a short (and I mean *short*) taxi ride or a longer walk from the main attractions. Think of it as being *close enough* not to have to remortgage your house for transport, but far enough away to not feel like you're being constantly bombarded with flashing lights and that incessant casino ambient noise (which, seriously, is enough to drive anyone mad). I actually walked back one night after a very… *successful* (read: I won 5 Ringgit) gambling session. It *was* a hike. And the air got thinner... and colder... and I started questioning all my life choices. But I made it!
Food! How's the food situation on a budget? Did you starve?
Oh god, the food. You *can* find budget options, but you have to *hunt* for them. The food court in the main theme park area is a total rip-off! I swear, I saw a bowl of noodles going for the price of a small car payment. I survived mostly on instant noodles (brought my own, thank goodness!) and street food. And by "street food," I mean the stuff you can find at the bus stop, which is usually… passable. There's a small grocery store in the area, which saved me from total starvation, but the selection was… limited. I'm still having nightmares about the questionable chicken nuggets I bought there. Lesson learned: pack snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. And maybe a survival guide.
About the theme park... You *did* go, right? Was it worth the price?
Ugh, listen to me. I went, okay? I *had* to, it's part of the Genting experience! Let me tell you, the ticket prices *hurt*. My bank account *wept*. Honestly? It was… okay. It wasn't the most amazing theme park I've ever been to. The rides were fun enough, and the indoor section was a welcome escape from the cold. But the lines! Oh my god, the *lines*! I spent more time standing in line than actually enjoying the rides. I'm not sure the *fun* justified the *pain* in my wallet. I'd probably skip it next time unless I stumble upon a serious discount or win the lottery. Which, let's be honest, is probably more likely than finding a reasonably priced bowl of noodles.
Any other tips for saving money at Genting?
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to unleash my hard-earned wisdom (and regret). First, *avoid* peak seasons like the plague. Seriously, the prices go up like a helium balloon. Secondly, look for discounts *everywhere*. Online, at the bus station, ask! The more you can bargain down the prices, the better. Consider bringing your own food and drinks. Pack those instant noodles! And finally, if gambling is your thing, set a *strict* budget and stick to it! I lost (mostly) but hey, at least I had a story to tell and a mostly-intact bank account, thanks to that (slightly) cheap homestay… The 99 homestay… yeah, I still wake up wondering if I should have just skipped Genting entirely. But hey, at least I can now say, I have done it!
So... would you recommend the "99 Homestay"? Be honest!
Would I *recommend* it? Ugh… It's a tough call. If you're on a *super* tight budget, and you're willing to sacrifice a tiny bit of comfort, then *maybe*. Just, you know, lower your expectations to the bare minimum. Don't expect anything fancy. Bring earplugs (the walls are thin), and maybe a portable heater (it gets *cold* up there!). And most importantly, pack a sense of humor. Because you're going to need it. Honestly? If I were to ever go again, I probably *wouldn't* go there. The experience was so uncomfortable that I woke up with a nightmare and a sore back. If I did go, it would only be if I am broke, which is probably most of the time. The 99 homestay is a gamble itself... and a lot of them!
