Backyard Vacay: Shervinton Hotel

So here's the thing... I have been doing this for almost 4 years now. Almost every few months or so, I will bring myself to what is called my 'backyard vacay'. Like every other normal human beings out there, I tend to bottled up my stress and unresolved feelings regarding my work for a whole month and to unwind myself... I treat myself to a one night only stay at a hotel locally. And this time around, my choice is Shervinton Hotel (and I'm pretending that I'm currently in Kota Kinabalu - it's incredible what the mind can do in such situations). Huhuhuhu...

This is actually my third time checking into this place. It's one of the newer hotels (and dare I say flashier) at the 'hotel row' at Fajar Complex, Tawau. There're several other hotels right next to each other at this area but this is most definitely the baby (but is also the biggest and tallest) of the bunch. I've booked myself into the Deluxe Room and I must say that I'm still pretty impressed. The decor are very modern and chic, and very pleasing to the eyes. I'm all about comfort but it's nice to see when the hotel did not abandon the decor as well. The room itself is the standard size for a deluxe with the standard LCD TV and several cable channels. But what I really like is their bathroom slash showers. It's separated by a single, flexible door that closed one part of the showers/bathroom but not the other one (see pic below). I'm kicking myself for not thinking about that creative design for my own bathroom at home (hah, I wish!).

So other than my over-the-top obsession with the bathroom/showers, the hotel also boasted a lovely sky bar at the top floor of the hotel. Checking in was the usual "sorry ma'am (I'm a ma'am?) but our room is currently not available as the previous guest haven't checked out, so can you please come back at 2pm?" which I don't really mind. But what I do mind was the other male receptionist that for some reason is giving me this 'I'm soo much better than you' vibe when I do checked in at 2pm. Dude, really? Is it because I'm in my t-shirt and jeans and am not a foreigner? Whatever...

Overall however, my scores are as follows...

Type - Deluxe Queen Room
Room - 4/5 (I'm really satisfied with my room)
Price - 4/5 (I got a discount by using Agoda, though I think it's a little pricier if you walked-in)
Service - 3/5 (a typical mid-range hotel with friendly staff. Well, minus mentioned receptionist of course! And I also love the ladies's uniforms. It reminds me of a foreign airline stewardesses)
Decor - 4/5 (pretty modern, clean lobby eventhough it might not be that big in space)
Facilities -3/5 (they have these packages for weddings & seminars so I assume that there's probably a hall somewhere)
Location - 4/5 (it's near to various shops, restaurants & banks and there's a fleet of taxis right next to the hotel. Although it might be a challenge for those that brought their own vehicles as parking at the area are based on pure luck)

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Qaseh Food House

Formerly known as D'Serai Restaurant, the place changes its name after (I assume) a change of ownership. So where exactly is this place? It's actually at the rather trendy business complex Kubota Square (at Jalan Sin Onn). To be more precise, it shared the same building as Maybank (only it's at the other end of the building). And that's not the end of my confusing direction. You do need to look up when you get to the place since it's on the first floor. Yes, I seemed to have a special sense for restaurants and cafes that are 'hidden' for some reason. Har har har...

So anyways, it's actually a rather pretty little place once you manage to dragged your-poor-post-sprained-foot to the restaurant. Me and my partner decided to sit outside since the view is quite nice (although you're looking directly at a construction site, but both of us have this fetish for looking at the passing cars below). But for those that didn't share our weird interest, they also have a comfortable, fully air-conditioned sitting inside. The food however, is... well, underwhelming. The place has a lot of potential but the food is so-so. We ordered a Nasi Goreng Daging and Nasi Goreng Special Qaseh each. Unfortunately apart from the name, both of the friend rice are almost identical in terms of look and taste. But don't get me wrong though, that doesn't mean that it is not tasty. It's actually okay but I was expecting something more. However there's still hope since they also provide other Malay dishes that I haven't tried such as (the heavily promoted) Sup Tulang & Sup Payau (this is a Malay establishment after all) and other Western cuisines.

** Current status - Has been closed (as of July 2015)

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Venice Coffee House

So next on my agenda is the frequently visited Venice Coffee House, situated at the clearly-in-need-of-a-major-facelift Belmont Marco Polo Hotel, Tawau. If you're not familiar with Tawau, than it's actually near to the in-famous Pasar Gantung and Servay-Parkwell Superstore.

Me and my family have came to this particular place ever since I could remember. And you know what, it looks EXACTLY like I could remember it. So now I'm reviewing their latest offerings in the lunch buffet department. Sometime last year, the management decided to change the buffet menu from 'Kampung Style' to 'International Style'. But I'm sorry to report that the food is actually more towards the 'Chinese Style' rather than the latter. Not that I'm complaining of course, since I loved Chinese food as well! There are a variety of main course food to sample on but a bit lacking at the dessert department. The taste? Hmm.. Honestly I think it's okay but some of the food lacked salt (or something, I'm sorry that I can't give you the exact problem ala Gordon Ramsey). But hey, less salt less fat right (well, at least that's what the holy box of God, the television is saying). The service is good, as the waiters are friendly enough but there's a weird story that I wanted to share here. True story - the head chef was inspecting the food when I was picking up a prawn from a tray of food when he practically came over to me and told me off (I'm not kidding here folks) for 'picking up the food in a wrong way'. I mean, excuse me? It's news to me that there's a specific way to take a prawn into your plate. I was left speechless by this! Although my mom is having the time of her life laughing at my predicament (thanks for your support mom!).

** Current status - Still in operation (as of September 2013)

Updated on 29/12/2016 - Th whole family decided to give their lunch buffet another go and we discovered that the food choices has somewhat lessen throughout the years. The lunch buffet is now priced at RM20.00 per adult and RM15 for kids. 

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25.9c Cafe

So my very first tale is all about this lovely cafe that me, my partner & family accidentally discovered while driving around. The location itself might be a challenge unless you're highly determine to find it or somebody already tipped you off. It's located at the industrial building behind the Jade Ocean Restaurant at Jalan Apas, Tawau.

What interest me about the place is obviously the overall concept. It's glaringly obvious that the owner is a Hello Kitty avid lover because from the moment you stepped into the place, that is the only thing you'll see, right down to the food. So to other Doraemon, Keroro or Domo lovers, run for your lives! I don't really know what to expect for the food (since I was still overwhelmed by the pinkish decor & I'm not even kidding you - Hello Kitty songs accompanying you all the way) but I'm happy to report that the food were lovely and delicious. I tried the Hello Kitty Fried Rice and it's quite tasty. My partner ate a Fried Maggie Mee with Chicken Satay (or something like that) and he's raving about it as well. My other family members tried their Fried Maggie Mee (without any side dish - which held its own) and Fried Mee with Chicken Chop (my sister's choice). But my absolute favourite was none other than their Lava Cake set. LOVED the chocolate lava oozing out of the dish. I must say that I wouldn't mind braving my way into the pink heaven just to sample more food from this place in the near future. But I'm still puzzled by the origin of the place's name of course. Any ideas people?

** Current status - Has been closed (as of July 2015)

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