Ask any old-timer in Ipoh, and chances are they’ll know the Syuen Hotel. Opened in 1993 along Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, the building was an iconic landmark, being one of the few grand hotels in Ipoh at the time and also because of its colonial, neo-classical look.
Unfortunately, COVID forced its permanent closure in 2020 and for four years, it remained unused – until it was bought over by YTL and reopened as the AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh earlier this year, after extensive interior renovations.
Design and Rooms
One of the reasons why I love Marriott properties is the design. Even though it’s unique to the locality, there’s always an underlying current of uniformity, which makes every stay familiar. So despite AC Hotel being a mid-range brand, it carries the same modern, elegant DNA of more upscale Marriott brands. You can feel this the moment you step into the lobby, with its high ceiling and warm lighting, sleek furniture, and wall of objets d’art.
Although the interiors look modern and updated, they’ve retained parts of the hotel’s original design, such as the sweeping marble staircase leading up to the lobby which looks straight out of the 1990s. It’s a nice homage to the building’s history.
The check-in process was smooth, and I was quickly shown to my room, which was spacious and beautifully designed. It feels cosy thanks to the colour sceheme (warm wood + cool greys) and ambient lighting; more like a designer apartment than a hotel room. There’s a couch next to the bed, a work desk, flat screen TV, and other amenities such as a closet, a safe, and a mini fridge.
View of the pool. You can also see landmarks such as St Michael’s Catholic Church, the oldest church in Ipoh, and Ipoh Parade, the largest mall.
DINING OPTIONS
LUK YU TEA HOUSE
Ipoh has a strong Cantonese presence, thanks to its past as a mining town. The hotel’s all-day Chinese restaurant, Luk Yu Tea House, pays homage to this influence, serving up dainty dimsum and hearty Cantonese soul food.
Like its sister outlet at the JW Marriott in KL, it boasts stylish Chinoiserie-inspired interiors that feature dark colours, a departure from the usual bright yellows and reds that you typically find in traditional Chinese restaurants.
Traditional dimsum spans items such as har kaw, packed with gargantuan prawns and wrapped in chewy, transculent skin; deep fried bean curd rolls; silky steamed cheong fun (rice rolls), and pillowy-soft lau sar bao (lava buns), filled with oozy, creamy salted egg yolk filling. A unique dish here is the fish siew mai, made from toman fish ie giant snakehead. Round off the meal with some flaky egg tarts, another Ipoh favourite.
Aside from dimsum, you can also go for single dishes paired with rice or noodles. Meat dishes like Wok-Fried Beef with Young Ginger and Spring Onion are staples in Cantonese cuisine.
If you’re craving something warm and comforting, there are nourishing soups like Braised Crab Meat and Cameron Highlands Sweet Corn in Thick Soup, or the Traditional Double-Boiled Black Chicken Soup with Dried Figs and Red Dates. From the dessert menu, definitely go for the Pomelo Sago – it’s rich and velvety but not too sweet.
AC LOUNGE
Ipoh is a food paradise so there’s no shortage of local food to discover as soon as you walk out the doors, but if you just feel like chilling in the hotel in the evenings, AC Lounge has a decent selection of tapas and small bites that go perfectly with a tipple. Sidle up to a cosy corner or hang around the island countertop area where you can strike up a conversation or two.
The Grazing Platter (cheese served with smoked salmon, lamb prosciutto, dried fruits, grapes, nuts, crackers, and sliced baguettes) is ideal for sharing between 2-3 pax. Alternatively, try the Gambas al Ajillo, prawns cooked in garlic-infused oil. Wash down everything with cocktails like Asam Boi Lemonade (Hendrick’s Gin, lemon, sugar, and asam boi garnished with cucumber) or a traditional Sangria.
FACILITIES
My stay at AC Hotel Ipoh was only for a night and much of it was spent roaming the streets in town, so I wasn’t able to fully enjoy its facilities. But I went for a short tour of the premises after check-in, and the amenities look impressive. There’s something for every kind of traveller, whether for business or leisure.
The 10th floor houses The Silver Box, a members-only area modeled after the exclusive gentlemens club of old that were frequented by the city’s tin mining tycoons.
Like the lobby, parts of this floor have retained the original design of its predecessor, the Syuen. Underneath the sweeping wooden staircase is a small bar, and there are plush armchairs that you can sink into and have a coffee or two.
Business travellers will appreciate the AC Genius Lab, a co-working space available for both guests and walk-ins. It has all the bells and whistles: high-speed WiFi, charging ports, comfortable workstations – perfect for when you need a quiet space to focus on work.
Fitness enthusiasts will be happy to note that there is a covered pickleball court on the top floor, so you can get your daily dose of swings in. This is in addition to the other sporting facilities at the hotel, such as the pool and gym.
For entertainment, the hotel’s Studio 88 comprises spacious karaoke rooms for rent – ideal for corporate team activities or family bonding. There are also game rooms with table tennis, pool, and a foosball machine.
It’s nice to finally have an international name in hospitality in Ipoh, which has seen a sharp boom in tourism over the last decade. I wish my stay had been longer, just so I could spend time enjoying the facilities – but that just means more reasons for me to return.
Reasons to Stay:
- Modern, clean, and cosy rooms
- Convenient location, just a stone’s throw from a major shopping mall and heritage sites
- Great food options – dimsum, Cantonese cuisine, Spanish tapas
- Excellent facilities – gym, pool, spa, pickleball court, co working space, banquet halls, karaoke rooms
PS: My stay at AC Hotel Ipoh was part of a press trip and the stay was complimentary. Views here are my own.
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