Primula Beach Hotel — Hotel in Terengganu

Reason why they can get away with it was coz there were not many options around! The same option we had 20yrs ago in KT! Ganu does not seem to develop at all! Pity as it is a VERY scenic state. ||We came early and greeted by a sleepy, lazy looking reception. We were aware that early check-ins will cost us RM100 per room, we do not mind, but we got 1 out of 2 rooms only almost an hour later. So I let my elderly parents check-in first. We were not impressed with the seaview. It's just a glance and more of KTCC. I went back down and asked if there are better seaview rooms and advised to upgrade to the higher floor. And if we upgrade, we could get a room immediately. So we viewed the room first, impressed, immediately paid the extras for upgrade and got our room! Little that we know that, that was a REJECTED room!||The room's WC had been faulty and it did not flush down at all, even after 20 flushes! We had to call maintenance twice within 3hrs to assist us and when the plumber and a translator accidentally blurted to us that the WC was an existing issue, we got pissed! How could you place us in a room, with an existing issue, which you made us pay EXTRA to upgrade! Horrible! We demanded a change of room and they honored that! Thank you, Shakira for your prompt action.||Another issue I have to bring up. Please DO NOT GO to the SPA! It's a disgrace to call it a SPA. The place was a mess and it stinks! My massage bed was placed next to a pile of dirty towels and batiks! In my heart I really wanted to walk out and vomit but my dad really needed a foot rub. The massage was OK but it definitely not worth my RM100 for 1hr. I have been wanting to meet the Duty Manager to highlight all the these faults but he/she was always busy. I asked the reception if she has ever seen the condition of the SPA but she conveniently replied that the SPA was outsourced. We were not impressed by the reply as the hotel as been promoting it with flyers in every room and standees, hence the hotel SHOULD have pride in everything they offer or promote. LOOK INTO THIS! It was absolutely disgusting!||Breakfast was alright. Good share of local and western brekky. There are lots of mini food and drinks stalls by the beach. Mr Churros was really good and clean!||Primula Beach Resort, you have some serious upgrading to do. Not only with the room, but your staff too do need training. They are in hospitality, but I honestly do not feel a bit hospitable at all. I do hope there are newer, better options in KT the next time I come as some competition will do you...

I remember when it used to be better when I visited KT in the late 1990s. However, things just when downhill after that. As it is a state owned hotel, the management had to adjust. Even after the refurbishment, the room had many defects. I just hope the wiring and plumbing will not cause any unwanted incidents.

The saving grace is the large sized rooms. There are rooms with views of the open sea and the city. Once you enter the lobby on the 2nd floor, the smell is not very pleasant. Perhaps the open dining area just adjacent to the reception is not in a suitable location. Then, at the reception area, if you look like a high-ranking civil servant, the front desk personnel will immediately attend to your needs. Should you look like a traveller who has no connections, they will avoid eye contact. However, I must say the other staff of the hotel are very nice and helpful. Just not the front desk personnel.

With the room access cards, you will then enter one of 2 working lifts to get to your room. Patience is needed as they are slow. Entering the room, please make sure the switches are working and in order. The confusing switches by the bed have to be checked to see which electrical object is activated. In my case, the TV switch was the curtain light switch. So for some time, I thought the TV wasn't in working order. As for the TV, it isn't a smart TV. Very limited channels. It's not worth having it in the room. The air-conditioning is adequate. The bed is comfortable. The chairs provided will hurt your back should you sit for a bit longer than necessary.

The bathroom has been updated. However, it is probably with a restricted budget. The Japanese style bidet has to be thrown out. It didn't work and was extremely uncomfortable. The shower head was rusty. The drainage needs to be better.

The location of the hotel is within walking distance to the beach, a newish mall, and a large mosque. There used to be a few mini markets and restaurants close by. However, they have closed down. If you choose to stay for the beach, this hotel is fine. Please be aware that swimming in the sea is not safe. If you choose to stay because it is in the city centre, the hotel is close to several interesting places. Albeit, you do need transport. Walking can be dangerous.

Finally, when you make your reservation, please double-check what is offered with the price you are paying. Especially if breakfast is included in the rate. Be aware that breakfast per person was RM59 when I...

A 4-Star Mirage: My Unexpected Dive into Nostalgic Horror (18th-20th June 2025)

I should’ve known this trip would be “special” the moment I got an email from the hotel — after I had already paid in full via booking.com. Imagine my delight when they informed me that to secure my preferences (just small things like a non-smoking room, higher floor, and a sea view), I had to pay EXTRA. Yes, extra by one more night price to secure my preferences, because apparently in this hotel, “preferences” are code for “hostage demands.” They even included their bank account number in the email to pay. How charmingly sketchy.

Then came the twist: this hotel is apparently managed by the Terengganu State Government. Suddenly, everything made sense.

I decided to take a risk and ignored the demand. A month later, I walked into the hotel expecting the worst. To my surprise, check-in was smooth and miracle of miracles, I was given the exact room I asked for. Things were looking up… until I opened the door.

Instant flashback to the early 80s — and not the nostalgic kind. The room wasn’t retro-chic; it was retro-trauma. It had that “haunted guesthouse meets forgotten government quarters” energy. The bed? More like an orthopedic test of endurance. I could name every individual spring after one night. The toilet and furniture? May they rest in peace.

But hey, at least I had a sea view — if you squint hard enough between the curtains and the rusted balcony railings.

Out of pity (and curiosity), I tried the coffee in the lobby. Let’s just say, if disappointment had a flavor, this was it. Even instant 3-in-1 would file a restraining order against whatever they served.

To be fair as I always am, the receptionist and staff were lovely. Warm, helpful, probably exhausted from defending the hotel’s crumbling reputation.

Will I return? Oh absolutely. Right after pigs fly over the Terengganu coastline.😡 My FIRST and DEFINITELY LAST TIME!!!!!Thanks for the memories and back pain.

Notes: Terengganu was such a beautiful state in Malaysia, I enjoyed everything EXCEPT the hotel. Terengganu state government please upgrade your hotels properly and not just good...