HOTEL REVIEW - TUNE HOTEL, DANGA BAY JOHOR

Time to clear back log

I finally decided to go with Tune Hotel for my Legoland & Hello Kitty Town trip after much self-debating  with myself. I love to compare several hotels and contradict myself before settling down.

Rationale behind my decisions:
1. Shuttle bus to and fro Legoland & Hello Kitty Town
FYI, taxi that brings you there normally rips you off, because they don't usually get customers after dropping you off (empty trip back). Likewise, taxis that waits at the parks are BLUE, which costs 2x more than the regular cabs.
Tip: Always board the regular cabs and it's okay to skip the blue premium cabs even if their cabs are right at the start of waiting queue. However, do board the next available regular cab that's behind the blue one.

2. Value-for-money 
Advance purchasing via Tune Hotel online portal, for my case, the room costs only MYR110.
Tip: Plan and book the room months ahead of travel dates will gets you better hotel rates. & check their FB page for updates of promotions.

3. Good Reviews
I was scanning through TripAdvisor and read countless good reviews from their staycation. It was highly raved by many and they provided interesting good tips during the stay. I liked their prompt response over the Internet and whenever I have inquiries it was solved within probably 24 hours?

This pretty much summarize why did I chose Tune Hotel, and here comes my Experiences with Tune Hotel Danga Bay.

I reached Tune Hotel, left my luggage with the counters (MYR2 per bag a day) as it's way beyond the check in time. And I find it irresistible to take picture of this cute Lego dinosaur near the counter. It's making me so excited about my Legoland Trip.

I reached hotel before 9am, just so I won't miss their shuttle bus that leaves at 930am & 10am. If you late, then too bad, you gotta request counter to help you call a cab up which doesn't come cheap. I purchased my tickets via Tune Hotel because they bundled the regular priced ticket(MYR110) with free shuttle bus that would usually cost MYR15 for the ride alone.
On a side note, I would recommend you guys to purchase the ONE park tickets at Hello Kitty Town. I went to ONLY the Hello Kitty Land even though I have TWO parks tickets because the rest was too lame for my age.
One park ticket - MYR 75
Two park ticket - MYR 110
I literally wasted my money because The Little Big Club are for kids.

Another thing, I was stupidly waiting for the shuttle bus at the hotel lobby, not knowing I have to cashout exchange the vouchers into Shuttle Transfer Coupon at their agency right outside the place. Make sure yours is something like this before they will let you board the shuttle bus van.

Tips: Be early, because the van has limited seats, and if you can't board the first one, you have to wait for the next available van.

Shuttle van comes to pick us up from Legoland either at 530 or 6pm, so we definitely choose the latter to enjoy ourselves more.

Reach back hotel to check in around 630pm. Check-in procedure was quick, and that's when I realize i gotten twin bed instead of double ): Requested to change room but they didn't allow, sigh.

Oh, and you get to choose package along your stay. For me I chose cozy package because I wanted the WiFi and TV during the night time & it's a very bad idea. Frankly speaking, you don't need any package at all during your stay.

1. Towel/ Rental - Bring your own since it's not free
2. Air Conditioning - 24 hours credit, but who need air con when you got a big ass fan hovering at the top.
3. WiFi - Lousy reception, get a Malaysia SIM card instead
4. TV - 24 hours credit, BUT it gets charged even when the TV is off. It's totally lame because I only watch a couple of hours TV on the first night and that's it.

Hotel Rating:

Hotel Cleanliness : ★★★★

Room: ★★★★

Service: ★★★

Value for Money: ★★★★★

Location:  ★★

Upon entering hotel, it looks bright and clean.

The room is clean but a little small, but can't complaint for the price I am paying. You can't expect to stay in a palace when paying peanuts right. Allocated at the second floor, which I am fine with it although I saw online reviews about noises from the lobby.

The service received was alright, staffs wasn't particularly friendly.

It's definitely value for money for my stay. I know there's Legoland Hotel too, but it's relatively expensive, like 5-6 times the price I paid for ):

 Overall, I think it's quite a good hotel except the location really sucks. Even taxi drivers was wondering why did I stay there when I don't drive. It's far from shopping malls I wanted to go like Aeon & Jusco so my cab to and fro the places are roughly MYR 20-25. It would be good if you've got a car during the stay. Oh they have security guard to look after your car.

And I love their mirror! (:

Legoland post will be draft over over the weekends through another post, as it has tons of photo to be uploaded and edited.

Disclaimer: Hotel Photos credits to Tune Hotel.

LADY M - HYPE OR TRUE BLUE AWESOME?

Lady M Confectionery seems to be in the hype and a dessert lover like me will never missed it.

I head over to Marina Square with Michelle to try out the taste. We ordered four slices of cake, including their bestseller. Do drop by early because by 8 pm  the store would get slightly crowded and their cakes will sells like hotcakes. 

We wanted to try their Strawberry Mille Feuille, which sadly was sold out. Eventually we ordered their best seller and their boss/in charge recommended us Gataeu Nuage(cheesecake) but we are overdoses with cakes so we don't want something so heavy, instead we choose their fruit cake which is popular among the diners.

Cake #1: Lady M® Mille Crêpes $7.50

Paper-thin handmade crêpe, layered with ethereal light pastry cream.

The crêpe literally melts in the mouth and easily blend in with the cream with every bite, furthermore it's not overly sweet. However, the so-called ethereal light pastry cream tasted like normal whipped cream to me. It wasn't surprise to see that it's their bestseller as it has a great finishing to it except for the cream. It feels like I'm overdose on cream than crêpe, which apparently preferred the latter.

Cake #2: Strawberry Shortcake $7.50

The classic strawberry shortcake made using Japan's superfine flour, no wonder the sponge part taste super fluffy and soft. The cake isn't too sweet and overpowering, brings out a soft and light sweet taste in your mouth. Perfect for non-sweet lover.

Cake #3: Checkers $8

The cake turns out to be Black & White like its name has suggested. It's a combination of vanilla and dark chocolate sponge cakes coated with dark chocolate. The sponge isn't as soft as the Strawberry Shortcake and the cake turns to be too heavy as you savor it.

Cake #4: Tarte a la Mangue $7.50

Lady M's classic shortbread crusted filled with passion-fruit curd and topped with sweet mango. Best combination and I strongly recommend people who has a thing for sweet + sour to have it. I even take away an additional slice home (:

Overall, I find Lady M located at a decent location where it's not so crowded but at the same time it's not very accessible since it's at Marina Square. I think their layout kind of weird because of its open concept. However I find their cake decent and probably worth your time and money for a try. I strongly recommend their Lady M® Mille Crêpes & Tarte a la Mangue!

They even sells cake in whole, so if there's any celebration you can drop by and get your friend/family this fabulous cakes! 

Lady M

Marina Square Shopping Mall
6 Raffles Boulevard
#02-103
Singapore 039594

BEAR BITES 熊の食

誰說魚與熊掌不可兼得

Exactly

Bear Bites prove that you can definitely have the best of both world in their shop.

Bear Bites 熊の食, located in the heart of Singapore, right at Scape.

It's the concept where east meet west - Chinese version of burger.

Best thing, you get to choose from various option of bun & sauce!

How to Order?

Step 1: Select Main

A: Karaage Crispy Chicken $4.80

B: Oishii Fish Fillet $5.80

Step 2: Select Paw

Milk / Brown Sugar / Yam / Curry / Whole Grain / Squid Ink / Strawberry (Seasonal)

Step 3: Select Sauce

Black Pepper / Tar Tar / Golden Cheese / Mushroom / Sweet & Spicy Thai / Honey Mustard

Add on: Sides & Beverages

Smoked Salmon Salad w Japanese Yu Tzu Sauce - $6.80

-

French Fries - $2.60

Cheese Fries - $4.00

-

Bear Paw Gelato - $3.80

Chocolate / Green Tea / Salted Biscuit

-

Assorted Drink from Pokka - $2.50-$3.00

Chicken Karrage Meal (Fries + Drink) - $7.80

Oishii Fish Fillet (Fries + Drink) - $8.80

Top up $1 to upgrade fries into cheese fries

Highlight in Red are the combination I have tried.

It was lucky that I head down during non-peak period and there's not much people around. I was able to dine in and get my burger fairly quick.

However, it's really a risky idea to be dining in, as you know the birds tends to be overcrowding the entire Somerset - Orchard areas.

You never know if you gotten something extra in the bun.

Even if there isn't birds around, the place is still infested with houseflies.

I had such a bad time eating there.

Okay and that's for the atmosphere, it can be solved by taking away the food.

It's hard for cheese fries to go wrong, simply because it's cheeeeeese.

I like thick fries but I would suggest them being more generous with the sauce.

Boyf's Karaage Chicken + Curry + Golden Cheese 

As you can see it's quite messy to eat with the sauce leaking all over the place.

It's soft like braised pork mantou and I like that the bun has light curry smell.

Sadly, the cheese taste diluted and so much for calling it golden cheese.

 Mine's Karrage Chicken + Milk + Sweet & Spicy Thai Sauce

Okay, after I removed tomato & lettuce (I don't eat them) and it looked like this.

seriously? the meat is barely half of my bun, utterly disappointed.

They should at least do QC on the size of the meat before serving to customers.

I must say the sauce and bun are quite good for mine, it's just that the chicken is too small ):

Bear Bites is a store with ultimate potential if they know how to handle it well. The concept is great but need more improvement on the quality and price-wise. In my opinion, it's still a store you must at least visit once in your life.

Bear Bites 熊の食 Singapore

2 Orchard Link #02-42 *SCAPE

Singapore, Singapore 237978

COCOA B - YOUR VERY OWN CHOCOLATE CREATION

I've seen many of COCOA B's reviews and it seems great and therefore I purchased one for my boyf on Valentine's Day and I was surprised of the remarkable services I've received. I purchased it rather last minute and I was in JB at the point of time, but I told her I would need it the day after tomorrow which is Valentine's Day but I couldn't transfer because I wasn't in Singapore until probably late night. They were kind enough to prepare my ingredients for my Chocolate and said they will set to work once I paid, so it would be ready on V's Day eve and delivered to me. I was so glad they are able to rush it out for me. I really appreciated the hard effort.
As I've said I purchased it, therefore this is not sponsored and is based on my own opinions.

Take a look at my creation

 My Orders:

1 White Chocolate

+ Macadamia Nuts

+ Bacon Bits

+ I Love You Plaque

+ Red Heart Sprinkle

Isn't it very Valentine-ish because of the red and white combination of colors?

I really liked it because it's really pretty and customized based on my preference.

I bought Bacon Bits because it was one of the signature toppings and it seems cool enough to add Bacon Bits in your Chocolate. I mean where else can you find it?

Me & Le Boyf enjoying Cocoa B

Boyf loves it!

He said the Bacon Bits was really nice and blended well into the creation. 

But I didn't really like the Bacon Bits in the chocolate though, I love sweet stuffs so probably salty isn't my type of chocolate. However I think the Chocolate quality was great and the macadamia nut was my favorite. But it doesn't matter if I liked it or not because what important is he loves it.

Overall I think that COCOA B has really innovative idea of customizing Chocolate because nobody has the same liking, and there's large variety of toppings to choose from, ranging from fruits to exotic toppings. I would love it if they have a retail shops in Singapore instead of online.

What I'm even more excited about is, now there is two sizes to opt for.

So instead of fighting for Chocolate, now me and boyf gets one of our favorite Chocolates and topping each.

I believe that nothing beats stuffs customized to our own preference.

I like having my Chocolate customized.

How about you?

Visit COCOA B's website for more information about the Chocolate & FAQ

SO ENJOY GUYS (:

Ending off with couple shot with ❤

[REVIEW] NOOK - D.I.Y House of Pancakes

 NOOK is Singapore's very first D.I.Y concept for pancakes! Having their own tagline of:

"Be a Pancake stylist at Nook.
Create your own Pancake art."
They are able to capture customers with their innovative and yet interactive concept of designing their own pancakes. Instead of having the old school kind of round pancake, you're free to design any picture, shapes you like! Everyone can design and create their pancakes with the myriad of toppings and sides available, with only the freshest ingredients.

HOW FUN CAN THAT BE?!

I went to NOOK along with Cherie & my niece because I've managed to grab their student offer on Facebook. The offer I gotten entitles me & my friends for Eat-All-You-Can NOOK Pancakes Buffet with unlimited topping with just $10!

It's seriously an awesome deal, because normally pancakes and two toppings would cost around $25 for two person, and now we can get unlimited topping with just $10.

The place is considered somewhere I would hang around, but I still took me sometime to find it because it's located quite inside of the alley. & we're like the only customers for the day at 3pm, maybe because it's weekday. After settling down and ordered drinks it's time to CHIONG AHZXZXZXZXZXZ!

It's all our first time experiencing D.I.Y Pancakes, and we're super duper excited, not knowing how to do what to do. I've seen many nice designs created by other customers but somehow rather my creative brain juice seems to die out when we stepped in.

Look at some of the awesome designs done by others!

And then you look at us, my 'best' masterpiece. Look at the amount that was ruined, had some difficulties stuffing everything down. & also our 9-layered pancakes with toppings! (:

I was thinking how the hell people do until so nice while mine is like crap ._.WHY?!

I think we've bad control over the fire, sometimes too big sometimes too small, cannot just nice one!

 I forgot to mention they actually have different flavours batter and that explains the colorful pancakes we are having.

In fact it's not just all, they have even more stuffs in their menu where you can take a look and try it out, including their toast and omelette

PANCAKE BATTER FLAVOURS
Original Buttermilk (Natural)
Asian Pandan (Green)
Dark Chocolate (Dark Brown)
Funky Banana (Yellow)
Strawberry Farm (Pink)

SWEET TOPPINGS
Apple Sliders • Banana Slices • Blueberries • Caramelized Apples • Cheddar Cheese Chocolate Chips Cream Cheese Granola • Chocolate Sauce • M&M’s
Mini Marshmallows • Oreo Chunks • Peach Slices • Peanut Butter Pecans
Rainbow Sprinkles • Snicker’s Pieces • Strawberries • Strawberry Compote • Walnuts  Ice Cream

ADDITIONAL SIDES
Bacon Slices • Caramelized Onions • Country Potatoes • Eggs (Scrambled/Sunny sideup) Gourmet Sausage• Grilled Tomatoes • Hash Brown Honey Baked Ham • Mash Potato Red Beans • Sauteed Mushrooms • Smoked Salmon • Spinach

Even though it's just 3 hours, but we have plenty fun right here! To be honest, I think designing is quite fun but the end of the day we wasted quite alot of batter because we play so much but we eat so little. Look at us cam-whoring (This is less than half amount of photo we took, some were too unglam that Cherie refuse to upload ):) & our wastage of food.

Ending the post with the happiest girl of the day - Cherie <3 & US!

Nook - D.I.Y House of Pancake

Bukit Timah, 21 Lorong Kilat #01-03 Singapore 598123

Operating Hours:

Tuesday to Friday, 12pm - 10pm

Saturday, 10am - 10pm

Sunday, 10am - 7pm

Nearest MRTs: Clementi or Bukit Batok
Take 52, 184 or 173 from Clementi MRT .
Take 61, 66, 77, 157, 174 from Bukit Batok MRT

Visit NOOK or their Facebook for more info or updates! (: