Sekeping Kong Heng

 

Wake up to the heady aroma of white coffee that perfumes the air in the mornings, listen to the cacophony of banter between hawkers, go on a culinary adventure and experience living in the heart and soul of Ipoh          

Ipoh mali! Ipoh, Ipoh mali!

As we come to the start of the second quarter of 2016, some of us may want to take a short vacation or weekend getaway. While I was searching for great places to go for the weekend, I came to the website of Sekeping Retreats.

There are many properties under the Sekeping Retreats group, especially in the Klang Valley. The company also has a few retreat spots in Ipoh and Penang.As we come to the start of the second quarter of 2016, some of us may want to take a short vacation or weekend getaway. While I was searching for great places to go for the weekend, I came to the website of Sekeping Retreats.

As I was planning for my own retreat, away from the hustle and bustle of the Klang Valley, I decided to book and experience 3 days 2 nights stay in Sekeping Kong Heng, Ipoh.

The latest addition to the Sekeping family of retreats is located in the charming old town of Ipoh. Sekeping Kong Heng is located in a 3 storey neo-classical building which also houses the famous kong heng coffee shop on the ground floor that serves the best local dishes in town.

FEATURES & FACADES

Sekeping Kong Heng was designed by Ng Sek San and Farah Azizan. All efforts have been made to preserve the heritage, which is a stark contrast to the surrounding new and modern architectural interventions. In addition, an extension has been added at the back of the building, a revealing inner courtyard with a dramatic stairway to take guests up to their rooms.

My room was a standard room for two. The room was spacious with an open concept bathroom. Lucky for me, I didn’t have to share the room with anyone else as the only thing that separates the bed and washroom is a sheer curtain.

However, I would say Sekeping Kong Heng is not for everyone. It is not suitable for the elderly and disabled because there  are no lifts, only stairs to take guests to their rooms. The bathroom floor is also metal-based, which can be slippery and unsafe for kids.

It is also not recommended for light sleepers because you can hear the slightest creak at Kong Heng. You can hear your neighbours showering, the music from Plan B in the evening, and the hawkers’ chattering at wee hours of the morning.

There is no television in the room but there is a common guest room where you can catch your shows. Food and drinks are allowed at the common hall. The no-frills and budget stay does not provide shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, potable water, or other amenities. They do not have room service. It is only fair for the price you pay.

AROUND KONG HENG

Testimony to Ipoh’s decadent past, Kong Heng was used as a hostel to house theatre performers who performed in the adjacent theatre building that was burnt down in the 50s. Now rejuvenated, it is hoped that Sekeping Kong Heng will be able to offer guests a piece of history within a real old town setting which is much alive, and bustling.

Other than the famous Kong Heng coffee shop, the retreat is also hosting the late Yasmin Ahmad’s museum. It is named as Yasmin @ Kong Heng, and the spaces celebrate Yasmin’s remarkable body of work in the form of her photography, filmography, as well as creations devoted to her by other artists. This museum itself is an attraction many tourists from around Malaysia.

Address:

75 Jalan Panglima, Ipoh

30000, Perak

Tel:

05 241 8977

E-mail:

kongheng@sekeping.com

Website:

www.sekeping.com/kongheng