
D'Wharf: Your Unforgettable Port Dickson Getaway Awaits!
The Grand (and Slightly Chaotic) Review of… Well, Let's Just Say It's a Hotel
(SEO & Metadata: Luxury Hotel Review, Accessibility, Spa, Dining, Wi-Fi, Family Friendly, COVID-19 Safety, Wheelchair Accessible, On-site Restaurants, Pool, Fitness Center, Best Hotel)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile hotel review. We're diving headfirst into a place that, frankly, promised the world and delivered… parts of it. Look, I'm a relatively seasoned traveler, seen my fair share of marble lobbies and lukewarm welcome drinks. But this place? Let's just say it left a mark. And judging by the state of my hastily scribbled notes (and the faint smell of chlorine clinging to me), it’s a mark I won't soon forget.
First Impressions & The Wheelchair-Accessible Rollercoaster (Accessibility)
From the outside, the hotel is a statement. Gleaming glass, strategically placed palm trees, the whole shebang. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I do pay attention because it's important. And the initial impression was good! Plenty of ramps, wide doorways, and an elevator that actually… worked. Score! I later saw a couple navigating the property in wheelchairs and the accessibility seemed decent overall. BUT… and there's always a BUT… the signage wasn't always brilliant. Finding specific accessible routes felt a bit like a scavenger hunt, at times. (The "Facilities for disabled guests" are listed, but more specific directional signs would be helpful.)
(Rant incoming) Internet: The Siren Song of Free Wi-Fi (Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas)
Oh, the internet. The bane of my existence, and seemingly the only thing that matters to many travelers now. The hotel boasts "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" and "Wi-Fi in public areas!" Fantastic, right? Wrong. It was spotty. I’m talking dial-up speeds on a good day. The LAN access, which I actually tried because I'm old school, well, let's just say it died before I could download a single email. The Wi-Fi in the lobby? Equally pathetic. Imagine trying to Zoom with your family while your pet hamster could probably get a faster connection. Okay, I'm exaggerating (a little). But seriously, fix the Wi-Fi situation, people! It's 2024!
On-site Dining & Drinking Debacles (Dining, drinking, and snacking, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant)
Okay, the food situation. It was… complex. The "Restaurants" are plentiful, offering everything from "International Cuisine" to what they claimed was "Asian Cuisine." I tried the latter. Let's just say my taste buds are still recovering. The "Asian Breakfast" tasted suspiciously like reheated leftovers from the previous night's "Asian Dinner." The Breakfast Buffet? A sea of lukewarm scrambled eggs and suspiciously pale sausages. The "Coffee shop" was better, a decent latte (thank God!), but the service was slower than molasses in January. The "Poolside bar" looked promising, but the cocktails were watery and the "Happy Hour" was mostly sad. Honestly, the best meal I had was a surprisingly decent sandwich from the "Snack bar." Go figure. Room service? Available 24-hours, yes, but the presentation was… let's say "rustic."
The Spa: A Glimmer of Hope… and a Surprise Massage (Spa, Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Steamroom)
Alright, finally, something good! The spa was beautiful. The "Pool with view" was as stunning as promised. The "Sauna" and "Steamroom" were clean and functional. I indulged in a "Body scrub" and a "Massage." The scrub was invigorating, and the massage… well, let's just say I nearly fell asleep on the table. The masseuse, bless her heart, seemed to be doing her best but then, out of nowhere, she started using heated stones. I don't know why, but I started laughing hysterically, which resulted in the most awkward, yet somehow, intensely relaxing massage of my life. Pure bliss.
Relaxation Nation (ways to relax)
Apart from the questionable (but highly enjoyable) massage, there were tons of ways to relax. The "Fitness center" was well-equipped, though I only managed a brief, guilt-ridden visit. The "Pool with view" was perfect for lounging. The "Couple's room" looked tempting… maybe next time, eh?
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized Kitchens and Sanitizing Anxiety (Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment)
The hotel clearly had a COVID-19 safety protocol in place. Honestly, the staff was on the hyper-vigilant side. Hand sanitizer was EVERYWHERE. "Daily disinfection in common areas"? Absolutely. "Professional-grade sanitizing services"? You betcha. The "Individually-wrapped food options" were… well, there were a lot of them. It felt a bit sterile at times, and I kind of missed the days of communal breakfast buffets and shared serving spoons. Yes, I know this is a good thing, but still… (And, for the record, I'm glad for the “First aid kit,” but hopefully they don’t use it on me!)
For the Kids (Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal)
This place claims to be "Family/child friendly," and I believe it. They had a "Kids meal" option, a "Babysitting service," and even some "Kids facilities" (details unknown – I was busy with my existential spa experience). I didn't actually see any kids, which was strange. Makes you wonder…
Rooms: Comfortable, but with a Few Quirks (Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens)
My room was generally comfortable. The "Air conditioning" worked. The "Bed" was indeed "Extra long." However, the "Bathroom phone" seemed to exist solely to remind me how old I was. The "Blackout curtains" were effective, and the "Wi-Fi [free]"… well, we've been over that. I did appreciate the robe and slippers, though. A few issues: the “Alarm clock” didn't, I’m not sure why, function. The “Coffee/tea maker” produced weak, lukewarm liquid, and the desk was a bit cramped. And the “Window that opens”? Let's just say, it didn't.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag (Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center)
"Daily housekeeping," yes, they were efficient. “Doorman”? Check. The "Concierge" was helpful, but I felt like I waited ages to get through. The available “Cash withdrawal” was a Godsend. The “Luggage storage” was also appreciated. But honestly, the “Convenience store” prices were
Andaman & Nicobar's Paradise: Unbelievable City Views You Won't Believe!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're talking D'Wharf Hotel & Serviced Residence in Port Dickson, Malaysia. And, well, let’s just say I’m hoping for slightly more sunshine than the last "beach escape" that involved three days of torrential downpour. Wish me luck. Here we go:
DAY 1: Arrival, Mild Panic, and That Unavoidable Hotel Room Disappointment
- 1:00 PM: Landed in KLIA2. The usual post-flight zombie shuffle, vaguely wondering if I packed enough snacks. (Answer: Probably not.) Getting through immigration was a breeze… until I realized I left my phone charger in the other bag. Cue internal screaming. Note to self: Invest in those travel-sized, panic-proof kits.
- 2:30 PM: Taxi to D'Wharf. The driver, bless his heart, kept regaling me with stories of his family. Half of which I understood, the other half, I just smiled and nodded. Malaysia, you beautiful enigma!
- 3:30 PM: Check-in. The lobby looked promising: breezy, nautical theme, actual air conditioning. Already a win. Then… the room. Now, I'm not expecting the Ritz, but let's just say the "sea view" was more of a "vaguely see-the-sea-if-you-squint-and-lean-out-the-window" situation. Bedspread? Beige. My emotional reaction? A sigh, followed by a resigned acceptance. This is the life, right?
- 4:00 PM: Reconnaissance mission. A quick trek to the beach. The sand…well, it’s sand. Honestly, it's a bit…brown. And the water? Murkier than my mood after a long flight. Still, a few kids were joyfully splashing about, so I told myself to chill out. Plus, I spotted a tiny crab scuttling sideways. Adorable.
- 5:00 PM: Failed attempt at the pool. It's…crowded. Which leads to more sighing and head-scratching.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner! Wandered around to find some grub
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Ordered some noodles with sea food. Quite delicious!
DAY 2: The Deep Dive (into…the Pool? And the Food!)
- 8:00 AM: Woke up. Survived the night! My body is still adjusting the time difference
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The hotel buffet. Always a gamble. I'm cautiously optimistic. Went with the classic: nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk), some questionable-looking pastries, and about five cups of coffee. Verdict: Survived! The nasi lemak was actually pretty good. And the coffee? Strong enough to wake the dead.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Back to the pool. Okay, it wasn't as bad as yesterday. Found a spot that was marginally free. Spent a glorious hour floating, letting the sun bake away my cynicism from yesterday. Success!
- 12:00 PM: Quick lunch. Went to some restaurant beside the hotel. Ordered a plate of seafood fried rice. And OMG, it was absolutely delicious. The taste was out of this world! I ended up ordering another plate.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: I just stayed in the room and did absolutely nothing. Seriously, just stared out the window. It was… necessary. The quiet. The blankness. It’s a travel indulgence.
- 3:00 PM: Stumbled upon the hotel spa (like, literally, stumbled). Had a massage. Best. Decision. Ever. It was like all the pent-up travel stress just melted away. I swear, I nearly drooled I was so relaxed.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. Tried the grilled fish. It was a gamble, but honestly, one of the best meals I've had in ages. Simple, flavorful, perfect. The restaurant had this amazing ocean view. Pure bliss.
- 8:00 PM: Evening walk again. The air was warm, even at night. I even saw a shooting star! Okay, maybe it was a trick of the eye, but I'm going to believe it was a good omen for this trip.
DAY 3: Beach Day (Sort Of), Random Adventures, and The Emotional Rollercoaster
- 9:00 AM: Slept in (woohoo!). Followed by a very leisurely breakfast. This is the life.
- 10:30 AM: Beach attempt #2. This time, I embraced the murkiness. Took a long walk, collected some shells, and even dipped my toes in the water. Progress!
- 12:00 PM: Decided to be spontaneously adventurous! Hired a taxi and went to the PD Waterfront. It turned out to be a bustling, touristy spot with a lot of noise. I saw some local shops, and restaurants.
- 2:00 PM: Got lost in the backstreets, which turned out to be an absolute treasure trove of local eateries. Found a tiny hawker stall serving the most amazing laksa. I could eat that for the rest of my life.
- 3:00 PM: The unexpected emotional breakdown. (Travel does that to you, right?) Sitting on a bench, staring out at the sea, suddenly overwhelmed by…everything. The beauty of the place, the memory of home, the existential dread of…well, everything. Tears. Lots of them. (No shame, people!)
- 4:00 PM: Recovered. Chocolate saved the day, naturally.
- 5:00 PM: Strolled back to the hotel. Tried to take some pictures. Failed.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner. Tried the local seafood. So flavorful. The food is amazing!
- 7:30 PM: Sat outside by the pool. Actually had a really nice conversation with a random couple from Germany. They were lovely. Travel magic sometimes happens when you least expect it.
- 8:30 PM: Packing up my things!
DAY 4: Farewell Port Dickson, and the lingering feeling of "maybe I'll come back…"
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast. Squeezed in one final plate of nasi lemak (because, why not?).
- 10:00 AM: Checked out. The staff was friendly. The lobby was still breezy. I feel more human than when I arrived.
- 11:00 AM: Taxi to KLIA2.
- 12:00 PM: Airport chaos. Somehow, my phone charger still wasn't in the right bag. But hey, at this point, what’s another minor inconvenience?
- 1:00 PM: Flight. Looking out the window as the plane ascends, and I can’t help but feel a strange sense of longing. Okay, Port Dickson, you weren’t perfect. But you had your moments. And maybe… just maybe… I’ll be back. Because sometimes, the messiest, imperfect trips are the ones you remember the most.

Alright, so, what *is* this whole "FAQ" thing even about? Like, generally?
Okay, okay, good question. I *think* the idea is to answer questions… but honestly, my approach to answering questions is a little… unique. Think less "encyclopedia" and more "drunk aunt at Thanksgiving dinner." You know, the one who starts off talking about the stuffing and somehow ends up recounting her near-death experience during a Zumba class? Yeah, that's me. So, expect tangents, emotional outbursts, and probably a few typos. You've been warned! Let’s just say I’m tackling some of the stuff that's been rattling around in my brain – life's little mysteries, the big, the small, and the utterly ridiculous.
Okay, I’m intrigued. So, what's, like, a *specific* question you can answer? Something… tangible?
Hmmm, tangible. Let's go with... why do socks always disappear in the laundry? I SWEAR, it's a conspiracy! Seriously, one day, I’m the proud owner of twelve perfectly matched pairs of socks. The next? A lonely collection of single socks, each desperate for its lost partner.
It’s a mystery that rivals the Bermuda Triangle, I tell you! I’ve tried everything! Matching them before washing, turning them inside out, even (don't judge!) sewing them together. Nothing! They just vanish! I once found a sock clinging to the *outside* of my dryer vent! Clearly, they're developing escape routes. I'm starting to think there's a secret sock society, plotting against humanity… probably building sock fortresses somewhere. Maybe in the dryer lint. You know, I wouldn't put it past them. The bastards.
Speaking of the laundry... do you actually *like* doing laundry? Be honest.
Like laundry? Like? No! HATE is a stronger word. Loathe! Laundry is the absolute bane of my existence. It's a constant, unyielding mountain of chores. I'd rather wrestle a badger. Well, no, maybe not... but you get the point. It's a soul-crushing exercise in futility. The folding! Oh, the folding! It's like a Sisyphean task, only instead of a boulder, it's a mountain of clean, yet somehow still wrinkled, clothes staring back at you, judging you. (The socks are probably involved. They're laughing at me.)
I have a system, you know, a *method*. It involves ignoring the laundry basket for as long as humanly possible and then, when the situation reaches utter crisis-mode (usually involving a lack of clean underwear), I’m forced to tackle the Everest of dirty clothes. And the ironing? Forget about it. I just... *don't*. Wrinkles are my personal style statement. Fight me. Or, you know, just bring me a cold beer. That'll work too.
Okay, moving on… What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you? Spill the tea! (Or, you know, the coffee stain.)
Oh, where do I even begin? I have SO many embarrassing stories. My life is basically a sitcom, but the joke's always on me. But, alright, fine. Let's go with the time I tried to impress a crush at a coffee shop. I was feeling particularly suave, you know, leaning against the counter, ordering a complicated coffee drink I’d never actually heard of before... I think it was some sort of "double mocha-choc-a-late-chip-swirl-surprise." Yeah, pretentious as hell. I was cool, though. I *was*.
Until, mid-sentence, when I was casually trying to say "I'll take it to go," my mouth decided to stage a revolt. A *massive* nose-tickle, followed by a sneeze of epic proportions. And not just any sneeze, mind you. It was a volcanic eruption of snot directly onto the counter, right in front of the cute barista. And, because the universe apparently hates me, I hadn't even brought a tissue. I was mortified. Like, RED red. I wanted the earth to swallow me whole. The barista, bless her heart, just stared, eyes wide. I stammered, "Umm... I… uh… could I get, uh… a napkin?" He just handed me a whole bunch. I left, defeated, coffee untouched. And let me tell you: I have NEVER attempted a fancy coffee order since. Lesson learned: be yourself, and maybe carry a handkerchief. Or just, you know, stay home. Probably safer.
Alright, enough with the mishaps! What's something you're genuinely proud of?
Okay, okay, I'm not *all* chaos and embarrassing incidents. Something I’m proud of… Hmm… Well, I think it involves my creativity. I'm a writer, you know, and sometimes, those words actually click. It's tough because writing is a fickle mistress, full of self-doubt and despair. You pour your heart into something, and then you have to deal with a critic. But when I can truly communicate a story, and that someone else *connects* with it, that’s a special feeling. It doesn't happen all the time, of course. But the feeling, you know, of having created something *from nothing*, that's pretty amazing.
Like, I once wrote a whole story about a grumpy gnome who accidentally won a pie-eating contest. It was ridiculous, nonsensical, and probably terrible, but I finished it! And I got one good review. That little thing is what keeps me going. I also did a marathon once, which I was very proud of. And I still remember every single step I took during the whole thing. It was the most painful experience in my life, and I will never do it again. But, in the end, it was what I wanted, and what I needed. Small things, big things, the little victories are what make the journey worth it.
Last question. What does the future hold, according to you?
The future? Oh, that’s a dangerous game. If I knew the future, I’d be rich! With a house with laundry-folding robots. But I see a world that's changing. In the world, it's hard, I get that. The little voices inside my head say that everything will turn to chaos, but I will fight that with everything I have. I will be free, and I will laugh, and I will write.
I am also sure that there will be more awkward encounters, overflowing laundry baskets, and missing socks. And that's okay. Because life is messy. And beautiful. And, if you're lucky, there's always a tiny spark of hope, a newBest Rest Finder

