Pondok Lodge Guesthouse KL by backpackies

Backpacking in the Urban Jungle of Kuala Lumpur (Capital of Malaysia) or just on a one day transit because your connecting Air Asia flights are on the next day and you don’t know where to stay?
Well one of the more decent guesthouses in KL is Pondok Lodge. It is located on Changkat Bukit Bintang which is an upcoming clubbing area. Pondok Lodge is strategically located in KL’s Golden Triangle. It will take you around 3 minutes to walk to the nearest food stall, shopping complex or pub for a beer. It is also near to the monorial station. (Nearest monorial station is Bukit Bintang).
So if you dont mind the outside appearance of this Guesthouse, lets begin the inside tour.
Before we continue any further we need to highlight that so far the only problem we found with this place is the noise. Because of the line of pubs around and infront of this guesthouse. Expect to hear booming music till late at night. You will need to bring your own earplugs.

Pondok Lodge is on the top floor of a dubious looking building

Pondok Lodge has a sign board but its waaaay up on the top floor of the building. You will need to bend up and look hard to find it amongst the many sign boards in the area.
There is only a small “hand written” sign to show where the entrance is. So we took a picture to show you where it is.

The entrance to Pondok Lodge is a small side entrance which opens to a flight of stairs

The place is pretty safe. When you stay here, you get a key for the lock to your room and also the main gate. (This orange gate here). There is no curfew time. But you will need to let yourself in, if you are out late.

Metal gate locked by key lock is the only protection against the raunchy clubbing scene at Changkat Bukit Bintang

Stairs leading to Pondok Lodge. They occupy 2 stories

Public phone inside the premises to make calls (international and local)

Seating lounge on 2nd floor

Dining area

Cozy area

We feel that the rooms lack lighting. It is still dark in the room even with all the lights switched on. They use yellow bulbs. So its a dimmer in the rooms. Some might think this is romantic ?

Triple room

There are enough toilets and showers to use. So no need to fight for them. Water pressure for the showers are so so only (average). I remember on of them being very low. I was practically standing 3cm away from the toilet wall to get a shaower. The toilets are the bare basic.The need a proper scrub and clean!

Shared toilets with hot water

One thing is, throughout our stay here at Pondok Lodge. We have not encountered any bed bugs. So our sleep here was pretty good.

Rooms are not exactly spick and span, but its clean. We found out that they spray the rooms with insecticide after check out time. So its a good thing.

Double bed

twin beds

The beds are not too soft or hard. Just nice. Rooms aren’t too cold either. But blankets are available.
This is the information on the bookmark they gave us for free.

Contact numbers and email

 

Directions to the pondok lodge guesthouse kl

 

 

Pondok Lodge
20-1B Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang
50200 kuala lumpur
Tel – 03 21428449/21440288
email: pondoklodge_kl@yahoo.com
their website is www.pondoklodge.com

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Have fun backpacking!

Bedz KL Guesthouse review by backpackies

Kuala Lumpur or famously known to the locals as “KL” is the capital of Malaysia. KL is a popular stop over point for budget tourists who are taking advantage of the cheap (or even free) budget flights that use KL as their hub. Air Asia uses KL as its main Asian hub (The low cost terminal is called LCCT – Low Cost Carrier Terminal, which is a different terminal from KLIA) . If you look at the flight routes, KL is a good starting off point for exploring Asia. If you compare, buying air tickets from point of origin. Flights going out from KL is much cheaper than buying a ticket out of any other asian country. Also Kl connects to more destinations than any other destination.

So most tourists would think,” since im already transiting in Kl before my next flight”, “why not stop over and KL for a few days to see what is in KL”!

So here we are. Backpacking in KL and looking for guesthouses?
Most guide books would recommend places like Changkat Bukit Bintang, Tingkat Tong Shin, Chinatown and even Near Jalan HS Lee.

One thing you must know about the public transportation in KL. Its a nightmare!
So make sure you plan your routes well, especially if you have large backpacks.

We at backpackies will be covering BEDZ KL today.

Bedz KL (Been there, done that, got bitten by bed bugs)

BEDZ KL is strategically located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, (a road off from the famous Jalan Bukit Bintang, where all the shopping malls and restaurants are). Changkat Bukit Bintang comes alive at night for being one of the most happening night spots in KL.
So yes, staying here gets a little noisy especially if you are putting up in the rooms facing the main road. Prep your ears ready with earplugs or unless you plan to get smashed at the clubs on a week end. The clubs go full swing during the week ends and end very late in the morning.
There are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and mini marts all around BEDZ KL.

frontage of bedz kl (guess this guy must have done something wrong, to not want his face taken)

BEDZ KL is strictly a “dorms only” guesthouse. So it is perfect for backpackers or travellers who are travelling alone or in a group but don’t want to cram everyone into a hotel room.
There is a cozy lounge down below, with tv and a mini bar that sells beer and drinks – that equal the coffee shop prices.

Cozy common lounge with internet access, LCD tv with satellite service and a bar that serves drinks

Price list for the bar below

Price list of the bar

Bar is on the right and the dining table is on the left

Dining area is air conditioned

Each bed is RM 33 per person (The bed prices vary according to season). There is a RM 10 deposit for each bed. So you need to contact them for the latest prices and promotions. All rooms are air conditioned. The temperature seemed to be standardized, but you can always ask the reception for the controller to tone the temperature down.
Upon check in, you get a key, key card (for those who come back late and want to use the side entrance), towel, blanket and linen. You will have to do your own bed. When you check out of BEDZ KL, you need to return the linen, blanket and towel to the reception before they give you back your deposit.

Linen that you need to put it on yourself

The bed rooms are clean. There are a 2 choices for rooms, one is 14 people to a room and the other 6 people to a room.
And the mattress they were using is soft and comfortable. There are a few plug points in each room but some of them are damaged. So you need to share. Like always, its a first come first serve basis.

Bottom bunk - comfy mattress

blanket and towels were very thin

14 people in this dorm. Its not too bad. There is still plenty of space to move around

All toilets and showers are shared. There are no free shower gel or soaps in this guesthouse. Toilet paper however is provided.
The showers and toilets are big and spacious.
(We had to mention these first, as apparently there are a lot of people who regard the toilet more important than the rooms! :D)

very spacious shower that comes with very power full water pressure

too spacious toilet that we could fit 8 people inside!!

We at backpackies would like to stress that these information here is purely from our own experience. We hope that you will use your own discretion when staying here.

Our final opinion on this place is that this place would be one of the best places to crash for a dorm, if there weren’t any bed bugs.

p/s: We did complain to the manager. He just nodded and said “huh ok”.
Should have at least had the courtesy to check it out or maybe refund us back half the money since we didn’t stay there for more than 2 hours.

You can find BEDZ KL guesthouse at
Bedz Kl
58, Changkat Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia

For further enquiries:

Email: info@bedzkl.com
Tel / Fax: +603 2144 2339 / 2144 (BEDZ)
Mobile: +6012 3033 458
Our url: www.bedzkl.com

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We value all your opinions and experiences! Drop us an email or feel free to comment.

Budget hotel in KL- Tropical Guesthouse KL

Have you ever been in the situation where you want to look for a nice hotel, guesthouse in KL, but can’t find one. And everywhere you find is so expansive?

Staying in Kuala Lumpur (KL) can be freaking expensive. Finding a budget hotel in KL is easy. But finding a clean and safe one, can be challenging.

If you haven’t noticed, the prices for a 3-4 star hotel room in KL – (Malaysia’s capital) is just crazy. Your looking at paying somewhere between RM 280 (84USD)- RM 700(200USD) for a night. Maybe opt for 2 star then for RM 180 ( 54 USD). Still expensive for us.
Then you start to think, what about budget accommodation? Sure there are plenty. Weather it is safe, clean, friendly or even livable for that matter is another story all together. Most of the guesthouses and budget hotels in Chinatown and around KL are either catering for prostitution or is dirty and not safe.
Rule of thumb when looking for a room in Malaysia is , never go for the ones that are above an olden coffee shop, or has a chinese name to it. Unless you read Chinese? Probably it might say “Aah Cheongs Fantasy Hotel” :p if you are looking for happy happy, then this isn’t the topic for you.

So your options for nice, clean, decent, safe guesthouse is not limited. You just need to look harder.
Here is one that we have been staying in, and do not have any complaints. Tropical Guesthouse KL. Click to check out their room rates and where they are. Tropical Guesthouse is located about 5 minutes walk from Bukit Bintang – KL’s popular shopping, dining and entertainment district. Plenty of bars and restaurants are located along Changkat Bukit Bintang which is just round the corner. Staying here, you dont have to worry about where to eat, shop, drink or access any of the attractions in KL. ( KLCC is only 4LRT stops away).

This is what Tropical Guesthouse looks like.

An oasis in the heart of KL

Friendly staff @ the reception

cozy sofas to chill, free wifi and tv included

dorms where you need to rent 2 beds at once.

Double room with air conditioning

This is the sexy room !

Double deluxe room - Horny room! They themed it that way. Maybe thats why the mirror is there for! 😀

Presidential Suite - bigger room, tastefully done to give you a full tropical environment. (Comes with plenty of candles to add to the sexiness too) - Just don't burn the guesthouse down! :p

Toilets are clean and comes with free shower gel,and hot water

One thing about this Guesthouse is, it is not short of people ready to party with you. The guests are always a great bunch to hang out with! 😀  Here is proof!

Lets party! Happening clubs are just round the corner @ Changkat Bukit bintang

Plenty of Music and laughter from the unique guests at Tropical Guesthouse KL

Most guests just drag out the chairs and sit outside as they watch people pass by. Gets interesting during festive s and celebrations!

They were trying to see how many people can fit on to the sofas! 😀

Hope this blog helps you guys look for a nice, decent and clean place to stay in KL!

If you like what you see, you can contact them @

No.2 , Tengkat Tong Shin,
Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan,
50200, Malaysia

Tel : +603-2141 1168
Fax : +603-2148 3877

Email :
tropicalsreservation@gmail.com

Or book thru http://www.hostelworld.com or join them at their facebook page at tropical guesthousekl

😀 Happy backpacking from all of us at www.backpackies.com