Big colourful sign welcoming us
This is a long overdue post. I’ve been so tied up with back-to-back trainings, courses and seminars, there are barely a number of hours spent in the office. I am so out of touch with what is happening back there, or probably it is a good thing that I am away. Haha!!
So this post is dedicated to the latest talk of the town, the Mangrove Paradise Resort. After the many news coverage, bloggers talking about it too, we decided to hop on the wagon and see what the huha was all about.
So off we went.
The resort is situated at Kampong Sungai Belukut. If you do not have the slightest idea where it is, you will have to pass Mentiri if you use the Muara/Serasa/Salambigar route or you will have to pass Kota Batu if you use the route from Bandar. You will definitely not miss it as there is a huge sign by the side of the road indicating the resort’s location. Above is a picture of the welcoming sign at the resort itself.
The jetty or the hallway which will branch out into three main areas
So how was it? I have to say when we stepped out of our car, it didn’t feel like we were in Brunei. There were ponds for fishing with a number of huts provided for the guest’s convenience. They also provide fishing rods for rent or you can bring your own.
Stepping inside, the hallway will branch out into three main areas; the resort, the restaurant and the jetty.
We only went to the restaurant though. So my reviews will only be based on our experience there.
On our way to the restaurant
Our experience was, I’m afraid not the one we want to remember as its service was rather slow. It demanded a lot of patience from us and the food itself weren’t that great either.
But fair to say, it was only their first month operating so there are more rooms for improvement which I hope they will or they risk losing their customers.
Many many many tables...
A patron two tables away from us couldn’t take it as their food was also served rather late, so the whole family left.
On the good side, pushing aside the bad service, the view was actually nice. Although it was night, we could see it would be a beautiful picture during day time as the resort overlooks the river. We were given one of the private huts so we ate next to the river.
From the restaurant we could see the chalets but one has to pass through the reception to enter the chalet so we didn’t enter. But we could see there are swimming pools too which is good for the kids. And there is a jetty that maybe provides transportation which I am not sure where too.
So yeah.. overall, it was a 5 out of 10 just because the service was not that great. I hope they will rectify it a.s.a.p!!
Borneo Bulletin
Brudirect
Brunei Daily Diary
Brunei Times
Global Voices Online
Posted by Senor Pablo on October 28, 2009 at 8:30 am
Salam. Been a while since we communicated. Hope life is well with you. Thank you for sharing this post. As you said, it created a buzz on blogs and twitter. The fact that the hotel has no website at the moment, made everyone curious about the place. I have not been there yet but intend to do so. I heard there are only 15 rooms and seemed to be fully booked most of the time.
You made a fair judgment of the place and I hope the management see it as a constructive comment to improve. I heard the same from friends who patron the place as well. I am for supporting local industry and I hope to pay them a visit and help promote the place.
Take care!!
Posted by bibz on October 29, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Wsalam Senor… life is good, Alhamdulillah
It is worth the experience to go and enjoy the ambiance, definitely a change from the normal dining experience. I was just disappointed with their service (for their restaurant) and had been receiving the same feedbacks from other patrons too.
As for the chalet, there are 15 rooms. A friend of mine checked in last weekend and had a nice experience but was let down because of their restaurant too.
So yeah, if the management do read this, I hope they will take it as a constructive comment too
Posted by Lim337 on November 16, 2009 at 7:57 am
Salam…I’m actually writing this sitting in the verandah outside our room. Nothing beats the early dawn with the sound of water slooshing under your room. The view is…..breath taking.. peaceful. The room is nice, deco is fitting..bed is great! Rooms are clean. I actually slept a few minutes in the verandah last night…it is very very peaceful. Good for wearing off all that office politiking stress…
)
The restaurant is ok… considering there were private dinner buffets (some familiar VIP guest), we had our food served quite fast actually. The thing is….enjoy the view..lookout for fireflies dancing in the mangrove trees..
Mangrove Paradise is a pioneer I suppose…and a handsome effort too. I am very sure others will follow and..things do look promising for ‘kenali negara kitani’ for many hidden treasures. Through pains and time…Mangrove Paradise team will sort out the improvements..
As I checked in at the counter, wonderfully, the checked out guests made future reservations…what does that tells you?
Go there….leave the little critic self at home and simply enjoy the peace and quiet..
I’m posting this at Trip Advisor….
Posted by bibz on November 16, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Waalaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarkatuh
Thank you for your comment and I suppose not everyone shares the same sentiment as I did and like what have always been said “to each their own” (or something like that).
I am glad that you had a good experience both for their chalet and restaurant. I’m pretty sure they must have improvised or otherwise they would risk losing their customers. And like I said, “But fair to say, it was only their first month operating so there are more rooms for improvement which I hope they will or they risk losing their customers.”
Again, I did mention that my experience was only based on its restaurant and its services. During my trip, there were no private dinner buffets as yet and perhaps they have it now after listening to the comments and suggestions.
I love the scenery as I mentioned before and yet to experience its chalet. Once I’ve experienced the chalet, my reviews will be based on that too. I
And again, my ratings 5 out of 10 was based on its restaurant and services alone. Hopefully my next trip will be much better than the first.
It is definitely a pioneer and I sincerely hope there will be more of these kinds of attractions in Brunei.
Posted by Lim337 on November 22, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Salam again….I like your blog and have bookmarked it. Keep it up. I’m off trying Junjung B&B….a friend said its nice.