We were a bit nervous booking our holiday with this inn because of the numerous bad reviews here. But to our pleasant surprise, the staff there were very friendly, the rooms were clean (they were a bit old, but maintenance was quite OK) and the buffet breakfast provided is the standard fare for hotels in this price range.

It's proximity to the town is a definite plus as we could walk to town (about 3 min walk) yet it was far enough away that we couldn't hear the town noise. We took the Garden View room and requested that it be facing the hill.

Apparently they only have 5 rooms with queen sized beds (golf view room) so do book in advance!

We booked this hotel for a two night stay in February 2010 with some trepidation having read the reviews posted on Trip Advisor. However, using the hotel website, we emailed a request for reservation. We did receive a quote on a form to fill out to confirm the reservation. Due to security reasons we decided that we would fax the hotel the form. An e-mail confirmed this and a fax number was given. We faxed the form (and received a confirmation that it was successfully delivered). We e-mailed the hotel seeking confirmation of receipt. No response for days. After numerous further e-mails, we finally received a response stating that the hotel had not received the fax and could we re-send. We e-mailed back that we would not but asked them to hold the room. So as you can read not a very auspicious start.

On arrival at check-in, out comes the fax, the room was ready and the whole process took only a few minutes. It sure would have been nice to have received a confirmation e-mail prior to our departure. The room was large and relatively clean. The bedding was fine as were the floors. However the bathroom walls could have been cleaner. Towels were fine. Amenities only included a small soap. But it was much better than anticipated given the reviews. Breakfast was approached again with some hesitation given the reviews. It was fine, not great but fine. We had hot omelettes or scrambled eggs on demand, baked beans, a very good bread pudding and sauce on the first day, with similar dishes on the second. Cereal was limited to two choices. The Asian food looked OK but we did not try it. The coffee however was awful, so we switched to tea. Since there was no fruit we decided to ask for some. We were gracefully given a plate of fruit, no charge. So all in all the breakfast was much better than described in some reviews.

Bukit Fraser is very small and the hotel is centrally located in the village. There is only one road going in and out of the town. The new second road has washed out and has not been rebuilt. There are only three independent restaurants in town. We ate at the Hill View for excellent Chinese food. The restaurant is nothing to look at, but the service, price and food are all excellent. We met a man of Chinese descent in the hotel, who was also at the same restaurant. He asked us how we liked the food and we told him we had really enjoyed it. He said that the food was genuine Hananese style Chinese food. The main attractions of Bukit Fraser are the walking trails. It is a lovely cool respite from the Kuala Lumpur. It took us about three hours to drive from Kuala Lumpur city centre.

In looking again at the reviews, it seems to me that people are expecting five star service at a two or three star hotel. If five star service is what you want, then don’t stay at the Shahzan. But if you want affordable and clean accommodation in the centre of town, then this hotel is a good choice, understanding that it is a two star hotel in our view, with an enhanced hot breakfast.

We checked into the hotel after a long 2 hours drive along trunk roads packed with lorries. We stepped in to the room, we were astonished by the motel similarities. Although the room costs us aroung RM 180 per night, they gave us a room which I can only classify as a unworthy.

The walls were tainted by water marks and by the looks of it, we were not expecting a comfortable stay. The bed was ridden with bed bugs and the room was filled with a musky stench due to the lack of inhibitance and high humidity levels.

The lobby area was nothing of interest at all. They had a restaurant which was un-manned and we had to wait for about 15 mins before someone came to take our orders. We ordered a local cuisine which comprised of squid cooked with dried chilly and cashew nuts & a vegetable. What we got instead, was an overpriced, tasteless plate of disappointment. The hotel is generally aged and unmaintained and staff head count was obviously not enough to support a good service. Having had this experience, we are sure not to ever step foot into this resort again.

Things that I like:
1. Location is good
2. Nice large balcony with relaxing view (Golf View)
3. Room - Just OK

Things I didn't like:
1. The facility is very dated and needs some serious upgrading and renovation
2. Breakfast ..very poor quality margarine (no butter) !! LOL
3. Overpriced