and Asia Web Direct. I had booked the said hotel in Penang online via Asia Web Direct and got a confirmation on the 23rd Nov 2008. Of course being the careful person, I cross checked with G Hotel's reservations. Requested for twin beds. The reason I wanted to spend time there was because of it's location and also for a very close family member to unwind .

I spent the eve of Christmas in Ipoh by attending midnight mass in Saint Michael's Church (English mass) at 11.30 pm. It was gloriously holy and joyous.

The following day I took off to Penang, arrived at the G Hotel at 2.25 pm on the 25th Dec 2008 (Christmas day). Check in time is at 2 pm. My request for twin beds was not catered for. I had to wait until 3.25 to move into the room No.1511, which was the Executive Room where there is a lounge for one to enjoy coffee, tea at late night even after the operation hours of the lounge. You can also check out at 2 pm. It costs a bit though. I checked with reception (15th floor) whether I would get the complimentary two breakfasts, they answered yes, I added that I would be paying for the extra one person. There was a problem with the safe box as it was locked, I complained, they said they would attend to it. It was not attended to until my check out date on the 27th Dec 2008 at 10.34 am. I did not want to spend my time longer than necessary for the embarassment they inflicted on me.

On the 26th Dec 2008, I went down for breakfast, there were three of us. I told the person at the place of breakfast that there were three of us and I would pay for the extra headcount. While at the dining area one very loud and abrasive staff walked up to us while we were filling up our plates with food, said loudly, "Sir, you are only entitled to one breakfast". Which of course was embarassing and it invited stares. I told the person to check with reception. I took my family and sat at a table with the little dignity I had left, to try an enjoy my breakfast. A bill was thrust into the glass, I signed for that bill for the cost of one person.

After that I went up to reception (15th floor). I asked them about what they said when I checked in. Instead they thrust the print out which I had handed over to them on the first day. See image. As you can see in the print out, it says '1' adult. Let me explain, even when you punch (reservations online) in, two adults for one room it appears as '1'. They had the "win all situation look". I told them that their vendor Asia Web Direct, had a problem with the numbers. Then I asked them this, to look at the column 'Request/Note which stated 'one additional child's bed' (see image), so why did they not cater for that. It meets the numbers to qualify for two breakfasts. They conveniently forgot about the extra bed for the child in the same printout, which they did not provide. They can become speechless too. They then, said the reservations manager had sorted it out and that I was entitled to two free complimentary breakfasts. Big deal ! They embarass and humiliate you first!

I was not staying in the G Hotel for free, I was paying with my own cash. On the check out day, the 27th Dec 2008, again three of us went down for breakfast. No bill was thrust into my face. As I was checking out, I asked the receptionist why I was not being charged for the one extra breakfast. She just answered "no charge". Easy isn't it? First the dickheads embarass you, then they try to pay you off with free breakfasts. I have a gut feeling, maybe I was a bit too uppity for the likes of them. All the slogans they shout out is hype only.

I have stayed many a time at the Pacific Towers in Hong Kong, Hilton Shanghai, Agora Garden in Taiwan, Dusit Manila , Peninsula Manila, numerous hotels in Singapore and in Malaysia. I have never been treated that shittily in any of those hotels, except at the G Hotel in Penang. Maybe the next time I should stay at "Rumah Tumpangan Kong Kek Kuat" instead of "fancy" places like the G Hotel in Penang.