Sarang Paloh

Raja Khalidatul
Ipoh

What does staying in a hotel of a heritage building and that was once a pawnshop sounds?Interesting of course because it is one of a kind and rare in Perak.

The road used to be known as Hugh Low Street but now it is called Jalan Sultan Iskandar.There was a popular goldsmith shop beside a bank that was first known as Bank of Malaya and was founded by Leong Sin Nam in 1920s.Due to the recession it was liquidated  and was then bought over by  the Oversea Banking Chinese Corporation. (OCBC).This iconic building has withstood the test of time and the world war.It is a testament to the wealth derived from tin mining of the local Chinese tycoons.

"This hotel used to be a goldsmith  which later turned to a pawnshop and our event hall used to be the bank." said Peggy Lim.She was talking about the heritage hotel that belongs to her family.It is called "Sarang Paloh."

Peggy,27 may be considered as the new kid on the block for hotel players but she certainly knows what she wants.She did not change the facade of the hotel,the name of the goldsmith shop is still there.The beauty of the hotel is the fact that it maintains its looks and yet is modern enough to make the guest comfortable.It is not a replica of Bali or Thai nor is it of the Baba and Nyonya style.It is just plain Ipoh Chinese style during the 60s.

The buildings were restored using recycled timber and it has not lost its charm.The facade of the event hall is still very much the Gatsby style which reminds us that Perak was a colony of the 'orang puteh'

The concept  of the hotel is truly unique.Using the theme of minimalism, they use only simple Chinese style chairs and a Chinese antique reception desk.This ex goldsmith shop is approximately 100 years old and it's equipment are on display  in the lobby.

There are eleven rooms and each room are decorated differently.It is very inviting and cosy and you know that they did the hotel with passion.The floors are made of wood and nostalgia hits me as I walked up the stairs.The stairs are spiral  and I remembered my childhood days..Old buildings does that to me.The three old buildings that are now the hotel,event hall and a kopitiam are connected through a side door which was originally there.

Why is it called Sarang Paloh?

The name Sarang  Paloh  is a tribute to the history of the town and its people.Ipoh used to be known as Paloh.The origin of this name is symbolic reference to the dams that were constructed along the Kinta river for fishing purpose.These dams were referred to as Pa-lo in the Cantonese dialect.
"My grandmother still call Ipoh especially this old town area Paloh so we decided to use that name.Sarang means nest in Malay and since my father travels all the time,he would come back to his nest,added Peggy with a laugh.

Ipoh is proud to have hotels like 'Sarang Paloh' because it still preserves it's heritage.This hotel has a lovely indoor garden with water features. "My mother did the garden," says Peggy.Some rooms have the old wooden window that opens to the sight of the garden.All the furniture are simple antiques that are preloved from local Perakians.One has to see for oneself to truly appreciate the concept.

They don't serve food because the hotel is situated where all the food joints are close by.Infact the Lim family also have a kopitiam called Lim Kopi beside the event hall.So eating is not a problem.

The young Peggy Lim is also being help by Paulynn and Sharon who have years of experience in the hospitality industry and Peggy's mother also help with the management.The hotel is not a back packer hotel..It is for the middle income people ,she said.

For those who want to stay in a reasonable price yet pretty hotel,this is the place for you.