My wife received an angpow from her boss and decided to splurge for the long weekend in PD. Our two kids (5 & 7) were promised the beach and and lotsa fun and boy, did the Thistle deliver!

We celebrated my daughter's 5th birthday on Chinese New Year, and it was surprisingly quiet when we checked-in on the 9th. Check-in was a breeze, but they do require a deposit (cash or credit/debit card).

We were given the King-bedded sea-facing room with a balcony on the left wing of the 6th floor. The room was HUGE! My son was so happy to be sleeping on the day bed beside the sea-facing window. The rooms were very clean, and bright. Furniture was tastefully done, and especially appreciate the mirror design.

The air-con was cool and quite, and there were slippers and a pair bathrobes in the wardrobe. Also in there was a safe, an electric mosquito repellent (which we did not need), plus the usual tea and coffee making setup.

The bathroom is clean with a shower in a glass cubicle. The shower is strong, albeit the water doesn't get too hot, sometimes.

TV channels were sufficient and the internet was not too expensive (RM20 per 24 hours).

After we checked in, we decided to explore and this place is a heaven for kids! The pool was by far the largest in PD, with TWO separate sections for kids, equipped with two + 1 water slides. I honestly regretted there were no such thing when I was growing up!!

The private beach was about 100m away from the pool, and has that really relaxed feel to it. There were two swings tied to a tree, and I believe kayaks for rent. Did I also tell you that there was a bar (Cumulus) with their own pool right on that private beach? Marvelous!

My kids had so much fun playing in the sand, and when they, err, sorry - I, had enough of that, there were the free ping-pong and RM3 pool tables. They also had a free Wii room with 3 Wii sets for you to play virtual baseball, golf, boxing and tennis among other things. The lady there (Aidah/Aizah?) was so good with kids, I just had to mention her name.

Right beside the free I-games room was the free kids movies room with daily showings of cartoons. Bean bags on the floor and 12 ft high cartoons - what's not to think you died and reached kids heaven?!

Breakfast spread was great (not Michelin star excellent, but family friendly great), with traditional stuff (nasi minyak, fried noodles, wantan, roti jala, chicken rendang, teowchew porridge, noodle soup, etc) plus the salad, cereal, bread and egg stations. The juice served could have been slightly better though..

Service was fast and friendly, and John (the Hotel GM), could you please give a pat on the back to the Omelette Man who made my daughter laugh with his funny faces? Such things are much appreciated by a parent!

To cut to the chase - This is a fantastic place if you need to get your kids well behaved for the next couple of months or so. Bring them here and tell them if they behave, your coming here again (even though you know you simply want to).

Hotel was nice and busy hotel during chinese new year. We was entertained by Clown at the lobby great. Check in too slow and our room is not ready at 4 pm. After got room key I was at the lobby and organized my luggage to my room. I heard people talk very loud with rude and arrogant voice at the lobby and I saw a white man tall guy with bold headed scolded the poor reception at the lobby.I beleive that is GM as I saw another 3 staffs looking at poor receptionist. This is totally bad attitude. I believe another guest who at the lobby also realized that and agreed with me. This is Asian country and I feel bad to poor reception. Hotel was great as lot of things to do. I cannot enjoy the watersport as lot of people on Q. Went to Spa to try out the treatments but not available as no terapiest available. Nice swimming pool but crowed with people. My advice to plan your vacation and try to avoid long holidays. Rates was higher without breakfast and cannot enjoy anything as all full.

My family and I had a bad journey during Chinese New Year as Terribly jammed and hope we will get a good experience in hotel. We booked on Thistle Family Plus package which is very good deal as we can enjoy all the facilities. We had 2 adult and 2 children. When we arrived we were greeted by young man at the front with welcome drink and cold towel which was great impression. We have to Q in at the lobby and another men with red shirt with tie and I believe as a manager standing at the lobby without offer any assistance and help with our check in. He only directed the staff to carry the luggage which he only with his hand phone.This is bad experience We finally was attended by young lady at the reception. She was explained all the entitlement which was great. Went up room was small and dirty with fungus and grouting. Air cond was rather hot and maintenance in room not so great. I agreed with other review as well. If we will got choice we will staying another properties.

We frequently escape from KL to PD. Be it a day trip or a one night stay.
This time, we chose Thistle.
Pros
1-Big room to accomodate all of us(4 children+us)
2-Kids enjoyed the swimming pool very much
3- buffet breakfast spread is great

Cons
1-Beach was no so clean
2- Staffs were so-so, they should learn how to greet guests
3-Dont like the room tiles. Prefer the carpeted one.