Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Bungalow turned into a mini hotel
Nice: The lounge area.
THE owner of a bungalow in Jalan Desa 6/7 at Phase Six in Bandar Country Homes, Rawang, has turned it into a mini hotel.
The bungalow is in a secluded end of the residential road which comprises only bungalows.
StarMetro visited the place following a tip-off from residents and found that there is no signboard indicating that it is a hotel or has rooms for rent.
The place is completely walled, with its entrance sealed by a metal gate. No one looking at it from the outside would suspect it is a hotel.
Cosy: The dining area
The hotel operator has also advertised it on a website www.chateau.com.my, offering Internet booking for its 10 rooms, with rental from RM120 to RM200 a night.
The rooms are well furnished like those of a three-star hotel. There are also function rooms, a pool stable, a bar and lounge area with dart games and a place for viewing football matches.
When a worker was asked whether the bungalow had any “special” functions, he didn’t want to say much.
Well laid out: The common dining area.
However, according to the worker, the owner is a Singaporean and the owner’s wife is the one running the place.
The worker also said the bungalow could cater for private functions of up to about 100 people at any one time.
According to Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) public relations director Mohd Zin Masaod, a hotel cannot be located at a residential area.
“In fact, we were tipped off by the public last week and will investigate this matter. As far as we are concerned, the hotel is illegal,” Zin said.
“Previously, the bungalow owner did not follow building by-laws and we have issued him a few compounds.
“Now he has turned his bungalow into a boarding place and renting out rooms,’’ he said.
- Story and photos by STUART MICHAEL (The Star)
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Website: http://www.chateau.com.my/