The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town is a great choice for a stay in Ipoh. For a bite to eat, guests can visit Happy 8 Cafe, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Malay
At a glance
Hotel size
12 rooms
Arranged over 2 floors
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 9 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is noon
Restrictions related to your trip
Check COVID-19 restrictions
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:30 AM - 10 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
No cots (infant beds)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
No on-site parking
Other information
Designated smoking areas
Property amenities
Food and drink
Restaurant
Coffee shop
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Concierge services
Luggage storage
Facilities
1 building/tower
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Terrace
Room amenities
Home comfort
Air conditioning
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower only
Free toiletries
Hairdryer
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Food and drink
Free bottled water
More
Daily housekeeping
Special features
Dining
Happy 8 Cafe – This café serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and light fare.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Late check-in after 10 PM can be arranged for an extra charge of MYR 30
Policies
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
This property accepts credit cards.
Also known as
Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town Hotel Ipoh
Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town Hotel
Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town Ipoh
Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town
The Happy 8 Retreat Old Town
The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town Ipoh
The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town Hotel
The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town Hotel Ipoh
Frequently asked questions
Does The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town?
Sorry, there's no on-site parking at The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town?
Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 9 PM. Check-out time is noon. Express check-in is available.
Are there restaurants at or near The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town?
Yes, there's an on-site restaurant, Happy 8 Cafe.
What's the area around The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town like?
The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town is a short 9-minute walk from Ipoh Railway Station and 6 minutes' walk from Town Hall.
The Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town Reviews
Reviews
7.6
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
8.0/10
Cleanliness
7.6/10
Staff & service
5.4/10
Amenities
7.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
6.4/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
19 September 2024
Close to the train station, most of the visiting areas are walkable, and plenty of dining options.
The only thing, that has nothing to do with the hotel is that there is a karaoke bar around the block that blasts its music late into the night.
Chin
Chin, 4-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
4 September 2023
Hai
Hai, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
18 July 2023
Lovely. Simply lovely.
Morene
Morene, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
2/10 Poor
5 June 2023
happy 8 Retreat is NOT a happy place.
This is my repeat feedback since the first wasn't published by Hotel.com. There is no proper check-in services. Only one person taking care of everything. There is no wifi, no minibar, no cafe and the TV doesn't work. The toilet is in terrible condition with mouldy walls and mouldy shower curtain.
I see the website still falsely advertising that it has wifi and a cafe.
The bed is a hard rock mattress. We left after the first despite paying for 3 nights.
Verified traveller
3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
8 September 2022
Stylish Interior, Basic Services
This place has so much potential to be great! The interior is impressive. Time, thought and money have clearly been invested in the design. The hotel is right in the old town, so it's easy to pop in and out for toilet stops, water refills etc.
There is a small water dispenser for morning coffees. Rooms come with a bit of coffee and shower toiletries.
The pricing point doesn't quite match the room facilities in comparison to other guest houses I've stayed in throughout SE Asia though. AUD$20 less a night and it'd be fine.
There is just 1 bloke trying to do everything (maybe the team in the always empty restaurant could take their hands out of their pockets and muck in). He was trying to clean rooms at 6pm and after while checking guests in. So I don't fault him, he was trying hard.
There is little noise blocking. If you like hearing both sides of the neighbours' argument then you'll love this place. Same with hearing the Sinhalese Bar patrons singing drunkenly on a Sunday evening. Monday was surprisingly quiet.
What really REALLY REALLY lets this place down is the beds. I had read they were a little on the firm side. Mate! If you bushwalk and camp overnight on an 5mm inflatable mat you'll be right. If you want to pre-experience before booking, put a thin mattress topper on a bed of bricks and try sleeping. I felt every age related injury and ache the next morning after sleeping here, I assure you. I had a look, they're box springs with thin toppers.
Jessica
Jessica, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
6 February 2022
Convenient and adequate.
The location is great, right in the old town. The room was small but adequate with all the quaint features I was expecting. However there was no drinking water in the rooms and although I could see a wifi connection I was told I couldn't have the password. There is no storage in the room so it wouldn't be suitable for a longer stay. The bed was on the firm end of comfortable for me.
Julie
Julie, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
2/10 Poor
25 September 2020
This property was dirty. The bed linen gave me itchy ness and the worst was there was no hot water. They use a solar without electrical back up. The next day wanted to change room but their hot shower was the same. They seem to encourage the patron with cold blasting showers! Not even a shower cap provided, it was devastating as I went to the salon!
Amelia
Amelia, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
28 July 2020
Well designed central hotel.
Beautiful, centrally located hotel. Well designed. Bed a little hard, but lived the wooden facades etc. Was disappointed than our reservation included breakfast but the hotel doesn't do breakfast?! We checked out at 11am butthere was no one in reception at all to give key too,which was a little odd.
Dean
Dean, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
21 January 2019
Verified traveller
3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
29 December 2018
A charming place to spend a few nights in the old town.
Verified traveller
2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
24 November 2018
Excellent location, very centrally located by walking to restaurants, attractions, shopping, etc.
Verified traveller
2-night trip
Verified Orbitz guest review
8/10 Very good
12 November 2018
Good value
Not too bad and value for money
Verified traveller
1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
13 August 2018
There are better choices around.
Supply of hot water is unreliable. Replacement of wet towels and tidy up rooms have to be requested. Generally it lacks a service mindset and certainly over priced.
Pitt
Pitt, 2-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
22 February 2018
Nature
Nice little gem. Really a pleasant hotel. Only cos was the mattress too hard for my liking.
giorgio
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
2 May 2017
Outstandingly funky but no place of rest.
I really wanted to give this hotel an excellent review. Beautiful, boutique, funky, great staff, excellent location. Regrettably, the comfort of the room was hideous. Worst bed and paper thin walls. Our neighbors crashed in at 1.00 am and I honestly though they had come into our room by mistake and I normally wear a hearing aid when not in bed. The discomfort of the bed was extreme. A kettle is provided but no tea or coffee so not much point. At 8.30 am on a Sunday morning no hot water either. I was very relieved to leave.
James
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
22 April 2017
Nicely decorated hotel with friendly staff
A very nicely decorated hotel which gives a relaxing atmosphere. The staff are also very nice and the breakfast is very delicious. The only down point is thay the room is a bit small and it is rather noisy in the morning in our attic room. Maybe other rooms would be more quiet.
Tsz Kin
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
14 October 2016
Very satisfied with hotel
Rooms are located above a lovely and quirky cafe. Room was very clean and everything worked well. A very lovely stay indeed. Location was perfect with good food and cafes all just round the corner.
zhen
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
11 August 2016
Generally the hotel provide good accommodation. Hotel receptionist is not enough at time to provide customer enquiry. Overall experience is good.
Verified traveller
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
27 June 2016
CHIH-YAO
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
18 March 2015
Tam
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
29 December 2014
Not value for money!!!
Small room, stained bedsheets, inexperience hotel front desk
Kenny
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
28 December 2014
Family run guest house
Small guest house, recept manned by youngsters. Cable tv channel limited and lost signal frequently throughout my stay.
tom
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
29 November 2024
Verified traveller
1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
22 August 2024
Wong Kah woh
Wong Kah woh, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
18 August 2024
Great location matters
This hotel is located in old town Ipoh, it does not have a lift or WiFi so it is fairly inconvenient. But the room and the bathroom is clean and tidy. It doesn't have much but it is reasonable. The location is key and that is all it matters.