A visit to Singapore, Malaysia and a Quickie in the Philippines!

[Alanslegal]

Around the Westin:

The Westin Hotel is located in an area known as Bukit Bintang. It is mainly a shopping and entertainment district. This is true because adjacent to the Westin is Starhill Gallery, an ube luxe shopping centre. Across the road is the mega Pavillion shopping centre, and behind the hotel is Bintang Walk. A strip famous for its series of cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs and a few more places for shops.

The Pavillion shopping centre:-

The entrance to Starhill Gallery, and inside:-

And more exclusive shopping:-

 

[Alanslegal]

FISH SPA @ Pavillion

It once being reported on the Getaway show about Fish Spas and thought I had to get my feet wet and give this a go.

What is Fish Spa exactly? Well it is a relaxing way to get your feet lightly massaged and cleaned at the same time - yes cleaned! Cleaned by little sucker fish which peck and peck away at your feet.

I must admit that I was a bit scared at first, the thought of fish attacking my feet was a bit too much. An elderly couple from New Zealand were giving some encouragement saying it is all fun and isn't too bad.

There were two pools which had two different types of fish. The beginner pool had little baby fish, and the second pool had the more meaner, aggresive, hungry type of fish. Some more than 10cm in length! Scary!

I dipped both feet in at the same time, and a school of fish darted at my feet, ankles and any part of my leg submerged in their water. The first few bites were plenty and fast, the baby fish did their work by sucking and biteing all the dead, stale skin off. The first 10 seconds were interesting but after that the sensation was exactly like a foot spa, those mini foot spas which most people buy for their mother for mother's day.

Afterwards I did try the larger pool with the bigger fish, and the feeling was much different. It was more like pecking sensations. Bites which could be felt more strongly, almost like pins being lightly pricked against the skin.

I paid around 40MYR for 30minutes of fun. In reflecting, it was an interesting experience but if I had to do this again, I would first dip my feet in the larger pool so the larger fish could attack the bulk of my dead skin .... then I'd use the smaller fish at the end to suck any smaller leftovers off my feet and give my skin a nice polish over.

 

[Keith009]

As a SPG PLT I was hoping for a suite upgrade but the check-in agent advised that they no longer offered suite upgrades to PLT's as they were no longer standard suites.

Wha?
I hate it when properties sneak around the T&Cs like that (Sheraton Hong Kong anyone ). I wonder what SPG's definition of 'select standard suites' is - surely there must be a quota for regular city hotels like this one whereas I can understand why properties like the all-villa W Maldives won't have 'select standard suites.'

I don't consider Club rooms an upgrade at all unless you're non-PLT as PLTs get Executive Club benefits no matter what room we get put in anyway.

Alas I think the Westin KL is still the best located and most contemporary SPG in KL so I think I'd still stay there anyway.

 

[Keith009]

Now THAT's a feet shot.

 

[superchris]

Wha?
I hate it when properties sneak around the T&Cs like that (Sheraton Hong Kong anyone ). I wonder what SPG's definition of 'select standard suites' is - surely there must be a quota for regular city hotels like this one whereas I can understand why properties like the all-villa W Maldives won't have 'select standard suites.'

I don't consider Club rooms an upgrade at all unless you're non-PLT as PLTs get Executive Club benefits no matter what room we get put in anyway.

Alas I think the Westin KL is still the best located and most contemporary SPG in KL so I think I'd still stay there anyway.

Keith,

I had no trouble getting 2 Deluxe harbour View Rooms upgraded to 2 Towers Deluxe Harbour View Rooms last month at the Sheraton Hong Kong. The Towers Manager's name is Natasha and she is an Aussie. The upgrade was confirmed in writing well in advance.
Any upgrade with SPG is subject to availability and if you wish to be in a suite on a special occasion then I suggest you book a suite.
However in Singapore last month I did get a triple upgrade at the St Regis to a Metropolitan Suite...most unexpected and well received

 

[Keith009]

Keith,

I had no trouble getting 2 Deluxe harbour View Rooms upgraded to 2 Towers Deluxe Harbour View Rooms last month at the Sheraton Hong Kong. The Towers Manager's name is Natasha and she is an Aussie. The upgrade was confirmed in writing well in advance.
Any upgrade with SPG is subject to availability and if you wish to be in a suite on a special occasion then I suggest you book a suite.
However in Singapore last month I did get a triple upgrade at the St Regis to a Metropolitan Suite...most unexpected and well received

I was referring to the fact that some properties try to get around the T&Cs by declaring that the hotel has no 'select standard suites' to downgrade the definition of 'best available room' in those properties.

RE the Sheraton HKG their half hearted attitude towards SPG benefits was what I was referring to, ie the splitting of the hotel into a Towers section to avoid the operation of the SPG service agreement. They've only recently provided a lounge in the pleb section to placate SPG but only after lots of complaints to Corporate Customer Service and several gentle reminders. And even then from all accounts it seems to be a half-coughd effort. I refuse to pay for a Towers room when I'd essentially be paying for extras that I'd have been rightfully entitled to had the hotel actually went along with the spirit of the T&Cs.

Yes I'm v well aware that Suite (or even Preferred Room) upgrades are subject to availability at check in, but that's not my point. It's the attempt of properties like the Westin KL and the Sheraton HKG (i can name a few more) to get around T&Cs and skimp on Plat entitlements that I'm not happy about.

And there's no way in hell I'd go back to the Sheraton HKG since there's now the little slice of paradise in West Kowloon. Heck were it not for the W and the fact that I needed stay credits back in July, HKG is another city that I've always stayed outside SPG.

 

[superchris]

I was referring to the fact that some properties try to get around the T&Cs by declaring that the hotel has no 'select standard suites' to downgrade the definition of 'best available room' in those properties.

RE the Sheraton HKG their half hearted attitude towards SPG benefits was what I was referring to, ie the splitting of the hotel into a Towers section to avoid the operation of the SPG service agreement. They've only recently provided a lounge in the pleb section to placate SPG but only after lots of complaints to Corporate Customer Service and several gentle reminders. And even then from all accounts it seems to be a half-coughd effort. I refuse to pay for a Towers room when I'd essentially be paying for extras that I'd have been rightfully entitled to had the hotel actually went along with the spirit of the T&Cs.

I understand that Suite upgrades are subject to availability at check in, but it's the attempt of properties like the Westin KL and the Sheraton HKG (i can name a few more) to get around T&Cs and skimp on Plat entitlements that I'm not happy about.

And there's no way in hell I'd go back to the Sheraton HKG since there's now the little slice of paradise in West Kowloon. Heck were it not for the W and the fact that I needed stay credits back in July, HKG is another city that I've always stayed outside SPG.

Keith,

Firstly the Towers upgrade at the Sheraton HK was very much appreciated as we had 2 interconnecting rooms. The Hotel confirmed the upgrade in writing 3 weeks before and as we all know upgrades are too important to leave to chance at check in
Secondly we did visit the W when we looked around the Elements shopping centre. Not many cab drivers seem to know that the W is part of the complex.They gave us a great tour and noticed that we had 2 Sheraton umbrella's that they "upgraded" to 2 Black W HK umbrella's.
The W was having a soft opening and from all reports guests are happy.However location is bit awkward compared to the wonderful views we got of the Harbour.

Cheers Chris

 

[Keith009]

Firstly the Towers upgrade at the Sheraton HK was very much appreciated as we had 2 interconnecting rooms. The Hotel confirmed the upgrade in writing 3 weeks before and as we all know upgrades are too important to leave to chance at check in

Which is why I wrote to the W the moment I confirmed my reservation for December that I wanted the 'Glamourous' design this time after I had G&A design the last time.

But there's a difference between not getting an upgrade because the hotel is full and there aren't any 'select standard suites' left to upgrade anyone to VS not getting an upgrade because the hotel has skirted around the T&Cs to make sure they don't have to upgrade anyone. I'd happily stay in the smallest room because there's nothing to upgrade me to due to the fact that the property is actually full, and not because the hotel has found some way to get around the T&C.

We shall have to agree to disagree about the Sheraton HKG. Needless to say I don't really care about the harbour views so that isn't a factor of consideration when I look for accom in HK. I care more about proximity to good piss ups. The W might be in Kowloon but it's actually only 1 MTR stop to LKF and has a great bar downstairs that I dare say even surpasses Felix at the Pen in terms of decor, drinks and music.

 

[Alanslegal]

Tourist'y places I visited in KL

Having a few spare days, I visited and saw a few tourist sites recommended by most travel brochures, online websites and through word of mouth.

Merdeka Square - A site of great importance to the history of Malaysia, as this is the place where the indenpendence of Malaysia was founded back many years ago.

And a visit to Kuala Lumpur is not complete if you don't get up close and personal with the famous Petronas Towers at night:-

And a view of the KL Tower:-

 

[Alanslegal]

More food.....

And more food....

Nothing beats trying out new foods, visiting new places and experiences wonderful things! Being in a different country allows us all to try those new things that we generally can't get back home. Or even better to try those things which are better even better than those made in Australia. Yes this is a very big call but some foods are much more better made by the orginators than the copiers.

Yes you think I'm going to go into the delicacies found in S.E Asia but the only wildest thing I ate in KL was really curry. That is, curry served on banana leaf and not a plate. I went to a little place in the area of Bangsar which is about a 10minute drive from KL city itself. It is a growing place according to my friend and she thinks with all the new bars, restaurants, eateries and the famed night markets - this place is becoming a little trendy place. There are also some decent shopping around Bangsar's village atmosphere but just minutes away is the huge MidValley Shopping Centre! Its ''Shop till you cannot walk'' huge.

My curry lunch, served with two curries, yoghurt condiments on the side - all on a banana leaf:-

I did enjoy more modern delights, such as the local favourite J Co Donuts! Which IMO is much more better than Krispy Kreme! I was initially very skeptical that J Co could be better than KK BUT after I had a try, I automatically changed my mind. I bought six different types and it costs ~$4 when a half dozen KK donuts here in OZ will set me back $14!

The flavours are from top left clockwise is: green tea, hazelnut chocolate, original glazed, chocolate, strawberry cream chocolate with chocolate filling!

I also managed to squeeze in some well known egg tarts from the John King group. Usually I only ever eat egg tarts or maybe a custard tart here in Sydney but in KL they have way TOO many choices! I again couldn't decide on one, so I bought four!!

From top left going clockwise, they are Milk Tart, Green Tea Tart, Durian Tart and the Original Egg Tart:-

I really couldn't eat anymore after all this food........I really really couldn't until I was dragged to a family-type restaurant called Fridays later in the day. Its almost like a Tony Romas mixed with a Sizzler and a Bubba Gump.
I tried their famous Fridays Sundae & it was so saweeet!!!

I had a very sweet food tasting day, lots of food, too much sweetness but definitely loads of FUN!

 

[Alanslegal]

Hotel Imperial Kuala Lumpur

After departing the top quality Westin Hotel KL, I took a quick cab ride to the nearby Hotel Imperial KL. Another hotel part of the SPG banner. I knew the day before check-in that I had been pre-allocated an upgrade to one of their Executive Suites. I was happy because I got upgraded from the el-cheapest room available.

My arrival at check-in was greeted by no more than three people and I was swiftly escorted to my room for an express check-in. Accompanied by the iirc the Reservations Manager I was briefly shown around the room, given directions of their facilities and advised that 4PM would be my check-out time.

The executive suite was a corner room with a large lounge area, large bedroom, walk in robe, supersized bathroom with dual sinks, bath tub, then two separate walk in showers!

Corner executive suite:-

The room had direct views to the twin towers:-

 

[Alanslegal]

The Hotel Imperial is a grand hotel, elegant, formal and probably 30years too old for my liking. There is too much old world charm here and that is probably why it is part of Stawrood TLC (The Luxury Collection).

Suite and Club rooms (as well as PLT guests) have complimentary access to the top floor club lounge. The decor again reflecting the hotel's grandness. The food and drinks available were satisfactory, WiFi was complimentary and of good speed, and generally had no complaints.

 

[Alanslegal]

There isn't much to see and do around the Hotel Imperial. The location, despite its relative closeness to Bukit Bintang, still required a quick taxi ride into the City - and we all know how taxi drivers in SE Asia just LOVE to demand a fixed price OR else they won't transport you.

Just around the corner from the hotel is the upcoming Asian Heritage Row - where a series of restaurants, bar, clubs, cafes line the street and attract a decent crowd at night.

 

[Keith009]

Fab pics, Al.
I got upgraded to an identical suite on my last stay, part of a stay run in KUL, at the Imperial even though I was only GLD then, totally undeserved and unexpected but much appreciated.

Despite their apparent unwillingness to play ball with SPG PLT benes I think I'd still go back to the Westin though, you're right that the Imperial has an inferior location and is far too old worldly.

 

[NM]

Love the report and the pics. But I could do without the Durian Egg Tart! That is one that I won't be touching :shock:.

 

[docjames]

Great TR and nice pics - thanks.

+1 on the whole anti-durian brigade.

 

[Alanslegal]

bumping

I'm just bumping this thread, just so I can hit 40 posts & start the 2nd page.

Ever since changing to 40 posts per page, the loading of pages take twice as long and it doesn't make things any faster with alot of JPG's.

 

[NM]

I'd rather be eating Durian than accidentally eating this .... :shock:

Human excrement found in free gelato - National - smh.com.au

Hmm, same thing in my opinion :evil:

 

[Alanslegal]

Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

So after a quick yet late breakfast at the Imperial's club lounge, I pack my bags and move onto the Le Meridien KL for the 3rd hotel in 4 nights. This stays gives earns me two free weekend nights at any Starwood in the Asia-Pacific region and I'm one happy camper. Many weeks ago I was praying that I could redeem at the St Regis Bali (BAR about $600USD/night) but Starwood smartly removed 'resort' hotels from the redemption list. Now I need to choose another place to redeem, quick!

The Meridien is adjoining the Hilton KL and having not stayed at the Hilton, I would assume it is symetrical in design. They share some common facilities including the hotel pool which I would say as one of the top city hotel pools that I have come across.

I was driven to the LM by a friend and self-parking at 8MYR per 24hrs is plentiful after the usual vehicle inspection for bombs, weapons and other illegal things.

I had a relatively early check-in at 11:30am and was checked into a Premium Room on the highest floor available. I think there are only two premium rooms per floor as they are at ends of each hallway. The reason they are premium is because they have bathtubs which are next to a full sized window which perches high overlooking KL.

The premium room at LM KL:-

Interestingly, I had been pre-allocated a suite 24hours before! At check-in I enquired why I did not get a suite upgrade, the agents response was they were totally booked out for today!! I persisted a little for an upgrade but not successful. They made me sign a check-in card slip authorising my credit card, and on the card was a question which asked "Were you happy with the room you received?" and I ticked No . A few days later I find out I was given 500 free star points for ticking the No box.

Anyway, I rush to my room to have a quick look at my room. Thinking to myself (after all its my last night in KL) I go down to the Exec Lounge for a drink and cool down!

The exec lounge:-

 

[Alanslegal]

The lounge staff are fast, welcoming and bring me, as requested, a cool orange and lime juice. I log onto SPG.com using their laptops and see that my reservation still maintains the Suite Room upgrade confirmation. I show the club lounge manager my booking and gentle enquire why I did not get a suite? As expected the lounge manager has a higher level of skills service and experience, and does not query / assume that all rooms are taken / or make guessing comments. He tells me to relax, have a drink, enjoy the lounge whilst he logs into his computer and punches in a few buttons. In a couple of minutes he advises me that a suite is available right now but on a lower floor (floor 27). I tell him I'll take the suite and he sends me down with new keys and a porter to transport my bags.

The suite is large! Foyer, mini toilet, separate lounge area with bay windows overlooking KL yet again. Then there is the king bedroom with another bay window, and bathroom to its side. Separate shower area, bathtub and japanese inspired automatic bottom washing toilets which I really don't like. It just tickles!!!

The sweet suite room:-

The LM and Hilton communal pool, 27 floors directly below:-