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

[Alanslegal]

Some pics of the LM/Hilton pool:-

I really enjoyed this pool at the LM/Hilton! It is expansive! Lots of sunchairs! Great shade by the palm trees and umbrellas! Located on (iirc) Level 9 of the hotel or the rooftop of the adjacent carpark, the pool area overlooks KL and has distant views of the KL Tower and Petronas Tower.

Very impressive for a hotel pool.

 

[Alanslegal]

I LOVE BUFFET RESTAURANTS!

JOGOYA @ Starhill Gallery

Where would I be without buffet restaurants? They're my favourite type of dining experience! Eat as much as you want, as much as you can, and as fast as your body can take! A friend had taken me to the Jogoya restaurant in Starhill Gallery, which is an All you can eat within two hours Japanese restaurant. Unlimited food on offer, a huge array of choices and lots of floor space - the place is HUGE!

I guess my favourite place EVER for buffets, the choices of buffets, would be in Las Vegas!!! Where every casino has a buffet - literally - and the price is amazing!!! Reminds me of my 2007 trip to LV where we went to Paris Hotal Le Buffet for brunch, then stayed long enough for their lunch session - all for the cheaper brunch prices!

Well anyway, enough reminiscing of LV! Jogoya is a popular restaurant abliet the high prices, around 80MYR per person. The offerings were from fresh sashimi through to the hot sizzling dishes of chicken, seafood through to sushi, cold noodles or hot noodles, steamed, fried, boiled, raw, braised, simmered whatver - the choice is endless.

Some sample photos of what was on offer, I was told that management dislikes people taking photo of their food - but I couldn't resist myself.

 

[drron]

I just love the pool too.I however stay at the hilton.It has 3 great restaurants-Senses-a Chong lieuw(adelaide hilton)restaurant.Chynna-one of the best chinese restaurants I have ever been too-the peking duck is fantastic(only 8 birds a night so get in early).And Iketaru-a japanese restaurant that does a weekend buffet with all you can drink Gosset champagne for R99.Their executive lounge is fantastic as well.

 

[Keith009]

If you like buffet restaurants and Japanese food, do check out Saisaki. It's located in Wisma UOA which is just behind the Crowne Plaza.

 

[Alanslegal]

The Hilton side of things looked much more trendy compared to the LM. From the foyer, check-in, the design, the artistic displays. I did eat at one of this Hilton's resto's - not the buffet but adjacent to it - and sent my bill to the LM however did not earn any star points.

The Hilton had a lively band playing as well but like many hotels in Asia, they are not smoke free indoors and thus makes my experience a little less enjoyable.


With all things equal and on my next return to KL - if I had to stay at the Starwood property - the Westin KL would edge out the LM as the first choice purely because of the great location it has to shops, shops, shops, entertainment, bars and clubs! The LM is nice, solid, the pool is a definite winner but the location just isn't great for sightseeing, which for this reason is placed second. Lastly we have the Hotel Imperial. Despite its grandess and old world charm - the location is not ideal for exploring the City. The old feel made me feel old and I would put this last I didn't test out the other Sheraton which is in the city outskirts, somewhere half way between KL and KLIA.

 

[ArseneV]

I'll be in KL in Feb for 3 days so this is valuable info. However, i'll be staying at the Traders hotel.

So was the sashimi/sushi fresh and tasty at Jogoya?

 

[Alanslegal]

I'll be in KL in Feb for 3 days so this is valuable info. However, i'll be staying at the Traders hotel.

So was the sashimi/sushi fresh and tasty at Jogoya?

I had the club tower view room booked at the Traders ~AUD135 when $1aud bought 3MYR - but ultimately cancelled this because I wanted to earn those free nights with SPG. However their top floor pool/bar was closed for renovations (early Oct) so when you get there, the renos should be completed and have a nice trendy place to chill out under the lights of the towers.

The sashimi and sushi bar were always fresh and constantly being topped up. They have kitchen hands preparing the food, slicing, dicing, assorting constantly and there is always a stream of feshly cut sashimi on offer. The place even with close to 600 seating can get filled up esp at night, so its best to get in early or go at lunch time.

 

[Therma]

The Hilton side of things looked much more trendy compared to the LM. From the foyer, check-in, the design, the artistic displays. I did eat at one of this Hilton's resto's - not the buffet but adjacent to it - and sent my bill to the LM however did not earn any star points.

The Hilton had a lively band playing as well but like many hotels in Asia, they are not smoke free indoors and thus makes my experience a little less enjoyable.


With all things equal and on my next return to KL - if I had to stay at the Starwood property - the Westin KL would edge out the LM as the first choice purely because of the great location it has to shops, shops, shops, entertainment, bars and clubs! The LM is nice, solid, the pool is a definite winner but the location just isn't great for sightseeing, which for this reason is placed second. Lastly we have the Hotel Imperial. Despite its grandess and old world charm - the location is not ideal for exploring the City. The old feel made me feel old and I would put this last I didn't test out the other Sheraton which is in the city outskirts, somewhere half way between KL and KLIA.

If you love your food, there are two places I would suggest in Manila (in fact they are the only two places where I choose to eat there, rather than have nutrition!)
Sofitel has a really nice buffet - not cheap but definitely the place for a pig out.

But in my opinion, the best food in Manila (and the best steak I have had anywhere (!!!!!)) is in this little place called Palato Fino 150 Jupiter Street Bel-Air 2 Makati. Phone: 7510431. I always order the same dishes there (their Steak au Poivre is amasing, Brasilian beef with fresh Sarawak peppercorns!). I have found it by accident but sadly it is my only highlight of Manila visits these days. I recommend it to everyone because I am petrified it will close and I will be confined to the endless Jollybee experience haha! My friends who have visited have also raved on about it, and even with the AUD having gone south it is really very very well priced (600 php for a steak?)

 

[markis10]

The Hotel Imperial is a grand hotel, elegant, formal and probably 30years too old for my liking.

The Imperial KL only opened in early 1998 (part of the Commonwealth Games boom) and had a refurb last year, I was lucky to stay there during the games!

 

[Alanslegal]

The Imperial KL only opened in early 1998 (part of the Commonwealth Games boom) and had a refurb last year, I was lucky to stay there during the games!

Yep (literally) its too old for my liking, regardless of how physically new it is

 

[Alanslegal]

Therma, thanks for the ''Where to eat"" tip for Manila. I'll definitely have it on my list of things to eat in Makati when I return there in May 09.

 

[Ric]

Agreed with Therma that Sofitel in Manila is great to "pig" out!!
PM me when you are next coming to Manila if you want to try some
Filipino food....not great but interesting. QF009 might give you an honest opinion in a PM!!
Ric

 

[Alanslegal]

Selamat Tingal Malaysia~

After spending four nights in KL it is time to move on. My luggage was neatly organised the night previously and all I had to do this morning is to make sure I get to KLIA at a reasonable time before my 1020am departure.

My plan was to wake up at 645am for a hopeful 730am hotel exit. The day is cloudy, with some showers, everywhere is wet and it’s a nice day (ironically) to escape the gloomy weather however there is one issue, I dislike flying on cloudy days – there’s likely to be bumps during the flight!

I reach the hotel lobby at 725am and am the only person there checking in or out. It takes less than a minute to check-out and be on my way … but not before a porter tries assist with my luggage. I refuse his services because I’m going to my friend’s car – parked in the LM car park.

I am the designated driver for the 70km plus journey to the KLIA. It’s a long drive but being so early in the morning there just isn’t many cars on the road. My friend tells me that KL is notorious for single car accidents and even worse for their poor driving. After 25minutes or so I am on the highway to the airport. It is a multi lane road which are divided by barriers and green grass….nothing should go wrong with this kind of roads and traffic.

HOW WRONG! It’s a 90km/hr zone, four lanes wide, divided roads and I am cruising along in the middle lane. I then notice a car overtaking me on my right, a split second or so later and 20 metres past, the car sideswipes the metal barriers on the right. I then see him try to correct himself and he yanks his car to the left, his car now is darting 45degrees to the left at about 75km/hr. The car slides on the wet surface and across four lanes of road where he then tries to straighten the wheels but is too late! His car hits the kerb, runs up a ‘lucky’ 1metre grassy embankment that slows the car down and then he crashes into a tree. By now, I’ve quickly put my hazard lights on and am at crawling pace. I see the driver fling open the drivers door and walk around in a daze. Lucky guy – could’ve ended up worse! That made me drive extremely cautiously for the remaining drive to KLIA and doubly cautious at others car around me. As statistics prove – it is much safer to fly than it is to drive to the airport!

I quickly proceed to the Malaysia Airlines check-in desks. The economy Q’s are long and meanders around, it appears that all MH flights are checking in from the same desks and everyone flying MH is now here. After a wait of 20minutes or so I manage to get my boarding pass and have my one checked luggage tagged through to MNL. As I have no lounge access I spend the next half an hour chatting with my friend in the terminal.

With about 20 minutes to boarding, I leave my friend and go down the escalators to be processed through immigration. The last few days have been part of Malaysia’s holidays, called the ‘hara raya’ so there aren’t as many travellers being processed. A couple of minutes later, I clear immigration and make my way to the boarding gate.

 

[Keith009]

Yes driving in KUL is scary. But nothing compared to MNL....

Filipino food....not great but interesting. QF009 might give you an honest opinion in a PM!!

I loved Filipino food - reminds me of food in America. I like big, hearty portions, things like fried ribs, roast etc. I especially enjoyed that thing that resembled Sunday roast.

 

[drron]

I have only driven in Malaysia once and never again.Some of the drivers there are crazy.Fortunately the KLIA express is very good and liking the Hilton as I do it is also convenient.

 

[Alanslegal]

I have only driven in Malaysia once and never again.Some of the drivers there are crazy.Fortunately the KLIA express is very good and liking the Hilton as I do it is also convenient.

and

Yes driving in KUL is scary. But nothing compared to MNL....

I wanted to copy some of those KL drivers, so my goal was to never use the indicator lights Almost succeeded for four days of part driving but my good driving habits developed in OZ instinctively made me use them at times.

 

[Alanslegal]

KUL - MNL
MH 704 (A330-300)
Economy Class - Seat 11H

Malaysia Airlines 704 was sitting patiently at the gate when I stroll to the masses of passengers waiting to board the plane. Having no priority boarding I decided I'd wait around and let every other passenger board first. For me, boarding too early and then sitting too long prior to take off gets me a little bit too anxious so its only best if I sneak on right at the last minute, just a few seconds before they need to announce my name over the PA system. One of my habits during boarding is that just before I enter the plane I always seem to touch any external metal panel of the plane and give a little prayer that the plane will take me safely. Yes I still am a little bit scared when flying, just a little ok?

I preselected seat 11H at the time of booking through MH's website a couple of months ago. Seat 11H is located in the first row of economy and is bulkhead. Having very short legs I could outstretch my whole leg horizontally and it would just touch the wall. Very roomy for an economy seat IMO.

Economy cabin was about 75% full and the first three rows of economy were all seated by passengers, the only exception was my lucky window neighbour seat which was vacant.

MH 704 sitting at KUL:

QF009's 'stolen' trademark feet shot:-

My seats 11H and 11K during mid-flight, my Country Road bag was my seat buddy:-

Mid-flight snackies, being butter bread/croissant with lamb curry, muesli cookie and mango drink:-

Looking back @ the wing, engine, and the blue sky:-

The 2hr 20minute flight was really comfortable and relaxing for a Y flight. The bonus of having extra leg room plus the convenience of having no neighbours meant I could chill out for the whole trip & not needing to worry when person next to me needs to stand up for a stretch et al. The actual flight cost me MYR$9 plus taxes so I think very good value indeed.

We land into Ninoy Aquino International Airport (or commonly known as MNL) roughly on schedule and I am one of the first Y passengers to disembark the plane after all the handful of passengers in J class.

 

[Alanslegal]

MANILA

After the usual quick process clearing customs and immigration for most airports in Asia, I really step onto filipino soil for the 1st time. There's this unreal feeling I get when I step into a new country and think to myself that I have finally made it. Its now 3pm and I have to be back at the airport by 9am the following morning - hence its a quickie! The first few steps in the Philippines were short lived because I jumped into a taxi and asked to be driven to the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. I was prewarned that traffic in Manila is congested, wild, free-for-all, drive as you please and most importantly S.L.O.W. The hotel and Makati City was approx. 10kms away but I've heard it could take an hour or more in traffic just to get there.

(luckily) my taxi driver was a little bit of a dare devil. He liked to drive around the fringes or nudge his way between small gaps. He used his horn more times than his indicator and that set the tone for the next 30minutes in the car. He had no boundaries, willing to barge his way through, if he saw an opening he would go for it, he was a no hesitation sort of guy - the perfect driver for Manila, Bangkok or Jakarta where balls comes first and the brains - well that's left in the trunk.

On the roads I saw an interesting vehicle or two. There is a a vehicle in which I could only describe as a mini-truck and a bus? which picks up passengers on the road just like a taxi does. Passengers hop on and pays the driver by passing his or her $$$$ via the hands of the other passengers. Thought the vehicle was bit a old fashioned but at least it works! I might have to hop onto one of them one day:-

 

[Alanslegal]

Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City

After about 30-35minutes inside a taxi fighting through heavy traffic, the heavily worn Toyota Corolla taxi pulls into the driveway of the heavily fortified Dusit Thani Hotel. Boom gates on the street levels, sniffer dogs, security guys with guns, more secutiry guys with handheld mirrors to peer under the car for bombs?! After given the all clear to proceed - we stop at the front entrance where no less than five hotel staff are awaiting guests.

As I'm paying my taxi driver 200PHP for the ride, my bag has already been whisked inside the hotel lobby by the bellboy. I am greeted by two different ladies - one says "sawadeekai" and I quickly think to myself "wait a minute, that's thai - did she think I was thai?? because I don't think I look like thai, no-one has ever said I looked like thai. Some have said I look like a singaporean, a hongky, a chinaman, then one or two said i'm korean or japanese but never thai". Then it hits me like a fan, and I realise that this hotel is a Thai based hotel company and being in the Philippines its like a fusion hotel - the new trendy thai-pino style.

The lady who welcomes me, asks for my name, and and escorts me to the check-in counter. She then passes me onto another friendly lady behind the counter - who is japanese on a working holiday - and checks-me in. I am quickly told a little about the hotel and what my rate included, which was complimentary buffet breakfast. Being all prepaid, thanks to the subsidy of $50USD and the brains within http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...nd-reviews/free-us-50-when-joining-13543.html , all I needed was the room key. For a hotel that classes itself as a 5* and less than $100AUD after hotelclub's deductions, I'm impressed.

A bellboy takes my luggage and walks me to my room. He was an enthusiastic young guy - bubbly, smiling, eager, excited, willing, talkative - wanted to show me everything the hotel had to offer, told me if I had any requests or needs that all I had to do was ask and the hotel would cater them.

After the welcoming and once my bags are inside my room, I gave him iirc a $5 Singaporean note as his tip and apologised because I thought I didnt have any PHP dollars on me. Maybe it is a very bad habit of mine because a few days prior in Malaysia, I tipped the Westin Hotel bellboy 100 thai baht for taking my luggage to my room.... and then a few days afterwards, I tipped the Le Meridien lounge manager an australian $10 note for finding me a nice suite when the check-in agents downstairs pretended no suites were available. I guess they may add the note to their collection of foreign currencies, unless they cash it in.

The outside of the hotel, whilst stuck in traffic:-

Standard king room:-

The view from the room, lots of shopping below:-

 

[serfty]

...
QF009's 'stolen' trademark feet shot:-

....

Where's the feet?