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Published: November 2nd 2006
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Kuala Lumpur
Central Kuala Lumpur seen from Merdeka Square. I have once again switched country, I'm now in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur (or as the locals call it, "KL").
Quite a nice city, but very different and very oriental. It actually feels more oriental and Middle Eastern than Asian. The fact that islam is the dominant religion might be one of the reasons.
It is very hot here though, probably 32-33 degrees, and very humid. I don't actually have a problem with the heat (quite used to it after having visited many warm places in the past weeks), my main problem is the humidity, you just never stop sweating. I have probably drunk 2 litres of water or so in the past 7 hours, and I'm still thirsty.
Again I'm staying in a really fancy hotel, the five star Shangri-la hotel in central KL.
The hotel is absolutely stunning, especially the lobby, and I have never experienced such oustanding service, it is very very very good. And on top of that it is ridiculously cheap, if they would relocate the hotel to one of the European capitals the room rate would probably tripple, at least!!
I booked what they call a "value rate", it is a
Kuala Lumpur
The KL City Centre Twin Towers seen from the Menara Tower. bit more expensive than the standard rate but comes with lots of nice extra benefits such as free limousine transfer to/from the airport, free breakfast, free laundry (very useful when travelling around the world for two months), free local calls, and late check-out.
The airport transfer is probably the best one, since the airport is 60 (!) km from the city centre.
When I arrived at the airport there was a girl from Shangri-la in the arrivals hall holding a sign with Shangri-la on it, so I approached her and she was indeed waiting for me.
While they called the driver (who could not park at the terminal) she kept me entertained for a few minutes, nice girl!!
The limousine then arrived and I was taken outside to the waiting car. Very nice driver who helped me with my luggage and once inside there was a bottle of water, a newspaper, and a towel waiting for me.
Pretty nice car as well!! 😊 The ride to the city centre took around 40 minutes, surprisingly quick since it was late afternoon.
At the hotel they were waiting for me, and I really mean waiting for me!! They must have
Kuala Lumpur
Downtown Kuala Lumpur seen from the Menara Tower. called from the airport telling I was on my way and my expected arrival time.
As soon as the car stopped outside the hotel a young girl opened the car door and instantly addressed me by name and welcomed me to Shangri-la. She didn't even ask if I was I, she knew who I was!!
I was quickly escorted inside the hotel while my luggage was taken care of, I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye and thanks to the driver.
The young girl told me I would be checking-in in my room, and not at the reception, she had all the paperwork with her. Wow!!! That has surely never happened to me before either...
We went up to the 10th floor to my assigned room and inside the room she asked for my passport and credit card (and she got my frequent flyer card as a bonus since I earn points at Shangri-la).
It turned out we were actually born the same year (she saw my passport), that felt a bit awkward.
After the paperwork was completed she wished me a nice stay and left. I was so overwhelmed and fascinated by the arrival at the
Kuala Lumpur
Lots of Malaysian school children enjoying the view from the tower. hotel that I started to wonder if I even got a room key, but it was on the desk, together with a personal welcome letter from the reception manager (with my name printed on both the envelope and the letter). Do all guests get that all was is just me because I pay a higher rate? And do all guests get such a fantastic arrival at the hotel? Or was that also just me? No matter what it was pretty damn amazing!!
A minute later my luggage arrived, they must have known in advance my room number because the girl never told any of the porters at the entrance as far as I know.
Oustanding hotel, with a spectacular lobby and a fascinating breakfast buffet. I though I had seen a lot when it comes to breakfast buffets, but nothing beats the one at Shangri-la Kuala Lumpur, it was simply enormous!!!
They could easily use the same buffet as dinner buffet, and that would be a very extensive dinner buffet, that's how much food there was. They had absolutely everything, everything!!! Even a chocolate fountain you could dip whatever you wanted in chocolate.
I brought my camera the second
Kuala Lumpur
The world's tallest buildings! It turns out I have been up in quite a few of them! morning to take some photos of it, have a look!! (they are on page 2 of the photos).
Other that the hotel has pretty much everything!! Business centre, several restaurants, a really good gym, pool, lots of shops, hair dresser, even a bakery!! You hardly don't even need to leave the hotel..
Anyway, got to go, internet is quite pricey in the hotel!!
Tata!
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znetbabe
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ShangriLa
thanks for sharing nice photos. What website did you use to book the "value" rate for ShangriLa?