Hotel talk

Was talking about hotel rooms earlier on. Thanks to my job, I get to stay in quite a few fine hotels in the region. Used to cover China, HK & Taipei as well but our territory had shrunk after a restructuring when each Rep is assigned to take charge of only 1 country (except ours - a region instead). It's a pity I don't get to travel to the Far East anymore... mmm...

Here's a recap of all the hotels I stayed before in ASEAN.

Legend: * = fine hotel

Out of which, the following have left a better impression.

The Sukhothai Bkk. Belongs to the Beaufort group. The exterior of the hotel is exactly the same as The Sentosa (formerly known as The Beaufort)… similar ponds, flooring, landscaping… The deluxe room in both hotels also looked alike with same type of furnishing. Once, I stayed in their Executive Suite & it’s heavenly! Total 76sqm (818sqft)… even bigger than Ritz’s Premier Suite (635sqft). just the bathroom alone is an awesome 25sqm (269sqft) which is abt the size of a small hotel room. Whole teakwood flooring & big enough to put an ottoman in the middle, 2 basins in 2 separate vanity counters, walk-in wardrobe etc … & there’r 2 toilets!

Behind the left bathrobe: W.C
Behind the right bathrobe: Shower cubicle
On extreme left & right: the 2 basins

The floorplan

I was stunned when being escorted to the room. What a waste.. 1 pax with 2 basins & I was like swimming in the bathroom. But shiok! How I wished Vince was there with me to enjoy the luxury of facilities & space. Looking on the bright side, we did stay in their Deluxe Studio before during 1 of our short getaways. At that time we're already greatly impressed with the room.

Had a wonderful stay in the beautiful hotel. The shower cub. & WC on either side of the passageway leading to 2 basins (on each side), then the bathtub.

Other than Ritz Carlton in Singapore, so far this is the other hotel that I give the highest rating.

Pathumwan Princess Bkk. Being a typical (shopping) Singaporean, tis my all time fav hotel in Bkk. When you stay there, you might think that you're back in Singapore in a split second. So you can imagine how popular this hotel is among our own people. Been taking their ExecuPlus Suite for more than 4 yrs.. comes with own kitchen & living room but I dislike the bathroom. 1 big minus point. Honestly I don't think it matches the entire concept & the en-suite bath area is a lil worn out. I can forego a bathtub in exchange of a separate shower cubicle, at all time, for I don’t use hotel’s bathtub except Ritz Carlton’s (& perhaps Sukhothai’s). The 1 & only attraction is of course it's location. MBK is just next door & is directly connected with the hotel. No worries about rain or shine as I can also reach the sky train station or to Discovery/Siam Centre, sheltered all the way.

The living hall, before going for a nice dinner

Whereas The Sukhothai.. it's in the midst of the embassies which is also the business district. Though it's not far away from the shopping area (perhaps 5 mins drive if without congestion), the place is a ghost town at night & not near to the sky train station. So when I stay here, I've to be totally reliant on cabs & it's very inconvenient.

Hilton Sentral. 1 of the 2 newest skyscraper hotels in KL (or perhaps also Westin). The other 1 is their neighbor – Le Meridien. They share the same pool & belong to the same owner, but different management. Comfortable-sized rooms that give small surprises here & there, eg. the chic black couch by the window, big plasma tv, the special wall-lit long corridor from the main entrance to the bed & bathroom. Its uniqueness is the open-concept bathroom.. you can indulge in a warm rain shower while enjoying programs from the in-set tv or the panoramic view of KL city. Another plus point – the train station is just in front of the hotel that takes you from the hotel to KLIA in only about 30 mins. You can also check-in the luggages at the express train station instead of lugging them to the airport but for that, you'll have to be at the station say 30mins earlier.

Being located on much higher ground than street level, it offers spectacular view of KL city.

So you can see, I'm a bathroom person huh... haha.

Mandarin Oriental KL. If Bkk = Pathumwan Princess for me, in KL it'd have to be this. What pulls me to this hotel is its direct connection to KLCC where I can find almost everything, from restaurants to shopping. Nothing too fantastic about the room though (but they've my most preferred shower cubicle!) except the view. Particularly love the rooms at the lower floors so I can have the views of the seemingly seamless pool, the KLCC park & the magnificent Twin Towers. Day & night offer 2 different but equally lovely views. Day - a great combi of blue (pool & ponds) & green.. night - love the lightings & the fountain (at the park). It never fails to chill me out by sitting next to the window with a book & a drink.

Picturesque view! I tried to capture it in my own digi-cam but failed.

Ritz Carlton KL. This is the other hotel I'll stay if MO runs full. Like its very European ambience as well as the relatively big room including bathroom. Also have a separate area for wardrobe & vanity counter. About 5 mins' walk on a shelterless slope to Bkt Bintang which I didn't really feel comfortable as it's very quiet at night. Much better now with that Westin is on that slope.

Stubborn as I am, I've sticked by my choices of hotels for so many years even if there're newer & better hotels along the way.. unless I've to go in a group for special mission.

Whenever I stay in a great hotel, I'll always think of Vince... how nice it'd be if I could enjoy it with my hubby. Thankfully, he's so far stayed in all of the above except Hilton. 1 day perhaps...