Pictures: http://travel.webshots.com/album/568162365FxLuaH

Recently stayed in the Hotel Imperial, it was my favourite hotel in the world. Service was again impeccable, and friendly. It felt like coming home again!

We were not enthusiastic concerning the change of the brand name. We like the Sheraton Imperial hotel brand name. As many taxi drivers told us, you can find many Imperial hotels in Kuala Lumpur. So the change of name, losing the Sheraton brand name, seems to be a disadvantage in the market.

Check in was friendly, and everything was taken care of. We were escorted to our room.
When entering the clubroom I immediately noticed the refurbishing of the room. My first impression was not good. I did not like the prominent green colours of the interior at first glance. I did see this green colours also in the suite. My first reaction was to ask for a room with different colours…. It seemed only a few rooms had different colours, but they were occupied.
We did not like the lights in the room, compared with the vase lamps before. The lamps had a “cheap” look.
The modern carpets seemed to have large stains, but is was just the design of it.

We did like the very large and luxurious flatsquare tv, and we did enjoy the radio channel with relaxing music very much!
The spaciousness of the room is the same, and the comfort of the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper hotel bed is one of the best in the world!

The bathroom was the same, not renovated, but as always luxurious and spacious!

The club lounged is beautiful refurbished. It looks fresher and newer. A small open kitchen next to the entrance is now available. During the cocktail hours it is now possible to serve freshly made delicious hot snacks and during breakfast warm dishes and omelettes.
Personnel is changed, according to one of the butlers. So a new lounge with new personnel….
Strange feeling though, since I liked some of the “old “personel with their personnel touch. I even was looking out to one of the ladies who worked in the lounge for many years.

Service in the lounge, f.i. during breakfast was friendly. Though sometimes we had to wait long for the coffee. And when we ordered it to different personnel we ended up with double orders…
Personnel is very friendly and serviceminded.

During my stay I had my birthday. When I came home in my room, the hotel surprised me with a really nice, tasteful chocolate cake! It was very friendly of the hotel! ( see pics!)

The main restaurant Essence is almost unrecognizable! The more classic serene interior has changed to a contemporary interior, with red/orange colours. The seats and tables have been changed too. My first impression was not positive. I missed the stylish, classic atmosphere of the restaurant immediately.
After having breakfast and dinner I was more used to it. But I still do not like the colours and this interior, and we miss the atmosphere of the days before the renovation.

We did like the open kitchen concept, with the extensive displayed range of food. As well in the morning as in the evening.
Service in the restaurant is friendly but it seemed to be more formal than before.
We did like the breakfast in Essence very much, the food is tasteful and of good quality. Every morning we were eager to try different foods, warm and cold. In the evening we liked the buffets of Essence and we were surprised with the superb quality of the dishes in the Celestial Court restaurant.
One disadvantage of the food…. It made us eat to much! Too much of the delicious Indian food, of the Chinese noodles , of the famous Malay satay etc., and the many, many delicious desserts…
The Celestial Court restaurant was not renovated, and one can tell. I think it does need some renovation to be on par with the rest of the hotel.
Service in this restaurant was in general rather formal, not very welcoming. Considering the wine, the waiter did not offered me to taste the wine. He just poured the wine in my glass. I asked him why he did so, but he did not understand.
I was happy to have my favourite wine of wines of the world, so I did know I had made a good choice. But still, it could have been a bad wine year.

Only when we left the restaurant, and I asked some information, the personnel seemed to be much kinder and willing in giving us information. They acted very warm and kind now.
I regret they did not show this attitude during our dinner!

The fitness area has the main fitness machines, and one can have a nice workout. You can find a water machine available here. Some parts of the Spa were renovated too.

It was very positive we could order a taxi which stopped in front of the hotel, so you did not have to walk to the side streets, in the heat, to enter the taxi! We did not like this at all, the last time.

Again, it was hard to leave this second home in the world for us…..
Although we were not very enthusiastic, concerning all of the refurbishments; “pressing” a very beautiful classic hotel into a contemporary hotel, the total experience is still wonderful.

I just do not know what it is, why this hotel compared with other hotels in the world, “steals my heart”!!

I did hear a new manager will be on his way to the Imperial hotel, and hope he will do his job as good as mr. Bohrman, who leaves the hotel.

Will I stay again in this hotel next time in Kuala Lumpur? When I can go, I will pack my Sammy immediately…. …!


Pictures: http://travel.webshots.com/album/568162365FxLuaH








^