Help with accommodation at KUL
May 6, 2003 | 2:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,502
Help with accommodation at KUL
Quick question regarding accommodation in KUL.
I have just booked a mileage run to KUL for a weekend stay-over. My flight arrives at 23:00 hrs Friday, and departs 05:30 hrs Sunday (yuk!).
This is my first trip to Malaysia and am unfamiliar with the KUL. I understand that the airport is about 80 kms from the city, connected by busses, taxis, and KIAExpress trains.
Because of the late arrival and early departure flight times, am I best to stay at a hotel on-airport? Which hotel would you recommend that is comfortable yet reasonably priced (around US$50)? A nice view of the runway would be a plus.
On a related note, since I will only have Saturday to travel to the city, what must-see places should I visit?
Many thanks for your help.
------------------
Latitudes.
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travels sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.
Robert Louis Stevenson (18501894)
May 6, 2003 | 5:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,673
The two hotels on the premises at KLIA are the airside hotel, and the Pan Pacific.
However, arriving at 23:00 gives you ample time to make it downtown, as the train runs until 1am. KL is much livelier than KLIA, even at these hours!
For your second night, you'll either have to stay at the airport or take a taxi from KL, as the train starts running at 5am.
There are plenty of local 4* for less than $50. Among the majors, the Renaissance may be the least expensive, but even a posh room at the Sheraton or Ritz won't cost much more.
Aside from the much-publicized malls and Petronas towers, a walk through Chinatown may be of interest.
However, arriving at 23:00 gives you ample time to make it downtown, as the train runs until 1am. KL is much livelier than KLIA, even at these hours!
For your second night, you'll either have to stay at the airport or take a taxi from KL, as the train starts running at 5am.
There are plenty of local 4* for less than $50. Among the majors, the Renaissance may be the least expensive, but even a posh room at the Sheraton or Ritz won't cost much more.
Aside from the much-publicized malls and Petronas towers, a walk through Chinatown may be of interest.
May 6, 2003 | 8:10 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,502
Thanks for your reply monahos. I will certainly check out Chinatown.
My concern with staying downtown is that my flight departs KUL at 5:30 AM. The express train opens at 5:00 AM, which is too late for me to catch my flight. I would need to travel by bus or taxi and would have wake up an hour earlier. (I need all the sleep I can get!)
I found a rate at the Pan Pacific for MYR 280 that I might book.
Can anyone comment about the food choices outside and around the Pan Pacific? My guess is the only option is food hall on-airport.
------------------
Latitudes.
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travels sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.
Robert Louis Stevenson (18501894)
My concern with staying downtown is that my flight departs KUL at 5:30 AM. The express train opens at 5:00 AM, which is too late for me to catch my flight. I would need to travel by bus or taxi and would have wake up an hour earlier. (I need all the sleep I can get!)
I found a rate at the Pan Pacific for MYR 280 that I might book.
Can anyone comment about the food choices outside and around the Pan Pacific? My guess is the only option is food hall on-airport.
------------------
Latitudes.
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travels sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.
Robert Louis Stevenson (18501894)
May 7, 2003 | 7:41 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: BNE
Posts: 724
There is a mall close to the Pan Pacific (might even be the same building - can't quite remember) for some cheap food.
Lot 10 and the shopping area around are a good place for browsing.
For hotels, I can recommend the Wira hotel, same area as the Pan Pacific. Only 2 star, fairly small rooms, but clean and a decent breakfast. Very cheap.
I also liked the Sheraton but it's in a boring area.
Lot 10 and the shopping area around are a good place for browsing.
For hotels, I can recommend the Wira hotel, same area as the Pan Pacific. Only 2 star, fairly small rooms, but clean and a decent breakfast. Very cheap.
I also liked the Sheraton but it's in a boring area.
May 7, 2003 | 1:13 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA MM, Hilton-Dia
Posts: 1,487
I believe the Pan-Pac is connected to the mall but IMHO, it's a convention hotel (being right at the Trade Center) - very boring environs apart from the mall (which I believe is actually called "The Mall").
I would stay in the Bukit Bintang area - otherwise known as the Golden Triangle - central, lots of restuarants, bars, clubs, shopping and walking distance (or a short 5-min cab ride away) from Chinatown.
The Pan-pac can be had for RM264 from reliancetravel.com. Depending on depth of your pocket , I'd recommend the following hotels in the Golden Triangle area:
1) Swiss Garden (US$35 - halfway between Golen Triangle and Chinatown - easy walking distance both ways. 3-star hotel. Local buffet breakfast. Looks like any other tourist-class hotel e.g. Marriott in the US)
Rate available from www.reliance.com.sg
2) Novotel Century. Ditto above on type and price but in Bukit Bintang area itself.
3) Hotel Istana. Right smack dab in the Golden Triangle. US$65 at www.reliance.com.sg. Luxo 5-star hotel (marble bathrooms, sep. shower/bath, plush cotton robes, slippers etc) with nice buffet dinner with local Malay culture show.
There are many other hotels that are good and given that loads are so light because of the prevailing external factors, you might get a better deal by emailing their reservations directly.
I believe all rates above are net of taxes and include b/fast. Food options in KUL are aplenty (local,fast food, sitdown etc) and all menus are in English.
I would stay in the Bukit Bintang area - otherwise known as the Golden Triangle - central, lots of restuarants, bars, clubs, shopping and walking distance (or a short 5-min cab ride away) from Chinatown.
The Pan-pac can be had for RM264 from reliancetravel.com. Depending on depth of your pocket , I'd recommend the following hotels in the Golden Triangle area:
1) Swiss Garden (US$35 - halfway between Golen Triangle and Chinatown - easy walking distance both ways. 3-star hotel. Local buffet breakfast. Looks like any other tourist-class hotel e.g. Marriott in the US)
Rate available from www.reliance.com.sg
2) Novotel Century. Ditto above on type and price but in Bukit Bintang area itself.
3) Hotel Istana. Right smack dab in the Golden Triangle. US$65 at www.reliance.com.sg. Luxo 5-star hotel (marble bathrooms, sep. shower/bath, plush cotton robes, slippers etc) with nice buffet dinner with local Malay culture show.
There are many other hotels that are good and given that loads are so light because of the prevailing external factors, you might get a better deal by emailing their reservations directly.
I believe all rates above are net of taxes and include b/fast. Food options in KUL are aplenty (local,fast food, sitdown etc) and all menus are in English.
May 8, 2003 | 2:24 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,502
I think I am confused!!
It seems there are TWO Pan Pacific hotels in KUL: one at the airport, and the other downtown. tide, to which one are you referring? Isn't the Trade Center downtown?
I guess I'll find out when I get there. Thanks for your help people.
------------------
Latitudes.
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travels sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.
Robert Louis Stevenson (18501894)
May 8, 2003 | 5:38 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,046
Latitudes, let me help clarify it all.
Tides is referring to the Pan Pacific hotel in town, there is also the Pan Pac out at the airport.
The airport is in an area called Sepang, it is basically in the middle of NOWHERE. Whilst I can understand why you'd like to do a run, etc and be close to the airport, try and enjoy yourself in town, it is much more worthwhile.
As stated earlier, an 11pm arrival (i suspect u are coming in on Lauda which I do often), you'll have more than enough time to exit and catch the lift down to the KLIA Ekspress after you clear customs. Trains wont stop till 1am last departure, if you're quick and efficient u can save plenty of time and from arrival from the gate you get into the train within 15 mins!
The train fare is RM35 (about A$15) each way and takes only 28 minutes to KL Sentral the downtown. Sentral is like central station in sydney it connects to other train lines (Putra and KTM) and there is a regulated taxi service here. The time you arrive the Putra will be closed so u wont be able to take this into town. But you can just grab a taxi there is a very small surcharge, just go with it, u wont find any other taxi's around here. Try and travel light if you can as ulll get a slight extra charge for using the boot. You pay at the desk first and then they give u a coupon which u give to the taxi driver.
Choice of hotels - as said here, the Ritz Carlton is by far the best and well worth it - around US$60-80 or so for 1 night. Or you could try the Regent or Marriott. I would go for the Marriott. You can then get a good nights sleep and the next morning you'll be in the heart of the shopping area and only a couple of aussie bucks ride from
Petaling Street markets (best after 2pm), and in the morning you could get some food on the streets behind Sungei Wang near the hotel, and perhaps u could even book yourself in for a tour (these are cheap), possibly even out to Batu Caves. I would then stay at the same hotel, but check out around 12am, and then catch a taxi to KL Sentral (or you could try the Putra train if its still open to KL Sentra) and then catch the KLIA Ekspress for RM35 back to the airport. You'll arrive around 1:30am, and about 2 hours before checkin. You can grab some KFC, etc in or around before checkin. If not, u could organise a taxi, but it will cost you at least 3 times more, your choice. Alternatively you could spend ur 2nd night at the Pan Pac at the airport.
Have a lookat http://www.wotif.com they do have an airport at KLIA listed there. KL is really worth a visit, don't stick urself out in Sepang.
Tim2008 is going to be in town later this month, we should catch up if u want to come along and we can chat further if ud like. Check out FT Community.
Tides is referring to the Pan Pacific hotel in town, there is also the Pan Pac out at the airport.
The airport is in an area called Sepang, it is basically in the middle of NOWHERE. Whilst I can understand why you'd like to do a run, etc and be close to the airport, try and enjoy yourself in town, it is much more worthwhile.
As stated earlier, an 11pm arrival (i suspect u are coming in on Lauda which I do often), you'll have more than enough time to exit and catch the lift down to the KLIA Ekspress after you clear customs. Trains wont stop till 1am last departure, if you're quick and efficient u can save plenty of time and from arrival from the gate you get into the train within 15 mins!
The train fare is RM35 (about A$15) each way and takes only 28 minutes to KL Sentral the downtown. Sentral is like central station in sydney it connects to other train lines (Putra and KTM) and there is a regulated taxi service here. The time you arrive the Putra will be closed so u wont be able to take this into town. But you can just grab a taxi there is a very small surcharge, just go with it, u wont find any other taxi's around here. Try and travel light if you can as ulll get a slight extra charge for using the boot. You pay at the desk first and then they give u a coupon which u give to the taxi driver.
Choice of hotels - as said here, the Ritz Carlton is by far the best and well worth it - around US$60-80 or so for 1 night. Or you could try the Regent or Marriott. I would go for the Marriott. You can then get a good nights sleep and the next morning you'll be in the heart of the shopping area and only a couple of aussie bucks ride from
Petaling Street markets (best after 2pm), and in the morning you could get some food on the streets behind Sungei Wang near the hotel, and perhaps u could even book yourself in for a tour (these are cheap), possibly even out to Batu Caves. I would then stay at the same hotel, but check out around 12am, and then catch a taxi to KL Sentral (or you could try the Putra train if its still open to KL Sentra) and then catch the KLIA Ekspress for RM35 back to the airport. You'll arrive around 1:30am, and about 2 hours before checkin. You can grab some KFC, etc in or around before checkin. If not, u could organise a taxi, but it will cost you at least 3 times more, your choice. Alternatively you could spend ur 2nd night at the Pan Pac at the airport.
Have a lookat http://www.wotif.com they do have an airport at KLIA listed there. KL is really worth a visit, don't stick urself out in Sepang.
Tim2008 is going to be in town later this month, we should catch up if u want to come along and we can chat further if ud like. Check out FT Community.
May 9, 2003 | 3:48 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: BNE
Posts: 724
I found some pretty good rates for KL at
www.asia-hotels.com.
The also have comments from travellers who stayed at the various hotels which can be very helpful.
www.asia-hotels.com.
The also have comments from travellers who stayed at the various hotels which can be very helpful.
May 10, 2003 | 2:44 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,502
Thanks for the incredibly useful information kawoh. You are indeed correct about my flights, OS3002 and OS3001. It will be my first experience on Lauda and I'm looking forward to flying them. (I've booked seats 12C and 12H respectively.)
I understand that the airport is quite a distance from the city, and that there is very little to do there. However I don't like the prospect of leaving for the airport at midnight to catch a 5:30 AM flight. I'd rather sleep in and check-out of the hotel at 4:30 AM.
My plan is to spend Saturday exploring the city and surrounds and return to the hotel after dinner for a relaxing bath and a good night's rest.
I did see Tim2008's post about coming to Sydney. My Mom has a milestone birthday at the end of May and I am flying overseas to help her celebrate. Unfortunately this is at the same time as Tim's trip.
Thanks again for your informative post.
------------------
Latitudes.
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travels sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.
Robert Louis Stevenson (18501894)
May 10, 2003 | 4:33 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,046
Latitudes, sounds like a good idea then staying at the airport, and just catch the KLIA Ekspress into town. Once you arrive at KL Sentral, you can in the same building walk across to the Putra train and that will take you into the city (KLCC shopping centre - petronas towers), masjid jamek, close to petaling street, etc. The fares are only around RM2 or so each way. Altnernatively u can just grab a taxi from KL Sentral to whereever in town, it's not very expensive (around RM8 max - which is around A$3)
You'll enjoy Amadeus class on Lauda, from all accounts I've heard it is really good. I only fly in Y and it isn't all that great, but having direct *A flight to KUL, can't be beaten. You'll get a 772, they have deployed newer 774 on some flights recently from what i've been told.
[This message has been edited by kawoh (edited 05-10-2003).]
You'll enjoy Amadeus class on Lauda, from all accounts I've heard it is really good. I only fly in Y and it isn't all that great, but having direct *A flight to KUL, can't be beaten. You'll get a 772, they have deployed newer 774 on some flights recently from what i've been told.
[This message has been edited by kawoh (edited 05-10-2003).]
May 10, 2003 | 5:04 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,502
According to the on-line seat maps, row 12 is the second row in cattle-class. (Amadeus class seats are rows 1-6.)
Without wanting to plan my Saturday too much (I sometimes like to explore a new city by wandering aimlessly), I'll take your advice and leave Petaling St until after 14:00.
I'm excited about visiting KL now. Thanks again.
------------------
Latitudes.
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travels sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.
Robert Louis Stevenson (18501894)