puchong

No doubt there is a lot of hyperbole in post #423 , but I must say that while the buffet breakfast spread at the Meridien KL looks most impressive, the taste of most dishes is definitely sub-par from what you would expect of a luxury hotel. Egg dishes are fine but only if you wait at the counter to have them freshly made, the Japanese section only has very cheap and lousy maki, the Chinese section is an abomination when compared to the fare you get at any Chinese restaurant in KL, the Indian section has awful idlis and dosas, the Malay section is just ok and for cold cuts of course you do not get any real ham or salami. Unfortunately, this seems to be at par with most Malaysian hotel restaurants I have encountered.

ftrichard

markis10

crunchie

First world problems are real man....... how could you not feel his pain.

Who did you just call a nobody?

Btw, a native Malaysian/Southeast Asian or anybody that has spent a substantial amount of time living there like a local will tell you there is no good Malaysian food in Seattle. Some are "good enough" to resemble Malaysian food, that is not the same as good.


Instead of popcorn, try a cup of steamed corn with butter or sunflower seeds still in their shells. The latter is pretty darn good with beer if it weren't such a pain to get that little thing out. Guess it slows down the intake so it's hard to eat 3K calories worth in one sitting.

Kidding aside, this is a sad reflection of how the toxic sense of entitlement and superiority is alive and perhaps thriving. I genuinely appreciate very candid, even blunt reviews to get the facts. I believe that really helps others and perhaps even the management or owner of the property in question (consider Hanlon's razor). Acting like a jerk and asserting it is right to abuse privileges and bully those largely powerless to react is beyond lame.

crunchie

Thanks for the correction markis10. My last stay at the SI was almost 2 years ago, looks like they've been busy. From the pictures your linked article to, the room decor has style changed significantly. Wonder if they got the same interior designers from the Renaissance but paid for better contractors and material.

skywalkerLAX

I'm surprised nobody has brought up the aloft here. IMHO one of the best hotels in KUL considering the price. Rooftop pool (open until midnight) and breakfast spread are both excellent.

12,5k per night is impressive value here. You also get a free minibar (non-alc).

StephenSamuel1234

Thanks for sharing SkyealkerLAX. Do you know whether Bonvoy Platinum and Titanium have free breakfast at the Aloft in KL?

puchong

Yes!

ftrichard

Main reason is that many people on here are Platinium or greater elites and the cash rate is invariably about the same as Le Meridien across the station or numerous other KL hotels (Sheraton, Renaissance) that all have lounges with food and alcohol in the evening (something Le Meridien is particularly well thought of) whereas the Aloft has no equivalent offering and therefore for cash provides elites with significantly less value. Of course, Le Meridien is more points but for the same 12,500 you can go to the Sheraton or Renaissance and get into their lounge in the evening. Booze isn't cheap in KL and this adds tremendous value to a points redemption. If you're not Platinum or greater then this point is moot and I agree about the rooftop pool and breakfast being significant attractions at the Aloft but after one staycastion there I decided I'd spend my cash elsewhere if the rates were around the same.

myperks

skywalkerLAX

They make you choose it as your status benefit. Easy choice since now 500 points are really worth as much as toilet paper.

skywalkerLAX

I'm just back from KL and thought the Sheraton was a total .... show. I cancelled the reservation while checking in as no upgrade whatsoever was offered.

If I have the option of a hotel with a nice rooftop bar/pool that is open until late I gladly forego a lounge with third grade finger food. I can afford 5 bucks for a cocktail.

ftrichard

Oh well. Win some, lose some. How do you know the lounge serves third-grade finger food?

I'll join you for that $5 cocktail in KL in two weeks time. Sounds like a bargain. Having lived there for five years I never found any bar serving cocktails containing real alcohol for less than about $10 so the $5 one you found may contain that cheap industrial alcohol blend you can buy in Malaysian supermarkets.

helvetic

You mean the methanol stuff that makes you blind?

HollyGlen

@skywalkerLAX @StephenSamuel1234 It is worth noting that for Platinum / Titanium / Ambassador members, the Meridien KL gives you 1,000 points PLUS a full buffet breakfast in the restaurant (or the lounge if you wish), which is more generous than under the general breakfast rules for the LM brand.

And yes, I have also given up on the Sheraton. Beautiful hardware unfortunately does not compensate for deficient software, and the location is really bad because it will take an absolute eternity for a taxi / Grab to get to you if you are going somewhere not accessible by public transport.