SIN-KL and The Ritz-Carlton...
Jul 16, 2002 | 10:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 222
SIN-KL and The Ritz-Carlton...
Having returned from a RTW on Star at the beginning of Jun, a weekend in MNL on 28-30 Jun, and a turn around in CKG on 6 Jul, I figured it was time for another trip. This time to KL for some SERIOUS pampering at The Ritz-Carlton.
In keeping with my normal SIN-KUL travel plans, I managed to book a round trip on the 'oxymoronically' named NiCE bus, leaving at 10am, and arriving at 3pm. Needless to say, the trip up was non-eventful, although the traffic in KL was extremely packed, with the bus finally pulling into the station 35 minutes late. A quick taxi ride later I was being helped out of the taxi by a be-gloved doorman, and ushered into the wonderful hotel which is my home from home.
Upon reaching the front desk, I was welcomed by the entire staff with a hand-shake. The wonderful Tammy then proceeded to check me in, and, much to the consternation of the guests who were trying to check in before me, I was then led to the elevator, and thence to the executive lounge on the 19th floor. More hellos from the staff, and I was shown to my usual table where a fresh coffee was waiting for me!!! WONDERFUL!!!
A few relaxing chocolate eclairs later, I was introduced to my butler, (mm-MMMMM!!!), who took me.... to my room! A long shower and an orange juice later, and I was finally starting to unwind from the horror of the bus journey.
My plan was to hang out in the hotel and just unwind from a VERY bad week.. lots of personal issues were appearing and I was beginning to show signs of stress, but, of course, as soon as I was changed, and sitting in the Lounge again, I was trying to think of what to do. A few minutes later I was called over to the reception and handed the telephone. My guitar playing friend was free, so he popped over to the hotel, and we did a run through the concerto he's playing next week. It's Vivaldi's Concerto in Dmaj, and it's BORING BEOYND BELIEF! It puts zombies to sleep... a few runs through it are usually enough to make you reach for the revolver, so we stopped before we crossed the line of sanity, and played some Barrios and Villa-Lobos. (ASIDE - if you want to get into classical guitar, check out some of the recordings of Barrios, and the Preludes of Villa-Lobos. They're VERY easy on the ears, and have some nice harmonic structure.)...
After a few hours of this, it was time to say goodbye, so it was a stern handshake and a steely gaze, (none of those bellyhugs which QuietLion dispenses are allowed. Asians tend not to show their feelings too much, and, more importantly, I think QuietLion has copyrighted them, so I don't want to infringe!
)
A few minutes later, Roger, (NOT the Cabin Boy), from the Health Club popped in to Roger me up, (as oppoed to IN!), my aromatherapy bath. Lavender to ease the aching muscles from two heavy sessions with my trainer. ("I'm going to hospitalise you!", he informed me at the beginning of the second session, and, looking at his arms and toned body, I was thinking, "Oh my GOD YES!")..
So, after a rejuvenating bath it was time to kick back and just listen to some classical music, and purge my brain of the Vivaldi...
About midnight, I received a call from one of the hotel staff who I'm now friends with, and it was a scant 10 minutes later that I found myself heading to BlueBoy for a drink and scan of the local boyz. Very cute they were, but, in adherence with my, "I don't normally eat...", I eschewed their offers of assistance back to my room for a, <ahem>, "coffee", and finally got my tired old carcass into the bed at 3am...
After what felt like 5 minutes, my morning call was waking me up as I had a noon reservation on the oxymoron back to SIN. However, following a mix up in plans, I decided I'd forego the joys of 'local delights', and went to the Lounge to plan alternative modes of transport. I was supposed to meet a SIN friend and return together. However, his plans went WAY OFF KILTER, so having secured us a seat on SQ, he told me he didn't like to fly. I then cancelled the SQ seats, booked a car and called him to fix a time. I was THEN told that he can't meet up with me, so it was BACK to the lounge and apologise to the staff for this debacle. (They had pulled a few strings to get me a REALLY good rate!)... I booked a seat on MH for the 8pm flight, and booked a massage for 1pm to settle my stressed out body...
This massage turned out to be VERY interesting. I have a very low pain threshold, so my massages tend to be on the light side. My masseuse arrived on time and I lay on my stomach with a towel covering my rather large, white glutemus maximus....
To say she had nimble fingers is an understatement. She knew EXACTLY what she was doing, and after a short time, I was, how can one say diplomatically, rock hard! I managed to position myself to hide my modesty, and, despite further prestidigitation, I managed to restore some sense of normality. Having gently rubbed the inside of my thighs, she then told me to turn over. I had visions of me poking her eye out, but, once again, abject terror intervened, and I was able to roll onto my back with only a vestige of tumescence.. however, the towel took a rather long time being lowered, but I had my eyes closed, so I feigned relaxation and disinterest!
Once again, her fingers did their magic, and whilst I fought to control myslef, I almost lost it when, at the end of the session, she rubbed her palms up the inside of my legs. Session over, she informed me, as I tried to stop my towel taking on tent-like properties!
It was then back to the shower/sauna/steam/whirlpool before getting my rejuvenated bag of bones back to my room..
A late check out was granted, so it was 4pm when I finally handed over my suffocated credit-card, paid my bill, and then left my bag with the concierge for a troll around the shops. Nothing took my fancy, so it was a quick taxi ride to the train station, and then the Express to the airport.
This is where my FF lurking took over. I upgraded my Y ticket on MH to F, endorsed it over to SQ, paid extra for a return, and then gave SQ my LH number. I'm waiting for the 3000 status miles to post...
Following a foray into the Silver Kris lounge, (nothing spectacular), I meandered over to the gate and took my seat in the 777. It was good leg room, and, upon sitting down, I was handed a brandy, and a hot towel. Meal service on this 35 minute flight was, (with full linen and reassuringly heavy cutlery), a chicken salad, salmon sandwich, coffee and water. Not to mention another brandy... the difference between UA and SQ in their premium cabin is unbelievable.... like driving a Skoda and then sitting in a Bentley!...
Needless to say I'm now hooked on SQ F, and am planning a return to KL on Saturday.. more stress this week...
Sois sage y'all
MikeinSIN
[This message has been edited by MikeinSIN (edited 07-17-2002).]
In keeping with my normal SIN-KUL travel plans, I managed to book a round trip on the 'oxymoronically' named NiCE bus, leaving at 10am, and arriving at 3pm. Needless to say, the trip up was non-eventful, although the traffic in KL was extremely packed, with the bus finally pulling into the station 35 minutes late. A quick taxi ride later I was being helped out of the taxi by a be-gloved doorman, and ushered into the wonderful hotel which is my home from home.
Upon reaching the front desk, I was welcomed by the entire staff with a hand-shake. The wonderful Tammy then proceeded to check me in, and, much to the consternation of the guests who were trying to check in before me, I was then led to the elevator, and thence to the executive lounge on the 19th floor. More hellos from the staff, and I was shown to my usual table where a fresh coffee was waiting for me!!! WONDERFUL!!!
A few relaxing chocolate eclairs later, I was introduced to my butler, (mm-MMMMM!!!), who took me.... to my room! A long shower and an orange juice later, and I was finally starting to unwind from the horror of the bus journey.
My plan was to hang out in the hotel and just unwind from a VERY bad week.. lots of personal issues were appearing and I was beginning to show signs of stress, but, of course, as soon as I was changed, and sitting in the Lounge again, I was trying to think of what to do. A few minutes later I was called over to the reception and handed the telephone. My guitar playing friend was free, so he popped over to the hotel, and we did a run through the concerto he's playing next week. It's Vivaldi's Concerto in Dmaj, and it's BORING BEOYND BELIEF! It puts zombies to sleep... a few runs through it are usually enough to make you reach for the revolver, so we stopped before we crossed the line of sanity, and played some Barrios and Villa-Lobos. (ASIDE - if you want to get into classical guitar, check out some of the recordings of Barrios, and the Preludes of Villa-Lobos. They're VERY easy on the ears, and have some nice harmonic structure.)...
After a few hours of this, it was time to say goodbye, so it was a stern handshake and a steely gaze, (none of those bellyhugs which QuietLion dispenses are allowed. Asians tend not to show their feelings too much, and, more importantly, I think QuietLion has copyrighted them, so I don't want to infringe!
)A few minutes later, Roger, (NOT the Cabin Boy), from the Health Club popped in to Roger me up, (as oppoed to IN!), my aromatherapy bath. Lavender to ease the aching muscles from two heavy sessions with my trainer. ("I'm going to hospitalise you!", he informed me at the beginning of the second session, and, looking at his arms and toned body, I was thinking, "Oh my GOD YES!")..
So, after a rejuvenating bath it was time to kick back and just listen to some classical music, and purge my brain of the Vivaldi...
About midnight, I received a call from one of the hotel staff who I'm now friends with, and it was a scant 10 minutes later that I found myself heading to BlueBoy for a drink and scan of the local boyz. Very cute they were, but, in adherence with my, "I don't normally eat...", I eschewed their offers of assistance back to my room for a, <ahem>, "coffee", and finally got my tired old carcass into the bed at 3am...
After what felt like 5 minutes, my morning call was waking me up as I had a noon reservation on the oxymoron back to SIN. However, following a mix up in plans, I decided I'd forego the joys of 'local delights', and went to the Lounge to plan alternative modes of transport. I was supposed to meet a SIN friend and return together. However, his plans went WAY OFF KILTER, so having secured us a seat on SQ, he told me he didn't like to fly. I then cancelled the SQ seats, booked a car and called him to fix a time. I was THEN told that he can't meet up with me, so it was BACK to the lounge and apologise to the staff for this debacle. (They had pulled a few strings to get me a REALLY good rate!)... I booked a seat on MH for the 8pm flight, and booked a massage for 1pm to settle my stressed out body...
This massage turned out to be VERY interesting. I have a very low pain threshold, so my massages tend to be on the light side. My masseuse arrived on time and I lay on my stomach with a towel covering my rather large, white glutemus maximus....
To say she had nimble fingers is an understatement. She knew EXACTLY what she was doing, and after a short time, I was, how can one say diplomatically, rock hard! I managed to position myself to hide my modesty, and, despite further prestidigitation, I managed to restore some sense of normality. Having gently rubbed the inside of my thighs, she then told me to turn over. I had visions of me poking her eye out, but, once again, abject terror intervened, and I was able to roll onto my back with only a vestige of tumescence.. however, the towel took a rather long time being lowered, but I had my eyes closed, so I feigned relaxation and disinterest!
Once again, her fingers did their magic, and whilst I fought to control myslef, I almost lost it when, at the end of the session, she rubbed her palms up the inside of my legs. Session over, she informed me, as I tried to stop my towel taking on tent-like properties!
It was then back to the shower/sauna/steam/whirlpool before getting my rejuvenated bag of bones back to my room..
A late check out was granted, so it was 4pm when I finally handed over my suffocated credit-card, paid my bill, and then left my bag with the concierge for a troll around the shops. Nothing took my fancy, so it was a quick taxi ride to the train station, and then the Express to the airport.
This is where my FF lurking took over. I upgraded my Y ticket on MH to F, endorsed it over to SQ, paid extra for a return, and then gave SQ my LH number. I'm waiting for the 3000 status miles to post...
Following a foray into the Silver Kris lounge, (nothing spectacular), I meandered over to the gate and took my seat in the 777. It was good leg room, and, upon sitting down, I was handed a brandy, and a hot towel. Meal service on this 35 minute flight was, (with full linen and reassuringly heavy cutlery), a chicken salad, salmon sandwich, coffee and water. Not to mention another brandy... the difference between UA and SQ in their premium cabin is unbelievable.... like driving a Skoda and then sitting in a Bentley!...
Needless to say I'm now hooked on SQ F, and am planning a return to KL on Saturday.. more stress this week...
Sois sage y'all
MikeinSIN
[This message has been edited by MikeinSIN (edited 07-17-2002).]
Jul 17, 2002 | 11:26 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,988
Thanks for an interesting report! I love your comments about your "relaxation" trip at KL.
Your bus trip reminded me of my previous greyhound bus trip from Boston to NYC, which was pretty not recommendable.
Carfield
Your bus trip reminded me of my previous greyhound bus trip from Boston to NYC, which was pretty not recommendable.
Carfield
Jul 18, 2002 | 6:36 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SFO/ATL/MEL/BKK
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Globalist UA 1K MM, Delta Diamond
Posts: 2,702
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by celbrian:
Isn't this the first R-rated trip report on FT?
</font>
Isn't this the first R-rated trip report on FT?
</font>
Jul 18, 2002 | 6:43 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 222
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BDL:
"I'll have what he's having..."
[When Harry Met Sally]</font>
"I'll have what he's having..."
[When Harry Met Sally]</font>
"I'll have what he's GOT!"
MikeinSIN
Jul 19, 2002 | 8:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: riding the lifetime status. DL MM / AA MM / vino volo reserve
Posts: 2,973
thanks for the report...
i had the "pleasure" of a roundtrip KL-SIN on the NiCE bus a few years ago. the A/C broke on the return trip. within half an hour, the bus was hot, the windows were fogged, and i was sitting in a pool of sweat, looking at another 4 hours back to KL. every bad memory i have of my trip to KL/SIN involves a NiCE bus......
four days later, i boarded an SQ 777 back to SIN to catch my return flight to boston on NW. first class on SQ was worth every ringgit. (it's cheap!!) the meal service was at least comparable to what you described. the hot towel was a surprise, and when the peppered beef plate showed up on a linen-covered tray, i was stunned. impressive meal service for a 35 minute flight at 10am....
i read your report after a 35 minute flight home this evening, and thoroughly enjoyed the contrast and the memory. i had a diet coke and pretzels on american eagle. :-)
i had the "pleasure" of a roundtrip KL-SIN on the NiCE bus a few years ago. the A/C broke on the return trip. within half an hour, the bus was hot, the windows were fogged, and i was sitting in a pool of sweat, looking at another 4 hours back to KL. every bad memory i have of my trip to KL/SIN involves a NiCE bus......
four days later, i boarded an SQ 777 back to SIN to catch my return flight to boston on NW. first class on SQ was worth every ringgit. (it's cheap!!) the meal service was at least comparable to what you described. the hot towel was a surprise, and when the peppered beef plate showed up on a linen-covered tray, i was stunned. impressive meal service for a 35 minute flight at 10am....
i read your report after a 35 minute flight home this evening, and thoroughly enjoyed the contrast and the memory. i had a diet coke and pretzels on american eagle. :-)
Jul 20, 2002 | 3:19 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Washington, DC - USA
Posts: 60
Mike, thanks for the very amusing trip report. I've had a couple of interesting visits to KL myself. I have very fond memories staying at the Regent on the Club level. The staff there amazingly attentive and friendly. I know the Ritz is newer and probably a bit more glitzy. The other hotel in KL that I would like to try is the Mandarin Oriental.
What about the train from KL to SIN? I remember seeing a brochure and it looked rather luxurious in first class.
Thanks again for the report and I hope you will report back next time.
What about the train from KL to SIN? I remember seeing a brochure and it looked rather luxurious in first class.
Thanks again for the report and I hope you will report back next time.
Jul 20, 2002 | 9:21 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,505
When I stayed at RC in SIN in May, it was not that impressive. The check-in agent was rather rude and these bellmen were not attentive.
I left a letter to GM and got response shortly saying he would personally take care of my stay if I give them another chance. Well, I could give you another chance - but it you screw up this time, no more chance for you!
I left a letter to GM and got response shortly saying he would personally take care of my stay if I give them another chance. Well, I could give you another chance - but it you screw up this time, no more chance for you!
Jul 22, 2002 | 2:11 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 92
Mike,
Great report, really enjoyed the read. I stayed on the Club Level at the Ritz KL last year and would rate it as one of the top hotels I've ever stayed in.
I also had a great masssage at the Ritz in KL!
Ryan754 - please tell me more about RIO! I was there two weeks ago and missed out.
CanGUy
Great report, really enjoyed the read. I stayed on the Club Level at the Ritz KL last year and would rate it as one of the top hotels I've ever stayed in.
I also had a great masssage
at the Ritz in KL!Ryan754 - please tell me more about RIO! I was there two weeks ago and missed out.
CanGUy
Jul 22, 2002 | 11:23 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-PP, HL-DM, MR-LTP, HY-LTG
Posts: 26,017
Having travelled with MikeinSIN, all I can comment is that this should just be the PG rated version of this report.
If only my lips aren't sealed....! I would make Jackie Collins blush!
If only my lips aren't sealed....! I would make Jackie Collins blush!
Jul 23, 2002 | 2:16 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 222
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Guy Betsy:
Having travelled with MikeinSIN, all I can comment is that this should just be the PG rated version of this report.
If only my lips aren't sealed....! I would make Jackie Collins blush!</font>
Having travelled with MikeinSIN, all I can comment is that this should just be the PG rated version of this report.
If only my lips aren't sealed....! I would make Jackie Collins blush!</font>
(She wouldn't blush.... she'd take notes!)
I am but a modest traveller, sporadically dipping my toes in the fast flowing river which calls itself 'Local Delights'... ...
MinSIN