Le Meridien, Kuala Lumpur
Arrival
I was only originally planning on staying one night in Kuala Lumpur before I went over to Vietnam, but I had waited too long to apply for a visa and nothing cleared in time making me have to cancel everything and look at what my options were for the rest of my trip in Asia.I found a decently priced ticket in business class to Bangkok, where my final flight to start going home originated from, but it was another day out. So I booked another night at the Le Meridien, Kuala Lumpur as I already had one night there, and this I felt would give me better time to get all photos I need to write up a hotel decently.
So, I got there, and told them I had a back to back set of reservations and was upgraded to the same small room but on the top floor. My thoughts on that is, not an upgrade at all, but there are all kinds of sketchy things being allowed these days that are considered upgrades, like Spirit Airlines (Oh, you are upgraded, this flight didn't have an all out brawl in the back).
Also it being located attached to the KL Sentral train station makes it exceptionally convienent for airport stayovers and is much nicer than the hotels at the airport.
The Room
Well, this was the upgrade. A fairly regular room, on the top floor. Can't say I'm overwhelmed by it, but it was a decent room.
3D interactive room tour, use your mouse or fingers to move around and see other rooms.
Dining and Drinking
There are several dining options, that are great, and a couple of bars which were from functional to pretty good. Also, the neighboring hotel, the Hilton Sentral, also has a lot of options you can go to. They are owned by the same property management company, in the same building complex, and share the swimming river.So I tried to get a drink at the Pool Bar & Grill@8, but they didn't have any palatable vodka at that bar, so I went down to Gastro Sentral for that. I was also able to have breakfast at Latest Recipe in addition to the lounge (which is later).
One I missed that I wanted, was Prime, but the timing of things and my flights just didn't line up well.
Also there is the coffee house/pastry spot of Latitude 03, which with the lounge was pretty redundant to my stay.
Club Lounge
As all excellent hotels that Rob likes have, this Le Meridien also has a Club Lounge, which is a great feature, especially when one is working remotely and doing that digital nomading thing.Open from morning (6 am or so) to evening (like 10:30ish), with full breakfast, snacks, wine and mixed drinks in the evening and a fairely substan
Hotel Amenities
So, the Gym, is the shared from the neighboring Hilton (you can see that property Here). It also shares the long river swimming pool, which I have actually documented more of the features in this post and I consider the primary recreational feature of the hotel. Well connected to the train station and the local office buildings.Various Shots
So I find I am taking a lot more pictures and they don't really categorize easily to a section I typically do, so now I have this new section where I can place them!
Non acohol mainstays
Managers gifts of local treats, in a very Le Meridien packaging
Cute
So much better than a plastic cup at a Fairfield isn't it?
Thus we start the Latest Recipe's breakfast buffet
Tasty meat dishes
Non-pork western style, love how they label everything on the surface
Local treats
The cold things
Candy? Cereal? Not good for my pre-diabetes but WOW!
Long shot of 1/4 of the buffet, which took 30 minutes for this few of people in it
Great location and staff, but challenged drink types
My drink at what I think is the good bar here, Gastro Sentral
Coffee and chocolate, I'm not turned away...
The very helpful, and gate keeper desk of the concierge
Meeting room you can book for free
Showers for I guess when you are waiting for your room after an early arrival
The formal dining side
"A little less formal side
What is a lounge without breakfast service?
Lesser selection of local but in a very nice environment
Oh, yes, eggs to order
Sooo many drinks
and juices
And of course, evening drink service, which is top notch here
Long pool, starting by the bar
Serenity on the pool level
Into a private escape
Functioning water slide into the river and lagoons
From the cave looking out
It is tall
I just thought this shot was pretty cool
Summary
Le Meridiens are high end properties, and this one is definitely that. Is it perfect? Almost, the upgrade challenges are difficult for elite Bonvoy members, but it is a really fantastic hotel in an unbeatable location for connectivity.I don't know if I have said this before, but... well, get the Lounge access (yes, I know I almost always say this). Very much worth it.