With the Movement Control Order in place, I felt it is the best time to explore the nation to experience stay in some of the most iconic hotels in the country. Occupancy in these hotels are very low, thus allowing one to enjoy their experience in a very affordable price and minimal crowd movement, however do note that special permissions are to be obtained to move about to avoid getting in trouble with the law.
One of my enjoyable stay recently was in the Ritz Carlton Hotel Kuala Lumpur. It is indeed my first experience with the Ritz Carton brand although I have stayed in many of the other Marriott group hotel chains. Ritz Carlton was definitely one of the hotel I look forward to experience as it was one of the most prestigious hotel in the Golden Triangle in KL and also the hotel that former US President Barrack Obama stayed during his visit back in 2014.
Check in for the hotel was quick, and although Ritz Carlton does not have the usual upgrades for the Marriott Bonvoy Members, but they were kind enough to extend for me the complimentary buffet breakfast, room upgrades as well as a late checkout at 4pm. Only thing lacking was the executive lounge access unlike the other Marriott Group hotels.
I checked into my one-bedroom suite on a lovely Friday afternoon .. a huge 722 square feet suite with a spacious living space as well as a comfortable room with a nice all-marble bathroom and walk in closet.
The living space comes with a large sofa with 60 inch flat-panel HDTV, a dining table, a work table as well as a small cabinet for your coffee and making facilities. There is a small guest toilet attached to the living space.
From the living space, you enter in a good-size bedroom with nice plush bedding and 4 large comfortable pillows, although the room does not have a good view outside the window. From the bedroom, you have a small powder area which is connected to a luxurious full-marble bathroom and a walk in closet.
I would say the opulent bathroom is probably the highlight of the suite as you don’t get much better than this all-white marble bath interior. The spacious bathroom comes with separated toilet, bathtub and a rainforest shower stall. Bath salts are provided so you can enjoy a nice hot bath anytime in the comfort of your suite and Ritz Carlton also provides the large 75ml tubes of the nice-smelling Asprey bath amenities.
Not all the facilities in the hotel are up and running when I was there, the gym is of good size and well equipped but both the swimming pool remained closed for use.
One of the thing I like about the hotel is the multitude of areas where one can sit to chill, or to have an afternoon drink or meetings. There are some quiet and private areas for you to sit and talk while there are also some larger and more spacious areas like The Library.
Lucky for me, the hotel has recently resume its assisted-buffet breakfast and we are able to enjoy some in-restaurant dining. The assisted buffet breakfast has options of American breakfast or Asian breakfast with choices of nasi lemak, mee siam or congee.
Overall, I am happy with my stay here at the Ritz Carlton, the service is amazing, with private butler services and the staff are very helpful and courteous throughout. Room size and room comfort was amazing and breakfast is pretty good too, although slightly limited. Parking was a bit of a challenge but luckily I checked in early and got my parking but friends visiting were telling me the basement parking was full. The hotel is within easy walking distance to major malls like the Pavilion and Lot 10 and there are also plenty of nice food outlets within walking distance.
Ritz Carlton Hotel Kuala Lumpur
168 Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2142 8000
Email: ritzkl@ritzcarlton.com.my
