Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

Forums Other Destination advice The Malaysia and KL master thread

  • Cx 20 posts

    @Jon thank-you for taking the time to reply to me.

    I’ll have a look at the Shangri-La in KL (definitely agree re the Horizon club!)

    Sadly the Datai is out of range I used up most of my IHG points and the cash price is definitely beyond budget! The Westin is another option we were looking at in Langkawi but wasn’t sure it was what we are looking for from that part of the trip.

    I read bum fight to mean a battle to get a seat in the lounge 😂 so didn’t even question it!

    I was one of those who retained Jade by buying a drink at the Shard- potentially the best value glass of juice I will ever have if I end up staying in Shangri-La hotels on this trip!

    If you do go for the SKL, I would recommend paying extra for the suites over the horizon club rooms. You would appreciate the extra space for the living room and the rollaway bed if you need it. The regular suites are fine but the corner suite might be of interest as instead of a room for baggage there is a private workspace area with separate w/c.

    With the suites, you can also request for in-room breakfast which is complimentary. But otherwise would recommend the lounge over the main restaurant as it’s cooked to order.

    LD27 295 posts

    Have visited Malaysia many times. Only KL post Covid. Go to hotels in KL are Shangri La, RC and Renaissance. Latter currently being refurbished, RC expensive so stayed in SL end of 2022. Had good experience in Horizon Room. Was travelling alone.

    Have stayed in E&O and SL in Penang pre Covid. Both were good. Staying in Georgetown good for seeing street art, temples etc, Batu Ferringhi for relaxation. Definitely worth ferry to mainland. Cameron Highlands good place to spend a few days relaxing from the heat if need be. Melaka is very different with its diverse history and Taman Negara for National Park/trekking. Perhentians for diving (but NE coast).

    If you’re looking for adventure as opposed to relaxation, Borneo well worth a visit. Sarawak – Kuching has nice water front. Stayed in Hilton and a few years ago in CP and HI, which are no longer. Bako easy to get to and used Borneo Adventures to arrange treks including Headhunters Trail/Mulu. Brunei worth a couple of days. Sabah – KK stayed in SL many times. Mt Kinabalu and NP for trek and seeing sunrise. In the east, Sandakan, Turtle Island, Sepilok, Kinabatangan River, Danube Valley good for wildlife – proboscis monkeys, orangutan etc. Sipidan probably still off limits.

    Aston100 1,607 posts

    Behold, my revamped itinerary for summer 2023:
    23 nights

    4 nights in Malacca (Holiday Inn. The Doubletree and area around it have gone downhill)
    7 nights in KK (Hilton) couple of day trips to the national park and a couple of day trips for snorkelling and suchlike
    6 nights in the Sepilok / Sandakan area broken down thusly:
    …2 nights at a lodge along the Kinabatangan River (multiple cruises arranged)
    …3 nights at a new lodge in Sepilok (Borneo Sepilok rainforest resort)
    …1 night on Turtle Island (Selingan Island)
    5 nights in Kuching (Hilton)
    1 night in KL at the SamaSama airport hotel

    Benilyn 161 posts

    Any thoughts on the following places located near Pavilion Mall:
    JW Marriott,
    The Westin,
    Ritz Carlton,
    Pavilion Hotel Managed By Banyan Tree,
    Pullman City Centre – Hotel & Residences
    Grand Millennium Hotel

    Thanks

    Jon 280 posts

    The only one of those I’ve stayed in myself is the Westin – meh. The others are probably fine but personally I’d prefer the Shangri-La over all of them. Unless you need to be at Pavilion for a conference or some such, I’d probably try to avoid being right on Bukit Bintang, especially if you want to take taxis to other areas – traffic (and people) congestion can get very high.

    shanghaiguizi 47 posts

    As Jon says it depends on why you want to be close to pavilion.

    I live in KLCC so haven’t stayed in most of the hotels. Been drinking in all of them though.

    Out of your options jw Marriott, Westin, and Ritz are the only ones I’d consider staying at. pavilion, millennium and Pullman are mediocre.

    But it depends on what you’re after. Do you have a hotel loyalty preference? How long are you intending to stay in KL and what are you looking to do whilst you’re here?

    Any thoughts on the following places located near Pavilion Mall:
    JW Marriott,
    The Westin,
    Ritz Carlton,
    Pavilion Hotel Managed By Banyan Tree,
    Pullman City Centre – Hotel & Residences
    Grand Millennium Hotel

    Thanks

    Jon 280 posts

    I live in KLCC

    Aha, a fellow KLer – greetings! 😂

    Benilyn 161 posts

    As Jon says it depends on why you want to be close to pavilion.

    I live in KLCC so haven’t stayed in most of the hotels. Been drinking in all of them though.

    Out of your options jw Marriott, Westin, and Ritz are the only ones I’d consider staying at. pavilion, millennium and Pullman are mediocre.

    But it depends on what you’re after. Do you have a hotel loyalty preference? How long are you intending to stay in KL and what are you looking to do whilst you’re here?

    Any thoughts on the following places located near Pavilion Mall:
    JW Marriott,
    The Westin,
    Ritz Carlton,
    Pavilion Hotel Managed By Banyan Tree,
    Pullman City Centre – Hotel & Residences
    Grand Millennium Hotel

    Thanks

    Thanks all. I’m with a 2yo kid, so thought maybe convenient being near Pavilion. Walking from SL to the mall, google maps says 19min but that’s to the main entrance, are there lots of side entrances I imagine which should bring that time down?

    I have IHG + Hilton free brekkie, but they don’t seem to operate in that area so flexible with others. SL with Emyr assuming this one is covered should get free brek + upgrade + $100 could be the way to go.

    RK228 272 posts

    Thanks all. I’m with a 2yo kid, so thought maybe convenient being near Pavilion. Walking from SL to the mall, google maps says 19min but that’s to the main entrance, are there lots of side entrances I imagine which should bring that time down?

    I have IHG + Hilton free brekkie, but they don’t seem to operate in that area so flexible with others. SL with Emyr assuming this one is covered should get free brek + upgrade + $100 could be the way to go.

    We were in KL for four days last summer with our 4-year-old son. We stayed at the Hilton which we found to be very convenient, as we departed on an early morning Avios flight to Bali and the airport train goes from right there (KL Sentral). There are plenty of shopping/food options nearby, it’s easy to get a Grab car through the Grab app (e.g., to Bukit Bintang), and our son loved the pool with the waterslide. We have Hilton Gold through Amex (so free breakfast) and our son heartily enjoyed this too (particularly the doughnut wall).

    shanghaiguizi 47 posts

    Nice! We’ve probably walked past each other around pavilion 😂

    I live in KLCC

    Aha, a fellow KLer – greetings! 😂

    shanghaiguizi 47 posts

    @Benilyn RK’s suggestion also isn’t bad. Not in KLCC but convenient for getting around by metro.

    Doubletree might be too out of the way, but Intercontinental might be worth a shout since you mentioned you have IHG. I’ve never been in there and have heard mixed reviews. Since you already mentioned SL, Others that could be considered are Grand Hyatt or W Kuala Lumpur. All are in KLCC.

    There are quite a few new hotel developments happening in KL right now; Kimpton in the TRX development, Waldorf Astoria, Sofitel Oxley Tower KLCC, which is good because many of the hotels here are showing their age.

    Don’t know if you’ve been here or to other SEA countries before but download the Grab app. You can use it to book cars quickly & cheaply. Getting around is a doddle with Grab.

    Thanks all. I’m with a 2yo kid, so thought maybe convenient being near Pavilion. Walking from SL to the mall, google maps says 19min but that’s to the main entrance, are there lots of side entrances I imagine which should bring that time down?

    I have IHG + Hilton free brekkie, but they don’t seem to operate in that area so flexible with others. SL with Emyr assuming this one is covered should get free brek + upgrade + $100 could be the way to go.

    We were in KL for four days last summer with our 4-year-old son. We stayed at the Hilton which we found to be very convenient, as we departed on an early morning Avios flight to Bali and the airport train goes from right there (KL Sentral). There are plenty of shopping/food options nearby, it’s easy to get a Grab car through the Grab app (e.g., to Bukit Bintang), and our son loved the pool with the waterslide. We have Hilton Gold through Amex (so free breakfast) and our son heartily enjoyed this too (particularly the doughnut wall).

    Benilyn 161 posts

    Thanks all. I’ve come down to needing to figure out if I want to be in Bukit Bintang or not. I think I would prefer the location but concerned about traffic. I need to sort out a rough itinerary and take it from there.

    IC reviews seem mixed to good, about £100 a night / 19k points and I am a Diamond Amb so 1 cat upgrade. Right next to a station.

    LeM in Sentral reviews seem good on the whole, and share pool and gym facilities with Hilton.

    TunnocksTeaCake 24 posts

    I am planning a trip to Malaysia with my wife in January 2024. We intend to stay for 2 nights at the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang in Batu Ferringhi. We have no Shangri-La privileges (have only just joined Shangri-La Circle). For anyone who has stayed here recently, what is the difference between the Garden Wing and the Rasa Wing and should I be choosing a room in one wing over the other?

    aseftel 290 posts

    Rasa wing is the ‘club’ wing, with quite a few perks. I would spend the extra if you are planning to spend your time at the hotel.

    https://www.shangri-la.com/en/penang/rasasayangresort/rooms-suites/rooms/rasa-wing/about-the-rasa-wing/

    yorkshireRich 252 posts

    What a good thread to stumble on. Only the other day I booked a flight for March 2024 on Avios from Auckland to KL with Malaysia Airlines. When I looked at what the cash price was, I deemed it decent value, although I appreciate with it being so long away the price can fluctuate. The flight is through the night and on economy, and will arrive in KL at 07:20. With hotel prices quite cheap in contrast to some other countries, we were going to take advantage of this and stay for 2 nights. I think Mandarin oriental is the front runner so far, but I am open to suggestions.

    Also, we have a flight booked to Singapore at 11:50 where we have one night before flying back to the Uk, so will probably get the airport train. One last thing, we will have a 6 month with us, so don’t think we would be allowed in the executive lounge from what I have read.

    I have been to KL a few years ago and stayed at double tree which was more than acceptable. Advice is greatly appreciated as always.

    RK228 272 posts

    What a good thread to stumble on. Only the other day I booked a flight for March 2024 on Avios from Auckland to KL with Malaysia Airlines. When I looked at what the cash price was, I deemed it decent value, although I appreciate with it being so long away the price can fluctuate. The flight is through the night and on economy, and will arrive in KL at 07:20. With hotel prices quite cheap in contrast to some other countries, we were going to take advantage of this and stay for 2 nights. I think Mandarin oriental is the front runner so far, but I am open to suggestions.

    Also, we have a flight booked to Singapore at 11:50 where we have one night before flying back to the Uk, so will probably get the airport train. One last thing, we will have a 6 month [old, I presume?] with us, so don’t think we would be allowed in the executive lounge from what I have read.

    I have been to KL a few years ago and stayed at double tree which was more than acceptable. Advice is greatly appreciated as always.

    With a short stay and using the airport train, I would be inclined to look at one of the hotels connected to KL Sentral (e.g., Hilton KL, Aloft KL Sentral, etc.). Because of Grab, it is so easy and cheap to get anywhere once in KL, I don’t really notice that much of a difference between staying in KLCC area vs Sentral.

    That said, when we went to KL the first time when our son had just turned a year, we stayed in a two-bedroom AirBnB in KLCC area with pool, washing machine, view of Petronas Towers and KL Tower, children’s play area, etc. and the prices were fantastic and we had a great time, although we were in KL for longer on that occasion. Our son also liked the play park and kids’ pool areas at KLCC park. A word of warning (because I think you stated you are with an infant), we didn’t find the areas around KLCC that walkable with prams (due to high height of the kerbs and road design not being that pedestrian friendly) or slings (due to heat), so ended up using Grab a lot even to get to nearby KLCC Park/Suria KLCC mall.

    Bill 216 posts

    We’ve just stayed at the Sama Sama Express at gate C5 in the airport. No need for immigration or to officially enter Malaysia. Perfect for an overnight stay. 5 minute walk to the gat in the morning. Evening food in the both Plaza Premium and Hotel lounge was pretty poor quality though.

    TunnocksTeaCake 24 posts

    Rasa wing is the ‘club’ wing, with quite a few perks. I would spend the extra if you are planning to spend your time at the hotel.

    https://www.shangri-la.com/en/penang/rasasayangresort/rooms-suites/rooms/rasa-wing/about-the-rasa-wing/

    Thanks for the reply. The Rasa Wing it is.

    Wanderlust 32 posts

    I thought I would come back to this thread and post my thoughts on the places we stayed.

    We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in KL and we just found it to be such a lovely calm place to be/ return to after exploring. The rooms were beautifully appointed with plenty of lighting, the sofa was ridiculously comfortable and I fell asleep on there a couple of nights 🙈. I would comment that the only English language channel on the TV was Bloomberg- this wasn’t an issue for me as I rarely put the TV on in hotels. The club lounge was mostly very good (save for the last day when they appeared to be training new staff). The location worked for us with lots of things within walking distance and booking grand to KLCC being easy and cheap. There are some minor improvements they could make but on the whole this hotel was very good.

    In Penang we stayed at the E+O, definitely a step down from the R-C but still a lovely hotel. We stayed in the Heritage Wing. We are of Indian heritage and did experience a small amount of racism here but didn’t let it bother us. The rooms looked in good condition and were bright and spacious and the bed was comfortable. I did find it frustrating that there wasn’t anywhere in the room to sit down and do my skincare in front of a mirror though. We liked that the hotel had various options for breakfast including one which was open until 11.30am which came in very helpful when I overslept! The spa was no more than okay but it was good value. We tried the afternoon tea one day and we’re not impressed at all- none of the food was particularly tasty and they were stingy with things like how much tea you could drink. The overwhelming feeling was that this hotel could be amazing but doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

    Finally the Danna in Langkawi- it looks like this hotel and the area around it has been hit badly by Covid. The place was looking run down and there wasn’t a huge amount of choice in the restaurant particularly if you have dietary needs. House keeping was truly awful and I actually had to complain to have my room cleaned and replenished in the end. I would have liked to have visited the spa but it was closed/unmanned whenever I went to enquire about treatments. The pool and sandy bit of the beach were lovely (we didn’t go in the sea) and the staff are mostly really trying their best with what they have available. I probably wouldn’t on balance recommend this hotel at the moment and certainly not at the price point they are charging but with some improvements it could be good.

    S 33 posts

    This thread has so much useful info and was hoping to get some advice too.

    Looking to travel to Malaysia or surrounding areas with wife and 7 month old in June.

    We will stay in KL a few nights and then ideally wanted somewhere like a beach resort that isn’t too crowded. Redang Island and Perhentian Islands are of interest. Alternatively, Lombok/Bali are other destinations but I would ideally like to keep moving around to a minimum. Langkawi/Thailand has too much rain this time of year?

    Any suggestions on both the destination we should look at and where to stay?

    Also, am I mad for looking at flying ~16 hours with a 7 month old child?!

    BuildBackBetter 705 posts

    . Langkawi/Thailand has too much rain this time of year?

    https://www.selectiveasia.com/weather/june

    I fine this website useful to filter the places within Asia by month.

    BuildBackBetter 705 posts

    Also, am I mad for looking at flying ~16 hours with a 7 month old child?!

    Best time to fly long distance with a child is either before they start running / exploring spaces or after they listen to and follow your instructions.

    BuildBackBetter 705 posts

    You’ll also regret not travelling more before you have to start paying for a ticket.

    While most destinations may not seem friendly for a buggy, the hospitality is very good.

    S 33 posts

    Useful website suggested. Bookmarked the site and thanks also for the advice on the little one @BuildBackBetter

    smblcklck 70 posts

    Hello all – we have decided to round off 9 days in SIN and Phuket with two nights in KL this Dec

    I love the GH but want to try somewhere different. Currently deliberating between the following:

    – JW Club room – the current favourite but I’ll probably book through Emyr and unfortunately the Luminous benefits are poor here
    – RC Club room – have heard the property is not great
    – MO looks very tired
    – FS looks lovely but is it twice as nice (£££)?

    Any recent thoughts on the above would be helpful

  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

The UK's biggest frequent flyer website uses cookies, which you can block via your browser settings. Continuing implies your consent to this policy. Our privacy policy is here.