THE HOTEL: Within walking distance of Petronas Towers and in the heart of KL’s business, shopping and entertainment district. The 662-room property is well-suited to the business traveller, with excellent facilities and high-quality service.
CHECK-IN: Quick, efficient and very personal with attentive staff who accompanied me to my suite and explained the room and hotel’s facilities and amenities. Bags were delivered by the hotel porter. The hotel staff, without exception, are polite and very well presented in stunning Malaysian-style uniform.
THE ROOM: A large, air-conditioned room situated on an upper, all-suite floor. Tastefully furnished in gold and brown with a huge bed, desk, armchair and coffee table. There was a minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, LCD screen TV with in-house movies and broad-band access. The marble bathroom featured a bath and power shower, dressing gowns and lashings of L’Occitane amenities. All guests are welcomed with a fruit basket and chocolates.
THE BUSINESS: The Horizon Club is an exclusive dimension of the hotel which gives business guests the opportunity to dine and work in privacy – at a premium. It is located on the first floor and open from 6.30am to 11.30pm daily for breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails. Business facilities on this floor include a meeting room for six to nine guests and a boardroom for ten to 12. Secretarial services and individual computer workstations are available. Convention and banqueting facilities on the lower floor comprise 13 function rooms for groups of 20 through to 2,000 in the Ballroom.
THE FACILITIES: There's a secluded outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre and spa. International and local cuisine is served in a range of restaurants from the family-friendly Lemon Garden to the impeccable Restaurant Lafite, Japanese Zipangu and the Shan Palace for Cantonese cuisine.
THE VERDICT: A haven away from the bustle of Kuala Lumpur and ideal for those looking for elegance and efficiency combined with excellent hospitality.
THE DETAILS: Lead-in prices for a deluxe room start from approximately £118 per room, per night, including all tax and service charges. Prices for January 2010 onwards start from around £134 per room, per night. For more information see: www.shangri-la.com Jo Austin
