Staycation

This is the best time to stay at 5 star hotel in Kuala Lumpur with 3 star room rate. 

Since tourism is almost-dying industry due to Covid-19 pandemic; most hotel made a very drastic move. Some are closed for good, some made major cut, some has changed their business model, and some offer a very low price in order to sustain.

My husband and I were so busy working around last October to December; therefore we decided to spend two of our weekends for short staycation. Work Hard, Play Hard, right? 

We do miss swimming so badly. Luckily some hotel already open their swimming pool, of course with strict Standard of Procedure (S.O.P). We went to Mandarin Oriental and The Majestic Hotel. Both 5 star hotels offered less than RM 400 per room per night. Their usual rate can reach up to RM 800-RM 1,000 per night.

Mandarin Oriental

Staying at this hotel is like a-dream-come-true to us. Before married, my husband took me once to this hotel to experience an elegant fine-dining Chinese Cuisine at their Lai Po Heen Restaurant. Click here to view the mentioned entry. My husband spent around RM 600-700 for one-time dinner that night. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve a guy like him hihi. 

For a night stay on Deluxe King City View, we paid for RM 378 and the rate also comes with breakfast for 2. Love the room~

 

The rain started to drizzle that evening, but nothing can stop us from 'pleasing' our swimming addiction at the 1.3m depth pool with the magnificent view of KLCC. Although this hotel is located next to KLCC; but that night, we walked down the street to Pavilion instead. 

mini Hummus served during breakfast

The Majestic Hotel

The room is indeed comfy and cozy; but I still can't forget the check-in experience we had. We arrived at the hotel at 3pm, but it took 45minutes queuing at the counter; plus another almost 2 hours of waiting for our room to be ready. We entered the room precisely at 5:30pm that day. Yes, they gave us a complimentary (or shall I say "sorry") refreshments while waiting. But I still think the waiting period was ridiculous! 

Refreshment served at the designated hall

At first, I made a booking for one room at RM 380 with breakfast; but then my booking has been cancelled by the hotel. The hotel unable to provide me with good explanation. When I tried to rebook, the price went higher, up to RM 450 for the same room category with breakfast. I decided to book Deluxe King without breakfast at RM 335 only. Perhaps we can have our breakfast at the nearest Nasi Lemak Tanglin. Way cheaper, because the hotel are charging RM 90 per adult for the breakfast. But, Alhamdulillah.. hotel offered us with free breakfast, to cover the delayed experience. pssst you must try the waffle, damn delicious!

Swimming at 7am? Are we gone crazy?? Actually, we have 4 good reasons why we went swimming at the first light of day. First, remember that we only received the room key at 5:30pm? It's already late for soaking. Secondly, it was pouring rain that day. Third, we have a dinner appointment set at 6:30pm at Shin Nihon. And lastly, because guest need to make reservation first as the hotel only allow 3 person per session (maximum 1 hour) at the pool. 

The Majestic Hotel is located only 700m away to National Museum. We took this opportunities to have a quick visit. 

Like I said.. Work Hard, Play Hard ??

Muzium Negara (Malaysia's National Museum)

 At the age of 35, I finally set my foot to our wonderful National Museum which is located at the heart of Malaysia. Better late than never! When I was in Standard 6, I joined a school field trip to Kuala Lumpur (KL). The itinerary was packed. Due to bad time management, we spent longer time than what we supposed at the nearby Planetarium. Although we missed the chance to enter the museum on time, we still enjoyed some parts of locomotive 'parked' at the parking area. 

During last Christmas week, I grab the opportunities to take a tour to National Museum that only 700m away from the hotel we (my husband and I) stayed; The Majestic Hotel. The entrance fee to each museum is only RM 2 per adult (Malaysian). 

There are four existing galleries at this vast museum. From the Early History, The Malay Kingdom, The Colonial Era, to Malaysia Today. Personally, I enjoyed myself at The Malay Kingdom Gallery at the ground floor and The Colonial Era on the first floor. What I appreciate the most; includes the artifacts, the traditional weapons, coins, accessories, mural, costume, the design, the detailing, the motifs, the fabrics, the materials, the origin... and of course, the story behind it. Indeed, museum is the place for histories. And history is real~

Not taking much photo when I was there. Were busy enjoy educating ourselves.

 

If you are travelling by car like us, you will enter this entrance (left picture) first where you can find the locomotive (the one I mentioned earlier) as well as two other museums; The Malay-World Ethnology Museum and Orang Asli Crafts Museum (Aborigine). But if you are taking public transportation, you need to walk about 500m from KL Sentral. And you will straight away find the main entrance of the National Museum (middle photo). Not sure? Better use Grab services. 

A replica of famous Candi Borobudur. 

 

Photo on the right. 1) Scent Bottle 2) Tobacco Box - old days they called it as Celepa

 

Of course I'm amused with the different types of Flinklock Pistol, Keris, Tengkolok Diraja, replica of the mining machine, etc. 

But here are the no-longer-existed notes of Sarawak and North Borneo. They comes in coins as well. When Sarawak and Sabah joined Tanah Melayu in 1963; their own notes were no longer been used. 

During our visit last December 2020, the museum organized Global Plague Exhibition, 

and also The Power of Gold Exhibition..

 

Can't believe this is a Pillow Decorations..? Org ada-ada!!

There's a prayer room, café and souvenir shop provided.

Take a break. Reminds me of Melaka
 and the uniqueness of the stairs.

Iftar @ Royale Chulan Damansara

Thanks to Royale Chulan Damansara for the Iftar treat

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ramadhan buffet rate is @ RM 123.00 per adult.

Weekend Retreat

Walaupun menetap di KL, kadang-kadang nak jugak merasa check-in hotel-hotel kat area KL ni.
Sekali-sekala, tak salah kan. #rewardyourself


DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel KL @ RM 306.50 per night.

The best part about this hotel... it is located within The Intermark Mall. Hungry? Should be no problem. You can go downstairs at anytime to Lower Concourse Floor to Food Hall or Jaya Grocer. We bought fresh raw meat around RM 20++ each from Jaya Grocer and ask Fresco to cook for us with RM 8 charges only.

However, the thing I don't like about this hotel is... the check-in counter. The lobby is small and the counter is not easily seen. 

Apart from that, this hotel is really good value of money. The swimming pool is beautiful, the breakfast is nice, the staff are friendly, the room is huge and clean, the welcome drink & cookies are tasty and of course, the Honeymooner's treat is awesome!

Check-in here last 23rd April 2017.
#honeymoonmodeison

now you see, now you don't. ngappp ngapppp!

thanks Doubletree by Hilton!

Hilton KL Sentral from RM 490++ per night
Been here on 27th November 2017.

We were staying at this hotel because my husband was attending a conference here.
Didn't managed to take more photo. But I'm glad I took the photo of the bathroom. The bathroom is stunning!

Tan'Yaa Hotel by Ri-Yaz Cyberjaya @ RM 165++ per night without breakfast

Those things I like about this hotel are.. the room is huge and spacious; and they do provides a microwave. Also, I like the late check-out time procedure. I didn't pay any additional charges when checked-out at 1pm, and only extra RM 20 per extension hour will be imposed up to 4pm. 

This hotel is located near to my husband's office, but it is not that I'm going to stalk him haha I checked in here because of my radioactive treatment at National Cancer Institute last 25th July 2017.

#quarantine

Pullman KL City Centre @ RM 427.00 per night

Last 3 weeks was the worst week for most of Klang Valley resident, due to couple days of water supply disruption. Hence, we decided to stay at the hotel. From the loooong list of the best hotels in KL, I finally choose Pullman KLCC. Why? Because of the swimming pool huhu 

This hotel is located near to Pavilion Shopping Mall, but I wasn't in mood to walk and shop there. 

Didn't know that the hotel is under renovation. If I knew earlier, I would rather other hotel. The renovation includes the main lobby and the dining area. #sigh