After our AirAsia endurance experience getting back from Sandakan, and with my Mother now – unexpectedly – in tow for one night, we were delighted to be heading to Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur for a few nights, to see family, friends, and just generally relax after our previous few days of wild adventuring around Borneo.
We arrived very late (of course), and despite the presence of a large 60th birthday party group trying to also check-in, were seen to as quickly as possible and sent on our way to our room, 2616, on a high-floor as requested. The Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur lobby exudes grandeur and looks wonderfully elegant any time of day or night (even, as in this case, pushing 2am).
It’s difficult to get excited about any hotel suite when you’re exhausted and it’s the dead of night – especially when you need to be back up for a medical at 7am – but our Premier Selection Suite was stunning, and immediately showed all the space, attention-to-detail, immaculate cleanliness and splendour that just keeps us coming back to Shangri-La’s over and over again.
From the entrance hallway, we had a large walk-in closet with ample storage space to store all our belongings.
Further inside was our palatial living room space with TV, sofa, multiple chairs, a very spacious working desk which I ended up making use of several times, along with a coffee machine and extra water, as I’d requested in the app ahead of arrival.
Our bedroom was equally grand, and I was so glad to see that Shangri-La continues to offer turndown service in the evenings, something which I appreciate is probably insignificant to so many, but I find it a wonderfully elegant touch – along with the familiar bookmarks containing quotes from the book Lost Horizon, a copy of which was also placed bedside for some evening reading (I won’t tell you how many copies I now have in my house from several locations!).
On Club and Suite floors, such as this, toiletries in the bathroom are L’Occitane branded, and despite the late hour, the long – and delayed – day in Sandakan made sure we made extensive use of the showers. It almost seemed criminal to be in such a pristine suite without smelling and looking the part!
After our medical check-up next day, we raced back – no longer fasting – to enjoy a variety of snacks and iced coffee (thank goodness, the lack of caffeine was becoming dangerous for our social abilities) at the Horizon Lounge, which was quickly and freshly prepared for us as we sat and enjoyed the view out over the busy Jalan Sultan Ismail junction and looking towards KLCC.
I spent several hours across both days at the pool as well, which is nestled in between the hotel building and the other buildings of the same complex. Foliage around the area lends an air of privacy, and there was always a wealth of choice of sunbeds and umbrellas no matter the time of day.
After having to skip breakfast, I also treated myself to a poolside burger – as much, I told myself, for quality testing as anything else. The food and drink, ordered through a QR code provided, was brought quickly and tasted great. I also appreciated that pool bar staff came and verified the order first along with the all-important first beer of the day, as well as providing me a timeline for when to expect the food.
Before long, it was time for my favourite time of the evening; cocktail hour, and we were straight back down to the Horizon Lounge.
I have to say, even when it got busier, this was a very well-stocked cocktail hour with a choice of spirits, wines, beers and canapé's – and with great attentiveness, we were never left with any empty glasses especially for too long. Which of course altogether is my favourite type of cocktail hour; it was almost harrowing that we had dinner plans both evenings and had to head out a little early.
Lastly, we come to breakfast – we actually skipped over the lounge both mornings, in favour of what we presumed would be a much wider selection at the main restaurant on the ground floor, and I have to say, it also equally didn’t disappoint.
Characterised by a plethora of choice across multiple cuisines, along with pastries, juices, even chocolate fountains, you could well and truly fill up for the day from this breakfast buffet it was so well, and diversely, stocked.
So in conclusion, how about Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur?
Sure, it’s an older building, but we were really impressed this time – it’s so well maintained and spotless, the attention to detail and warmth of the staff was consistently excellent, and the choice and attentiveness at the dining facilities was second to none. Does it mean we’ll stop trying somewhere new in KL every time? It’s hard to say, but we’ll definitely make sure to keep it on our list as a top choice for future stays.
