Go on, indulge!When the stress of work is too much to bear, staying overnight at a hotel can be more than rejuvenating, discovers JASMINE TAN, who stayed at The Westin Kuala Lumpur.
HOLIDAYS can be tiring. With all that planning, packing and rushing to tie up loose ends at the office, is it any wonder that you often find yourself yearning for a holiday right after you take one?
But who says a holiday has to take you out of the city or country?
As city hotels fight to keep up with the competition, savvy travellers are taking advantage of attractive offers. I decided to check into The Westin Kuala Lumpur.
Westin’s Heavenly Bed is a much talked-about feature. The guys at Westin are so proud of it
that they’ve even put it up for sale. If you have an extra RM10,800 lying around, you can bring home “heaven” – a snow-white, custom-designed pillow-top mattress, three king-sized sheets, a down blanket, comforter, duvet and five pillows.
Westin’s Heavenly Bed is a much talked-about feature. The guys at Westin are so proud of it
that they’ve even put it up for sale. If you have an extra RM10,800 lying around, you can bring home “heaven” – a snow-white, custom-designed pillow-top mattress, three king-sized sheets, a down blanket, comforter, duvet and five pillows. Or maybe not. It costs an arm and a leg. Besides, one of the reasons I like sleeping in hotels so much is that I don’t have to make the bed.
Although the Heavenly Bed is without doubt what I like best about my Westin room, their Heavenly Shower is not bad either. Stepping under the warm and strong jets of water from not one but two showerheads is my idea of heaven.
And I love how hotel towels smell so fresh and clean. They are thick, oversized and hug you with the softest touch. And when you’re done with them, you can just throw them on the floor and they’ll “reappear” later, freshly laundered.
A welcome platter of apples, chocolate muffins, cookies, biscotti, chocolate and energising drinks awaited when I checked into the Westin. I guess it pays to stay in the Executive Residence, which is one up from the basic guest room.
A welcome platter of apples, chocolate muffins, cookies, biscotti, chocolate and energising drinks awaited when I checked into the Westin. I guess it pays to stay in the Executive Residence, which is one up from the basic guest room.
With a living room, kitchenette, separate study and its glass-enclosed patio, the one-bedroom residence made an ideal layout for a studio apartment. While waiting for dinner, I curled up on the day bed in the study area with a good book. The glass-enclosed patio made a rather nice reading area, too, but for the construction work taking place across the street.
Eat till you flop
If you want to know what an old Havana home looks like, just take a tour of Qba. Covering four different sections, the F&B outlet comprises an alfresco courtyard, an island bar flanked by booth seats, and a stage for live Cuban bands.
If you want to know what an old Havana home looks like, just take a tour of Qba. Covering four different sections, the F&B outlet comprises an alfresco courtyard, an island bar flanked by booth seats, and a stage for live Cuban bands.
Upstairs, there is a private cigar divan, wine bar and restaurant which serves cuisine that brings together the different styles of food from Mexico, Ecuador, Cuba and Spain.
The starters – Crisp Corn Tortilla filled with tomato braised chicken, goat’s cheese, sour cream and Venezuelan baked eggplant – were lip-smacking, and so was the dessert platter. However, the main entry of Roasted Canadian Cod Fillet with pink peppercorn crust, mushrooms and baby clams was not as impressive.
When you wake up in the morning, don’t even bother to have coffee first. As soon as you have showered, make for the hearty breakfast buffet at The Living Room.
When you wake up in the morning, don’t even bother to have coffee first. As soon as you have showered, make for the hearty breakfast buffet at The Living Room.
The food is laid out from one end of the hall to the other. On the right is a selection of Japanese and Chinese favourites; on the left, chefs take orders for eggs done just the way you like it. In the middle is the juice bar where you can have healthy shots of watermelon, carrot or apple juice. There is also a Mamak corner where you can help yourself to nasi lemak, murtabak, roti canai and mee goreng. Thosai is made on the spot.
Venture further, and you’ll discover Treats, a bakery offering all manner of pastries, crêpes, sandwiches breads, cereals and yoghurt. There is even a honeycomb stand where you can get honeycomb dripping with golden goodness.
If you can’t prise yourself from your Heavenly Bed, don’t fret about missing breakfast because the restaurant Prego serves an enjoyable Sunday bubbly brunch.
The staff are a happy, friendly lot even though the guests are the ones enjoying the free flow of champagne, cocktails, wines and spirits. Food is plentiful, and served by the chefs. You may need to get out of your chair to get a slab of salmon or a healthy salad, but the pastas, pizzas and must-try chocolate souffles are delivered piping hot to your table.
Sleep in or work out
To me, the idea of a relaxing weekend doesn’t involve exercise. But I guess a few lazy laps at the outdoor swimming pool or a relaxing cycle at the Westin Workout gym won’t hurt. After all, exercise does release feel-good hormones, and the gym here is probably one of the few in town that offer a spectacular view of the city skyline.
To me, the idea of a relaxing weekend doesn’t involve exercise. But I guess a few lazy laps at the outdoor swimming pool or a relaxing cycle at the Westin Workout gym won’t hurt. After all, exercise does release feel-good hormones, and the gym here is probably one of the few in town that offer a spectacular view of the city skyline.
From now until the end of the month, The Westin Kuala Lumpur is offering a Westin Escape Package with a complimentary upgrade to Deluxe Twin Tower View room priced at RM390++ (one breakfast) and RM420++ (breakfast for two). Available only from Thursday to Sunday. Call (03) 2731 8333 or e-mail twkl.reservations@westin.com for bookings.
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