This was the choice of accommodation for an impromptu trip and I think I did the best I can considering all the random criteria for where to stay. Also the first time I booked a Hilton property via OTA haha.
Address – 3 Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, 50470, Malaysia. Website.
Contact – Tel: +60 3-2264 2264. Email: kuala-lumpur@hilton.com.
Location – Located in KL Sentral which is the transport hub of the city connecting people to and fro the Airport plus transfers to the main transport options for the city, this area is constantly bustling, especially with a shopping mall (NU Sentral) directly connected. I like this spot!
Price – SGD200++ per night booked via Navan – the rate includes breakfast which I thought was a decent deal given the fact that we booked this one week out. I had expiring Navan credits to burn which I decided to use in the end. Figured I can live without status benefits this time (or so I think?).
Pre-arrival – I received an invite to upgrade 4 days prior which I did not take of course so info for reference for those who may bit the bullet. I also had a quick in-app chat with the property about up-charge to access the Executive Lounge as options and was quoted MYR200++ for 2 adults per day.
It was also interesting that the booking appeared in my HH app even though its an OTA booking but perhaps due to my HH number being registered with Navan platform. I was even able to choose my preferred room on the app as if its a direct booking.
Check In – we arrived to an empty lobby at 6pm on a Sunday and approached a desk expecting a seamless check in but alas fate did not have it planned that way.
First, we were informed that the room I had chosen via the app was not ready due to a late check out from the previous guest but they can offer other rooms of the same room type available immediately. I was a little annoyed as I picked that specific room due to the seemingly larger size based on the floorplan but as there were no other option if I wanted a room now (which I did after a 6hr drive from Singapore), I took up the offer.
Then, the check in agent informed that even though its an OTA booking, they are pleased to accord Executive Lounge access. Yay.
2mins later: Oh sorry the system ‘just updated’ and its going to be MYR200++ for 2 adults per day if you want lounge access.
To be clear, I knew status benefits wouldn’t apply and I was already prepared to do without lounge access hence my question via the app about the up-charges. But to be informed that we were granted it before abruptly being taken away is another matter. The nonchalant attitude from the staff didn’t help – I asked why the info reversal and he just said this is what the system is showing now (without referencing what he informed initially) and repeated that OTA bookings don’t accord status benefits (which I knew).
We actually did consider paying the up-charge for lounge access but after this experience, not thanks.
Finally, said staff did not give any information about breakfast which was included in my OTA booking until I asked.
The only good thing about my arrival experience was this calming lobby decked out in festive deco being the holiday season.
Room – Our King Deluxe Lake View (38SqM), 2501, was a decent space good enough for 2pax with luggage, the centrepiece of it is a comfy king bed with bedside tables on each end.
Along the corridors of the window was a day couch and the in-room mini bar which served as our refreshment stand every day. View of the lake was quite nice too!
There is a very usable desk + chair at a corner fitted with power points
The wardrobe with the usual necessities and cupboard spaces is accessible via sliding doors enroute to the bathroom.
The bathroom is spacious and sufficient for 2pax worth of toiletries, a bathtub, separate toilet area, and a weird half door kind of shower set up. Toiletries are the Hilton standard’s Crabtree & Evelyn.
Later that evening, we came back to the room to find a welcome note and snacks placed on the table.
On NY eve, a small festive box was sent to the room which contained festive sweets – nice touch!
Breakfast – served at Vasco’s from 6:00am-10:30am (11:00am on Sat-Sun), the place was impossibly busy but had great variety of everything one would need to start the day, including the amazing stir fried dou miao which only appeared for only the first morning. Boo. They do also need to have more than 2 coffee machines for the huge crowd.
I also did try my best to take pics of the seating but failed miserably so here are 2 random pics.
Facilities – these are on level 8 and shared with Le Meriden next door and includes a big-ish Fitness Centre (24hrs) where I was told no pics are allowed. So I hopped by the pool and it was a resorty-vibe one which was quite nice for a city hotel (I am also quite sure I saw this when I last stayed at Meridien).
Service – Other than the blips at check in, I found the service otherwise as expected, including the team who was managing the New Year eve countdown party at the hotel lobby. Some pics of the happenings to commemorate feeling young again.
Check Out – I did an express check out so nothing much to review here.
In Summary,
a completely adequate property with a decent price tag, perhaps better when booked directly to avoid any miscommunication and ‘system update’.