“Home away from home” |
| Posted: 04 Sep 2010 04:00 PM PDT Want a home away from home for the holidays? Kuala Lumpur has a few options where hosting reunions, parties and gatherings is made possible, hotel-style! IT used to be that during major festivals, including Hari Raya, the landscape of Kuala Lumpur becomes a dream: one or two cars cruising down the road, shops with their shutters shut tight, and an occasional sighting of a human or two. These days, though, that is no longer the case. Even during major festivals, KL is choked full of people! "Last time, KL usually became a ghost town; these days it's business as usual," says Datin Aziza Jaafar who notes that instead of balik kampung many people actually lawat bandar (visit the town)! So, if you're not going to balik kampung or flying off to an exotic location for a dash of R&R with your family members and would like a reunion with a vacation "flavour", consider checking into one of the local serviced apartments for a "staycation". Why? Imagine pak long, mak su, kak angah and their families having to either take up residence with you or stay in various hotels all over town. Surely that is a logistical nightmare! Staying in a serviced apartment irons out a lot of kinks such as these. Although they usually cater to long-term stays (between six and eight months), serviced apartments are also available for daily or short stays. However, unlike a hotel, they are fully fitted out with the things that one would expect at home. To start with, there's a kitchenette. So, no worries if your aunt decides to whip up her famous rendang because everything – pots, pans, crockery, ovens, full-size refrigerators – are at her disposal. And best of all, the cleaning is taken care of by housekeeping. So, there's absolutely no "downtime"! Furthermore, most requests for more "equipment" will be accommodated, so it's not a problem if you run out of plates or cups. Also, while most hotels charge exorbitantly for laundry (one five-star hotel in the KLCC area charges RM32 to wash a long dress, and that's not even for dry-cleaning!), most serviced apartments have laundrettes. For RM8, one could wash a 6kg load and for RM8 more, pop them in the dryer for a spin. And, since these serviced apartments are basically apartments, there is usually no issue with placing an additional bed in the bedrooms. MiCasa All Suite Hotel at Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur, for example, allows one additional bed per bedroom. Thus, its two-bedroom units can easily fit six adults and four children while its three-bedroom, nine adults and two children. For big families or a gathering with extended family members, this is ideal! Of course, after doughing out significant sums for baju raya, food, and home decor, another important consideration is the cost. While three-bedroom suites are also available at hotels, most are priced close to the RM3,000 mark. In comparison, serviced apartments are usually more affordable. PNB Darby Park charges RM1,690 for a three-bedroom on its Deluxe floor. In addition, serviced apartments also provide a host of amenities usually not available at a typical home. At Fraser Place, there are "Refresh" rooms – a separate one for male and female – where guests could go to for complete relaxation and cleansing. It has a steam and sauna room; hot and cold plunge pools; and amply spaced vanity areas. A tray of toiletries from Marks & Spencer is even available for use! And speaking of toiletries, these are all standard provisions in serviced apartments. So, imagine how much lighter your luggage will be without having to bring bottles of shampoo, conditioners, toothpaste, etc! Some serviced apartments, and this is a plus, even provide designer toiletries. For example, Fraser Place pampers its guests with goodies from Peter Thomas Roth. Definitely, conventional things – TVs, sound systems, DVD players, tea and coffee sachets, towels, hangers, an iron and ironing board – also come with each apartment. Sunday Metro reviewed four serviced apartments in town and here's the low-down: The tried and tested For a resort-feel that's a cross between Phuket and Bali, head to MiCasa, nestled in perhaps one of the quietest areas of Jalan Tun Razak Opened 22 years ago, it is one of the first full-service apartments in KL. "This ambience and environment is unique to MiCasa," says general manager James Loo who adds that KLCC and Bukit Bintang are only a 15-minute walk away. Loo says MiCasa's vicinity to embassies and business districts has made it popular with the corporate crowd and diplomats since its inception. Now, refurbished for RM85 million and boasting a new wing, it is still popular with the same group of people. "A lot of our guests are from the oil and gas industry and a lot embassy personnel take up temporary residence here while hunting for a house," says marketing and communications executive Biana Nohin. "However, after staying here for some time, they abandon the idea of finding their own place altogether because everything is taken care of here!" For example, she notes, they even provide a grocery delivery service that makes a list of items available to their guests in half an hour to 45 minutes. MiCasa, reopened since December 2009, has two F&B outlets – Kanpei Restaurant and Bar (part of E&O Bhd, which also owns the Delicious Group), and the highly rated and much-missed Cilantro. And word has it that chef Takashi Kimura is mostly based here instead of at Sage these days. Here, the interiors and architecture feature an extensive use of wood, including its pool deck, which is covered with medium-brown wooden flooring. According to Loo, this area has been rebuilt with a new salt-water swimming pool that is more environmentally friendly and gentler on the skin. It is possible to host a 100-person barbecue dinner here. MiCasa is currently offering attractive promotional rates on its website www.micasahotel.com. Look under "Hot Deals" or "Tempting Offers" where it is offering a two-night stay for the price of one! This means that a two-night stay in a three-bedroom apartment will only cost RM825 a night! For more information, call 03-2179 8000 or e-mail infokul@micasahotel.com. Stylish new kid on the block Now, what if you've got chic, globetrotting relatives who all decide to drop by together? Which place would suit their stylish inclinations? The best bet would be Fraser Place KL, the newest kid on the block. Having had its grand opening on June 24 this year, its decor is hip, colourful and vibrant – pop art, but no overkill. Its second floor lobby says as much. With huge Kartell vases adorning corners of its reception floor, its centrepiece is an assembly of delicately crafted cages in glass and metal. An artful bookcase lies against one of its walls, displaying coffee table gems such as Louis Vuitton Art, Fashion & Architecture, The Andy Warhol Show, Vivienne Westwood and Alessi. General manager Shirley Lai says this is their brand identity: "We appeal to a well-travelled, discerning and trendy market, which is why the design of the place and all that we offer have to blend in with their tastes." She explains that even the fittings and equipment that are offered in the rooms and common areas are adapted to the needs of these "30s to mid-40s up-and-coming execs". For example, the stereo system in each of the units comes with an iPod dock, a must for hip travellers these days. "As we are located in the hub of an entertainment and shopping area, we attract a particular type of clientele," she adds. Lai, who maintains that they treat guests as friends, has received positive feedback from their guests. A German traveller, who declined to be named, says he was impressed with the nice view from its 18th floor infinity sky pool and the great apartment. Another guest, from India, says the most enjoyable aspects of his stay were "the smiles on the faces of all staff members" and the "excellent bed linen and comfortable mattress". Fraser Place also houses a restaurant, Emporium Grand Café The Lounge, which serves Mediterranean food and has a seating capacity of 140 persons. Live jazz performances are held nightly from 7.30pm to 9.30pm from Mondays to Wednesdays. From Thursdays onwards, it starts from 9.30pm and ends at 12.30am. Nevertheless, this place would be more suitable for smaller families as bigger units are limited. Currently, Fraser Place is running a Mega Carnival promotion till Oct 31 whereby guests will be entitled to a 15% discount with a minimum of two-night stay at their Deluxe and Executive one-bedroom suites. They are priced at RM365++ and RM385++ respectively. To find out more, surf kualalumpur.frasershospitality.com or call 03-2118 6288. Place with a wonderful view Another serviced apartment in the city worth taking a look at is PNB Darby Park, which, due to its proximity to the Petronas Twin Towers, affords guests with wonderful night views. Catering to both business and leisure crowds, it offers a homely environment with all suites complete with a comfortable living and dining area, plus a workstation. A star attraction at PNB Darby Park is its restaurant, The 39, which is located on, yes, the 39th floor. Apart from offering contemporary Malay cuisine, patrons can take in breathtaking views of the city's skyline. Marketing and communications manager Farizan Farees states some of its strengths as the "location, competitive pricing and apartment concept", and the clients are mainly from the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. She believes that PNB Darby Park would be an ideal place for get-togethers with friends and family members in its two- or four-bedroom apartments. "We've had some guests who have even hosted their 'open house' at our restaurant!" she says. For more information, visit their website at www.pnbdarbypark.com or call 03-7490 3333. Away from the bustle If you're looking for an option that's out of town, Sri Acappella Serviced Apartments in Shah Alam might be the place for you. It is a little tricky to locate if you're not familiar with the area, however. But management associate Kevin Ong maintains that this is also one of its strengths! "Because we're in this quiet enclave, it's rather exclusive and takes one away from the hustle and bustle of the city," he exclaims. The development, which comprises serviced apartments and owner-occupied apartments, has been around for five years, but little is known about it. Located in the midst of mostly low-rise buildings, it is a breezy place surrounded by greenery. "Most of our occupants are employees of multi-national corporations based around Shah Alam," says Ong. He reveals that they also entertain wedding crowds and small events from time to time. However, although the area is quiet, this is not to say that there aren't any amenities or conveniences located nearby. "The Giant hypermarket is just a five-minute walk away, and there's an Old Town Kopitiam right within the compound," Ong says, adding that numerous mamak stalls are also within walking distance. The most attractive aspect of the Sri Acappella, though, is its rates. For RM370 a night, a three-bedroom standard apartment is yours to dwell in! And breakfast is provided daily from Monday to Saturday (except public holidays) by the pool. For more information, visit www.acappella.com.my or call 03-5518 2188. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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