Showing posts with label KLIA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KLIA. Show all posts

Friday, February 7, 2014

Sama-Sama Hotel Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia

When we heard the Pan Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur International Airport had been rebranded as Sama-Sama Hotel (meaning welcome or togetherness in Malay) we decided to try it out. 

It was our last hotel during our trip to Malaysia in Nov. 2013.

Arriving at KLIA from the Villa Samadhi (see review) we had problems locating the hotel. All elevators indicate the Sama-Sama, but only one specific stops right in front of the sign leading you in the right direction. The best way to reach the correct lift is to pass the Information Desk at Departures to your left, when arriving from the KLIA Ekspress / Arrivals.

The Sama-Sama offers free buggy transport to/from the hotel. Walking is also possible - it takes ca. ten to fifteen minutes on an air conditioned walk way. 

When we entered the hotel lobby we noticed immediately the high ceilings, atrium and airy feel. It was designed in classical grand style with lovely palms to each side.

The check in was to the right. There were quite a few desks because it was a large hotel. The check in agent was friendly and said since we stayed only very short he wouldn't take a swipe of our credit card and the mini bar would be unfortunately unavailable.

All expenditures had to be paid at the outlet it was taken at. It wasn't a problem for us. With the airports close proximity getting snacks and drinks wasn't an issue either.

Within the lobby were also a gift shop, Degrees Restaurant for all day dining, Palmz Lounge and Travellers Bar & Grill.

There is live music every night.

After receiving our key cards we went up one floor via elevator to our room. We stopped at the balcony with seating area to have a look at the atrium. It was interesting to watch the comings and goings.
 
Our room was around five minutes’ walk away.

It was large and the interior was a mix of traditional and modern design. It was beside the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur the most technological advanced with an IPad controlling all blinds, air conditioning and lights. There were also touch screens at the entrance to switch on the lights. Our view was over the pool. Families were already having fun and could order meals, snacks and drinks from the Pool Terrace Cafe. The room was soundproof. We didn't hear any noise from the pool or the planes.
 
I could hear a bit of music drifting up from the lobby, so if you are a light sleeper, I would recommend you choose a room on the higher floor or away from the Palmz Lounge.

We had a large comfortable bed, a seating area, writing desk, large flat screen TV with a wide range of international and regional channels and a wardrobe. The whole room was kept in dark colours. It made it feel homey and soothing.

The bath room was equipped with a separate bath tub and shower, sink, toilet and own branded amenities. The water pressure was good and the tub comfortable. 

We explored the hotel a bit and found on the lower ground floor meeting rooms and the beauty salon. There was also a fitness room and access to the pool. The pool was nestled in a tropical garden and invited us to dip in, but since I was still feeling unwell we decided to forgo it.
 
The gift shop offered nick knacks, newspapers and souvenirs. We bought a few purses.

Later in the evening we went to dinner at Travellers Bar & Grill. The decor was futuristic and there was also a stage. On one wall were autographs of Formula 1 drivers and other famous people. The staff was friendly and welcoming, but unfortunately they didn't explain how the ordering process functioned.

They gave us an IPad each. Mine didn't always function the way it should have or maybe my brain was too foggy with my cold. Finally I reached the non-alcoholic cocktail I wanted and was about to press order, when the waiter was suddenly there and asked what he could serve us today. We showed him the pizza we wanted to share, my cocktail and my better half's water melon juice on the IPad. The drinks seemed to take ages to arrive until we were approached again and advised some ingredients for my cocktail weren't available and if I would be so kind to choose another drink. The IPad was handed back to me. I told the waiter I wanted also a water melon juice. For some reason I still had to show it to him on the IPad.

Satisfied he passed on my order and returned with the pizza with chicken, cheese, peppers and green leaves. A few minutes later my juice arrived as well. The pizza was yummy.
 
The dining experience was a bit odd, but the quality of the meal very good, so we would return. 
I think we paid around 80 MYR (ca. 17.85 Euro or 24.10 USD).

Soon afterwards we retired to our room, watching a movie and having a bath before going to bed. We had an early start the next morning and checked out at 07.00 hours. The checkout was very quick since there weren't any charges. We had to wait a few minutes before we were taken with the golf buggy to the airport.

In future we are going to stay always at the Sama-Sama KLIA when arriving or departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, as it adds to a great travel experience in the wonderful country of Malaysia.

©2014

Monday, November 25, 2013

Selamat Datang!

Dear Readers,

I'm back from Malaysia. This is just a short impression. More is going to follow soon.

The time flew by very quickly and we were really busy.

We split our time between Kuala Lumpur or KL as the city is nick named by the locals, Kota Kinabalu, short KK (Saba), and Miri (Sarawak) - both on the Malay part of Borneo.

It was our third time in KL, our second in KK and our first in Miri.

Malaysia is diverse and exotic.

We saw skyscrapers, visited a car and property show, the Petronas Twin Towers, the largest Taoist Temple in South East Asia, different mosques and Buddhist Temples, St. Mary's Cathedral at Merdeka Square in KL, tried the local cuisine and found our love for Parathi (Indian flatbread, filled sweet or savory). We also learned about oil, oil production and saw working oil fields in Brunei (day trip from Miri, including Bandar Seri Begawan - the capital of Brunei, organized by the tour operator based at the Marriott Miri).

We also used the public transport in KL. It's affordable, clean and easy to use.

All Malay - no matter if indigenous, Indian, Muslim or Chinese - were friendly and helpful.

KL and KK have changed a bit, but both were recognizable.

Our itinenary looked like this - It took us a year to prepare for it:

- 1 night at the Dublin Airport Hilton due to an early flight the next day.

- Flight from Dublin to Paris Charles de Gaulle with Aer Lingus, from there an overnight flight with
  Malaysia Airlines - another highlight the Airbus A380. It was our first time and we enjoyed it very
  much.

- 1 night at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur

- 8 nights at the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur

- Flight from KL to KK with Malaysia Airlines

- 2 nights at the Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

- Flight from KK to Miri with Malaysia Airlines

- 3 nights at the Marriott Miri

- Flight Miri to KK with Malaysia Airlines

- 2 nights Le Meridien KK

- Flight from KK to KL

- 4 nights Grand Hyatt KL

- 1 night Villa Samadhi - Secret Retreats

- 1 night Sama-Sama Hotel Kuala Lumpur International Airport

- Early flight from KL to London Heathrow - arriving the same day in the afternoon also with Malaysia Airlines.

- Evening flight with Aer Lingus to Dublin.

- Home, sweet home. :)


Here are some words we have picked up.

Selamat Datang                                  -                   welcome

Selamat Datang ke Kuala Lumpur     -                   welcome to Kuala Lumpur

Awas                                                   -                   caution

Bahaya                                                -                  danger

Tandas                                                -                   toilets/restrooms

Selamat Jalan                                     -                   Good Bye

Masuk                                                -                  entrance

Pintu                                                  -                 gate

Api                                                    -                 fire


Hope you liked my entry. If you would like to add something or share your experiences with Malaysia feel free to do so. :)


Your Writer1976


© 2013