Le Meridien

As promised, my review of the Le Meridien KL Sentral. Firstly, a disclaimer: this ain't an official review, just our personal opinion.

Reservations

Relatively easy and hassle-free, you can either surf the meridien's website or call the toll-free line. We opted for the latter, and found the sales consultant friendly and helpful. Top marks there. If you're a first-timer, you will be offered the Starwood Preferred Guest membership for free, where you earn points for your stay at their chain of hotels.

Friendly, courteous and classy, the hotel's sales consultant scores high for the Meridien. 8/10.

Check-in and Front Desk

We arrived at 1.30 p.m. but our room was ready. Either they were too efficient or under-occupied, we never knew and frankly, did not care. Unlike some other top-rated hotels, upon which failing to prepare our rooms on time, would offer a million excuses like:"uh, we over-booked, sir" or "our previous occupants overstayed" or "our housekeepers are all dead etc, etc."

So a smooth check-in and a room ready on time earned Meridien top marks again. 8/10

Room

Booking a Premier Room on the 22nd level, we were disappointed in its size. Sekangkang kera. Supposedly a level higher than their standard room, but it was definitely not reflected in its size. The decor was simple, maybe zen minimalist or just plain kedekutalist. My wife complained about the non-existence of slippers in the room, hey, a cheaper hotel even had TWO pairs.

There was a 42-inch LCD tv which was okay (umah den pun ado).

The bathroom was magnificent anyway, large and cosy, it offered the view of the KL skyline from its window by the bath-tub (not for the faint-hearted). The bath-tub was big enough to fit in our two kids for their mandi-manda sessions.

Size matters, so the hotel misses the mark here. It does make it up with the bath, but not enough. 5/10

Breakfast

Since it was included in the room rate, we wouldn't miss it now, would we? Expecting a grand spread befitting a five-star hotel, we were again found wanting. The choice was limited and the taste was a hit-and-miss affair (especially for orang suka makan like us). Only the egg station was a saving grace. Totally avoid the noodle + soup section. Tasteless. Anak aku pun tak nak makan. Underwhelming and average.

The cafe is called Latest Recipe, they should call it Ye Olde Recipe. 4/10.

We didn't try room service or the hotel's famous Al-Nafourah and Prime Steak Restaurants. But with the wagyu steak going for RM400 a piece, we'd say oh, errr.. thanks, but no thanks.

Check-out

You can choose to use the express check-out facility, where the bill is delivered to your room in the morning. Again hassle-free and convenient. 7/10.

Overall

Le Meridien do exude class and glamour but perhaps just falling short in our expectations of their room. Nevertheless, the hotel would be a good spot for a family outing due to the location but maybe you could also check-out their next door neighbour, Hilton.



Date of stay : Feb 2009


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