Okay Lah.... The Marriott Putrajaya

Having experienced several Marriott establishments, including this one in Putrajaya on several occasions, it's quite disappointing to see that the management has not paid much attention to quality and maintenance. 

We once experienced well appointed, large rooms with very comfortable beds and sufficient amenities, but now the furniture and decor seemed dated, bed was lumpy / springy, and obvious signs of wear and tear all around. Coffee and tea in the room are cheap-ish sachets (10 years ago perhaps it would've been okay but the hotel's in competition with others in its class now!), and bathroom towels were beginning to thin out. 

The hotel though caters for large events and conference so we guess it works for organizers and guests who just need a place to stay in for shorter periods but imagine the business and positive sentiments they can reel in if a decision for small re-designs and service turnarounds could be made.

We expected better service as well and though we received the standard polite service at front desk, we were disappointed that the same person didn't accord similar service to another guest who needed help with her in-house safebox. We couldn't help but overheard the conversation. The immediate assumption taken by the personnel was one of "it must've been YOUR fault" Look, we all don't expect you to bend over backwards but what happened to simple, efficient service with a smile? 

Food-wise, nothing much to shout about but breakfast was a good spread. We attended a wedding dinner here recently too (but didn't stay in) and well, we've unfortunately tasted better spreads. Some dishes were ok, one or two outstanding but overall, "okay only laa..."

We do hope the Management will consider revamping important aspects of the hotel and its service soon. It's ok but it can do much, much better. At least, even if there's not much to do around this area, guests can truly enjoy the hotel and heck, may even be willing to pay for an extended stay because of the experience.

Everything but.... The Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur

We had the unfortunate incident of a water shutdown in our apartment complex and like most residents, we decided to check in to one of the hotels in KL in the middle of the night. Since we had a company event at the Intercon the next morning, we chose to stay there overnight. Upon calling for reservations, we were told we could just walk in as they had plenty of rooms available. Easy enough. 

Upon arrival, we conveyed the same info to the reception staff and we received a look as if "walk-ins" were undeserving of their attention. Our company organizes events at this hotel quite a bit so we knew that there were refurbished rooms and requested for one. Again, the incredulous look which really pissed ME off. We were made to feel like beggars until they saw the credit card I whipped out. In hindsight, I told my husband I should've done the "Pretty Woman", and told them they just made a HUGE mistake, and checked us in the VIP suite instead! (In case you're wondering, yes, i LOVE that movie and i know most of the dialogue by heart. haha). 

Anyway, because we were tired and it was almost dinnertime when we got there, coupled with the fact that we did have our company event in the ballroom the next morning (where I am the signatory for all hotel invoices, I might add!), we just waited for our keys and stayed.

Intercon, consider yourselves lucky that the refurbished executive room and that one friendly guy who delivered our room service meal made up for what we experienced. Otherwise, it'd have been a sheer disappointment and I'd have been your most difficult customer the next morning and let my other colleagues at the Twins know to take their business elsewhere. It's too bad, really because I stayed at the Montreal Intercontinental and the experience was completely different! I guess they  have a problem with consistency. 

A Nice Getaway - Anantara Phuket Villas, Mai Khao Beach

Let's see. This was in 2012 I think. Another wedding anniversary / birthday celebration getaway. We originally planned to stay only for five nights but ended up extending yet an extra night because we found it hard to leave! 

Firstly, the resort, we think, is more suitable for couples / adults rather than families with kids. Kinda like the Sala Pool Villas Phuket, also on Mai Khao Beach where we had spent our honeymoon. I think it's safe to say that any hotel developed near Mai Khao is more "adult" than family-oriented. But I could be wrong. Anyway, after spending six nights and exploring the property, we concluded that the design is not so kid friendly. If you do have children, do keep an eye on them lest they fall into the lagoon when feeding the ducks/fish!  

(gangway from the villas to the main hotel lobby at night. niiiiice)

The management thinks of little details to make our stay more enjoyable. They provided us with an upgrade to the Lagoon Villa as well as an anniversary cake (absolutely delicious) when we told them we were celebrating our belated birthdays and anniversary in June. We didn't even ask for an upgrade. We always received little evening messages at turndown each evening (messages, not massages - which could be way nicer!), our sala/pool fridge were always well stocked and replenished with our favorite drinks, and we noticed that no matter what time of day, whenever we used the pool towels, dry, clean ones kept popping up courtesy of the towel fairy.

       

The TreeTops (or was it the Tree House?) has excellent daybeds for you to laze and watch the sunset over the lagoon, as was the main pool which had "floating deck chairs." We had our breakfast at the common "Sala" coffee house and while the buffet selection had some standard offerings, they do have special menus for each day of the week, and an assortment of juices, pastries, and cheeses, which gave us a variety to choose from. Delicious!

Quite a selection of DVDs available on loan from the reception/library for us to spend rainy days indoors. Wifi connection is speedy and available free of charge all around the resort too. (Hilton, heads up!).

The spa treatments, though a tad expensive was well worth the spend and we went back for seconds and thirds! 

Lastly, the management and staff really go out of their way to be extra nice, attentive, helpful and polite no matter where we were in the resort; it's almost comparable to the Four Seasons. Almost. They do work extremely hard, evidently so when we saw our morning housekeeper braved the rain sans umbrella to make sure that our Villa was properly made up on time. Some of the staff we engaged with also offered some ideas to while our time away and if they didn't have an answer to our questions, they would make sure that they find out from others immediately. We were most appreciative of the effort. 

We may just return to the warm and relaxing atmosphere of the Anantara if we're ever in Phuket again. It was worth our splurge and a really beautiful place to celebrate our anniversary, away from the busy, happening Patong Beach!

So yeah, like I said, if you can't stay at the Four Seasons, this is close enough. Lovely!

The Four Seasons Langkawi

I was ecstatic. We had splurged big time to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. We had saved up quite a bit for this and now at least we could say that we've "been there and done that!" This review is lesser on the accommodation and facilities because I think it's worth the focus. After all, it IS the Four Seasons, right?

Ok, firstly, it took me a whole month to really decide whether or not it's worth spending alot on the Four Seasons and did a heck of a lot of homework on it prior to making a reservation. The day that I made it, I was immediately assured that I will be paying my money's worth and their level of attention just by that phone call left me with a lot of ammo that I needed to answer to my cost-conscious husband! Yay!!. 

Looking back, when I read through the comments posted on Trip Advisor again, I truly found it difficult to believe that such an establishment with a commitment for distinctive service and ultimate experience could receive unfavorable reviews! I hope that mine will add on to more positive ones...

Frankly, it's hard not to sound biased but if you're treated like a VIP from the start, it's also hard not to blame anyone for advocating this establishment. Seriously. For instance, upon completing the online reservation, I almost immediately received a call from their customer service representative to double check on my booking. What hooked me immediately was her polite approach. When I informed her that it was inconvenient for me to talk at that point in time, we agreed on a time when she could revert with a phone call and was prompt at it too. 

It's kinda hard to explain but whatever offerings that they had to make our transit to the hotel convenient, it didn't sound as if they were "selling extras" - for example, the airport pick-up. When I told her we'd just make our own way, our choice was respected and was left at that without further insistence for us to take on their airport meet-and-greet package. But you know what? Upon our arrival, they were there anyway at no extra charge just to make sure that we got into our cab safely and that the cabbie knew where to go. Most surprising was that they could pick us out among the crowd and knew who we were - I wondered then if they had links with the CIA and they have my profile? I mean, let's get real. Locals normally have to fend for themselves while our foreign friends enjoy better reception but that bit of service without being asked for was certainly signs of a great start to our holiday. 

You'll have to know that Langkawi still has the little Nissan vanettes to shuttle people around apart from the normal looking cabs. We unfortunately got one of the beat-up ones. I figured, what the heck. A ride was a ride and it'd get us to the hotel anyway. It will be an "adventure" of sorts because seriously, it was a total piece of junk! Imagine spurts of black smoke and a coughing engine. We had fun anyway and we arrived safely at the Lobby of the Four Seasons. Now imagine the junk amidst the Mercs and Beemers dropping off other guests. Half of me wanted to die but we figured, heck, we paid a handsome amount to stay here so it doesn't matter what we arrived in and I was SO ready to do the "Pretty Woman" and say "I have money to spend in here" if we were "ignored" somewhat. But guess what, the greeting party (see, we didn't KNOW there would be a huge greeting party! How blurr could we have been, right? It was after all, the Four Seasons!) didn't even flinch but greeted us warmly and asked if we were fine on the ride from the airport. I happened to experience a sudden jab of pain in my knee and one of the staff immediately escorted us to a corner for me to sit and offered a masseuse to which I declined more out of embarassment than anything else. They went in search for a remedy anyway. That's genuine concern for a guest's welfare.

All in, I have this to summarize - after having read the book written by the owner of the Four Seasons, Mr Isadore Sharp during our stay, I can safely say that all the staff here from reception to banquet, to the Spa, and everyone else at housekeeping, engineering and room service, we can really attest to their loyalty to the Four Seasons brand, and commitment to uphold the four core values that has become the pride of the establishment. Everywhere we went, they remembered our names. When they cleaned up our room each day, our belongings were carefully laid out as how we liked it. Whenever we felt like chatting, they stopped whatever they were doing just to spend that little bit of time with us and shared whatever information we wanted to know with a smile. God knows the number of frowns and dismissals we had often encountered at other hotels. Some would also pretend they were busy so that they could avoid helping us out. But not the staff at the Langkawi Four Seasons. 

Here's the thing. They do of course experience minor hiccups. But the important thing is, everyone involved had made it a point to solve it immediately. For instance, even when we didn't realize our ceiling fan was making a small squeaking sound, they offered upfront for engineering to come fix it. It didn't bother us, but it bothered them that it MIGHT bother us. Tells me that they practice prevention rather than cure. 

Lastly, if you have time, pick up the book by Mr Isadore Sharp for a quick read. Other service industry players could learn a thing or two from his simple Golden Rule which we had experienced so far - Do unto others as you would have them do unto You. 

My husband and I are of the opinion that though we paid more than we could normally afford, the amount well commensurate with not just the facilities, amenities, ambiance, and the like but also for the level of keen attention, ultimate experience and exceptional service that we had received from that one phone call to check out. I only wished that the prices were just a smidge lower so we could go back again and again and again. *Sigh* 

But at least I can now truly say this famous line - "well, it ain't the Four Seasons" from now on coz I've been there and done that! Hah!!