In anticipation of Air Asia’s inaugural flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, I am in the process of preparing the list of hotels in the various islands of Hawaii.
In doing so, I consulted a few Hawaiian friends. A couple off them asked me: “What about us?” They can now also come to Kuala Lumpur just as easily. Fair enough. I prepared a list of hotels for people planning to visit KL. Although, I grew up in Kuala Lumpur and have been to many of the hotels myself, it is turning out to be a challenging task. I have not even heard of many of the newer hotels. It was like 20 years ago when I asked Singaporean friends and relatives about a hotel. They will say “I don\t know lah. there is a new hotel popping up at every corner”
Kuala Lumpur city has progressed tremendously and expanded in that way too, if the many new hotels are an indication. For example, I didn’t even know there is a new Holiday Inn after the last one in Jalan Pinang. That became Impiana On The Park. To refresh my memory, I took a drive around. Old timers will be surprised to see the Equatorial flattened and demolished. Another supper favorite The Lodge is still there, albeit with a new name. The old KL Hilton is also gone. Some are nice surprises like seeing Majestic Cinema is now D Majestic by Swiss Garden.
Shabby Pudu Plaza behind is now Hotel Pudu Plaza. Hotels may remain but name changes. Pan Pacific is now Seri Pacific and classy Carcosa is no more. Sometimes a hotel is not gone but is using a new name. Nikko is now the Intercontinental. Silly that new owners or management try to shake off every connection to the old name, losing all the goodwill earned and making it difficult for satisfied customers fo find.
One thing I should point out is that the grander the name, the reality is likely to be opposite. Also the tagging of landmarks to the name or address may not necessarily mean proximity. Check maps yourself. For example, every hotel in Brickfields has KL Sentral in its address when they are xatually outside the transport hub.
Similarly, be aware that KLCC is also tagged to many hotels not even under the shadows of the twin towers. Keep this list when friends from abroad are planning to visit. I have zoned the hotels into 5 distinct areas. KLCC/Golden Triangle, Putrajaya, Brickfields, Chinatown/Pudu/Masjid India and others. The type of accommodation covered ranges from the RM 500 a night 5 star Shangri-la to a RM 14 a night dormitory in Chinatown.
Please share with a friends visiting Kuala Lumpur and peruade them to book a room through me. Thank you for your support:
http://www.mycen.my/hotels-in-kuala-lumpur/
