tfong007

I just did a search on SPG and found that they have a new Westin in KL opening in late August.

From the page

Pre-Opening Office:
Faber Imperial Court Suite 3, Level 7
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Kuala Lumpur 50250
Malaysia

A chic and contemporary hotel, Westin Kuala Lumpur is strategically located on bustling Jalan Bukit Bintang, in the heart of the city's leading shopping and business area. We are neighbors to one of the premier shopping centers, Star Hill, as well as the designer haven Lot Ten Shopping Center and K.L. Plaza.

Our 384 guest rooms, including 23 suites, feature the Heavenly Bed® and a modern luxury design with contemporary furnishings. Or if you're looking for a reminder of home, our 68 Deluxe Executive Residences consist of 12 two-bedroom and 56 one-bedroom apartments and feature a full-facility kitchen with six appliances, study, lanai, CD/DVD Home Entertainment System, as well as the Heavenly Shower®.

If business is on your mind, our 12 meeting and conference facilities, including The Westin Grand Ballroom, located on the first and second floor are connected by an impressive grand stairway and provide the ideal location for meetings or other special events.

Six signature restaurants and bars and The Upper Hall bring a new definition of creative dining to the city. From EEST, a Pan-Asian restaurant featuring five types of cuisine to QBA, a Cocina Latina Grill, wine and cigar bar, guests are sure to enjoy the wide variety of innovative dining experiences.

shortfinals

The initial launch date bandied about was July 18 and that's why I asked Lurker if it could just squeeze in for the 5Stay/50K promo. Looks like the question answered itself with the new Aug 28 launch date. My girlfriend works in the building right next to it and her office has a view of the pool. I went up there and took a look at it yesterday but it doesn't look like it's going to be ready by August but then again I'm no construction engineer.

airbus320

The website now states accepting reservations on or after 6 Sep 03.

Danial

Managed to secure a room on the opening date of Sep 6th 2003 which I reserved on July 15th, and guess .... the hotel is sold out till end of Oct 2003 due to the number of floors they open but they assure more rooms will be available when the opening date is closer.

Quote " Dear Mr Danial,

Thank you for your interest in The Westin Kuala Lumpur.

We are still confirmed to open on September 6, 2003. However, due to it is only a soft opening, we have very limited rooms available and at this point of time, we are fully booked for most of the dates till end of October. Our available rooms will gradually increase as will draw nearer to our opening date.

As for our e-mail address, we are experiencing some challenges as it has recently been deactivated for some internal migration.

We sincerely apologise for the inconveniences caused and definitely look forward to welcome you to The Westin Kuala Lumpur in the near future.

Best Regards
Matthew Lim
Manager Revenue Management
The Westin Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603-2731-8333 | Fax: 603-2731-8000
" Unquote

shortfinals

Just took a walk past the construction site on Sunday. They've taken away most of the scaffolding that was obscuring the view before. I'd say it looks pretty classy, although the lobby looks a little small. On both sides of the hotel, they've got curved windows and looking up through them, I couldn't see any walls/dividers, so I'd guess a suite there would be pretty large. They've also got a pretty good looking restaurant (I suspect it's more of a cigar club) on the side facing the JW Marriott. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Danial

I will be staying at this "Heavenly Experience" hotel this Saturday, and got a reply from GM as stated below:

This is an extract from Mr Jan Bundgaard General Manager The Westin Kuala Lumpur e-mail.

The following facilities will be available during the soft opening period:

Prego:

Authentic Italian dining in a fun and lively atmosphere.

Location: Ground and Upper Ground

Hours:
Lunch: 12:00 to 14:30
Italian Bites: 14:30 to 18:00
Dinner: 18:00 to 22:30
Italian Bites: 22:30 to 01:00

Living Room:

A modern restaurant and stylish lounge.

Location: Ground Level

Hours:
Breakfast: 06:00 to 10:30
Refreshments: 10:30 to 24:00

Splash:

A lifestyle lounge by the poolside.

Location: Level 4

Hours:
Refreshments: 10:00 to 22:00

IN ROOM DINING

Please contact Service Express for menu selection and to place your order.

Hours:
Breakfast: 06:00 to 10:30
Refreshments: 10:30 to 06:00

BUSINESS CENTRE
For all your business needs.

Location: Level 1

Hours: 07:00 to 23:00

WESTIN WORKOUT
The latest in cardiovascular equipment is available at our temporary health club.

Location: Level 4 by the pool

Hours: 06:00 to 22:00
22:00 to 06:00 contact Service Express

OUTDOOR POOL
Location: Level 4 by the pool

Hours: 06:00 to 22:00

Westin Kids Club
Fun and supervised activities for kids!

Location: Level 4

Hours: 10:00 to 18:00

thezipper

One suprising note on this Westin property... SPG Category 1 : 2000 To 3000 Starpoints for a free night Guess where I'm staying in KL next spring!

Danial

Westin KL Soft Opening Sep 6th 2003.

I had been advised earlier in e-mail not to expect a full service 5 star hotel on the opening day as Westin KL is still under some touch up. They only had 2 floors (16th and 17th) open for guest to stay in. And no upgrade to suite or Exec flr as they are not ready. GM then offered to place me with other 5 star hotels nearby but I decline.

I was greeted by Mr Jan Bundgaard GM, Mr Eric Kee FOM, Ms Florence Kok Exec Club Mgr, and Ms Gee Gee (not her actual name) SPG exec as I checkin about 1.15pm and was told I am the 2nd guest to checkin, and Mr Jan GM offered me the room on the house which I actually reserved for RM288+ (double SPG points, free broadband). Wow, was I impressed, and I asked Mr Jan why was this room FOC, and he says I am the first Platinum member to stay with them. He then offered me to have lunch with him but I turn him down as I have other chores to do, but with his persistant, I accepted his dinner invitation at Prego.

Later, Ms Florence and Ms Gee Gee escorted me to my temporary double bed room 1710 and later at 3.50pm, switch me to the king size bed room 1611 with amenities (fruits and lots of chocolates) placed in the room. From the floor map of 16th and 17th floor, exec suites ends with XX07, and junior suites ends with XX19.

Everyone familiar with the Asian/Oceanic Westin hotels will find it similiar with Westin KL, well except Westin KL didn't have the 'forest shower' like the one I experience at Westin Sydney. The room I am staying have a clear view of the twin towers, and even a beauty at night.

While waiting for my king size bed room to be ready, I had lunch at their Prego Italian restaurant, but was not entertain until I called them as there was a Malaysian cabinet minister with a group having lunch. Well, I ordered a dish called Agnolotti pasta and a fruit juice (total about USD12), but I spoiled it when I added Prego's olive oil which has a taste and smell too strong for my liking. I should have gone to the Living Room on Mezannie floor for lunch, at least it has Asian dishes in their menu.

Then came dinner time, I had a company of 3 Westin staff, Mr Eric, Ms Gee Gee, and Mr Tim Gan Chief Concierge. Mr. Jan GM will come about every 10 minutes as he was entertaining guest and visitor having dinner at the Prego. We talk a lot about Westin and where did they pinch staff all over Klang Valley region. Most of their staff came from Marriot next door, Regent, and Shangri-La. The chief chef at the Prego came from Lafite of Shang KL. We had a 5 course dinner (starter, lobster, filet mignon, baked fish, and desert), which we had from 7.30 until 9.30 at night. During that time, the Prego was almost fill up with diners on its first day inside and outside. Not bad for a brand new Italian restaurant along the Bintang walk.

As usual, I had a nice sleep on their Heavenly bed, and the next morning, I had breakfast at the Living Room, and ordered Wonton soup with roasted duck meat, and fruit juice (total about USD9).

For those who want to try Westin KL, please do so starting Nov 2003 onwards, as they are still new, and at that time, they should have all floors and facilities open.

Swanhunter

Sounds promising. I've always had positive experiences at the Sheraton Imperial in KL, the Westin adds an intriguing extra choice, as well as even more pressure on already very low room rates.

Now all Starwood need to do is find a new Westin in Singapore - I'm getting bored of the Sheraton Towers.

Vulcan

I was there in February and they have a LARGE lounge on the top floor with fabulous views of the Towers. The food at night was very good, but I remember the wine as being vile. There were very few people in it and I was frequently the only person in the lounge.
I did not get a suite as a Plat, but got a room with a good view of the Towers. I did get a chance to look at a suite and they were very nice. As I was leaving I noticed that they were running a promotion. If you reserve a room on a club floor they would put you in a suite. I think it was still only about $100/nt. You may want to eamil the hotel directly and inquire about any promotions.
Finally, I do remember a nice pool on the 4th floor, as well an Italian Villa restaurant also constructed on the 4th floor by the pool. Very impressive.
I suggest doing some searching in this forum. I got tons of information about getting around, etc, just by searching this forum for the Sheraton Imnperial.
I may be there again in February, but only for 1 night. It will be a tough choice between the Imperial and Westin.

Retired FF

Thanks Vulcan. Sounds great. We are looking forward to our visit. Mukesh

flyme2

Having been spoiled by the Sheraton Imperial on our various stays there in the past, my wife and I had to make some tough choices for the KL portion of our upcoming trip to SEA. Consequently we decided to split our stays between the Westin and Sheraton. I think we've made the right decision.

Vulcan: Funny you should mention the wine in the Club Lounge. Our last stay there just happened to coincide with PM Mahathir Mohamad's UMNO party convention where he announced his resignation (later rescinded). The hotel was filled with various dignitaries and party deligates, many of whom were frequent visitors to the Club Lounge. For some strange reason , wine was in short supply forcing Brigitte and an Australian guest to repeatedly request some replenishment from the wine cellar. Finally, after much scurrying about, a somewhat pricey bottle of distinctive pedigree appeared and the two "whiners" were doled out a glass each. The next day, the regular "plonk" made it's reappearance in far greater volume, but alas the delegates had vanished, so Brigitte and her Australian counterpart were left to share the more pedestrian vintage.

MedEdGuy

If this is your first trip to KL, I might suggest the new Westin, as it's in a very popular area (Bukit Bintang), making it relatively easly to walk to things you'll most likely be interested in. The Sheraton, on the other hand, is a bit further from the places you'll probably want to be. That being said, though, the Sheraton is near an LRT (subway) stop, as well as a stop on the new monorail that just opened at the end of August. (Be warned though, the monorail stops operating very early!!) Also, taxis are relatively cheap (try not to let them rip you off and charge RM10 for your trip!), so the Sheraton is still a great option.

Please feel free to drop me an email if you have any other KL questions.

airbus320

I just finished a two day stay at this property. I am Gold and was given an upgraded room with a magnificent view of the Petronas Towers. The room was nicely decorated in a contemporary style with a large bathroom with separate shower.

The concierge service was superb and extremely helpful for setting up tours and suggesting transportation.

A fine property.

mario33

Didnt ask for upgrade and didnt get any upgrade eventhough I showed my SPG Gold card. Nice room even without upgrade though the view from the room is not so pleasant.

I find that most staff at this property are very young and inexperienced but enthusiastic, and service is very s l o w.