Last edit by: margarita girl
Hotel email address: [email protected]
From website Feb 26, 2018:
From January 2018 through December 2018, there is ongoing work to add two additional floors for the new Executive Club Lounge, a Rooftop Sky Bar as well as new guest rooms. During this time, the previous Executive Lounge will be closed for transformation work. In addition, certain Executive benefits will be substituted for other benefits. Work is scheduled daily from 9am to 6pm. During this time, all efforts will be made to keep disruption to a minimum. Please email the hotel at [email protected] for additional information.
From website Feb 26, 2018:
Transformation Work: January - December 2018
From January 2018 through December 2018, there is ongoing work to add two additional floors for the new Executive Club Lounge, a Rooftop Sky Bar as well as new guest rooms. During this time, the previous Executive Lounge will be closed for transformation work. In addition, certain Executive benefits will be substituted for other benefits. Work is scheduled daily from 9am to 6pm. During this time, all efforts will be made to keep disruption to a minimum. Please email the hotel at [email protected] for additional information.
Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia [Master Thread]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Onepass Silver, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Worldperks, AAdvantage
Posts: 194
Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia [Master Thread]
I have not seen many posts on this hotel so I thought I would share my recent experience. I stayed at this hotel for 5 nights during the last week of March. I am Starwood Gold and upon check I was upgraded to a full ocean view room with a nice fruit plate. The Hotel itself is brand new and has an impressive entry. The rooms are a good size and include nice extras such as toothbrushes, mouthwash, LCD televisons, separate shower and tubs, DVD Players, etc. This has the potential to be a top notch hotel, but comes accoss as only a nice hotel. The hallways have a musty odor from not running the a/c. In addition the concierge is not well informed on tours in the area. We asked several question and recieved many incorrect answere. We asked about things like if lockers would be available for taking a camera on a snorkel tour. We were told no, but upon arrival we saw 3 different places with lockers. I thought the service was very good natured, just inefficient. This hotel had one of the highest butt-kissing factors of any hotel I have ever stayed. You could not walk into the hotel without being greeted at least 3 times with an accomanying bow. We ate at the hotel restaurant several times. I would highly reccomend, however they have a montly buffet theme in the hotel that remains the same each night. It would be nice to get a little more variety. The lounge has 3 chinese girls singing American standards in the evenings. They are pleasnt enough to listen to. However, they have a limited repertoire and if you are there more than hour or two, you might start hearing them repeat themselves. I am not down on this hotel, I am more frustrated by its inability to achieve its full potential as one of the nicest hotels in Malaysia. For the money...$
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA(sia)
Posts: 5,181
The LeMeridien Kota Kinabalu is a business hotel and not a resort like most other upscale properties in the city. And for a business hotel in Malaysia outside of Kuala Lumpur, its a very nice property.
Location : Very well located for a tourist, being in the city and across the street from the Filipino Market. Next to the market is a more upscale waterfront strip comprising of seafood restaurant,bistro, pub and souvenir shop etc and resembles similar strips in Australia. A couple of blocks behind the hotel is a major shopping mall Centrepoint. Though very centrally located, this is not quite Rodeo Drive ; its very crowded (in the third world sort of way) and there is a significant presence of "immigrants" in the vicinity.
Suite : Very spacious executive suite with a living room comprising of sitting area with couch and plasma tv/dvd player, a square dining table that seats 4, a writing desk and a guest toilet. Bedroom is equally spacious with king bed, easy chair, plasma tv/dvd player, dressing area and a spacious marble bathroom with seperate shower. Unlike the seafacing Deluxe rooms the seafacing Suites do not have a full width window due to the curved walls on the building facade; the windows are large enough for daylight but the view is not as good compared with the full width windows in Deluxe rooms. Overall a very nice suite, well furnished and comfortable.
Le Royal Club Lounge : Platinums are given access and check-in was done in the lounge. The seaview from the lounge is spectacular. The dark leather chairs gives the lounge a slight European feel, and there are 2 computer terminals for internet access. Evening cocktails is however disappointing with no hot food and poor choices of drinks. Breakfast is a continental spread but you can order hot food on request. Overall a very nice and quiet lounge with friendly attendants.
Housekeeping : Each time they service the room (including turndown service), all amenities are replenished. And a new plate of fruits everyday. Very impressive.
Platinum treatment : Generally OK though a slight reminder of the benefits is required. Lounge access, club level room, late checkout, platinum amenity (needs reminder) are offered.
Conclusion : A good business hotel which exceeded my expectations. Friendly staff and very obliging though some may need retraining. If they are able to maintain the current high standards, the LeMeridien will certainly be my hotel of choice when I return to Kota Kinabalu.
Location : Very well located for a tourist, being in the city and across the street from the Filipino Market. Next to the market is a more upscale waterfront strip comprising of seafood restaurant,bistro, pub and souvenir shop etc and resembles similar strips in Australia. A couple of blocks behind the hotel is a major shopping mall Centrepoint. Though very centrally located, this is not quite Rodeo Drive ; its very crowded (in the third world sort of way) and there is a significant presence of "immigrants" in the vicinity.
Suite : Very spacious executive suite with a living room comprising of sitting area with couch and plasma tv/dvd player, a square dining table that seats 4, a writing desk and a guest toilet. Bedroom is equally spacious with king bed, easy chair, plasma tv/dvd player, dressing area and a spacious marble bathroom with seperate shower. Unlike the seafacing Deluxe rooms the seafacing Suites do not have a full width window due to the curved walls on the building facade; the windows are large enough for daylight but the view is not as good compared with the full width windows in Deluxe rooms. Overall a very nice suite, well furnished and comfortable.
Le Royal Club Lounge : Platinums are given access and check-in was done in the lounge. The seaview from the lounge is spectacular. The dark leather chairs gives the lounge a slight European feel, and there are 2 computer terminals for internet access. Evening cocktails is however disappointing with no hot food and poor choices of drinks. Breakfast is a continental spread but you can order hot food on request. Overall a very nice and quiet lounge with friendly attendants.
Housekeeping : Each time they service the room (including turndown service), all amenities are replenished. And a new plate of fruits everyday. Very impressive.
Platinum treatment : Generally OK though a slight reminder of the benefits is required. Lounge access, club level room, late checkout, platinum amenity (needs reminder) are offered.
Conclusion : A good business hotel which exceeded my expectations. Friendly staff and very obliging though some may need retraining. If they are able to maintain the current high standards, the LeMeridien will certainly be my hotel of choice when I return to Kota Kinabalu.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: HKG / SIN
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Shangri-La Jade, IHG Platinum, TG Gold
Posts: 485
Looks like I must try to find some excuse to make a business trip to KK. Incidently, when I was trying to book a room, there were several rate schemes which i don't understand : what's in a LM business rate ? passport rate ? can't find much differences in the terms & conditions.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Onepass Silver, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Worldperks, AAdvantage
Posts: 194
Originally Posted by meremale
Looks like I must try to find some excuse to make a business trip to KK. Incidently, when I was trying to book a room, there were several rate schemes which i don't understand : what's in a LM business rate ? passport rate ? can't find much differences in the terms & conditions.
When I stayed they had something called a Celebration rate that included Breakfast and Dinner. I beleive the Passport rate also includes breakfast.
#5
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA(sia)
Posts: 5,181
Update- Executive Lounge
There has been some significant improvements on the food offerings in the lounge. Several hot dishes are now available for breakfast, and there are also 2 hot food items during the evening cocktails. Only negative aspect of the lounge is that its open only till 9pm.
This is definitely my favourite SPG hotel for now .......
This is definitely my favourite SPG hotel for now .......
#7
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA(sia)
Posts: 5,181
Originally Posted by olimaspecto
any update on the tour info/booking desk at the hotel?
If you intend to go to the islands, you can take a taxi to the main jetty (port) in town or to the marina at Sutera Harbour (which I normally use). There are several ferry operators there, and as a rough guide return boat fare is MYR35 for 1 island and MYR50 for 2 islands. National park entrance fee is MYR10 for foreigners.
Kinabalu National Park can be reached by public bus which departs very early in the morning (never tried). If there are 2 or more of you, it may be a good idea to rent a car which gives you more flexibility.
#8
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Paris, France
Programs: IHG, CC, HH, AF, AA, UA
Posts: 830
Originally Posted by mario33
There has been some significant improvements on the food offerings in the lounge. Several hot dishes are now available for breakfast, and there are also 2 hot food items during the evening cocktails. Only negative aspect of the lounge is that its open only till 9pm.
This is definitely my favourite SPG hotel for now .......
This is definitely my favourite SPG hotel for now .......
We will be staying there in a couple of weeks.
What kind of an upgrade should one expect as a lowly Gold, or is it worth splurging an additional 100RM for a Royal club room ?
Thanks,
Yann
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA(sia)
Posts: 5,181
Originally Posted by yann
What kind of an upgrade should one expect as a lowly Gold, or is it worth splurging an additional 100RM for a Royal club room ?
If you intend to make use of the club floor facilities, yes MYR100 is worth it especially if there are 2 of you in the room.
I dont know how much they charge for breakfast at the LM, but most upscale city hotels in Malaysia charges MYR40-50 per person for breakfast. The breakfast spread in the lounge is now almost as good as in the main restaurant, and infact I prefer having breakfast in the lounge which is more comfortable, quieter and has a better view.
Other privileges of the Royal Club floor includes evening cocktails which is now quite decent , all day coffee/tea with cookies, 2 hrs of internet use per day, 2 pieces of garment pressing per guest per stay etc And not to mention a more personalised service and a room on a higher floor.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Home airports:SRQ,TPA,RSW
Programs: AA 0.4MM, BA G, LH SEN,TK S, HH Dia, Sixt Plat, Hertz Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 2,689
Bump! How far is the hotel from the beach? Walkable? or better stop a taxi and go? I'm probably going for about 6 days and was considering splitting my stay between Le Meridien for some points and the shangri-la, which is considerably more expensive but of course more luxurious. Thanks
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: All the wrong places..
Programs: SQ TPP, BA Gold, Hyatt Life Glob, SPG/Marriott Life Plat,
Posts: 3,371
Bump! How far is the hotel from the beach? Walkable? or better stop a taxi and go? I'm probably going for about 6 days and was considering splitting my stay between Le Meridien for some points and the shangri-la, which is considerably more expensive but of course more luxurious. Thanks
The closest main public beach is probably at Tanjung Aru, where one of the two Shangri La's is located. This ias about 10 minutes in a taxi from the LM. The Shangri La has it's own beach front area and there is a public beach at Tanjung Aru that runs from the SL up towards the airport. There is also the Sutera Resort which is closer to LM than the SL but not sure what the beach is like there.
I am also doing the same as you in splitting stays between the LM and SL. Note that are two Shangri La's in KK, one near the City (Tanjung Aru) and one about 30-45 minutes out called the Rasa Ria.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Home airports:SRQ,TPA,RSW
Programs: AA 0.4MM, BA G, LH SEN,TK S, HH Dia, Sixt Plat, Hertz Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 2,689
It's close to the Waterfront but that area does not have a beach. There is a quite recently (last few years) developed area with bars and restaurants across from the Hotel and also the market near the fishing boats.
The closest main public beach is probably at Tanjung Aru, where one of the two Shangri La's is located. This as about 10 minutes in a taxi from the LM. The Shangri La has it's own beach front are and there is a public beach at Tanjung Aru that runs from the SL up towards the airport. There is also the Sutera Resort which is closer to LM than the SL but not sure what the beach is like there.
I am also doing the same as you in splitting stays between the LM and SL. Note that are two Shangri La's in KK, one near the City (Tanjung Aru) and one about 30-45 minutes out called the Rasa Ria.
The closest main public beach is probably at Tanjung Aru, where one of the two Shangri La's is located. This as about 10 minutes in a taxi from the LM. The Shangri La has it's own beach front are and there is a public beach at Tanjung Aru that runs from the SL up towards the airport. There is also the Sutera Resort which is closer to LM than the SL but not sure what the beach is like there.
I am also doing the same as you in splitting stays between the LM and SL. Note that are two Shangri La's in KK, one near the City (Tanjung Aru) and one about 30-45 minutes out called the Rasa Ria.
#13
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: SPG Platinum 100; Hilton Gold; Ritz Gold; UA 1K
Posts: 99
airport transportation
How far is the airport from the hotel? We will arrive after 10PM, so is taxi reliable? Approximate cost?
Just don't want to get ripped off on our first trip there :-)
Thanks.
Just don't want to get ripped off on our first trip there :-)
Thanks.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,202
And to keep this reply on topic, the Le Meridien KK is one of my favorite SPG properties, with a great lounge and very friendly staff.