The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is an esteemed experience where those lucky enough to experience will tell you a stay here can have you mistakenly thinking you are of presidential elite status, or then again, perhaps you are...
Located by the most glamorous shopping mall in KL which is the shiny Pavilion, you couldn't ask for a more central location. Here is where the city's hub of life is at play, with millions of malls, eateries, and other five start fancy hotels, all located within the ‘golden triangle' area - which is right where the Ritz Carlton sits.
Walking into your soft-carpeted room is like coming home to your own first class inner city apartment, Mr or Mrs President. Everything about the room exudes a prestigious air. Large modern and comfortable sofa lounges set to a high status stylish décor, a giant flat screen TV (that has multiple channels to choose from,) mini bar and high-tech safety box are all yours for the stay. An enormous and comfortable bed is just begging you to lie in and never emerge, with your head on a million pillows of the softest kind. A glass wall reveals the city of Kuala Lumpur, best seen at night with all the flashing lights. And then the room has extra features, like an iPod docking station, a study area with intercontinental wall plugs and internet access, a large wardrobe including snug dressing gowns and scales (eek) as well as flip flops/thongs/jandals (depending on where you come from as to which word makes sense there) and if you need it (you won't) extra pillows.
Walking into the large marble tiled bathroom is where you are reminded it's the little things that count. Like shampoos and conditioners of the best quality, luxury bath gels and moisturizers - all luxurious branded RC, even the toilet paper has been glammed up with ‘Ritz Carlton' stamps. A huge marble basin presents itself next to a delightfully large bathtub. The bath offers a charming Menu: Honeymooner's Rose Bath, revitalizing Muscle Soak, or My First Bubble Bath for the kids. One glass door will open to your shower with rain-head, the other the WC. A hairdryer is at your disposal and the softest towels, embroidered with the crown and lion RC logo too!
Upon my arrival, I had three knocks at the door.
Door knock one: Hello, I am your Butler. Here are the special features of the room.
Me: Thank you - Yes, I have noticed the room already, did you say my ‘Butler?'
Door knock two: Hi there Ma'am. Just checking everything is ok, here is an evening cookie, oh and the turn down service.
Me: Mmm Cookie.
Door knock three: Hi there Ma'am. Just checking you are ok for everything, and here is a fine selection of exquisite chocolates to enjoy.
Me: Sound of chocolates melting in my mouth.
As well as a personal Butler on call, there are also two housekeeping services a day for your room.
If you are even considering the gym or Spa treatment, don't hesitate. This is a wellness centre you can spend the day in. In fact, The Ritz Carlton suggest their guests who are taking a later flight, do just that - if they have time to kill between check-out and flying. The gym area is very large full of fancy equipment. What I like is the self-spa area. Take some time for yourself in the steam-room, dip in the heated spa tub, laze in the large sauna or relax in the individual peace rooms with couch facing a flat screen.
Head to the Spa Village for complete relaxation before you leave. Passing the pool (great to swim in a tropical setting with a high-rise skyline) you can plunge between the hot pool and cold pool, or laze on a banana bed. Entering the Spa village will have you understanding why it's called a village. Room after room offering massages of all types (I recommend the Malaysian style) or spend some time in an enclave with flooring constructed to vibrate to the sound of a heartbeat as you glance up to a sky of a thousand stars. This spa village is a truly unique experience.
And so is the Ritz Carlton.