Categories
Asia Staycation

ITC Sheraton – an awesome hotel for your next visit to Kuala Lumpur

During our last trip to Malaysia, we stayed at ITC Sheraton. Located in the city center of Kuala Lumpur and just steps away from the city monorail and LRT (Light Rail Transit) lines via Dang Wangi Station) and Monorail via Medan Tuanku Station. It sits amidst amazing tourist destination nearby including Chinatown (15minutes), Buli Bintang (10 minutes), Central Market (10minutes), HSC Medical Center (15 minutes), Prince Court Medical Center (15 minutes)and National Heart Institute (15 minutes). Both Kuala Lumpur International Airport 1 and 2 are only an hour’s drive and airport transportation is available. Moreover, it provides airport transportation. Moreover, over our long history of international tours ‘Sheraton’ has become a trusted brand name with us and we have often come to depend on it over time.

 

This amazing hotel has nearly 400 rooms – some smoking and other non-smoking. Our rooms – the standard ones were amply spacious, tidy and well-ventilated with air conditioning, a walk-in closet, nice comfortable pillows, clean toilets, and flat television screens. The rooms came with safe and ironing facilities. The toilets had free toiletries as well as a bathtub. The suites, VIP rooms, and family rooms are also available. Of course, room service is available. The best thing about the rooms though was the presence of a mini bar in the room. There is also a business center and facilities for holding conferences – making it perfect for business tours.

 

The hotel provides free high-speed WiFi internet, an outdoor swimming pool we took full advantage of, a fitness center with Gym or workout room – which is a facility of great importance for someone like us who travel a lot. There was also a lounge with a bar. And we highly recommend taking advantage of the Mandara spa here. Free parking facility available and they also avail rental cars.

The front desk is opened all hours and can be approached for currency exchange, tour arrangements, concierge services, etc. The staff was friendly, eager to serve and hospitable – all smiles and well informed as they answered our often stupid questions and put up with our mildly annoying eccentricities.

The best part about ITC Sheraton though is amazing food. Delicious varieties of local as well as international seafood are available in as many as 5 in-house dining options. Its Celestial Court restaurant offers authentic seafood which we, Ghoomophiro Sisters, could never have enough of. If you are looking for something romantic, Villa Danieli is the place for you. Styled after a rustic country home, it is a free-standing trattoria perfect for romantic Italian dinners. For International Cuisine you can and should try dining at Essence.

The prices are starting from approx 6000 INR and go on to more than double that rate. Given its prime location in a spot which attracts tourists from all over the world and the incredible perks it offers, we found the price very reasonable. The panoramic views of skyline available from the building and some of the open spaces made it seem like a lot to us.

Much like other Sheraton hotels, ITC Sheraton at Kuala Lumpur more than met our expectations. They have a way of being a one-stop solution to all your tourist needs and still managing to delight you. Their high rating of 8.7 at Booking.com is for very good reasons. Thus we personally highly recommend ITC if Malaysia (Truly Asia) is your next tourist destination.

Categories
Rejuvenate Staycation

In the clouds at Genting Highland Resort, Malaysia

Address: Genting Highland Resort, Genting Highlands, Malaysia.

How to get here: Getting here is quite easy with shuttle service. With Awana Skyway Resort World Genting’s cable car system, cable cars carry the passengers every hour ascending from Awana Station to SkyAvenue station. The glass floor Gondola ride gives a great view across the 620 meters of cable. You can start enjoying the sights even on the journey. There is hassle-free transport between shuttle stations and resort. It is also conveniently accessed by a 45-minute ride from Kuala Lumpur.

The resort hotel is a bright and stylish hotel that brings freshness to its modern decor. Set amidst the majestic landscape, this hotel also provides a breathtaking view and all the cool comforts. It is a high altitude resort set amidst the Genting Highlands of Malaysia. The weather is always refreshing in this part. As you walk in, you get the view of the decent lobby and the bellman is there to help you. When we entered our room, we were delighted to see that our room gave us a lavish view of the amusement park. The elevator signs took a little getting used to but after a while, we understood the arrows and signs.

Room: The room has a modern interior and it was very clean and cozy. We had the super deluxe double bed for our luxury and the staff was cooperative and polite. The room was up to standards but the only problem was that there was no WiFi connectivity. That was only available in the lobby. There are a bunch of options available for the type of room you want and we went with the deluxe option. It suited our needs and was quite comfy. With carpet flooring, in-room safe and sitting are available, it was all one could ask of the hotel.

Amenities and Services: Highlight of the Resort is the huge Genting theme park attached to it which is surrounded by a great view. We stayed in the deluxe room and it had all the modern luxury facilities. Getting back to the room after visiting the theme park was very relaxing. The room was spacious as well as comfortable. There was one small herbal shop around the corner and we delighted in their soups. Most of the facilities are within walking distance and the staff is ever so helpful. A basic set of toiletries were provided such as hairdryer, bathrobes, along with tea/coffee maker, LCD Tv, and express laundry service. The food, however, wasn’t fantastic and we preferred to eat outside. There is a Bar & Lounge if you feel in the mood for a few drinks and a Casino for trying your hand at gambling.

Food:

Some of the best places to eat that we found were Cafes Richard. As soon as we arrived at SkyAvenue, it was the first place we went for some coffee. Here, the customers can experience genuine French art with original coffees and French food. Do try their espresso.

Later, we ended up at Motorino. That is the best Pizza place baked in wooden ovens. This is the best authentic Italian pizza restaurant chain.

We also had our meals at Food factory in Genting Highlands. There was a wide variety of food choices here and even a chocolate fountain. We had our meal buffet style. There were many options for vegetarian food and we were surprised to find Rotis available.

Highlights: The theme park, though crowded remained the highlight of our stay here. One can easily spend the whole day there, enjoying different rides and activities. Many retail shops and restaurants are also readily available without having to go too far for it.

Verdict: We had a great time during our stay at this resort and would recommend it to every fellow traveler visiting Genting Highlands in Malaysia. Just opt out of the breakfast option and instead go out and eat the local cuisines. Do try out the casino and the theme park. It is all part of the overall experience which you will not want to miss.

Categories
Asia

Things not to miss while in Malaysia !!

Malaysia is rightly ascribed as ‘truly Asia’ for the perfect amalgamation of traditional and modern lifestyle. Its progressive yet very rooted in its culture. For tourists from other continents, it represents the essence of whole Asia. It has something for everyone. Malaysia is much more than the 10 must-see places that you are going to read about. Do not blame us if you end up buying return air tickets by the end of this list.

 Petronas Twin Towers, KL

‘On top of the world’ is what you feel when you stand atop the sky bridge that connects the world’s tallest twin towers! While its glass & steel exterior gives it a modern look, its interior beautifully compliments it in a traditional way. It’s this contrast that is essentially what Malaysia is all about.

Genting Highlands

An hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, It’s a weekend destination that dreams are made of. This one place offers you the best of theme parks, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and of course Malaysia’s only licensed on-land casino!

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Cameron Highlands

Who would believe that near the same hustle bustle of the Genting Highland there is this peaceful hill station to relax and refresh. This place offers a moderate climate all year and is a perfect get away from the chaos of the city life. As Malaysia’s most popular highland retreat it offers a vast range of continental plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, and Kota Bharu

The three cities of Malaysia – Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu are a must visit. Kuantan, although not as big as many other cities in Malaysia, is a great city to explore. The atmosphere is great and the beaches especially Teluk Cempedak, Balok, and Pantai Batu Hitam are lovely with facilities for watersports. If you want to do some light shopping, visit Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu both known for their great authentic markets.

Kinabalu National Park

This park is a Unesco world heritage site. The main attraction at the Park is the majestic Mount Kinabulu. A trek to the Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain peak in southeast Asia is an experience in itself. The flowers and plants that you will see on your way up are some of the rarest and most stunning.

Perhentian Islands

Perhentian Islands is a small group of beautiful islands great for scuba diving and snorkeling. What is best about this place is the affordable prices of accommodation, you can stay at the island for a mere $15 per night. Because of these pocket-friendly prices, Perhentian is a very popular island among tourists.

Penang

Unlike Malacca, this island is the perfect blend of eastern and western lifestyle. Its a unique mix of swanky shopping complexes and old run down stores, low-end eateries and high-end clubs. Penang’s capital Georgetown true to its name is where west meets east. Its also a Unesco heritage site due to the presence of many historical structures.

Redang Island

For scuba divers and others who want to explore an extraordinary underwater life, Redang Island will rate much higher on this list. This is a place that craves your attention from the very first time you step on its soft sands. Its a protected site under the government to preserve its rich marine ecosphere.

Menara Tower

Before the twin towers, Menara Tower was Malaysia’s recognized used Landmark for outsiders. To date, it offers the highest and most stunning view of the Malaysian landscape.

 Langkawi Cable Car

Sitting inside the cable car on your way to Mount Mat Cincang there will be moments when your heart will come to your mouth seeing the depths of the valley but once you reach there you will realize the awesomeness that you just witnessed. The rainforest below offers one of the most breathtaking views you will ever see.

Kinabatangan river

The river Kinabatangan is the second largest river in Malaysia that runs through the state of Sabah in Borneo. Alongside the river, you can encounter many different exotic animal species that can be spotted from out of a small boat. Do experience the Kinabatangan river cruise which is a great way to explore the islands of Sabah. Not only is Malaysia a mixing bowl of ethnic cultures, but it is also a blend of many different customs and heritage, cuisines and religions all coexisting peacefully together.

All this makes Malaysia a great tourist spot. For all your bookings, drop us a note at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com

Categories
Adventure Asia Itinerary

48 hours in Kuala Lumpur

The vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur is the Capital of Malaysia, famed as “Garden city of lights” across the world. The beautiful city is rich in culture, heritage and has prosperous past and present. It is one of the loved destinations among the traveling freak due to its exotic nightlife. The charming city offers the blend of modern and traditional landscape and sights. A quick stopover of around 48 hours will let you see most of the things, which can capture your heart for its hospitality. Malaysia is a place, where you get a close-up of wildlife within the vicinities of the city.

We have planned a trip, which is suitable for a common man to enjoy Kuala Lumpur in a span of 48 hours without wasting much time.

Day 1 in Kuala Lumpur

After arriving in the city, it is the best idea to cover places which fall in proximity to avoid wastage of time in traveling to remote destination. There are numerous places to have fun and to check out for adventure within the city limits. This article is an attempt to guide you all through your journey to Malaysia.

Petronas Twin Towers

Petronas twin towers are sky-kissing building, which is one of the tallest towers in the world. This tower is the best example of perfect architecture, standing still at the with the height of 452 meters. The towers are designed with an inspiration of Islamic architecture and popular for its steel and glass usage all around.

 

Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower

The Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower is one of the most recognizable towers and a popular landmark in the nation. The tower is visible from every part of Kuala Lumpur.

Petaling Street

After lunch, Enjoy the shopping in one of the well-known shopping streets “Petaling Street”. A one-stop street for shopping. The ideal time to visit the place is after sunset to enjoy the exotic nights light and jeweled street with colorful lights.

Jalan Alor

After Shopping,  you can head towards Jalan Alor, a food street, which is famous for its delicious mouth-watering traditional cuisine. The travelers enjoy the variety of street food is the cheap and reasonable price. Get full return on your investment!!

Day 2 of Kuala Lumpur

On the 2nd day in Kuala Lumpur, plan for the sightseeing across the city and places nearby. Day 2 focuses on temples, wildlife sanctuaries, and valleys around the city.

Batu Caves

Kuala Lumpur’s most visited places and frequented tourist attraction is Batu. It has a beautiful Subramanya Hindu temple along with three important caves.

Elephant Sanctuary

A drive from Batu caves to elephant sanctuary is a great way to connect back to culture due to its greenery around the sanctuary and meeting majestic elephants along the way.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

A 60-hectare lake garden dedicated to birds for its habitat. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park has been reputed to have most rare birds in the world and is the largest park for birds in the world.

Fahrenheit88 Mall

Fahrenheit 99 Mall is one of the biggest malls in the world with 5 floors of shops with all kinds of varieties of products. It is the right place to shop Isn’t it?

Sky Bar

The sky bar is located on the 33rd floor of Traders Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The bar is glamorous for its interiors and a cocktail lounge with swimming pool. Great views of the Kuala Lumpur city with an excellent variety of cocktails available

Heli Lounge Bar

Heli Lounge bar is located on the helicopter pad and is on the 36th floor of the building. The bar comes with both nightclub and a cocktail bar with an excellent view with an open top.

Unfolding the hidden chapters with the Canopy Walkway tour!!

The Canopy Walkway tour offers you to explore the folded chapters of Kuala Lumpur.This travel package provides travelers to stroll through a Malaysian Rainforest and witness the alluring landscape and scenic views around. During your walk through shady trails of arboretums, you will encounter more than 30 different species of bamboo.

Travel Tip

Malaysia is the best travel destination for travelers in all seasons. Being close to the equator it has tropical climate all through the year. The weather is generally hot and humid, but it can rain anytime, making the weather more suitable for travelers. The month of May to June is considered the ideal time to visit yet travelers can plan the trip to Kuala Lumpur anytime, there is no such cool season.

Kuala Lumpur is the best holiday destination for you, if you’re looking for the place where you can get everything, starting from natural landscape, temples, monasteries and vibrant nightlife, Kuala Lumpur has the whole package.

Don’t skip  The Chettinad Banana Leaf Rice !!!

Don’t skip to witness the magical trick of fireflies at night!!

 

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