Malaysia - Finally!
We woke up early and took a 6.5 hour train ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. The whole idea for this trip had begun with how badly I had wanted to see the Petronas Twin Towers, so this was a very exciting day for me.
The main Singapore train station was a little run down, and you have to fill out some paper work before you leave. Then we were off, but not for very long before you hit the boarder between Singapore and Malaysia, and you need to get off the train and go through customs. Then, back on the train. The landscape was very impressive. There was a group of British businessmen on the train with us, they were very funny and nice, and we found out that they will also be at our same hotel in Penang that we are at, and arrive just one day after we do - so we expect to meet up with them again maybe.
Then finally, Kuala Lumpur was in view.
***IMPORTANT NOTE*** In Malaysia, when at train stations, or the airport, etc, you can't just go get in a taxi. You first need to find the line to get your TICKET for your taxi, which is typically inside the building (in both the main train station and the airport it IS inside the building.) You wait your turn in line, go up to the window, explain where you will be going, pay them, and they give you a ticket. ONLY THEN you can go outside and get in line for your taxi. If you bypass this step, either by mistake or because you think you can, you will wait through the second line for nothing - you won't be able to get in a taxi. So make sure you find that ticket line first!
We made it to our hotel (Kuala Lumpur Imperial) which was my favorite hotel of the trip. We had an executive room, and the executive lounge in this hotel is second to none. They treat you like old friends, help you with EVERYTHING, and the views are to die for from up there. I can't wait to go back, and fully intend to. We were worn out from the long trip, so we ate in the hotel that night, I was introduced to the joys of Malaysian coffee, and we went to sleep.
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AHHHH...... Let me tell you about my absolute favorite hotel in the entire world; the Sheraton Imperial, Kuala Lumpur. I DREAM of going back to this hotel, and can't wait to make that a reality.
We stayed here for a week in 2004 (short of the 2 nights in the middle of the week we were in Penang). As with a lot of the hotels I have reviewed, we originally got the room on Priceline for $90 (not bad for 3 people!) and then paid a little extra to upgrade to the Executive Floor; MAKE SURE TO DO THIS!!!! I can't tell you how worth it this is, and actually, I honestly believe it can save you a great deal of money if done correctly. You get laundry done for free, GREAT free breakfasts every morning, unlimited cold sodas and juices all day, and little snacks, free alcohol at night.... it really adds up. VERY MUCH worth the upgrade.
The other great things about the executive club is the view it gives you - it will blow you away, to get to sit in this beautiful place, and stare out at the KL Tower one direction, and the Petronas Twin Towers the other. The hotel is right inbetween them, and very close to both; so the view is unbelievable. Especially at night it will bring tears to your eyes.
The service and kindness of the people that work there are amazing; they are so nice. They helped us find great places to eat that weren't touristy, they helped us get last minute airfare to Penang when our other plans fell through, and even little things, like learning who liked warmed cream and who liked cold cream in their coffee, and who liked tea instead; they learned all three of us and our preferences by day two, and had things waiting for us when we go there in the morning. Amazing.
I hope you love this hotel and the experience as much as I did, and I hope to hear from you afterwards!!!
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