Once a simple pre-war village of wooden houses on stilts, it is today prime real estate where offices, banks, hotels, pubs and clubs flourish, catering to the whims and fancies of businesspeople, holidaymakers and the general public.
One such establishment making its home in this maze of frenzied activity is the Ramada Suites Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
Thoughtfully-designed suites
As its name suggests, the “suites” here are in essence mini versions of your homes cleverly partitioned into dedicated areas – bathroom, kitchenette, dining area, living area, bedroom, study and balcony.
Seamlessly flowing from one space into the other, and tastefully designed in earth tones, it does seem that everything you would need to make your stay more comfortable has already been thought out for you.
The kitchenette is stocked with a toaster, stove, microwave oven, mini fridge and wash basin, just in case you prefer breakfast in your suite or feel the need for a late-night snack of pastries and coffee before hitting the sack.
The living area has a comfortable sofa with throw pillows where you can lounge as you can catch-up on your reading or watch the evening news on a 50-inch LCD flatscreen.
Breathtaking views
From the balcony, the view is breathtaking. The KL Tower looms so close, you’ll feel you can almost touch it. Upon nightfall, the tower is bathed in ever-changing hues of green, red, blue, orange and white.
The city’s skyline mesmerises, being as it is a combination of modern and older high-rises standing side by side with heritage buildings that tell of a time when the city was calmer, quieter and still finding its way into becoming a bustling metropolis.
Hugo’s KL
Feel like a bite? Saunter into Hugo’s KL on the ground floor to sample their Asian or Western offerings.
Group Marketing Director Samuel Spurr said, “Hugo’s KL was built around the concept of being a casual, friendly and warm spot to grab a bite, have a drink and chill with friends.
“We have value-for-money Set Lunches that attract office workers, and to ensure we have a little something for everyone, our spread caters to both Asian and Western tastes.
So while you enjoy your Mamak Mee Goreng or Chinese-style Fried Rice, a tourist from the US can have his steak or pizza.
Among the Set Lunch choices is Chef Bahar’s Ayam Perchik – a wholesome meal of grilled chicken basted with a spicy sauce.
There is also Chicken Tikka, complete with popadom, chutney, raita and jeera rice and the Malabari Fish Curry with its tumeric-flavoured gravy.
Needless to say, all three were lip-smackingly good.
For dinner, F&B Manager Dino recommended the Nasi Lemak, Chicken Sliders and Garden Greens with Salmon. All great choices!
The favourite however was Chef Bahar’s Nasi Lemak, mostly because of his signature sambal, a closely-guarded recipe and for obvious reasons.
The sambal is superior to most others out there – not too spicy, just a tinge of sweetness and absolutely heavenly. You’ll definitely ask for a top-up and the waiters are ever on the ready to rush a saucerful of extra sambal for you.
Level 9 swimming pool
Your hotel key card gives you access to Ramada’s infinity swimming pool, cabanas, gymnasium, and laundry services, all located on Level 9.
There is also Nio, a poolside bar where you can enjoy food and drinks while the kids have fun in the pool. It’s a great space to hold an office party or birthday celebration as the area can easily accommodate 150-200 people.
Feeling a little weary? Get a short massage in one of the two massage chairs placed in the lounge area. Or simply enjoy a book or magazine if you prefer some peace and quiet.
Level 10 function rooms
There is one function room and one boardroom plus a business centre at Level 10. The function room is ideal for seminars and training as it has a spacious area out front with seats, perfect for breakout sessions.
Fantastic location
One of the joys of staying at Ramada is how easy it is to jet around town for a spot of sightseeing or to visit the many shopping complexes in the vicinity.
If you’d like to explore the surrounding area on foot, the Jalan Alor Night Food Court is just a seven-minute walk away. Here you can feast to your heart’s content on Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese dishes.
The path leading to Jalan Alor is fascinating as well, with its fair share of interesting pubs, quaint eateries and reflexology centres.
The shopping complexes of Lot 10, Pavilion, Bukit Bintang Plaza and Sungei Wang Plaza are also within walking distance and if you need directions, the helpful staff at Ramada are more than happy to oblige.
All in all, Ramada makes for a delightful stay. Besides the ever-attentive hotel staff, the sumptuous food at Hugo’s KL and the tastefully designed suite, its location right smack in the centre of the city with so much to do and to see right outside your door, makes this a memorable experience worthy of a second and third stay.
For more information about Ramada Suites KLCC, visit https://www.ramadaklcc.com/