Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Stay: 2017/02/14, King Hilton Executive Room
Stay: 2017/02/26, King Hilton Deluxe

Prologue

I chose Hilton KL because of its location as my meeting the following day was near Sentral Station. Secondly, I'm a HHonors member.

The Hotel

Located next to Sentral Station, access from the airport couldn't be more convenient. I had taken the "KLIA Ekspres" from KLIA and it was a few minutes away from the train platform. Note that one has to use the car-park elevators to reach the lobby level. Signage in the elevator hall could have been better.

At check-in, a cold wet hand towel, and a glass of sweet, tropical drink were offered. It reminded me of some check-in process in Hawaii. A nice touch. Check-in was completed quickly, hassle-free.

Room

For my first night there, I got a "King Hilton Executive Room," the cheapest one available when I booked a few weeks earlier. No upgrade was offered and I was assigned a room facing Sentral Station.

For the second stay, I got a "King Hilton Deluxe" with the "points & money" rate.  I got an upgrade to a room facing the lake.

Room with an Upgraded View

Other than one being on the executive floor, and the other facing the lake, the two rooms were the same.  Same in size (I think,) and layout.  It could be a housekeeping error but I recall that the executive room had a toothbrush and "grooming kit" waiting whereas the non-executive room didn't. The toothbrush was one of the best provided by any hotel.

High Quality Toothbrush.

There was only one minor issue in the "Executive Room"; found an used pair of panty-hose on the top shelve. There was also, I think, as I didn't open the package, a pair of paper panties. Looks like the previous occupant(s) were in a hurry to leave and the housekeeping staff was also in a hurry.

Properties of  Previous Guest.

There were plenty of universal power outlets as well as USB ports with 2A output.

Up-to-date power sources.

Lounge

The Executive Lounge was impressive.  It was spacious even during the usual rush hour of 0800 on a weekday.  I only had time to experience the breakfast service which was the best out of the Hiltons I have stayed recently; Hilton Millennium Seoul, Hilton Helsinki, and even Conrad Seoul.  There was a wide selection of western and Asian breakfast items. Made-to-order eggs station.  Coffee and juice were brought to the table by the friendly and efficient staff. Being in Malaysia for the first time in many years, I got to try beef-beacon for the first time.

Service, etc.

I'd ordered room service the first night I was there. The spinach salad was great. But the 海南鶏飯 (Chicken rice,) wasn't so great. 

99% of the staff members encountered were professional, and friendly. The 1% was what were previously known as the maître d' at "Vasco's." The wait staff there were great. But the lady receiving customers wasn't thrilled to be there and I was literally passed around a few staff members before I was I was led to a table. 

Epilogue

Hilton Kuala Lumpur was the best Hilton I'd stayed in (Seattle, Waikiki, Millennium Seoul, Helsinki Strand,) In fact, it was even better than Conrad Seoul. 

Bibliography

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/malaysia/hilton-kuala-lumpur-KULHIHI/index.html
https://youtu.be/IUOvGRHUWS8

Hilton Helsinki Strand

Prologue

The primary reason for staying at Hilton Helsinki Strand is because I'm a HHonors member.  Secondary reason is that other hotels weren't enticing enough.

The Hotel

I'd booked on the Hilton website.  24 hours before my scheduled arrival, I checked-in on the website and choose my room.  The actual check in was quick, taking 3 minutes tops.  I was pleasantly, surprised that I didn't have to let time imprint my credit card again.  All the nice receptionist needed was my passport for ID purposes.  She then handed me a small folder with my keys and WiFi password.  This is the way it should be.  Pre-checked customers should be able to just pick up the key.  But this is the first time Hilton had afforded me such hassle-free check-in.

Room

I had a "King Executive Seaview," a room on the 7th floor. As a first-timer to this hotel, I didn't realize that the 7th floor was the executive floor, where the executive lounge was. Embarrassingly, I had to call down to ask where the lounge was and was informed that I was on the same floor as the lounge!

At first glance, the room was surprisingly small. That's probably because the king-size bed took up most of the space. Everything looked new. In fact, the room still smelt of new furniture. I later saw that this property was newly "opened" in December 2015. Later, saw from Googling that the hotel was completed renovated and the renovation completed in December 2015.

Bedside USB ports 

Desk power panel.

Instead of providing universal AC power outlets, there were plenty of built-in USB ports, which provided enough amp for my Android to say "charging," instead of "charging slowly.  Some beside the bed, and at the desk.  There was one universal AC power outlet in the bathroom.

Lounge

Breakfasts in the morning, and canapés from 17:00 are served.  The canapes, are hearty enough as dinner.  As I was there during the winter months, the lounge wasn't crowded at all.  Food and drinks were ample.  No complaints whatsoever.  

Lounge, food area.

Partial view of Lounge.

Epilogue

Great hotel.  Staff, hardware, everything were very efficient.  Some may feel that location is far from the city-center.  But it's just a few tram stops, and 2 subway stops away.  The nearest tram, bus, subway stops are about 150 meters away.

Bibliography

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/finland/hilton-helsinki-strand-HELHIHI/index.html
https://youtu.be/d_Ad6_eQ7ho