Kuala Lumpur and Bali : Family Travel
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Flight Siem Reap – Kuala Lumpur
After a good rest at our Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort hotel, we left early for our flight. Jean-Maximilien took the opportunity to visit the airport’s Premium Plaza lounge before our quick 2h15 flight.
We got off the plane and hurried to the customs, where, surprise! We spent a good 45 minutes with Arthur asleep in our arms waiting to show our passports. It was no picnic, I might add.
To reach the center of Kuala Lumpur, we took a taxi to our hotel (45 min drive) and were able to observe the multitude of skyscrapers or constructions in progress before arriving at our destination.
Kuala Lumpur
W Hotel Kuala Lumpur
When we arrived at W Kuala Lumpur, we were greeted with a smile. The staff had fun with the kids while remaining very professional and helping us with our luggage. The hall was decorated for the Chinese New Year.
The hotel impressed us with its contemporary if not futuristic design and its large modern spaces.
The hotel has the advantage of being located next to the Petronas Towers, the lively area of Kuala Lumpur.
Thanks to our Titanium status and chat interview before our arrival, Jean-Maximilien once again managed to get a suite for the family.
The suite was comfortable with designer armchairs and colourful cushions; and all its mirrors gave an impression of grandeur. (It was almost 1300 sq. ft.). The king bed was soft (as if we were on a cloud) and the bathroom was huge.
The pool has a great view of the Petronas Towers.
The hotel, Sirine concierge, a French-speaking trainee, even had very nice surprise for me and Jean-Maximilien, touching and much appreciated. When we got back to our room, she found us a nanny for the evening (New York and 2001 being two important things for us)!
The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
After 2 nights at W Kuala Lumpur, we decided to try St. Regis Kuala Lumpur. Jean-Maximilien managed to find an excellent rate of $150 for this hotel which usually goes for double that amount.
He repeated his request to the hotel, namely to get an upgrade, and got it again by force of negotiation.
A rather narrow lobby compared to other hotels we’ve seen, very classically chic, beautifully decorated, with flower centers, marble floors and huge paintings of polo players behind the counters. Nothing is left to chance.
Like the W, the St. Regis honoured the Chinese New Year celebrations with a buffet of Chinese sweets and confections for purchase, and superb flower arrangements and chandeliers in the hall.
Once again, we received outstanding service upon arrival by the staff who was once again attentive to our children. One of the employees, seeing our children, made them little rats in origami, since we were soon entering the year of the rat!
Some members of the team were extremely kind, including Sally for example: learning that we might be going to Penang, and originally from this city, she sent us the same evening to our room an envelope proposing a complete list of all must-sees!
When we left, my daughter dropped her cake while playing, so Sally made sure to pack a nice box of cakes for her when we checked out!
An extraordinary service throughout, even if short, that warmed my heart.
Regarding the suite, the corridors to get there were spacious. Our suite was sublime and huge.
The view was of the pools and the surrounding area. The very nice room had a large dressing room where the children slept (behind the mirror doors of the room)! We even had a massage room for ourselves!
While walking through the hotel corridors with the children, we were pleasantly surprised to come across a room, The Gallery, where one can host a reception.
I won’t say more; go and see our reports on these two hotels and stay there if you are in Kuala Lumpur; they are wonderful and we highly recommend them.
Kuala Lumpur City Tour
We went to the foot of the Petronas Towers and its shopping mall several times.
They’re twin towers with an impressive structure, beautiful by day and by night, with an active neighbourhood surrounding it.
We discovered the HUGE playground (dozens of structures) for children in the area. You can really lose your children in there!
We visited the famous Batu Caves, located 20 minutes drive from the center. Cost: $10 with Grab, return
The heat is a bit stifling but bearable. Alexandra surprised us by climbing all the steps (and there are quite a few!!). We watched an offering ceremony.
Many tourists were robbed of food in front of us during our ascent.
A little anecdote, Arthur wanted to approach a little too close to one of them, this one grabbed his legs. Jean-Maximilien quickly removed it, and our children did not go near them again.
Our Grab told us that various waterfalls are in the vicinity, but we preferred returning to the hotel to rest.
Our concierge at the W having found us a babysitter, we were able to relax at the hotel bar to take advantage of our Titanium status (free alcohol and snacks):
We were also able to try the OpenHouse restaurant. A delicious local cuisine that made us discover beautiful flavours. We took the 4 course menu. We recommend it!
Finally we visited the Little India district. Small but very nice with nice shops of smock, jewelry and markets. Flowers were painted on the sidewalks the day before (Kolams).
The Hindus were celebrating a festival, Pongal, and for the occasion, several of them got together to prepare food on the street, near the Kolams, and offered it to all passers-by with the means at hand after a ceremony of offering to the sun and the god!
The dish prepared was glutinous rice cooked in brown sugar and milk, chickpeas and other foods. Being invited, we even sharef a meal with them. These people are so kind and generous!
Kuala Lumpur Station
One of the reasons why we chose the St. Regis is its proximity to the central station, which is very convenient and quick to access. This is why many businessmen choose this hotel.
The hotel offers a shuttle that takes you directly to the station. When we arrived at the station, once we had our tickets, we had about 30 minutes on the train.
Once at the airport, the situation becomes more complicated: all the passengers’ luggage is weighed by the Air Asia hostesses. Since every person is only allowed 7 kg, we were forced to check in one of our suitcases. It took time to get through customs again, there was a long queue to show our passports.
After walking through the long corridors of the airport, we arrived at a new security gate located before our boarding gate. We were happy to finally sit in our plane. Our destination: Bali!
Flight Kuala Lumpur – Denpasar
A flight that went smoothly with the children. We could tell everyone was tired at the end, though, as Alexandra stopped listening to us.
Fortunately, a customs line was dedicated to families with children under 5 years old or seniors 65 years and older.
We took a Grab car quickly to get to The Laguna hotel.
Bali
Hotel The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali
The hotel had a long, open entrance with a beautiful central chandelier.
Before entering, suitcases were scanned and a staff member rang the gong to signal our presence to security.
We got an upgrade, the room had a direct access to the pool. We all slept in the same bed that night.
Our luggage was taken care of and during the check-in, I took a (long) discovery walk with the children.
The Laguna hotel was splendid, alternating between pools and lagoons, trees with tropical flowers.
A taste of what Bali is all about!
As this hotel did not have a Kids Club, we decided to stay only one night. However, thanks to the late check out, we enjoyed it.
Hotel The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali
The next day, we discovered the Westin Resort Nusa Dua which is located only 100 meters away, and what a magnificent hall! This time, it is wide with high ceilings, made of tropical wood. The design and the service is again neat, the hotel is of a superior size too. Big enough to get lost!
Once we visited the room, we went to the Kids Club. A very pleasant outdoor area for children and 2 rooms, one for 0 to 4 years old and the other from 4 years old.
The children were so delighted that we left them until 9pm, a special evening for the parents to relax.
Arthur was still small, we called on a hotel babysitter to watch him. She did a great job and we asked her to come back the following days to help us (cost of 5 $/h)!
On the agenda, 3 days at this hotel so that the children could enjoy the activities while daddy and mommy work or relax a little at the hotel’s Spa, since we got a gift certificate upon our arrival.
We were also able to enjoy an afternoon tea with scones, sandwiches and pastries thanks to our Titanium status.
To compare with The Laguna which is next door, I preferred the former. Although The Westin has the Kids Club, and there are several attentions paid to children (notebook, water bottles, special breakfast)…
the pools and lagoons at The Laguna are great and there are plenty of them!
The rooms, the common areas and the decoration of the Westin are beautiful but I preferred the facilities of the first one.
The fact that there is a convention centre next door also plays a role, because there are more people there.
Bottom line
Don’t miss the rest of our trip to the heart of Bali and much more!
