Thinking of staying in KL at Swiss Garden for 2 nights in couple of weeks time and would appreciate opinions on hotel, also about the location (first time in KL, want to walk around a lot to get the feel of the place).<BR>Would also like suggestions as to transport from KLIA to hotel.

Would recommend Swiss Garden. Stayed 2 nights in Jan and went for the 'Privelege' deal. Was our first time in KL. Located fine for walking around. Had a great time. Enclosed part of our trip report below.

Monday 27 January
Arrive early, 07.00. Free aerotrain to customs and baggage; no problem. Temp around 26c. Budget taxi coupon RM67.10, in taxi 08.00. Journey takes 90 min, last bit with rush hour traffic. Warm personal welcome at Swiss Garden hotel, where we have a Swiss Privilege deal for RM207 a night. ?Mr. Smalley?s coming up?, and we?re welcomed at the lift by a young woman who is in charge of the 11th floor, designated to the Privileged customers, no children, own breakfast area, free cocktails. On the road at 10.00, straight to KL Tower, 10.20, stay 30 min for RM15 each. Everybody very polite. Great views. Then find our way to Chinatown, via Central Market where we have Nasi Goreng + water for RM8.60. More walking in Chinatown, great little covered alleys with mysterious cooking going on. Sri Mahamariaman Hindu Temple.

Chinese barber working with chair on pavement. Back to hotel. Short visit to small swimming pool. Around 17.00 on the road, now turning right out of hotel and going to shopping mall area. Eat at Chinese place for RM13: pork, chicken, veg, rice. Back to hotel 19.00 for cocktails; nobody but us in, chat with barman, 2 beers, check email. Bed 20.45.


Tuesday 28 January
Surprisingly long night. Breakfast around 08.15; continental and local (spicy chicken and noodles). Marijke?s We?re on our way, with the intention of getting a bus to Batu Caves. Takes a while to find bus 11D from close to the Central Market, asking a lot of people on the way. 35 minutes ride costs RM1.60 each, although I pay RM5 as no change is given. Caves are well worth the visit. They?re still cleaning up from the annual festival on the 19th. Stay for an hour, have a drink for RM4: first water, then coconut milk from a hacked open coconut with two straws. Manage to run and catch bus and get back for 13.30. Temp seems like at least 30c. Have lunch at Chinese place with few of no occidentals, only locals. Rice, meat, veg for RM8.60. Walk to Butterfly Garden (RM21 incl. RM1 for camera), passing National Mosque on the way. Afterwards to covered Bird Park (RM22). Taxi back to hotel for RM11. Cocktails 18.00-20.00, today we?re in luck. It?s this months Corporate Cocktails, with larger snacks: satay, chicken, rice, noodles, cakes etc. In fact so much that no meal is needed tonight. Friendly girl treats us to lots of fruit and we end up getting a hand carved honey melon, in the shape of a flower, delivered to our room. I go alone to Chinatown, looking for a haircut. Very lively tonight with a dragon parade and lots of stalls. Chinese new year around this time. Back without haircut, the barber just shutting down as I catch him. Marijke checks mail.

Wednesday 29 January
Walk to Petronas twin towers, get free ticket for observation bridge. Not as high and impressive as KL tower but fun anyway. Luxury shops in mall. Walk to Chinatown for haircut. Show barber photo of myself as example, with front and back view stuck back to back. The four Hindustani barbers find this hilarious. They chatter constantly to each other while cutting. Cost RM11 but give RM16. Chicken with rice at same place as yesterday. Chinese tea. Lady recognises us, always encouraging. RM7. Shopping: sandals (RM50), Chinese lanterns (RM11.50), casual trousers (RM25). Change of clothes in 11th floor restroom, having checked out earlier, and hang around for our free ?limo? to KLIA, just an average Honda. Takes 70 min, better traffic. Airport enormous and well equipped. Cheap and good local food in public area (RM14).

Hi Mark - I can't provide such an exhaustive ( but interesting) report as Smalley, but I have stayed at Swiss Garden Hotel twice - although back in 1998 and 1999. Found the hotel very nice - although it is a 4 star, it isn't huge and therefore manages to retain a personal touch between staff and guests. Rooms were very nice - especially in 1999 when we were entitled to a free upgrade to a deluxe room for booking early. I particularly the bathroom on our 2nd trip as it had a hugh walk in shower which was very refreshing after spending time in the heat and humidity.

Food was okay, swimming pool a little on the small side but adequate for a city hotel.

Very central to main shopping malls such as Lot 10/KL Plaza (about 10 min walk) - the main problem was crossing the main road outside and dodging the holes in the pavement !! To be honest, the cabs are so cheap you may as well hop in one of these if you feel heat is too much for you.

I admire Smalley for walking to Petronas Twin Towers and other locations which in a less humid climate wouldn't seem too far, but in KL - quite a feat !

You can get a cab from KLIA, but I tend to arrange a hotel limo directly with hotel a few days before I go - a little more expensive I know, but it saves the hassle at airport of arranging something when you are tired and unfamiliar with your surroundings - besides as it is a hotel service, the vehicle will probably be more comfortable.

As a matter of interest, I went to KL in 2002 where stayed at Pan Pacific and am going again in August, where staying at Istana Hotel - both 5 stars, but I still have a soft spot for Swiss Garden.

If you have any more questions - please post them and I shall be please to help.

Kevey, you're probably not going to believe this - I hardly could either when I realised what had happened - but yesterday I managed to reply to MY OWN QUESTION, posted before our holiday. I wasn't paying attention to the date of the first posting and only realised when it was too late that I was talking to myself. Yes, Mark and Smalley are the same person: Mark Smalley. Anyway, it's the thought that counts...
Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I agree on the smallish pool, nothing special. We wanted a hotel with a pool but just visited once, briefly. We did walk a fair bit didn't we but it's a great way of getting the feel of the place. Looking forward to visiting KL again, combining it with a week at a beach resort.

Well, I suppose you can say that you've given others some good tips.

Regarding combining KL with a beach - thats what we have always done (apart from 1998 when used KL as stopover on way to Oz) - have combined KL with Penang/ Kuantan and Pangkor in previous years, usually spending 4 nights in KL followed by 10 nights on beach.

This year we are taking friends who have never been to Malaysia so we are spending 5 nights in KL and 9 nights in Kuantan. Whilst they do the organised trips in KL, we shall do some shopping and catch up with some friends we met last year who just happen to live in KL.

Where are you from ??

Thanks for suggestions re beach resorts Kevey and, as you're interested, KL was our stopover from hometown Amsterdam to Oz.