vicki2201

We're a multi-generational family who will be travelling to KL between Xmas and New Year's eve. We usually get 8 rooms in total, 2 of them connecting with another 2 (two families have smallish kids, 5 and 6 years old).

Are there well-located serviced apartments in KL, or are we just better off staying at a regular hotel and ask for connecting rooms? Budget about $100-130 per room. We will only be there for 4 nights.

WHile we're at it, please recommend some things to do while we are there, and places to eat?

Thanks so much!

polraj

Hi,

Concord hotel has always been my choice in KL. Its centrally located and has good restaurents nearby. You can definately get a room for below US 100/-.If you are willing to spend a little more Shangrila IS A SUPERB 5* hotel .Book early as it is usually full . Good food is available everywhere. You get a fantastic variety of Asian / European food at the curve in Damansara.
If you are a casino buff , Genting Highlands which is 1 hour away is ok retreat for 1 night for the family .

Cilla_Tey

My home away from home in KL is the Ritz Carlton Residences. We usually take a 3BR which sleeps 5 but you can squeeze another. They won't provide extra beds. It's a fabulous place with great service and includes lounge access (snacks served at various times, cocktail hour etc) for those over 12. Breakfast is also included. The rate is about USD$500 inclusive of taxes for that time of the year.
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Location is also great with 4 major shopping malls within walking distance. Marriott and Westin are nearby.

vicki2201

I'm looking into the Mandarin Oriental which has received good reviews on this board, but have also come across service apartment recommendations.

Is anyone familiar with the Lanson on Embassy Row, or the Darby which is a little closer to the Petronas towers? Which one would you choose? Both are similarly priced, so I think I would go with the one which is more kid-friendly.

Thanks!

gard

Hi

I had a fantastic stay at Traders Hotel in KL in September this year. I'm not sure what it is like for a family stay but here is my review: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rsekutuan.html

I also stayed at Ascott last year and I had a small flat with two bedrooms and a small kitchen. Here is my review: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rsekutuan.html

Here is my KL trip report with pictures: http://gardkarlsen.com/malaysia_kuala_lumpur.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

TravelTwiddle

Darby is better and closer to the twin towers. Lanson is located at Jalan Ampang; a traffic clog.

jcwc01

vicki2201,

The period between X'mas and NY eve is a peak season and you can expect accommodation rates to be higher than normal.

Things to do in KL?

1. Walk the skybridge connecting the Twin Towers (free)

2. Visit the aquarium (the kids should enjoy this)

3. Take a trip to FRIM (Forest Research Institute of Malaysia) and do the canopy walk.

4. Visit the KL Tower for a bird's eye view of KL.

5. If the kids want an amusement park there is a small one in Berjaya Times Square. There's also an IMAX theater there.

6. Walk around the Lake Gardens (there's an aviary, orchid gardens, etc).

As for places to eat, what food are you after?

vicki2201

thanks for your suggestions--very helpful. SOmeone mentioned Sunway too?

We're now thinking of adding Penang and perhaps Cameron Highlands to the trip--was wondering how do we get around from KL to Penang, then to Cameron and back to KL. is this fairly easy to do?

What hotels should I book for Penang and Cameron?

Food--we can rough it at holes in walls, and we can do also rated restaurants. We like a mix during our trip. Are there any recoommendations out there?

Thanks so much for all your responses. For KL, we are zeroing in on Traders. I know I'm so late in doing this and the internet is a great help.

jcwc01

Sunway is a suburb about 25-40 mins drive away from KL (depending on traffic). The main attraction there is Sunway Lagoon, a theme park, and the shopping center next to it (called Sunway Pyramid). It's a fun place but you may have similar or better theme parks at home.

Getting to Penang can be accomplished by car or plane or bus. Since you have a large family travelling, plane tickets would add up. If budget does not permit that then a bus may be the next best thing.

From Penang to Cameron Highlands to KL, you need to use the road so it's either bus or car. If you're comfortable with driving in an unfamiliar location I'd suggest a car for this leg because it's more convenient getting around Cameron with a car.

As for hotel, in Penang some like the E&O for some colonial charm but this is not in main beach area. In the main beach area you can try the Parkroyal, Golden Sands or Shangri-La Rasa Sayang.

In Cameron, the Equatorial is ok. For more luxe, the Cameron Highlands Resort is very nice. There are also many smaller inns whose names I cannot recall now.

Lastly, the food. If you want to try local cuisine, they are mainly found in what we call "coffee shops" or streetside vendors. Of course many restaurants have opened up to offer the same food in more comfortable surroundings. So you can try the food court in KLCC (near to Traders) or Little Penang or Madam Kwans restaurant (both in top floor KLCC). For the streetside experience, try Jalan Alor.

Check out some local food blogs for ideas:

http://www.awhiffoflemongrass.blogspot.com/
http://www.friedchillies.com/fc/

vicki2201

That is great info-thanks so much! We would fly in to Penang (via KL) as our first stop, then take the bus down to Cameron, and onwards to KL. Is the bus trip comfortable (as in big tourist buses), and are those roads safe?

I will check out those hotels now.

jcwc01

The bus comfort depends on the class of bus you take. In general most interstate buses would be the large touristy types.

You have the regular types (4 seats across and a little older) or the luxury types (3 seats across and being newer).

I'm not too sure about which type you get going to Camerons (since I always drive). Anyhow, ask for forward seats since you'd get less motion sickness this way.

Most of the road journey will be on the North-South Expressway and this is a very safe road. The journey up and down Camerons will use a smaller road, which is still safe. I always say it's not the road which is safe or not, but the driver!

Ask the hotel in Penang to book with one of the bigger bus companies.