Shangri-La is a prominent brand in Asian hospitality; it was founded more than 47 years ago by a Malaysian businessman Robert Kuok. Brand stands for luxury, excellent service, wonderful Chi spas to mention just a few distinctions. In Malaysia the brand is very well known and it is an icon of luxury in many destinations like Kuala Lumpur, the capital, Borneo, home to orangutan sanctuaries, Penang, food capital of Malaysia.
KL has a grand and glorious Shangri-La that offers guests over 700 rooms and suites. It is very well located, minutes from the Petronas towers. Penang boasts Shangri-La Rasa Sayan, the best hotel in town, located an hour away from the city centre, on a pretty beach with spectacular sunsets. Borneo is home to Shangri-La Rasa Ria, a resort property with fantastic family facilities, located near the orangutang sanctuary. I had a pleasure of staying in Shangri-La KL and Shangri-La Penang and here is a summary of my experience.
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Glamorous old-school, luxury hotel is located in a tall tower in the centre of KL. It is only minutes away from Petronas Towers and main shopping centers – The Pavillions and KLCC.
Accommodation
Hotel is famous for their luxurious suites and there are many to choose from, 125 in total. I stayed in a comfortable and plush Executive suite that has a welcoming living room with a city view, bedroom with a plush bed and separate walk-in wardrobe. Hotel is very generous in welcoming their loyal customers – our suite was decorated with flowers, large fruit bowl, hand-made chocolates and a full set of amenities and treats for children. Lux Traveller always travels with the children and my little VIPs felt very welcome here.
Dining
Like any Shangri-La, KL hotel pays a lot of attention to food. Dining is very important to locals and expats living in KL and most hotel restaurants are booked out every night. Guests can choose to dine buffet style at Lemon Garden or delight in traditional Chinese lunch in Shang Palace – enjoy dumplings and buns accompanied by hrizantema tea.
For a glamorous Japanese affair try Zipangu – a beautifully decorated, modern restaurant with an enormous wine collection and sushi counter, so you could see the chefs in action.
For breakfast I highly recommend Horizon lounge, a very elegant Club lounge for suite and club rooms guests. Apart from breakfast, it offers afternoon tea and evening cocktails in exclusive atmosphere with silver service.
Facilities
Shangri-La KL boasts a large gym with private studio, aerobic and weights equipment. Outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas is perfect for hot summer days, while Chi Spa will spoil you with a variety of beauty and relaxation treatments in a serene atmosphere and calming surroundings.
Spa operates till midnight which is perfect for those fighting jet leg – fall asleep with the help of a skilled therapist to the gentle massage strokes. Choose Malay massage that works for both, tight muscles and full body relaxation. I love the new Chi Spa concept – you get to choose your massage oil from four scents presented to you in small marble boxes. Energizing mandarin is my favourite for the mornings and relaxing yalang yalang great for evening treatments.
All In All
Superb hotel with lux suites and great service. Wouldn’t hesitate recommending it to any business or leisure traveller to KL.
Shangri-La Penang
Shangri-La Penang is the best hotel in the food capital of Malaysia. Penang is not a destination known for utmost luxury, but it is a great base for exploring Malaysian heritage and food culture. George Town is only half an hour drive from Shangri-La and it is easily reachable by the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus.
Rasa Sayan is a resort property, located on a long beach and enveloped by luscious green gardens. Resort life takes place around free form swimming pool and in the expansive gardens. Multiple sun lounges are well placed in the shade of the trees throughout the garden to maximise privacy and beach view.
Accommodation
Hotel has two wings – Rasa wing, a premium wing with the Club lounge, a’la carte breakfast restaurant and ‘adults only’ swimming pool. Standard rooms in the Rasa wing are over 60 sq meters in size and feature either private gardens or oversized baths on the balcony. Spacious bathrooms are well equipped with double vanities and romantic showers for two.
Dining
For breakfast Rasa wing guests have a choice of either buffet or a la carte restaurant. I highly recommend a la carte option as the service is much better. Outside tables in the main restaurant get attacked by pigeons the minute you leave your seat, which had raised some concerns for me.
For dinner you can try international buffet at the main restaurant or Italian steak house. Steak house had a waguy beef tasting menu during our visit which looked great.
Club lounge is excellent – outdoor tables are set on the terrace overlooking bougainvillea flowers, resort grounds and the sea. It serves afternoon tea from 3pm followed by evening cocktails at 5pm. Enjoy a glass of Chandon and relax in the pleasant afternoon shade awaiting a spectacular beach sunset.
Facilities
Resort grounds are beautiful and well kept. Gym is large and well equipped.
For families – Golden Sands’ hotel facilities next door are priceless – they offer kids club with all-day children’s programs, indoor play zone with slides and family pool with two fun water slides. Shangri-La guests have access to all of them.
Chi Spa deserves a special mention – set in a cluster of gorgeous garden pavilions with couples’ treatment rooms and oversized outdoor bathtubs; they are romantic and very private. I requested for all the doors to be opened, so fresh tropical air could reach my body and birds singing caressed my ear during the treatment. I like to try traditional signature treatments in every resort I go to, so I would highly recommend Malay massage. It is a strong massage with long strokes, that works on releasing the knots and tight muscles in the body yet it is totally relaxing.
The Lux Traveller Loves
Great family activities
Luscious garden setting
Beautiful spa pavilions
Splitting hairs
Rooms despite being very spacious are older style.
Buffet restaurant has a real issue with birds – it has too many pigeons that staff don’t seem to worry about.
Beach in front of the hotel isn’t a swimming beach – the water is brown and there is no dedicated area for swimmers; beach is full of jet skis and boats so swimming isn’t safe. However, if you like watersports, there is ample choice of parasailing, jet skis and banana boat rides for watersports enthusiasts.
All In All
Despite some of the shortfalls Shangri-La is the best hotel in Penang. It is not as luxurious as its sister hotel in KL, but still a lovely place to stay to explore George Town and local culture.
