Hanna Hussein
In addition to its location next to a shopping mall and transportation hubs, Sunway Putra Hotel also has reasonably priced F&B outlets, writes Hanna Hussein
“THIS weekend it’s going to be all about shopping and dining,” Iwarn my husband as we make our way to Sunway PutraHotel, a five-star establishment in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, a little way from home.
Although it’s a last-minute decision, it is a perfect choice because I really love the Japanese dinner buffet served at its famous Gen Japanese Restaurant. It has been few years since I last visited the place and this weekend is the time to refresh our memories (and palate)! Also, I heard that the adjacent Sunway Putra Mall has stepped up its retail game. True or not? Let’s find out.
The building offers ample parking space and, lucky us, we get a parking spot near thelift to the hotel and mall entrance.
With more than three hours before check-in time, I suggest to try our luck and leave our bags at the concierge so that we can shop at the mall.
So, we head up to the ninth floor where the hotel lobby is located. It has a glamorous ambience, featuring a dramatic atrium dome with natural light shining through the prism-like design.
“Of course, you can. Your room is not ready yet but we can register you first. You can come back at 3pm to pick up your room key-card. We’ll make sure your bag is delivered to your room,” says the employee in smart uniform at the reception.
Now, I can chill and leisurely take time exploring (and maybe do some shopping) at the mall.
WEEKEND HEAVEN
All done, we head back to the elevator to go to level five. The hotel is connected to Sunway Putra Mall through an entrance on the fifth floor — an easy access especially for hotel guests.
Formerly known as The Mall, it was one of the biggest shopping centres in in the 90s. In fact, The Mall was so iconic that it even has its own theme park! It was really popular during those days, but lost its appeal as many malls entered the market.
The last time I went to The Mall was when I was younger, and I don’t remember how it used to look like at all.
However, after at major refurbishment in 2015, it was renamed Sunway Putra Mall and it is an eight-level shopping mall with over 300 international and local brands including Uniqlo, MAC and H&M.
The mall offers over 80 food and beverage outlets, entertainment centres and recreational facilities including a cinema. I’m up for a midnight movie!
The hotel is also linked to Putra World Trade Centre - via a pedestrian link-bridge and several transportation hubs which connect guests to a host of attractions in the city.
If you want to go elsewhere, you can arrange for trips as the hotel offers free scheduled shuttle service to key areas in the city. Just head to the concierge for the shuttle timing. Heaven, right?
LUNCH AT A BARGAIN
It’s 2pm, and I’m hungry. We head back to the hotel to have a quick bite at the Coffee House.
The outlet offers a choice of eight selections of set meals. It’s only RM25 for a set which includes a dessert and cup of tea or coffee. Totally a bargain!
There are four selections of Asian cuisine - Indonesian Fried Rice with Malinja Crackers, Vegetable Curry Tauhu with
Jeera Pulou Rice, Fish Tikka with Naan Bread and irresistible Curry Noodle with Cockles.
Those who prefer Western cuisine, the four choices include Trio Mushroom’s Spaghetti with Garlic Bread, Sunway Putra Club Sandwiches, Grilled Chicken Chop with Mashed Potato and Margherita Pizza.
While my husband opts for the tender roasted chicken chop, I have curry noodles which is so rich and delicious! These set meals are available daily from 11am to 9pm.
There are also other delectable cuisine on the main menu priced between RM25 and RM39 per serve.
Buffet breakfast is served here daily.
AUTHENTIC JAPANESE
It’s dinner time. We head to Gen Japanese Restaurant at level 10. The place is popular for its Japanese buffet lunch and dinner.
Dishes include mori (assorted slices raw fish), assorted sushi selections and other dishes like tori teriyaki (grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce), kamo kunsei to karashi (smoked duck with mustard sauce), tori teba kare age (deep-fried chicken wings) and Japanese noodles like soba and udon.
Lunch buffet is priced at RM118 per person and dinner RM128. Children aged 6 and below eat for free and those above 6 to 12 as well as senior citizens are charged half price. However, buffet lunch and dinner are only available fromThursday to Sunday.
My husband and I try out the bento and teppanyaki sets. We order Hokkaido Seafood Teppanyaki set which includes king tiger prawns, scallops and salmon teppanyaki, served with fried rice, stir-fried oriental vegetables, appetisers-of-the day, chef’s house salad and a bowl of miso soup. You will also get to choose a dessert - either fresh fruit or matcha ice cream.
We also try the steak teppanyaki bento set served with assorted tempura, sashimi, chef’s house salad, a bowl of miso soup and rice. I get to choose the dessert too.
Oh, and if you are in group and prefer a private room, the restaurant has five tatami rooms with seating capacities between six and 12 persons in each.
It has a breathtaking view especially at night overlooking KL skyscrapers. It’s really romantic!
TEA TIME
Before we head home, we have a quick bite at Atrium Lounge. The outlet offers two Afternoon Tea Sets - English and
Malaysian each at RM55nett per set, including a pot of tea. The English Afternoon Tea set includes warm scones with cream and blueberry jam, portobello mushrooms French puff, salmon quiche, lemon macaroons, strawberry cheese cake as well as sweet waffle and mini cream cup cakes while the local selection combines local savouries infused with Western influences like chicken rendangFrench puff andsardine tortilla wrap. Malaysian all-time-favourites like kuih talam keladi, pandan layer cake, potato curry puff, Chinese egg tarts, chicken satay skewers and breaded sesame balls are served too!
Afternoon Tea at Atrium Lounge is available from 2pm to 6pm daily.
THE ROOM
Shopping done, bingeing also done. So what about our room? It is a Deluxe Room slightly bigger than the Superior. The super spacious room has a king-size bed, lounge chair and a simple work table.
I love the harmonious ambience of the room with bright natural-coloured walls and calming blue art deco. It’s really relaxing, just the way I like it.
FAST FACTS
SUNWAY PUTRA HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR
100 Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur
TEL 03-4040 9888
EMAIL spkl.enquiry@sunwayhotels.com
WEBSITE https://putra.sunwayhotels.com/
STAY The 650-room hotel offers six room types - Superior, Deluxe, Family, Club, Junior Suites and Club Suites, all fitted with the conveniences and amenities.
EAT F&B outlets include the all-day dining Coffee House, Gen Restaurant, which offers Japanese cuisine, as well as Atrium Lounge which has a wide selection of coffee, cakes and pastries.
DO Leisure facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool with an attached children’s pool and a hot tub which overlooks the dramatic city skyline. The hotel also has a children’s playground located at the Executive Lounge on level 9.
GO Hotel guests can arrange for trips to
the Kuala Lumpur city centre using the hotel’s free scheduled shuttle service, stopping at key areas in the city. The hotel is located at a convenient reach from a host of tourist attractions and landmarks including Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur Tower, Bukit Bintang and Aquaria KLCC.
HIGH The hotel F&B outlets are surprisingly reasonably priced!
LOW Business-feel vibes — but still a great place for a city getaway.
TRAVEL FILE
FEAST LIKE A KING THIS FESTIVE SEASON
TO mark Lunar New Year, Coffee House Sunway Putra Hotel Kuala Lumpur is introducing the Chinese New Year Buffet Dinner promotion. Happening only on Feb 4 and 5 from 6pm to 10pm, the buffet spread is specially created by Executive Chef Rossham Rosli. Dishes include chilli mayo crab meat and grilled corn salad, deepfried seafood platter, seafood barcbecue including tiger prawns, squid head and small herring, roasted Peking duck pizza, assorted premium dim sum and sushi, and meatloaf.
Book now at only RM118 per adult and RM68 per children aged 7-12 years old. Children aged 6 years old and below eat free.