I KNOW where Ascott Kuala Lumpur is located but I am not sure where exactly its youngest sister Ascott Star KLCC is.
But what I do know is that these two hotels are located right in the golden triangle area of Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) that is surrounded by the city's busiest roads - Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Binjai, Jalan Kia Peng and Jalan Pinang.
So, when my navigation app leads me to turn into Jalan Mayang, I get all excited to check-in to the few months old Ascott Star KLCC.
It's been decades since I last walked in this offshoot of the busy Jalan Kia Peng, and I can't really remember how it used to look.
Jalan Mayang, an inner street that connects Jalan Ampang and Jalan Kia Peng, is a stark contrast from the two main roads.
It's quiet and peaceful, and flanked by leafy trees and residences - either in the form of mid-century bungalows, late 20th century low-rise apartment buildings and towering ultra-modern condominiums.
In fact, the driveway doesn't look typical of a hotel that usually has a grand porte cochere, doormen and eye-catching signage.
It looks more like one for a posh residential building that has a super high-tech security that doesn't need a guard house controlling the in-and-out traffic.
There is just a wide driveway and has a patch of landscaped garden with a giant polar bear sculpture. And unlike a typical hotel, checking in, especially if you're driving is quite unusual too.
Here, you have to park your car at the driveway, walk into the lobby to check in and once the process is done - which is quite fast and efficient, then only you'll be given an access card to drive and park your car at the basement parking.
STAY
My one-bedroom premier room on the 17th floor is everything that I dream off should one day I decide to move into a more space-efficient home that is still spacious and comfortable.
The 80 sqm room has all that I need. It has a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, a dining and living areas and a study room that has a daybed.
Its bedroom is spacious enough to fit a king-size bed that is flanked by a couple of nightstands and a floor-to-ceiling built-in closet.
The fully-equipped kitchen opens up to a dining area that has a four-seater dining table with a three-seater sofa and a high armchair separating it from the floor-to-ceiling glass walls that open to the sight of the towering Twin Towers.
While the room ticks all the boxes that a serviced apartment should have, my heart particularly falls for the 3M Undersink Water Filter. This hits the right chord with Ascott's sustainability exercise.
Oh, did I mention that the bathroom comes with a bathtub and a complete set of toiletries by an Australian-owned brand, Appelles.
Ascott Star KLCC has a total of 215 rooms and suites in five categories - Studio Executive, One-bedroom Deluxe, One-bedroom Executive, One-bedroom Premier and Two-bedroom Premier.
EAT
Unfortunately, its F&B outlet which is located on the highest floor is yet to be opened. This means that pre-packed breakfast is sent to the room at guests' preferred time.
DO
Though it is very tempting to go out and explore the surrounding KLCC area, the aparthotel has enough pulls to make one staying longer indoors.
Besides its most Instagrammable rooftop swimming pool that is set facing the Twin Towers, there is a much bigger and more children-friendly pool on the sixth floor. And best of all, this pool is well shaded by its two sister properties - Star Residences.
Also on the same floor are a reading room, a children's playground, a well equipped gymnasium and a karaoke room.
GO
Ascott Star KLCC has the best location - in the heart of the KLCC area but slightly hidden from the busy roads. It is within a short walking distance to the city's happening shopping malls - Suria KLCC Shopping Centre, Avenue K and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, and tourist attractions like Aquaria, KLCC Park, KL Tower and Saloma Bridge.
VERDICTS
HIGHS It's Ascott! And the fact that it's located on the quieter Jalan Mayang, off the busy Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, is a bonus.
LOWS Long-staying guests, be warned. If you plan to stay in and go on a TV binge, you're probably in for a disappointment. There are not many choices of channels. But then again, why choose to stay indoors when you're already in the heart of KLCC? And oh, if only the packed breakfast set is packed in a more sustainable packaging…
FAST FACTS
ASCOTT STAR KLCC
No. 1, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
50450 Kuala Lumpur
TEL 03-2705 8000
EMAIL enquiry.kualalumpur@the-ascott.com
WEBSITE www.discoverasr.com/en/ascott-the-residence/malaysia/ascott-star-klcc-ku...
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