A comparison-Le Meridien Kuala lumpur v Hilton Kuala Lumpur.

[drron]

We have had 3 previous stays at the Hilton KL and have enjoyed it especially the restaurants.Got a cheap rate for the 3 weekend nights but decided on the LM next door for the first 2 nights for comparison and to make my third SPG stay for a free night.The FT reviews on the LM are not all that great and 24 hours before arrival got an email stating we are unable to upgrade you.So wasn't expecting much.
Now a lot dont like the position of these 2 hotels but we love it.So easy coming from the airport on the train and many cheap options for getting around from here.Felt a little strange going to the right instead of left when we got to the lobby level.Walked up to the Plat checkin and we were immediately ushered up to the lounge.No talk of an upgrade and didn't even get the "you have been upgraded packet.Then sent down to the 11th floor.Needn't have worried,as soon as the door opened we realised this was 3 out of 3 for SPG this trip and another suite.Free internet comes with Royal club rooms(all suites in this classification) as well as for being plat.25 ringgit a day off laundry.Breakfast either in lounge or restaurant and a late checkout just by asking.
Up to the lounge that evening-only 1 of white,red and champagnes but 4 beers and spirits available.Reasonable selection of snacks and 4 different pasta dishes so no need to go out for dinner.The lounge was jumping.First round to SPG.

 

[drron]

Well first a few pics.The bedroom of LM-

A large bathroom.

The second night at the lounge was quite a turn around.very few people and most local families with kids taking over the computers,poor choice of snacks with one couple even eating their burger king meal in the lounge!
So we went to Prime for dinner,Not very busy.We both had the Waygu beef shank for dinner.Absolutely fantastic.

No problem getting a late checkout-not acheived anything more than 1pm at the Hilton as diamond.When we arrived in the lobby with our luggage the staff immediately offered to take it to the train-forced to admit we were only going next door.
So SPG a clear winner in status recognition.Much better definition of benefits-welcome letter spelt them out plus little things such as when I went to begin internet the system recognised it was complimentary.A very acceptable stay.

 

[samh004]

A large bathroom.

The bath looks small to me, regardless of the size of the rest of the bathroom. Is this true or is it just the lighting?

 

[drron]

Yes Sam it is a short bath but at 1.82M i can sit and stretch my legs out.Also it is a deep bath.The Hilton KL bath is exactly the same size but with the taps on the side rather than the end-this makesit much more difficult to get out off after your bath.

Also the bathroom is much more cluttered with little room for mrsdrron's toiletries-

You will note the drawers etc-these are two way with doors also in the entrance foyer.Not sure at all if I like this.The mirrored door was drawn back though as i took this photo just before i was to get in the bath,the first shot was deleted.
Now for checkin at the Hilton-went straight to the Exec lounge to checkin.Was told to take a seat as agent was busy.Then called over to desk after about 10 minutes.A problem-I had booked the first 3 nights on the summer weekend sale but could not book the Monday night at this rate so a separate booking.Noted we had been allocated room 3016 for these 3 nights-the second smallest exec floor room and next to the service lifts.First I pointed out that we also had a reservation for Monday which was found.Then a curious happening-Oh your room is not ready but i can allocate you another one on floor 29-recognised it as one of the normal sized exec rooms so quickly agreed.I can only surmise my record had a notation as on the last occasion I stayed here was diamond,had paid for an exec room but allocated one of the small rooms,told hotel full,though could still book an exec room online and met golds in the lounge who had been upgraded to better rooms-so i complained to Hilton.
Next problem-having booked an exec room i realised keeping my benefit as upgrade was useless I switched to free internet.It took nearly an hour sorting out that yes I could have free internet.Another example of how with Hhonors you often have to fight for benefits you should get automatically.At the LM I just logged on and i was informed the usage was free.
So if you are an unashamed points collector and status chaser such as myself,SPG beats Hhonors hands down.
But next-where the Hilton KL wins.

 

[Alanslegal]

I think we've been upgraded to the same suite

The only negative for me, personal preference really, is that the LM's bed is tooooo firm for my liking. Otherwise, these bedroom and separate lounge area is comfortable with great views over the city.

If I may just add a photo of the lounge area, which were from an old TR of mine, as well as the large shared (Hilton/LM) pool area, great for just spending a lazy afternoon there.

 

[drron]

Alan i think there is just 1 standard suite per floor-room **59 so i guess all look the same.Beds are very obviously personal preference but both of us like our firm bed at home so the LM's bed was great.
Now for where the Hilton KL wins.The exec lounge.Just feels better,more light,not as cluttered.Breakfast in the Hilton lounge is streets ahead of the LM(though as a plat being able to go to the LM restaurant negates this).
In the evening a greater range of snacks-though the range has certainly got less than in previous years and tonight there were no hot snacks i wanted to try.However better than the LM.
The one area where the LM lounge is better than the hilton is the drinks policy with nothing on show at the Hilton and you are served all drinks.At the LM it is self service but means you can take an extra bottle of water or juice back to your room.Or as the group of young Australians did on our first night there clean the lounge out of beer for later action.

 

[drron]

The Hilton also has better restaurants-however whichever hotel you are staying at you can charge back to your room so not a great advantage.We came here to eat.unfortunately although the Hilton restaurants are still good the standard has slipped a little and prices higher.Our first night at the hilton we went to Chynna-their Beijing duck had been spectacular in the past.This time however we thought the bird we had at the Sheraton pudong was better and much cheaper.

The chicken with onions and ginger was superb though-

On Sunday we went to Iketeru for their sunday brunch.Previously this would be packed but several empty tables this time-maybe because they have stopped the free flowing champagne special they had before!The food was still tasty-

Soft shell crab.

Teppanyaki scallops were very tasty.

The lamb a bit of a let down.

But the teppanyaki mushrooms were great.

 

[k_sheep]

Currently sitting in KL LM for coughtail hour

Gotta say, the hors d'voures (sp? I'm french in ancestry only!) are bloody awful! Stone cold and flavourless. There were like that last night, but I figured that's because I turned up at 1930. This time, bang on 1800, still awful. They look and sound so good ... At least it's free pour drinks (though that's not good news for my liver!).

If the hilton breakfast is better than the LM one on level 5 (got told it was better than the lounge) then :shock: Best. Omlette. Ever. And the range! I felt like a walked off some calories just doing a lap around! The only thing missing, of course, was bacon. But sheesh. I like to try everything at my breakfast buffets, but I managed like 2 stations. Didn't even hit the indian/pancake/waffle/malay/viet/japanese/spreads/fruit stations. And the drinks ... passionfruit smoothies.... mmmmmmm!

 

[markis10]

Not a big fan of beef bacon myself which is often seen at breakfast across Malaysian hotels.

 

[k_sheep]

Was chicken bacon yesterday, and beef bacon today. I don't mind it (would prefer the real thing of course!)

Breakfast today was just bedlam. And my omlette was rushed and not as good

 

[NM]

Was chicken bacon yesterday, and beef bacon today.

Never seen Chicken Bacon. Turkey Bacon is common.

 

[drron]

They had Chicken bacon in the Hilton lounge earlier this week.Both the Hilton and LM are now totally pork free.I was amazed looking at the Senses menu in the Hilton to see a caesar salad made with Waygu bacon.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

And the morning they had "beef bacon" at breakfast in the Hilton lounge - it was really dried up over cooked silverside ! bacon for me has got to be pork !!