KLIA - Crowne Plaza - Train or Taxi?

[TonyB]

Flying to KL this Thursday and staying at the Crowne Plaza but a little undecided as to whether I should taxi it from KLIA to the hotel or take the train as there is a monorail station directly opposite the entrance to the hotel. I only have a carry on so there are no issues with lugging bags around on the train but I don't know if I need to swap trains in the city and board the monorail to get to the hotel and if so, how much of a hassle is that going to be and is it that much quicker? Has anyone done this before?

 

[SFSC]

TonyB,

Been pondering the same question for our stay in August. Can't help with definite answers but my research so far indicates that the transfer to to the monorail at Sentral involves crossing a car park and a street. It also looks tike the Crowne Plaza is set back a bit from the street the Raja Chulan monorail station is in but with carry-on luggage only it shouldn't be a problem.

I suppose it depends on the time of day. We are yet to decide if we will get a cab straight to the hotel from KLIA or get the ekspress to Sentral then monorail or cab from there. Will be interested to find out what you decided and how you get on.

 

[NM]

If travelling by yourself, the KLIA Ekspress train is a good option. Fastest and cheapest. The KILA Ekspress costs MYR35 and you purchase the ticket in the baggage collection hall before collecting your bags. It runs about every 20 mins and takes 28 mins to Sentral. From Sentral you can take a Teksi to the CP. At Sentral you have to pre-pay for the teksi and the amount will depend on whether you choose a "premium" or "standard" teksi. The premium ones cost double, but I would always use the premium from Sentral. Go to the counter and tell them your destination, pay and receive a voucher which you hand to the driver outside. The CP will be about MYR20 from sentral using a pre-paid premium teksi.

If you are realy feeling adventurous and don't have much baggage, you could take the KL Monorail from Sentral to the CP. I can't remember the name of the station, but its one top after Bukit Bintan and right outside the CP hotel. The monorail at Sentral is outside the main complex, down an escalator, across a marketplace and across the road. Its easy to find if you follow the signs. The monorail will cost about MYR3 from Sentral to CP.

The teksi ride from KUL to CP is going to cost about MYR100-120 and will take around an hour depending on the time of day. But you don't need to change. At KUL they use the same pre-pay fixed price mechanism as at Sentral, so at least you won't be ripped off by the driver.

If you have multiple passengers, then consider using a limo service that can be arranged through the hotel. This will cost about MYR200 and for most hotels can be charged to your room account (think Priority Club points ). They generally use 7-seat people movers for the "limo" so plenty of room for multiple passengers and bags. But this will still take around an hour for the drive.

 

[NM]

TonyB,

Been pondering the same question for our stay in August. Can't help with definite answers but my research so far indicates that the transfer to to the monorail at Sentral involves crossing a car park and a street. It also looks tike the Crowne Plaza is set back a bit from the street the Raja Chulan monorail station is in but with carry-on luggage only it shouldn't be a problem.

Personally I would use a Teksi from Sentral to CP. You are correct about the treck through the carpark (its a market during the day) and cross the street.

I had two transfers from KLIA to the Renaissance Hotel (next monorail station out from CP) in February. The first one I was with a colleague and we pre-booked a limo through the hotel. The second time I was by myself and I took the KLIA Ekspress and a premium Teksi. I have done the train/teksi combination about 10 times now and find it works for me. I have used the limo service once for arrival and once for departing when we have 2 or 3 people travelling together. I have used a pre-booked driver once (when needing to go to Pretaling Jaya rather than KL), and have use a teksi once (my fist time arriving and did not know about the train).

 

[TonyB]

Thanks NM for all that great info!! I arrive around 4-5pm on Thursday and as mentioned only have a carry on (first trial of my new RedOxx after giving up on Samsonite due to the weight of the case alone) as I am returning to PTH on Friday. I tried to arrange a limo from the hotel but they said they couldn't do it and all they could arrange were a taxi or a hire car from KLIA. I think the train followed by a premium cab to the CP will be the way to go. Also a little annoyed as I joined the Ambassador Club at intercontinental while in Singapore a couple of weeks ago and only booked at the CP in KL because of that membership - once I had paid online the screen popped up to say that my Ambassador privileges didn't apply at that hotel:evil:

I will post a follow up on how well the train/cab combo worked.

 

[oz_mark]

The monorail station outside the CP is Raja Chulan. The fare is about MYR2 from Sentral.

However, I would normally do as suggested here, catch the KLIA Express and then teksi to the CP.

 

[oz_mark]

Also a little annoyed as I joined the Ambassador Club at intercontinental while in Singapore a couple of weeks ago and only booked at the CP in KL because of that membership - once I had paid online the screen popped up to say that my Ambassador privileges didn't apply at that hotel:evil:

Ambassador only applies to Intercontinental brand.

 

[TonyB]

Ambassador only applies to Intercontinental brand.

Yes, so I was informed when I called them. My mistake for not reading the T&C - I thought that because I logged into and booked through the Intercontinental website with my PC/Ambassador membership then it applied to all of those hotels. I am just glad that I found this out before booking my trip next month to Dubai and Africa.

 

[NM]

Yes, so I was informed when I called them. My mistake for not reading the T&C - I thought that because I logged into and booked through the Intercontinental website with my PC/Ambassador membership then it applied to all of those hotels. I am just glad that I found this out before booking my trip next month to Dubai and Africa.

PC status and benefits do apply at CP hotels. Its just the Ambassador benefits that are only available at IC hotels.

The CP in KL is very nice and almost IC standard. However, the WiFi internet access in the exec lounge is a little slow and congested. Generally the rates are cheap so try to book a room that gives you exec lounge access and you will get a decent breakfast and evening drinks and nibbles provided.

There are plenty of good restaurants within walking distance of the CP - and some night clubs if you are into that (such as The Beach Club). Good shopping and eating is available around Bukit Bintan, which is about a 5-10 min walk or you can take the monorail if you really don't like walking. just exit the hotel and turn left and follow the monorail track. If you are looking for electronics then head for Low Yat mall, which is behind BB Plaze and Sungei Wang plaza. Just ask any of the locals to point you to Low Yat.

You can also walk to KLCC (Petronas Towers) by turning right out of the hotel and walk down to the next monorail station and the Renaissance Hotel. Turn left and go about 3 blocks to KLCC for more eating options. But be aware that the shopping there is a lot more expensive than elsewhere in KL.

 

[TonyB]

PC status and benefits do apply at CP hotels. Its just the Ambassador benefits that are only available at IC hotels.

The CP in KL is very nice and almost IC standard. However, the WiFi internet access in the exec lounge is a little slow and congested. Generally the rates are cheap so try to book a room that gives you exec lounge access and you will get a decent breakfast and evening drinks and nibbles provided.

There are plenty of good restaurants within walking distance of the CP - and some night clubs if you are into that (such as The Beach Club). Good shopping and eating is available around Bukit Bintan, which is about a 5-10 min walk or you can take the monorail if you really don't like walking. just exit the hotel and turn left and follow the monorail track. If you are looking for electronics then head for Low Yat mall, which is behind BB Plaze and Sungei Wang plaza. Just ask any of the locals to point you to Low Yat.

You can also walk to KLCC (Petronas Towers) by turning right out of the hotel and walk down to the next monorail station and the Renaissance Hotel. Turn left and go about 3 blocks to KLCC for more eating options. But be aware that the shopping there is a lot more expensive than elsewhere in KL.

Thanks again NM, I have booked an exec club room for the lounge access and brekky in the morning. Last time I stayed at the Parkroyal which is in a great location directly opposite Sungei Wang but thought I would try the IC chain this time due to PC membership. I think I will turn left from the hotel and find a nice place for dinner in that direction (I also have to return to the shopping centre with the rollercoaster inside and get the minimum height limits for mini TonyB's - if they are tall enough I will probably take them with me when I go back in May).

I might even see if I can find some reasonably priced Bose QC2's while I am in KL this time.

 

[NM]

Thanks again NM, I have booked an exec club room for the lounge access and brekky in the morning.

Good move.

I think I will turn left from the hotel and find a nice place for dinner in that direction

I can recommend a Vietnamese restaurant to which I have returned at least 4 times since my first encounter. Its on Julan Alor, which can be found by walking up Julan Sultan Ishmal to Julan Bukit Bintan. Turn right in Julan Bukit Bintan (before you reach the monorail station) and then take the next right into Changkat Bukit Bintan and head down the hill (avoiding the durian stalls). At the bottom of the hill turn left into Julan Alor and look for a Vietnamese restaurant about 100m on the left side of the street.

(I also have to return to the shopping centre with the rollercoaster inside and get the minimum height limits for mini TonyB's - if they are tall enough I will probably take them with me when I go back in May).

That would be Times Square and Cosmos World indoor theme park and in particular the Supersonic Odyssey roller coaster. Its on Julan Imbi just near the Imbi monorail station.

I might even see if I can find some reasonably priced Bose QC2's while I am in KL this time.

That may not be quite so easy to find. Try the lower floors at Low Yat (the higher you go the more generic and low-cost the merchandise becomes. There are a few high-end hifi component stores on the ground floor. But not I think you may find the prices are not fantastic for products like Bose. You will likely find some at KLCC, but again the price may not be as good as you would like. Let me know if find a store with a good price.

 

[SFSC]

Thanks NM and others for the discussion and pointers.

Looks like we'll use the KLIA ekspress and premium teksi. We have booked a Crowne Plaza Club level room but may not get there in time for coughtails the first night. Our thirst on arrival will depend to some extent on whether we get an ODU on JQ65. We'll still be hungry regardless (given JQ standard of food) so the Vietnamese restaurant in Jalan Alor will probably get a visit if we don't snack in the lounge.

 

[blankman]

Hi, I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Mutiara KL last week and would definately recommend.

As a PC Platinum I wasn't offered a room upgrade at checkin but upon requesting one I was upgraded to an executive suite (original booking was a king deluxe room). No executive lounge access, but this isn't an advertised benefit of the program so didn't bother me at all.

I found the easiest way was just to cab it over from the airport from the prepaid desk. It cost MYR92.40 for a premium taxi direct to the hotel and a standard was MYR67 from memory. The other methods mentioned work fine too- I just found that after the flight I just wanted the easiest way to the hotel.

These cabs are booked just after you pass customs and just before you hit the main arrivals hall.

Since the 'new' highway opened the trip from KLIA to downtown takes around 35-45 minutes. Both trips took about 35 minutes for me door to door- at 4pm and 7pm.

I've attached below a few pics of the room i stayed in (hope it works..)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll75/blankman011/foyer.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll75/blankman011/bedroom.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll75/blankman011/bathroom.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll75/blankman011/livingroom.jpg

 

[Keith009]

If I'm not staying at the Le Meridien or Hilton at Sentral, I'd cab it all the way from KLIA to downtown. Saves all the hassle. Returning, I usually organise a ride back to the airport with the Westin for MYR120 (or 110 - can't remember), which is expensive locally but when converted back to AUD is still cheap as chips. It also took only about 35 mins on one Sunday since traffic was so good. But expect a 45-50 min journey on other days.

Edited to add:If you're intending to do the KLIA Express + cab combo - do make sure you go for the premium option at Sentral. A mate went for the regular one and ended up waiting for close to an hour during peak hour. Meanwhile there were lots of available cabs for the premium option. He tried to switch to the premium service but was told he'd have to forfeit his fare and pay for a new one entirely.

some night clubs if you are into that (such as The Beach Club).

Or if it's a weekend, avoid the hookers and head to Asian Heritage Row. It's next to the Sheraton Imperial, just one or two monorail stops down along the same road. Clubs there are much classier. They are dead on weekdays though. There is also a good Portugese fusion restaurant there that I do highly recommend.

I also second the suggestion about Changkat - some very nice restos there. And good nightlife over the weekend.

KL nightlife seems to be dead on weekdays, apart from the Beach Club area.

 

[Evan]

If anybody in future is staying at Le Meridien or Hilton at Sentral, then i like the steak resaurant at Le Meridien called "Prime" compared to decent steak in Singapore its actually well priced, and not that far off what yo would pay in Australia.

E

 

[NM]

Since the 'new' highway opened the trip from KLIA to downtown takes around 35-45 minutes. Both trips took about 35 minutes for me door to door- at 4pm and 7pm.

If you found a taxi that can make it from KLIA to CP in 35 mins at peak traffic time (4pm-6pm), he must have had one of those new hover-powered Protons. Its got to be well over 60km (probably more like 65-70km) with multiple toll stops along the freeway. At that time of day it can take 20 mins just to get from Julan Sultan Ishmal to the Klang Valley freeway where you still have at least 55km to travel (or vice versa for inbound). To do it in 35 mins at peak traffic time the driver must have been really flying on the freeway - a good reason for me to take the train next time.

 

[blankman]

The driver did travel pretty fast on the freeway- never really saw the speedo under 120km/h on the freeway.

The highway was virtually empty and we never had to wait once to pay for a toll on the many toll plazas.

Admittedly it didn't take 20mins to get onto the freeway- was a lot quicker, maybe just lucky. I arrived in on a Thursday night and left on a sunday afternoon so the traffic wasn't that bad.

I did experience terrible traffic on the friday so know why my 35 minute claim seems stretched, I was just lucky both times I guess.

 

[kelix]

Guys, heading to KL myself with the Girlfriend in April-May

Staying at the Hilton HH Gold so should be up top..

any suggestions on places to eat and shop for those Malaysia regulars???

 

[Keith009]

Guys, heading to KL myself with the Girlfriend in April-May

Staying at the Hilton HH Gold so should be up top..

any suggestions on places to eat and shop for those Malaysia regulars???

No shortage of good food in KL.

A personal favourite is Shook at Starhill on Bukit Bintang - serves very good seafood amongst other things. I had good Maine lobster last time I was there.

I'd also concur with Evan's recommendation for steak - Prime at the Le Meridien next door. The Le Meridien and the Hilton have an arrangement that allows you to charge stuff at the LM back to your Hilton room account - more HH points!

Asian Heritage Row next to the Sheraton Imperial is pretty good. That portugese fusion place I mentioned, as well as a Vietnamese one. Alas I don't remember the names.

There's also a good French restaurant in Changkat called Frangipani. The lounge upstairs turns into a hopping nightclub on weekends with international DJs; Fri night is meant to be gay night but it's been very mixed the last few times i went.

Prego at the Westin is another one to look out for - good Italian fare.

For local food, there's good Chinese food at the Chinatown area (though the sights and smells can be a little uhh...exotic). Mainly street vendors and hawkers - cheap and cheerful. There's also Jalan Ah Lor, off Bukit Bintang which is basically an entire street of hawkers.

One of my favourite local dishes is Bak Kut Teh - braised pork in a very nice broth (i avoid the more exotic body parts though :shock. Lots of that at the Chinatown night market and Jalan Raja Laut.

A bit out of the Golden Triangle, Sri Hatamas and Bangsar are also great spots for trendy restaurants and pubs. But the employees at some of the places in Bangsar can be a bit full on in their hard sell.

Lots of great high end shopping in Starhill, and KLCC. There's also a new high end shopping mall opening opposite the Westin on Bintang, name of which escapes me now. If you want some cheap knock offs - try Petaling St.

Enjoy KL!!

 

[NM]

Guys, heading to KL myself with the Girlfriend in April-May

Staying at the Hilton HH Gold so should be up top..

any suggestions on places to eat and shop for those Malaysia regulars???

While the Hilton is a very nice hotel, its not in the best position for eating and experiencing the lifestyle of KL. You will need to use a taxi, monorail or LRT to get anywhere. The restaurants at the Hilton and Le Meridian are very good (Noodles at Hilton and Japanese at Hilton are worth a visit). But you do need to get out to the Bukit Bintan area or Asian Heritage Walk as has been recommended.