Short Taster to KUL then CRWSTAR1 for summer in UK and Canada/Alaska

[mel-world]

I am new to this but hope to document my first *RTW over the next nine weeks or so. Itinerary is MEL-KUL-MEL (the taster on EK in F) then the following:

MEL-SIN SQ F - points upgrade
SIN-LHR SQ 380 in Suites - a points upgrade when SQ308 was still a 777ER

then 3 weeks in London - more of that later

LHR-FRA-ATL LH J
ATL-ORD-YVR UA F

then a 4 week holiday around western Canada, cruising to Alaska and onto Fairbanks - really excited about this.

FAI-ANC-YVR AS and AC Y - yes the observant amongst you will realise that this is a side trip and not part of the RTW as AS is not *Alliance
YVR-AKL NZ J
AKL-MEL NZ J

I have never uploaded photos before so be gentle. I think I might give you a chance to guess where we stay by including the view from each hotel window.

Firstly a short business trip to KUL to get a week away from the cold of a Melbourne winter - even though the Hawks are doing okay this season.

Not sure I would recommend any flight that leaves MEL at 0240 but wanted to get to EK Gold and try their F product including the very civilised car to and from the airport. I was alone in F so excellent attention from a multi-national crew. This is one of the things that I like about EK but sometimes they can vary in skills and friendliness. This crew was good and I even enjoyed a couple of glasses of 2003 Dom Champagne for an early breakfast in 1A. Received the necessary sleepware and a good amenities kit. The rest of the flight looked about half full judging by the lounge (mixed F and J) and the departure area. Arrived okay but a little weary at 0840 so to the Hotel by 1030.



Where am I staying?

These views should be easy for any regular travellers to KL but an excellent Hotel - I have stayed there around 100 nights while on a long term contract so on first name terms with many of the staff and always get an upgrade to Executive level and often to a (marginally) larger corner room, from where I am writing this epistle.

Expect the next instalment from SIN about July 23 after a relaxed Friday evening return flight to MEL again in EK F and then a busy week preparing for 8 weeks on the road - business first then a holiday. I will have an opportunity to compare the EK F product with a similar flight on an SQ refurbished 777 300 again in F. No Private Suite on this SQ sector but the soft product comparison will be interesting.

BTW, I normally do not fly F anywhere but circumstances allowed this EK F journey and the SQ upgrades were secured six months or so ago. I am a long-term 6-year SQ PPS Solitaire member so know their product really well.

 

[kpc]

Where am I staying?...These views should be easy for any regular travellers to KL but an excellent Hotel

I agree it is an excellent hotel...it is my "home" in KL . I'm currently here til Sat in a relaxation suite, and the view from my room is almost identical to yours... a bit of a deja vu feeling!! Are you still here? For those that don't know, we are talking about the Hilton KL

 

[NM]

Where am I staying?

When I saw the photo I immediately knew not only the location but the hotel from which it was taken ... great place to stay.

 

[k3nnis]

Sorry to get sidetracked, how does Westin KL compare to Hilton KL? I was tossing up between these 2...

 

[mel-world]

Sorry to get sidetracked, how does Westin KL compare to Hilton KL? I was tossing up between these 2...

I have never stayed at the Westin against 100 nights at the KL Hilton as my Malaysian client always books the same place. So I cannot compare the rooms but it depends where you are doing business. The Westin is near the Pavilion SC down-town and jointed to the JW Marriott so in the 'crowded' part of town if you know KL traffic. Can take a long time during the peak to get anywhere. I did go to a conference at the Marriott and the public areas were first class.

Against that the KL Hilton is next to the down-town train station so only 30-mins from airport (every 15-20 mins.) unless you come on Air Asia. A typical American 5-star hotel but attached to Le Meridian if you want something different - they share swimming pool and restaurants. However service, especially in the Executive Lounge is efficient and friendly although it can get very crowded mid-week. Everything works and you get free WiFi in public areas. And as you can see above, you are opposite a nice park/lake against down-town. Hope that helps you make a decision.

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks. I think it's important for me to have walking distance to most things. i.e. shopping, food etc.

 

[kpc]

Sorry to get sidetracked, how does Westin KL compare to Hilton KL? I was tossing up between these 2...

Is this your first trip to KL? If so, I would recommend.Westin KL...this used to be my home in KL til I shifted to Hilton a few years back (40 + nights here). Westin is in Bukit Bintang where all the action is but it is a pain in the cough to get to / from airport due to traffic. Mininum 1 hour or lots more...Hilton is at KL Sentral which is 28 mins by fast train from airport. There isn't a lot at KL Sentral but you are only a short train ride to everywhere. Hilton executive lounge is much better than the Westin tho....

 

[k3nnis]

Not my first time there. But will be going with wife and a 3 year old...Does the westin upgrade SPG Gold?

 

[kpc]

Not my first time there. But will be going with wife and a 3 year old...Does the westin upgrade SPG Gold?

A few years ago, only Plats got executive lounge access at Westin unless an executive room was booked. When I was Hilton Gold, there was only 1 stay that I did not get upgraded to an executive room at the Hilton.

 

[mel-world]

Thanks. I think it's important for me to have walking distance to most things. i.e. shopping, food etc.

Then maybe stay at the Westin as it is walking distance to the Pavilion an upmarket shopping centre and not too far from KLCC. The Hilton is 10-mins from Mid-Valley Mall by taxi.This is a giant Mall with both a general and upmarket section and lots of eating options - but anywhere in KL has lots of eating options. If you are on holidays and have time try the Westin. KL is not really a walking city due to crazy drivers and general lack of footpaths for pedestrians.

 

[mel-world]

Now back home after a disappointing journey on EK408 KUL-MEL 13 July, one of their many 777s, seated in 1A (F). The Emirates lounge in KUL is again a mixed F/J lounge with a good view of the airport. Nothing wrong with the location, size, food or drink options. No real Business area if you want to use your own computer as all the desks have a computer installed. Not many other power points so had to use a table in the eating area using the computer's battery.

The fight was full in all classes - 7 x Y passengers were off-loaded apparently - for this Friday afternoon flight down to Melbourne. In F, all but 2 of the 8 passengers had come down from DXB. We boarded generally on-time with one door only for F and the other for everyone else. However, there was no urgency to achieve an on-time departure even though the flight arrived on schedule. We eventually closed doors and pushed back 35mins late at 1605 and then ATC held us so wheels up was not until 1638. We recovered all but 15 mins of this time before we got to MEL at 0130+1.

The selection of newspapers and magazines left a lot to be desired - many in Arabic. However the Dom Perignon 2003 went down well as did all the wines I sampled on the flight. I do not drink much so never keep a wine list. Obviously having 8/8 passengers in F, the Senior and 2 x Flight attendants (all female) were all kept very busy throughout the flight. The English announcements were by an Aussie from Melbourne - adding a personal touch.

The other disappointment was the food - blamed on the catering out of KUL. The salad was what I would expect at a fast food restaurant. Every course was tiny - good for my waistline I guess - but not what I would expect given the cost of an F ticket. I was able to pace the meal that could be taken at any time up to 90mins before arrival.

I think I am reasonably computer literate but the other thing I find frustrating on EK is the controller for their ICE entertainment module. Fortunately they do have a standerd controller as well on the seat arm or you can lean forward and use the touch screen but the large unit is hard to operate, especially if the tracker ball does not work. I do like the massage function, the fact that the system is available all through the flight - take notice SQ - and the forward facing camera is good for take-off and landing.

The other substantial benefit of flying on EK (and Ethiad out of MEL) is the car supplied for F and J passengers. At 0145, there were some 30 drivers lined up to take people home or to their hotels when I was first through customs and out into a cold Melbourne night.

Next report after my flight to SIN on 22 July for the start of an 8 week CRWSTAR1 RTW.

 

[mel-world]

Hi again.... Arrived in SIN last evening after a very pleasant flight on SQ 238 F from MEL. The airport was very busy on Sunday morning - it was quicker to go through the normal immigration line rather than the 'Express' lane as this lane, only served by two officers was held up continuously by air crew and passengers with (I guess) staff or APEC passes who had priority over F and J passengers. With the increase in international passengers in both MEL and SYD, there will be more delays at busy periods. Also amazed by the amount of hand luggage some people have to go through the X-Ray - the person in front of me had 9 items after removing boots, one laptop, an IPad, a phone, a coat, handbag and two carry ons!!

There were 3 other guests in F while J was full and Y about 70% occupied. The flight departed a few minutes late; there were no problems during the flight and we arrived on-time. Although this was a refurbished 777-300 rather than the SQ 777ER version or the 380, I found the F section most comfortable even though I would like some lumber support. SQ have added a cushion on the side of the seat, as they have on the ER and 380 in J as the seat is too wide for sitting while perfect for sleeping. You really have to move off centre to line up with the table for eating. A small problem, I know.

The IFE system, already limited on this aircraft type, failed and had to be re-booted an hour into the flight. The 777-300 is really a regional configuration rather than a long haul - I guess the 7 hours up from MEL is a compromise between the two configurations. MEL will get a second 380 soon but I believe SQ237/238 will remain as a 777-300 - is that right?

I could never transcribe the whole wine list or menu but can report that both the 2000 Moet and the Krug were delicious and always served in a very cold glass. No Cloudy Bay Sav Blanc was loaded so I had one glass of a Barossa Chardonnay, a French Cabernet and a 20y-o Port with cheese. All the food was up to F standard, served at my pace and the serving sizes excellent to give you a taste of many courses without getting too full. I do really like the consistency of SQ service and the way they personalise the journey for their most frequent passengers.

Now in SIN for a day before a flight to London - not looking forward to LHR three days before the Olympics.

Here is the view from my SIN hotel. Anyone know it? My regular 'home' in the beautiful city. More later on my visit to the new Marina Gardens and domes.