BY the looks of it, the sprawling five-star property located at almost the far end of Tasik Putrajaya is still the same.
Its iconic clock tower, its heritage-themed architectural designs and even its distinctive resort setting are exactly how I remember they used to be, albeit the new name.
I am glad the new brand, DoubleTree By Hilton Putrajaya Lakeside maintains its persona but not without giving it its own personality and characters.
The F&B outlets are now called Makan Kitchen, a brand symbolic to the DoubleTree by Hilton brand in the region and The Koffee, while all its meeting rooms are named after major lakes in the country. More like paying homage to its "own" lake, Tasik Putrajaya.
The DoubleTree by Hilton's signature starts right after I am done with my checking in procedure at the reception.
As expected, the front office staff hands me a palm-size, still-hot DoubleTree chocolate chips cookie - the brand's signature cookie that has been welcoming guests for over 25 years.
Since the reopening goes on phases, only two wings out of four are open for guests. No longer called based on their given themes, each wing is now simply called Wing 1, 2 and so forth.
Following the direction given by the staff, my friend and I seem to be heading to what was formerly known as the Borneo Wing.
Ah, I stayed in this wing before and I can still remember how the room looked and felt.
And I can also remember how my late mother loved the Iban-house theme. She loved it so much that she kept talking about it each time we had to choose a hotel for our family holiday.
NEW LOOK, NEW FEEL
The rooms are probably the ones that get the most work. The change is huge. From an Iban house theme, and also other themes - Malay, Chinese and Indian, if I can remember them well, the rooms now spot the brand's standard design and colours.
Though it is not flooded with natural light, as it lacks that floor-to-ceiling glass window or wall, together with the warm colours from the carpet and furnishing, the room easily sets the perfect mood for relaxation.
While I can still see traces of Borneo tribal motifs, the room's modern setting slowly gets into me, and I don't mind having both - the remnants of tribal motifs and the contemporary designs. I guess a standard design has its advantages, for both the hotel and guests. Especially when I don't have to wonder how the other themes look and feel, or envy anyone in my group - if I come in a big group - gets a better looking room than mine.
Outside the room, the hotel offers new features and the one that catches my eyes is the Splash Pool, a mini water theme park that sits strategically surrounded by the hotel's beautifully designed low-rise buildings.
Other new additions are the lakeside pool that sits on the edge of its sprawling lawn facing the vast lake and has its water cascade down as a wall fountain with the hotel names splashed across it.
MAKAN TIME
Now, what is a staycation without indulging a bit - ok, maybe more than just a bit - on good food. At DoubleTree by Hilton Putrajaya Lakeside, you don't have to go around the city looking for what to eat, albeit there are only two F&B outlets.
Besides its huge breakfast spread, Makan Kitchen also offers interesting lunch and dinner sets. Those on the go or those who simply can make up their mind on what to eat, the Tiffin Set makes a refreshing choice.
Served in a four-tiered colourful tiffin with a place of white rice, the set comes in a choice of Nyonya, Malay and Indian food; and is priced at RM28 per person/set.
For dinner, the outlet spreads out its dinner offering on a unique, "oldies" dulang (round, colourful tray that was popularly used in the 70's).
Available only for dinner from Sunday to Thursday, the Dulang set comes in a choice of Javanese, Chinese and Indian cuisine. It is priced at 170 per set for four persons and RM270 for eight persons.
Our Chinese set comes with five dishes - Szechuan soup, steamed fish, butter prawns, cashew chicken and stir-fried kailan, to go with Chinese fried rice.
But, if you really want to go big in your culinary adventure, head to The Koffee for its oh-so-pretty desserts and savoury items served in its Afternoon Tea Set. Look out for its signature DoubleTree Cookie Cheesecake and Bunga Telang Pavlova.
FAST FACTS
DoubleTree By Hilton Putrajaya Lakeside
No 2, Jalan P5/5, Precinct 5,
62200 Putrajaya
TEL 03-8890 0000
FAX 03-8890 0001
EMAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE Putrajayalakeside.DoubleTreebyHilton.com
STAY 290 well-appointed rooms in 10 accommodation types. The non-smoking rooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi for Hilton Honors members, a flat-screen TV with HD channels, 24-hour room service as well as a work-desk.
EAT Two outlets - the all-day dining Makan Kitchen which is symbolic of Hilton's DoubleTree by Hilton brand in South East Asia, serving authentic Malaysian fare and specialty dishes across Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban and Peranakan cuisines; and Koffee, a deli located at the hotel's lobby offering a wide selection of coffee and colourful display of pastries
and light bites.
DO Kids will love this place. What DoubleTree Hilton Putrajaya has that the previous brand didn't is the sprawling, colourfull water theme park, the Splash Pool. Though not as big as the commercial ones, the full-fledged theme park has everything a water theme park has - water slide, wading pool, unique showers and water splash. If the water theme park is too "kiddy" for you, there are two swimming pools - a splash pool that overlooks the vast Tasik Putrajaya and a rooftop pool. There is also a spa and fitness centre on site.
GO Though the hotel is located at the far-end of Putrajaya, it is not deprived of the city's beautiful landscape and architectural wonders. First and foremost, the hotel is fronting the biggest part of Tasik Putrajaya, which makes it ideal for water-sports activities. And it is no surprise that Marina Putrajaya is its closest neighbour. Also in the vicinity is Putrajaya International Convention Centre and Seri Gemilang Bridge.
HIGHS Its distinctive "resort" feel that makes your urban staycation feel like in a resort faraway for a modern city. Its location also lifts it up a notch.
LOWS I loved the thematic room the previous brand had, which for me gave the hotel an upper hand over other hotels in the city. To walk into a standard designed room with some "remnants" from the past themes play peek-a-boo in between the new designs is quite disheartening. But, anyway, this is just one person's personal view.
