The Ascott KL Sentral is about 2km away from where I live, but my family and I have been there twice, simply because we think it's the best staycation spot in this part of the city.
The hospitality brand, which offers well-furnished apartments (as opposed to hotel rooms), is really in Brickfields— along Jalan Tun Sambanthan— a stone's throw away from Nu Sentral Shopping Centre's entrance along the same road.
So if you are looking at exploring the culture and colours of Brickfields, this is your ideal holiday home.
From bell service to reception, the service is excellent. Luggage is promptly handled and check-in is swift. There are chairs at the reception so when the staff is processing your check-ins, you are seated, instead of standing like at most hotels' reception counters.
STAY
For the price (that varies with availability and season), the room really delivers good value for money. Our Premier One Bedroom Apartment is even more spacious than a suite in a five star hotel.
It's equipped with a dining area and a fully functional kitchen so you can warm food, keep fruits in the fridge and have your own coffee whenever you feel like having a cuppa.
There's a Nespresso machine with a few capsules given daily. Any extra is charged at RM3 per capsule, which is very affordable, given the coffee quality it delivers. I have a Nespresso machine at home, so this really feels like an extension of my house.
The bedroom and bathroom are spacious too. I like the bathroom a lot. There's a bath tub for my son Murshid to play around and the rain shower's temperature adjusts easily so you don't get a shock in the morning by water that's very cold.
EAT
Ascott KL Sentral is where you go to if you want to explore local cuisine, and not stuck with hotel food. It works with Meals Station, located on the fifth floor of Menara Shell, for breakfast. There's a decent selection including bread, salad and egg.
Most of the food served is vegetarian, which is fine. The choices are not many— which is fine too because afterwards, you can explore the area for lunch and dinner.
If you like banana leaf rice, there's Vishal in Jalan Scott which is affordable but quite crowded. It has a dizzying selection of food which the waiter will bring to your table. I like the food there. It doesn't taste overwhelming.
Oh, and there's the legendary banana fritters stall on the pavement just opposite the YMCA building. Business starts at 12 noon, and the duration of the queue, if it's a hot day, can literally induce a migraine.
But the banana fritters and yam cake are delicious— crispy and classic, without any embellishment. I would buy them again if there's no queue, if I was alone.
The day I was there, I queued with my son while my husband had his hair cut at the Y Barber at YMCA and it was something I regretted.
DO
The swimming pool is cool, but cold. There are two pools— one for adults (outdoors) and the other (indoors) for kids. And because it is sandwiched by other tall buildings, the water temperature remains cold even when it's in the middle of the afternoon. There's also a gym if that's more your cup of tea.
But this establishment is made for those who love to venture out so whether it's a mall or interesting food stalls, everything is just a walking distance away.
GO
If a morning workout fuels you, then lace up your running shoes and head out for a morning run along The River of Life.
Just walk along the road next to YMCA, and head straight until you find the River of Life entrance, which opens to a pavement that will lead you all the way to Masjid Jamek. I run the route and it's very interesting to see the city on foot in a way I have not seen before.
You will run along the river, see Menara Dayabumi from the ground up, run next to Central Market and feel the vibes of the area which was once Kuala Lumpur's main financial and commercial district.
HIGH
The size of the room is unbeatable for the price, the location is superb and service is excellent.
LOW
None I can think of.
ASCOTT KL SENTRAL
211, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, KL Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
TEL 03-2727 9999
EMAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE www.discoverasr.com/en/ascott-the-residence/malaysia/ascott-sentral-kual...
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