A brief review of my recent business trip:
- Location: goes without saying that it is strategically located in JB town centre and within walking distance to many points of interests: JBCC, CIQ, and even Princess Cove (via the covered bridge walkway).
- Parking access: you may have read on other websites about customers' complains about parking on Level 7 (with direct access of hotel lifts) of the Komtar JBCC mall. Well, it's actually not that bad - you drive up a ramp off the main road and enter the car park at Level 3, and then just a few more levels up in the comfort of your car. Easy. [note: columns at the entry to the downhill ramps are quite narrow, so drive carefully.]
- Parking facility: I'm not the first and will not be the last to comment on this. The problem is that Level 7 is open air parking, i.e. not covered. So your car gets heated up in the hot sun and/or you get wet when it rains, which happens very often in recent months. There is a small covered parking area, but it was cordoned off for some reason which was not disclosed. Was informed that you can park on Level 5 & 6, however there's no direct lift access to the hotel. You will have to use the mall lifts to get to ground floor and then walk to the hotel ground floor entrance. Notwithstanding, parking is free.
- Hotel room: nicely designed, well-appointed and clean. The mattress and pillows are very comfortable - note the pillows with hard and soft types are clearly labelled in the stitching. Good sized bathroom (stayed at premier room) with solid sanitary wares, fittings and fixtures. Particularly loved their permanent large bottles of body wash, shampoo, conditioner & lotion: very eco- and user- friendly. Oh yes, and the bath towels are very soft and fluffly. One other point to note: the size & dimension of the hotel room floors are straightforward rectangular and not too long - i.e. access from the lift to your room door is a relatively short walk (I am comparing to some other 5* hotels in JB).
- Overall hotel and facilities: am happy with the overall look and feel - stylish, yet inviting and comfortable. Didn't get time to use any of the facilities, but I'm pretty sure they won't disappoint.
- Food: now this is a "hit & miss".
(1) seafood chowder - tasty. But at RM33, you would expect some decent bitesize portions of fish, whole prawns, etc. and NOT bits and bobs of tiny seafood 'crumbs'. [note: compare it to Amari hotel's 'seafood hor fun' which is similarly priced but very generously decked out. Unfortunately its taste was under par.]
(2) lamb shank - flavorful, well seasoned, tender, al-dente vegetables. Good.
(3) pasta carbonara - let's just say I won't be ordering this again.
Breakfast - something everyone looks forward too. Now, due to the pandemic and low occupancy, there's no buffet but instead a set breakfast menu. Surprisingly, I'm happy to report that they have done this well - the plated food looks appetizing; a table selection of cold cuts is wheeled to you; choice of freshly baked pastries or toasts with a selection of condiments is provided; and if you are able you can continue to order other hot foods after your set is finished. My gripe and a definite focus area for improvement is the quality: poached egg is overcooked and is a mess; chocolate croissant is overbaked until the chocolate inside is burnt; cheeses are stale and harden (remember to request them to cut a fresh piece and slice off the fridge-harden 'skin').
Would I say here again? Absolutely. It's still a good hotel that is well managed and the staff here are all very pleasant. I just have to lower down my expectations of the food and hope I don't get soaked getting to my parked car.