Cosy Little Hotel

I wouldn't call it little, but it certainly was a cosy place. Only had the chance to stay there overnight and the location being right next tot he airport and about 20 minutes away from the centre of Kuching City certainly made it more of a business hotel rather than a holiday one.

Four Points was the name and it was part of the Sheraton/Starwood chain.

Time for room serviceSun shining into the lobby floorThe room I stayed in was a simple one, but it had everything including Internet. Few basic movie channels. Nothing fancy.

I got to order room service when I arrived, and the service was prompt plus the food was actually quite nice. The steak could've been better cooked, but it was ok.

Internet was not the fastest and since there was only a single sports channel - and also a single movie channel - I had to resort to RTM1 to catch the football matches.

Time for breakfast

The breakfast spread was fine. Again the service was prompt and the food was well-prepared. Didn't get to sample the gym nor the swimming pool. The pool being right next to the main cafe where breakfast was served was really a put off.

The lobby however was nice and roomy. It had a few cafe and a bar by the main reception if you wanted to catch the World Cup matches on the big screens.

The hall where we had our talks were spacious. I was able to use my Mac connected to the presentation projector, which was a big plus.

I wouldn't recommend the hotel if you were coming with your family for a visit though due to its location. Hotels in town - Pullman and Hilton - would've been a better choice. It would be nearer to the city attractions and most importantly food. This hotel was mainly for business meetings and conferences.

Sheraton Langkawi

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending a couple of evenings at Westin Langkawi, at the edge of Kuah town. The weekend just passed, I got to spend another weekend in Langkawi again, but this time it was on its sister hotel - since Westin was owned by Sheraton - Sheraton Langkawi.

It was very clear that the concept was very different. This was more for a couple looking for a get away, enjoying the beach and what it has to offer. Westin was more for those on a business, or couldn’t decide if they want a conventional or a secluded stay. Sheraton was only 10 minutes drive from the airport, so getting to Pekan Kuah - like we did for dinner on the evening I arrived, took a 30 minutes bus ride.

Rather than one big complex that we did in Westin, the hotel was mainly a central lobby building with the conference centre and main restaurants and swimming pool next to it, and patrons stayed in smaller buildings by the see. The hotel provided us with electric buggy rides to hop between the lobby and the rooms as it involved negotiating steep inclines. The rooms were in group of about 10 - very comfortable. Mine was overlooking the main swimming pool, where the party took place and bars were situated. So, I left the the balcony door open for the sea breeze to come in when I slept at night, and I was still hearing the singing at 1 am in the morning. I didn’t mind that though and there were no mosquitoes as well, which was useful.

The rooms were nice and cosy, with a small balcony. The bathroom was spacious but there did not have proper pipe for cleaning oneself - not very Moslem-friendly I mean. Shower was OK but nowhere as nice as the one at Westin. The bed were comfortable but the TV only had limited channels. I had to go to the bar to watch the ManYoo game on the Saturday. The food was OK, but again Westin was better. We had an outdoor grill on the Saturday evening by the pool, but the only grill on offer was lamb and the rest of the dish were covered with an inch thick oil. One really could do with a sprinkling of statins.

Walking around, the view was not as great as the Westin, even though the sunset and sunrise was spectacular. I learned that the facilities for kids in terms of nursery and activities was pretty good. However since the whole place was hilly, getting from the room to the lobby can be a challenge with kids running around. The beach was definitely better than Westin with a nice decking if you enjoy walking with the breeze. There was no wifi in the rooms, and even if there was, it will cost me RM50 per day. The rooms were equipped with Ethernet access for the Web, but since my Air does not have a port, I used my iPhone instead. I just wished that all internet in hotels were free. They even charged for access at the lobby and the conference floor.

All in all, it was a mixed bag. I can’t help but compare the two sister hotels. I must confess that given the choice, I would have picked Westin. I do not know about the pricing however, but I can’t imagine there to be that much difference. If one can afford one, they should be able to afford the other. With a family, I would have chosen Westin as well. The location being near Kuah will also sway shoppers such as my wife should she tagged along. The link for the hotel formal website can be found here.

Sunset Dinner

Oh! No! I think United for beaten. Certainly Villa was playing much better. Can't really complete if we got beat. They were just better in every department. Unfortunately, we did not have ESPN in our rooms. I warned the match at the bar with a colleague from Penang. He was an Arsenal supporters and did not stay for the second half.

We had a nice sunset dinner earlier. By nice, I meant the setting was nice, outdoors by the pool. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about the food. The salad was lame, and the rice dishes were basically fish, vegetables and chicken in layer of oil an inch thick. It was supposed to an outdoor barbecue dinner, and the only barbecue on offer was roast lamb. More cholesterol. I gave that a miss.

The company was good though. Spent the time chatting to guests from Australia and a colleague from private practice. I also spent time talking to a Pharmacist from Kelang, Ian. He also have an iPhone, a jailbroken unit. He put me through the paces of the alternative app store, where he could get most of the apps I owned for free. In return, I should him how I utilised my phone. Certainly I was more of an outlier from the way I use it.

U left the bar after Villa scored their second as the in house bags started playing their set. I can't really concentrate on the game by then, being tired did not help. I have another session tomorrow and have to pack early so as not to rush when we check out. The transport will be after lunch, catching a 4 pm. Flight. InsyaAllah, I should reach home by 6. I really need to rest after that as my Dad-in-law will be admitted on Monday for angiogram the next morning. Rays will be Wednesday and I may have to drive to Penang to visit my grandmother. She had been unwell lately and the whole family were concerned. I will be on leave on Thursday and Friday, and then will travel for an overnight stay in PD for another meeting.

Update on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 8:35PM by Haris Abdul Rahman

Stop press! ManYoo drew with Villa with a couple of goals in the last 10 minutes! They still got it!

Return to Langkawi

I was writing this again upon landing in Langkawi. Will be here to give a couple of talks tomorrow before flying back Sunday. This time, we were put up at Sheraton, only 10 minutes from the airport. After settling in, we were taken for a nice dinner in Kuah town.

Dinner was Thai, and the dessert - pulut, sweet mango and coconut milk will definitely increase my cholesterol level! On the bus ride back to the hotel, I gave the boys and Anita at home a ring. I asked Irfan what he wanted from Langkawi when I get back? He said, he wanted an iPhone. Gulp! Boys these days.