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The Grand Hyatt KL from the pool.
We stepped into a grand space – a gleaming marble floor, an epic staircase that swooped up in a gracious curve and soaring columns. “It’s a pity they don’t build hotel lobbies like this anymore”, my Mum remarked. With the towering Burj Dubai in mind, I begged to differ but aren’t mothers always right? She had a point though. With soaring real estate prices and a trend in hotel design that leans towards creating intimate spaces, large lobbies like this were becoming somewhat of a rarity. The lobby of the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur was certainly impressive.
We stood there admiring the lobby when we were approached by one of the hotel staff who welcomed us and, with a warm smile, led us to the elevators. As I was about to discover, the lobby was just one part of the grand welcome. The lift whisked us up to the top floor (39), or rather, the Sky Lobby, in 20-odd seconds. The doors opened and I gasped the moment I stepped out. There, right in front of me, were the shimmering Petronas Twin Towers, the iconic buildings that have made Kuala Lumpur famous the world over. The view from the Sky Lobby – the second part of the grand welcome – was simply breathtaking.
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The grand staircase in the ground floor lobby.
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The stunning view of the Petronas Twin Towers as I stepped out of the lift!
the best 360-degree views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline!
I looked around and noticed a completely different feel – whilst the lobby on the ground floor was grand and expansive, the Sky Lobby on the other hand felt cosy and intimate. Reception desks lined one corner and the rest of the space was filled with several clusters of plush sofas. The striking glass walls highlighted the main attraction: the view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. We walked around the Sky Lobby – it has a circular shape – past the reception desks and the gorgeous lounge and everywhere we looked, we were greeted by spectacular panoramas. The Sky Lobby of the Grand Hyatt has arguably the best 360-degree views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline!
My room at the Grand Hyatt
We were escorted to our room on the 34th floor by the friendly receptionist. A separate set of lifts brings guests down to the room floors, a concept that I found a bit confusing at first – I’m accustomed to lobbies on the ground floor and taking the lift up to my room. At the Grand Hyatt, the lobby is on the top floor – and rightfully so, just for the view – and you take the lift down to your room!
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The entrance corridor to my room.
My room was absolutely gorgeous. At 47 square meters, it certainly was spacious. The wood floor and rugs created a homely ambiance. There was also an MP3 player and a large 42-inch LED television. The twin beds were positioned facing the large floor-to-ceiling windows, thereby maximising the view… and what a view it was! We were almost eye-to-eye with the Petronas Twin Towers! It was hard to tear myself away from that incredible view.
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Loved this sofa in my room!
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The comfy twin beds with the glass-cubicle bathroom behind the beds.
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The night view from my room! I couldn’t get enough of this magnificent view!
The most striking feature of the room, aside from the view of course, was the glass cubicle that houses the bath-tub and shower area. The clear glass meant I could have a shower while still enjoying the view. For some privacy, the clear glass wall turns opaque with a simple flick of a switch.
Dining at the Grand Hyatt
The Grand Hyatt has three restaurants: Thirty8 (on the 38th floor), JP Teres (on the ground floor) and the Poolside restaurant. Thirty8 is the main restaurant with a unique concept; a cross between fine-dining and a food court, with its lively show kitchens where chefs prepare a variety of Western and Asian dishes.
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The awesome view from Thirty8.
The restaurant also has a bar with stunning views of the twin towers. Dining at Thirty8 is a real treat, not only because of the top-notch food and outstanding service, but the views are simply captivating. My Mum and I enjoyed a terrific dinner with the lights of Kuala Lumpur spread out below us like a shimmering carpet.
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A dinner at Thirty8 above a shimmering carpet of lights! My artistic impression! Image may be NSFW.
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Thirty8 also offers a Sunday Champagne Brunch which I highly recommend. The views, the champagne and the seemingly endless array of food (from steaks to sashimi) make for a dizzying experience! I suggest going with an empty stomach!
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A wide array of food at the Sunday brunch.
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Lots of seafood at the Sunday brunch!
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And breads and pastries!
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Fab food and a stunning view!
JP Teres on the ground floor has a different, more casual atmosphere, where guests are greeted with the lovely scent of spices from the open kitchen as they enter. The restaurant serves Malaysian specialties in a contemporary, relaxing ambiance. Guests can also choose to dine at the outdoor terrace which also houses a beautiful bar, one of my favourite spots in the hotel.
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JP Teres
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Loved this spot! The JP Teres bar.
The Poolside restaurant, right on the edge of the gorgeous oval-shaped pool, serves light meals and snacks. They also do a fabulous BBQ dinner on some evenings – our BBQ dinner here was a real feast and my Mum and I had a wonderful time sitting at the edge of the pool with its starry lights and picking at the tender pieces of chicken and fish.
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The lovely pool at the Grand Hyatt.
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The Poolside restaurant in the evenings.
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The poolside is also a great place to watch the fireworks displays on Independence Day (31st August) and New Year’s Eve!
There’s also the Grand Club (for those booked in one of the Grand Club Rooms) on the 37th floor which has a restaurant, lounge and meeting rooms. If you have access to the Grand Club, I recommend going there during Happy Hour for a drink and a snack – the sushi/sashimi and Thai-style finger food are divine!
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Happy hour at the Grand Club!
The Essa Spa – bliss!
The Grand Hyatt also has a beautiful spa: Essa Spa, that specialises in ‘ramuan’ or traditional Malay treatments. The treatment rooms all have en-suite bathroom/shower facilities whilst the couples room has its own plunge pool. The traditional massage I received at the Essa Spa was pure bliss. The excellent masseuse created a rejuvenating experience through the clever use of locally-sourced oils and spices.
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The Essa Spa
Wherever we went in the hotel, we were greeted with a smile and a slight bow. The hotel staff, like Malar at the Poolside restaurant, and Didi at the Grand Club, made us feel very welcome. They anticipated our needs perfectly, in a casual, non-intrusive manner. I loved many things about the Grand Hyatt: the spectacular views for sure, as well as the relaxed vibe and the fabulous cuisine. However, it’s the outstanding staff of the Grand Hyatt that really made our stay a grand experience!
If you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur and looking to indulge yourself with a five-star experience, I highly recommend the Grand Hyatt. Similarly, for a drink or a terrific meal accompanied by the best views of Kuala Lumpur, you know where to go to now!
More information: Address: 12 Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50450. Tel: +60 3 2182 1234. The Grand Hyatt Hotel is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur in the KLCC district, adjacent to the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Suria shopping mall. The major shopping and entertainment district, Bukit Bintang is an easy ten-minute walk away via an elevated walkway.
Note: A huge thank you goes to Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur for hosting me and my Mum and for your wonderful hospitality. As always, all views expressed above are mine, and mine only.