FULL POINTS FOR FOUR POINTS PUCHONG

Bursts of colour coupled with arty-trendy design elements abound at Puchong's international Four Points by Sheraton hotel. The 249-room (including 12 Executive Suites) property is the pulse of this bustling township, surrounded by commercial, retail and residential hubs.

You can't really miss the distinctive building which is visible from the busy highway running parallel to the hotel. Opened in 2014, we had the privilege of enjoying a weekend staycation there recently. Parking was a breeze within the hotel basement as was the smooth and glitch-free check-in.

The lobby itself was warmly lit and clutter-free, with potted planters placed at different nooks and corners interspersed with an eye-catching art piece or two. We took a peep into the I-Spot corner where guests can surf the Net on Apple computers in comfort and soft ambient lighting. The secluded space is ideal for quick meetings or a serene corner to catch up on some reading or to grab a contemplative break.

A quick overview of our Deluxe King Room left no room for complaints. I particularly like the pristine neutral colour scheme of the soft furnishings. Cheery hues in discreet linear patterns broke the monotony amidst the central placement of a Four Points signature bed. Sheathed in 250 thread count linen, the expansive bed ensured we slept soundly during the two nights we stayed there.

 

Such creature comforts are repeated in the Executive Suites. Here, the private bedroom includes a living area (great for meetings or family/friend gatherings) and a writing desk with wired and wireless High Speed Internet Access (the latter also available in our room so we hardly felt the deprivation). Instead of one 40” LED Flat Screen Television, the Exec Suites have two TVs - one for the living area and the other in the bedroom. All rooms come with a minibar as well as coffee and tea making facilities. 

We love the airiness of the Exec Suite but again, the Deluxe Room was satisfactory enough for us; its amenities and fitouts definitely several notches up for a four-star hotel.

By the time we finished our whirlwind hotel tour, it was makan time! We headed down to The Eatery, the all-day dining restaurant (6am-11pm) where us famished souls sought succour.

Suffice to say, the splendid buffet dinner spread should have something to please everyone. Our group had a kid and young adults in tow so it was a relief to find the line-up of dishes featured had ample variety to keep everyone happy and satiated. By the way, The Eatery is running these promos throughout the week too.

We also enjoyed plenty of nice pickings from the all-new Weekend Hi-tea Buffet (RM85 per adult; RM42.50 per child aged 4-11 years old). Families will like this meal period as The Eatery has gone to set-up a children's activities corner to keep the little ones entertained.

Tempting fare from the ever-changing menu range from kid-friendly options like sandwiches, roast chicken drummets and pizzas to more adult choices: yong tau foo, curry mee, appetisers in shot glasses, grilled salmon, dim sum and mini dessert creations.

A good way of working off all that good food is to head for the gym or enjoy a dip in the pool. The equipment should meet the expectations of most fitness buffs who prefer not to slack from their normal keep fit routine. Families with children are guaranteed to take to the pool like ducks to water. Just remember to don proper swim attire instead of wearing normal clothes like t-shirts and shorts for hygiene purpose. A swimming pool is NOT for 'washing' your dirty laundry and nobody wants to swim in yucky pool water!

As an aside, those of you working in companies may be interested to know Four Points also has meeting facilities onsite. Be it for small meetings, mid-sized workshops or large-scale banquets, we were told the team is willing to help plan and organise all types of events or functions.

Local, food-crazy staycationers like us also took the opportunity to explore nearby eateries. Puchong is chock-a-block with irresistibly good options for cheap and mid-range eats -- make sure you go with those in the know and like those Pokemon Go hunters, you'd catch your fair share of delicious foodie discoveries at different parts of the 'hood.

Oodles of noodles beckon from independent eateries from across Four Points

The heatwave during our weekend stay saw us lounging around the Lobby Lounge, to enjoy the cool air-conditioned ambiance and to sip on cocktails before dinner. Currently, beers from around the world are dispensed as part of the Four Points' Best Brew initiative at this contemporary bar cum lounge.

Overall, we thoroughly revelled in our brief escapade in the city. The hotel's friendly culinary team and frontline service crew were always pleasant and ever-ready to help in making sure our stay was smooth and trouble-free.

For reservations, please call Four Points by Sheraton Puchong, tel: +6 03-5891 8888.
Address: 1201, Tower 3, Puchong Financial Corporate Centre (PFCC), Jalan Puteri 1/2, Bandar Puteri, Puchong, Selangor.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS DEBUTS IN MALAYSIA

Photo courtesy of Holiday Inn Express KLCC

Holiday Inn Express finally opened its first property in Kuala Lumpur, converted from the former ING office building in Jalan Raja Chulan.

Photo courtesy of IHG

The new 383-room hotel is right smack in the heart of the city's Golden Triangle, the hub of business, retail and entertainment. Billed as Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), Leanne Harwood - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Vice President, Operations, SEA & Korea, said "Holiday Inn Express is one of our fastest growing hotel brands in the world, fuelled by rising demand from value-conscious travellers who seek affordable accommodation in convenient locations."

He also revealed there will be four more Holiday Inn Express scheduled to open in Malaysia in the coming years. His positive sentiment was echoed by General Manager of Holiday Inn Express KLCC, Jonathan Lai who expressed confidence the hotel will be a popular choice with business and leisure guests.

The Holiday Inn Express KLCC team hosted an informal cocktail party for invited corporate clients, travel agents and local media recently, to introduce the hotel facilities and services. One of the key elements of the brand was cleverly mocked up into photo-taking corners to highlight Holiday Inn Express signature

• Free Express Start Breakfast or a Grab & Go option for a smart start to the day  

The lobby boasts a sleek linear approach with pops of colour coming from low stools paired with natural tree stump and glass coffee tables.

Guests also enjoy free & fast WiFi throughout the hotel in addition to internet stations.
In addition, there is a self-service business centre and laundry stations as well as a
24-hour fitness room to keep fitness buffs happy.

Photos courtesy of IHG/Holiday Inn Express KLCC

In-room amenities include comfortable & high quality bedding with a choice of firm or soft pillows. Step into the power shower to refresh yourselves thanks to the three-function massage showerhead.

The Great Room is where breakfast is served. Warmly lit by a row of trendy pendant lights, huge slabs of timber topped tables parked with blue and yellow chairs serve as the focal point. Banquette seating along the walls are also available; the backlit wall depicting motifs of fernleaf and dragonflies lending a heartwarming touch to the ambiance.

For reservations at Holiday Inn Express KLCC, please call 1800 801 881 (callers in Malaysia only). Address: 84 Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur. For more info, visit www.holidayinnexpress.com/kualalumpur

EATS SO PUN-NY AT HUCKLEBERRY AFTER DARK

Heh, Chuck Norris (RM21.90) stole the show on our maiden visit to Huckleberry After Dark. The Hollywood action hero's name probably doesn't ring a bell with today's young ones but never mind, Let's Ta-co 'Bout It...for the dish of beef Barbacoa tacos, served with BBQ-root beer sauce, pico de gallo, fresh coriander and sour cream was a bona fide showstopper.

Barbacao refers to the unique Mexican-Caribbean steam-smoke meat cooking technique which ensures meat so tender, it can be easily shredded or sliced into strips. We were thoroughly smitten by the soft tacos filled with that sweetish gamey pulled beef, accented with dollops of refreshing pico de gallo (chopped tomato, onion and coriander relish) and tantalising sour cream. Superbly yummlicious!

After creating some buzz with its wide range of French-style baked goods (popular stuff like croissants and rustic breads are usually sold out post-lunch), Huckleberry made more waves when the outlet introduced its pun-tastic dinner menu. 

For a Wholly Guacamole opener, crunch time never tasted better than The House Guac (RM13.90). Now, a lot of stuff is made in-house from scratch so the guacamole was creamy yet partially chunky; a scrumptious blend of avocados, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, green chillies, jalapeño and lime juice. Served with two types of nacho chips, this starter was irresistibly addictive.

 

Non-beef eaters may opt for Drop The Bass (RM19.90) as a viable alternative. Expect a tamer flavour profile from the chunks of battered fish in soft tacos. Rescue came in the form of some house slaw, jalapeño and pico de gallo so they should pass muster.

Burger She Wrote was a plot to bring out the carnivore in us. Okay, Cheesus (RM19.90) sounded kinda blasphemous to some holier-than-thou folks but clearly, its main pun-ny intention was to elicit a smile or a chuckle. The towering cheeseburger stacked with 3 combo beef patty should lead dieters astray, thanks to its slathering of Huckleberry secret sauce, oozy American cheese, sliced tomato and fresh lettuce.

We then slipped into The Beast Mode (RM26.90) to devour the hefty barbecued burger consisting of housemade brioche buns with 3 combo beef patty, housemade BBQ sauce, Barbacoa pulled beef, duck bacon, lettuce and fresh tomato. Accompanied by a generous helping of thick-cut fries, it was enough to leave hearty appetites happily replete.

Two beloved American classics: macaroni & cheese and hot dog came together to form Return of the Mac (RM24.90). Dawg-gone it, such a simple masterstroke yet nobody had thought of it before?!!

Gooey cheese fans would melt at the sight of  mac & cheese blanketing a hot dog encased in a split long bun. Covered with even more melted American (cheddar) cheese  and chopped fresh cilantro, this offering was wickedly indulgent to the max. 

The Bird Waffle (RM24.90) got our clucks of approval too. Amply supported by scrumptious pieces of buttermilk-fried chicken thigh, the 'waffle-wich dipped into hot honey sauce had us crowing with much delight.

Competing for our attention was Lord of the Wings which came under the guise of K-Pop Frenzy (RM19.90-6 pcs, RM37.90-12 pcs). Most apt seeing how spicy gochujang sauce with black and white sesame seeds were employed to rustle up the Korean-style chicken wings. Our only grouse was the sweetish-zingy hot chicken appeared a tad over-fried. 

A Whole Lotta Dough - well, more precisely sourdough - went into the breakfast pizza
with tomato sauce, chicken sausage, mushroom, mozzarella and egg. Proclaimed as Another One Bites the Crust (RM32.90), its rustic albeit briny savouriness left us chomping at the bit for a tinge of sweetness to balance things up.

The Mad Batter (RM19.90) came to the rescue just in time. We dug into the skillet of chocolate pudding laden with chocolate fondant, slightly scorched, melty housemade marshmallows, cookie crumbs and butter biscuits. A lush, richly satisfying offering to sweeten us up as the meal drew to a close.

It was disconcerting to trifle with the beautiful mess of Rollie Pollie’s (RM16.90). Luckily the housemade churros smothered in Nutella and crushed Oreos were easier to eat than photograph. Expect to get down and dirty with this dessert but heck, food was meant to be fun sometimes so just go for it.

Parched throats will find ample succour here as the extensive beverage list veers between handcrafted mocktails such as Maui Waui (RM9.90) and The Ultimate Slushie (RM9.90) to bottled craft beers. Say 'cheers' to a 10% discount off beers during Happy Hours from 5.30pm-8pm.


For reservations, call HUCKLEBERRY AFTER DARK, tel: 010-960-0498. Address: 2G & 4G Jalan Medan Setia 2, Plaza Damansara, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. Biz hours: 5.30pm till late except Mon