Showing posts with label lobby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lobby. Show all posts

Monday, September 30, 2024

LONDON TEA EXCHANGE DEBUTS AT SHANGRI-LA KL

 

The Great British Affair promotion by Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur got off to a tea-rrific start with an exquisite London Tea Exchange Afternoon Tea experience at the Lobby Lounge.
 
Available now until 31 October 2024, a fine selection of premium tea from London Tea Exchange will be served to complement delicious afternoon tea treats by the Shangri-La team.
 
At an exclusive preview to mark the debut of London Tea Exchange into the South East Asian market, the luxury tea brand hosted a tea tasting session at the Shangri-La KL.
London Tea Exchange Group Chairman Sheikh Aliur Rahman who joined the event virtually via live stream from London said: “London Tea Exchange has some 3,400 some premium teas sourced from over 40 countries across the globe. Our established, longstanding relationship with many individual tea estates mean some of the rarest tea are exclusive to London Tea Exchange.”
According to Aliur, London Tea Exchange is low-key but a purveyor of fine teas to numerous royal households around the world. “We’re proud of the instrumental role London Tea Exchange played in raising the daily wage of tea plantation workers. As part of the Fair Pay Foundation, we’ve helped to raise the income threshold for tea plantation workers, almost all of them women who earn less than USD4 per day.”
 
The tea tasting session saw us beginning with English Breakfast, a classic tea popularised in 1800s. On the palate, we discerned earthy Sri Lankan tea nuanced with the maltiness of Assam tea leaves and the smokiness of Indonesian black tea.
Another quintessentially British favourite, The Earl Grey captured our hearts with its refined blend of Yunnan black tea and Ceylon tea, gently scented with pure bergamot oil from Calabria, Italy. It was an enlightening discovery as we learned more often than not, the bergamot flavour is usually sprayed onto tea leaves hence the resultant aroma and flavour tend to be heavier and overpowering on both the nose and tastebuds.
My favourite has to be Milk Oolong which comprised hand-rolled Oolong tea leaves. The withered, slightly wet tea leaves are heated in milk steam to bestow the Oolong tea with a distinct creamy taste. 

Fruity tea lovers will take an instant liking to Bora Bora, a sweet, tangy tea made with strawberries, tropical papaya and a myriad of fruits to bright, palate-pleasing tea which can be enjoyed hot or cold. 

Floral with hints of raspberries, rhubarb and cherries, the Sea of Blossoms blend incorporates an array of carefully selected exotic blossoms to produce a soothing tea.

There’s a playful and inventive side to London Tea Exchange as well. The team took over two years to develop and perfect the Pistachio & Truffle blend, paying homage to the Middle Eastern culture. Using real pistachios and chocolate truffle, the subtle nutty-rich tea proved intriguing and luxuriant on the tongue.

LONDON TEA EXCHANGE AFTERNOON TEA AT LOBBY LOUNGE

To further showcase its range of fine teas, London Tea Exchange is partnering with Shangri-La KL’s Executive Chef Scott Brands and his team to proffer a limited time Afternoon Tea (3pm-6pm) at RM220 nett per set for two persons.

Most of the savoury creations flaunted pink hues, in tribute of Pink October. We sampled delicious Savoury Snow Crab Rolls, Diced Apple and Mustard Cress, and Norwegian Salmon Pinwheel for openers.

Top marks went to the Smoked Duck and Foie Gras Croquette with Cherry but no less appealing were the Trout Caviar with Beets Brioche and Summer Truffle Egg Salad.
Rose petal and cherry accentuated Sencha Sakura tea was chosen by the chefs to imbue its delicate flavour into the creation of Rose Ivoire Chocolate Mousse Meringue whilst the Sea of Blossom Tea lent its ethereal floral-berry notes to the crisp Wild Berries Macarons.
A stellar Dark Chocolate Mousse with Paillete Feuilletine (crisp leaf-like flakes) Victoria Cake infused with Orange & Cinnamon Tea grabbed our attention at first bite. It was well seconded by the enticing Sea of Blossom Mille Feuille.
We did adequate justice to the pink-hue Dried Fruit Scone with Bora Bora Tea and Plain Scones, piling a generous amount of Raspberry Jam, Clotted Cream and Whipped Butter on them. 

The tea treats made excellent pairing with Milk Oolong but the Premium Emperor’s Palace Tea – a Fujianese green tea with subtle honey notes won’t go remiss either.

For reservations at Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, call tel: 03 2786 2378.


Sunday, April 30, 2023

SERENE STAYCATION AT AMARI SPICE PENANG


Connected to SPICE Arena (Penang's newly renovated indoor sports arena and preferred MICE venue), the Amari SPICE Penang hotel in Bayan Baru is easily accessible via the second link from Butterworth. It's about 20 minutes away by car from  Georgetown but you won’t miss much of the hurly-burly pace.

Tastefully designed with a minimalist, arty approach, the 453-room hotel boasts a spacious lobby with lofty ceiling. Gigantic modernist sculpture of the nutmeg, shelves of bric-a-bracs and potted palms add visual interest and splashes of colour.
A smiling frontline team welcomed us upon check-in and formalities were swiftly dispensed with, allowing us to go straight to our Deluxe room. 
Spacious with neutral tones, the floor-to-ceiling window accords an expansive view of the SPICE arena 
and nearby buildings against a verdant green hilly backdrop.

The executive desk gave ample elbow room and together with an ergonomically design chair, made working a breeze. We give extra brownie points for the USB-type ports and international traveller-friendly plug points. My favourite is the cushy chaise lounge with ottoman, ideal for reading or power napping.

Like the lobby and public spaces, artworks by local artists adorn the rooms. A mini coffee brewing machine with a box filled with tea bags and accoutrements, a smart flat-panel TV with a wireless sound bar are the in-room conveniences.

I like the practical, sizeable bathroom with brightly-lit mirror and vanity top. The rain shower is powerful and its easily adjustable flow made us reluctant to step out whilst the wardrobe comes with an iron and ironing board, a weighing scale, a hairdryer, slippers and bathrobes.
The bed with just the right degree of firmness and fluffy pillows ensured we slept like logs.
Amaya Food Gallery – the all-day dining restaurant on Level 4 – comprises lots of seating space and dedicated live action kitchens. 
The generous spread of East-meets-West breakfast and dinner buffet selections draw inspiration from Penang, Malaysia, and Asia; leaving diners utterly spoiled for choice.


Outside patio seating overlooks nicely landscaped water feature, plenty of semi-alfresco and outdoor seating. Easy access to the purpose-designed jogging/walking path adjacent to SPICE Penang makes it a boon for exercise buffs.
Ascending a short flight of stairs from the patio, we found ourselves at the 25m salt water swimming pool. Insta-worthy nooks abound as the poolside cum sun deck area is surrounded by greenery and nice view. Breeze Spa and the 24-hour, well-equipped Fit Centre gym are mere steps away.

If there’s one compelling reason to stay at Amari SPICE Penang, it would be the heavenly massage therapies at Breeze Spa. The two spa consultants who attended to us are so patient and well-versed in their skills, my daughter and I couldn’t believe when our one-hour session flew past in the blink of an eye.

From the various Signature Mood Massages available, I chose Dreamy – a combination of hypnotic aromas and long, flowing massage strokes ideal for alleviating tension from a busy day, a long flight or life’s daily hustle. My daughter chose Serene – soothing long strokes and palm pressure techniques to get rid all the knots and kinks in her stiff muscles.
We surrendered to the petal-strewn foot wash and scrub before we were ushered to one of the dimly-lit spa treatment rooms. Employing our preferred choice of essential oil, the ladies gently yet firmly worked on us until we succumbed to a blissful state of mind. It was well-worth the price as we felt instantly invigorated and relaxed post-therapy.
For reservations at Amari SPICE Penang, tel: 04 683 1188. Address: 2 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang


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