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

RELAXING GETAWAY AT NOVOTEL MELAKA

 

Work is a constant in life so it's important for us to take an occasional break to recharge and rejuvenate our spirit. Since going overseas may not be viable in view of time and budget constraints, us Malaysians are lucky we have local options when it comes to taking short breaks.

Opened just last year, we found the Novotel Melaka perfect for a relaxing getaway to the historical state. With 351 rooms and suites ranging from Superior to Premier Suite, the hotel has a edgy modern feel to it which should appeal to us city folks who prefer a strategic location coupled with the necessary creature comforts of home.

The main lobby boasts plenty of linear dimensions with a central back-lit pillar rendered with tree silhouettes and contemporary design lounge settees, ottomans and armchairs.

 

Similarly, the streamlined concept is replicated in-room. The beds are comfortable, complete with smart pillows which ensured we all got a good night sleep. Besides free WiFi, I like the many in-room plug points to charge smartphones and gadgets.

Even the vanity area inside the bathroom is well-designed and pragmatic with hairdryer and vanity mirror placed for easy reach. Another plus point is the powerful rain shower. Of course, the higher category of rooms and suites come with extra perks like coffee making machine and entry into the Premier Lounge. Perfect if you're in Melaka for business and meeting purposes.

Guests can surf the Net inside the Exec Lounge with sleek Apple desktops

Multiple sections in the Exec Lounge include breakfast nook and meeting room

Being the busybodies that we are, we couldn't resist sneaking a peek of the Premier Lounge. The decor is restrained and polished, exuding a sense of professionalism in the overall set-up. Besides the breakfast nook with its trendy seats, we found a nicely appointed meeting room and a row of super-comfy high back chairs by the panel windows. You can even surf the Internet with the Apple desktop machines provided.

A pillarless ballroom that can fit 480 guests comes in useful for those wanting to hold weddings, special events or conferences in the Novotel. We are surprised by how spacious the foyer is which also has plenty of natural daylight streaming in. Five meeting rooms with all the usual high-tech necessities for workshops, training sessions or whatever functions you may have in mind are also available onsite.

I don't know about you but I love staycations in hotels precisely because there's bound to be a swimming pool. The outdoor pool at Novotel Melaka lives up to expectations, for a splashing good time. Have kids in tow? They'd go bonkers over the playground nearby which has a slide going into the children's pool. Deck chairs and oversized sun parasols also line the poolside to provide ample shade.

Fitness buffs would like the well-equipped gym too. Known as InBalance, the work out space has treadmills, weights, strength-training equipment and the usual facilities: shower rooms, sauna and changing areas.

We also went up to the rooftop deck which has ample indoor and outdoor event space. The layout is functional to suit corporate and personal purposes but what really stands out is the panoramic view of Melaka. 

Ah, what's a weekend getaway without some good food? We didn't go hungry at all since The Square (open 6am-11pm daily) serves buffet and a la carte specialities to keep us satisfied.

Breakfast and dinner buffet spreads draw a good crowd among hotel guests. Choices range from Malaysian and Peranakan dishes: mee siam, curry mee, chicken pongteh, pan-fried oyster omelette and Nyonya kuihs to temptations from around the world: stuffed pita bread, roast lamb slices, salads, pasta, cakes, jellies, puddings and pastries.

Most of us prefer the air-cond indoor seating but if you're the outdoorsy type who likes to watch the world go by, the wide patio area has overhead fans to ensure adequate comfort.

 

If you decide to lunch at The Square, the a la carte menu is surprisingly extensive. Bear in mind it takes slightly longer to prepare the dishes you want but hey, it's a holiday so just chill and enjoy a cool drink while you wait. Dishes that are worth the wait include Pasta Carbonara (RM22) and Yong Chow Seafood Fried Rice (RM18).

Come dinner, the live cooking action stations are top crowd-pullers. Keep you eyes peeled for freshly prepared noodles, grilled meat and spring rolls. DIY gado-gado and ais kacang are part of the line-up too.

 

  Mocktails, cocktails and light snacks can be partaken at the Gourmet Bar (1. Stylishly adorned with an undulating wood-accented feature wall and futuristic seating, this cosy yet edgy lounge is splendid for casual chilling out sessions.

Pix courtesy of Novotel Melaka

Should you feel famished after dinner hours, there are some local eateries opposite the Novotel. I recall sipping on local kopi and feasting on curry mee so if you're constantly hungry like us foodies, this hotel location is spot on.

 For reservations, call NOVOTEL MELAKA, tel: 06 6289 8222 or visit http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-8155-novotel-melaka/index.shtml for further information.