When we arrived on 14 December, we were told that we had been given a free upgrade to a 2 bedroom residential suite. We were pleasantly surprised (who does not like a free upgrade?), up until we actually got to the suite. The place was huge! There was a living room, a dining area, a kitchen equipped with fridge, stove, microwave oven, toaster, washbasin, and cabinets with cutlery and utensils (there might even have been a washing machine - I can't quite remember), a study, 2 bedrooms - one with 2 single beds and a shower bathroom, the other a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom with bathtub, 2 sinks and separate stalls for the toilet and shower. All in all, this was really TOO MUCH of a good thing, since there were only 2 of us staying there! We had asked the porter who showed us to the suite why we were given this free upgrade, and the only answer he could give was that sometimes the hotel just wants to reward its guests. Obviously, this reward was a waste on us as we're not socialites with friends in KL to invite over and enjoy the suite; we were just 2 friends on a shopping holiday. While we could not complain about the standard of the suite, we were not very happy that we were deprived of what we had originally paid for, which was a (cozier) Club Deluxe room (and perhaps a view of the Twin Towers rather than that of the tops of nearby buildings provided by the suite). In retrospect, we should have asked if we could stick to what we had booked and paid for, but I guess the pleasant surprise just made us speechless and we followed along like docile lambs. I strongly believe that the hotel should have at least given us a CHOICE as to whether or not to accept the free upgrade, as well as show us BOTH types of rooms so that we could make an informed decision. Furthermore, a better explanation as to why we were given this free upgrade is due. An underlying feeling of slight dissatisfaction at being 'tricked' into staying at the suite remained throughout our stay. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the complimentary access to facilities such as the jacuzzi, sauna and steam room as well as both the spa and health club pools. The staff at the jacuzzi, sauna and steam room section were particularly more friendly and warm towards us, as compared to the staff at the lounge and check-in counter. That being said, all the staff treated us well and responded to our queries competently. It being a weekday, the lounge was deserted and we could use the PC stations for as long as we liked. We even saw another guest use the printer. At the lounge we could help ourselves to mini sandwiches, fruit tarts and other sweet treats, and choose between alcoholic, non-alcoholic or hot beverages, which are prepared upon ordering. The spread was quite filling that we decided to skip lunch. The lounge was still open at night and had a different spread so we went there for after-dinner dessert. The next morning, we were directed to the Carlton Gourmet for breakfast. Now, I am not sure if this was the standard place for breakfast for all guests, or if we were directed there only because we were staying at the Residences section of the hotel. Again, a little more transparency with regards to the difference between staying at the originally-booked Club Deluxe room and at a residential suite is due. That aside, breakfast, though with less variety than we expected, was good. We were served with a croissant, chocolate roll and apple feuillete each, all freshly baked. The bakery items were served with small jars of honey, strawberry jam and orange marmalade. We could choose from the menu one main breakfast item; my friend ordered Belgian waffles while I got the smoked salmon omelette on the waiter's recommendation. The portions were quite big, perhaps meant more for the European appetite, and the smoked salmon omelette did not disappoint. There must have been at least 2, maybe 3 eggs making up the omelette and the smoke
Travelling is my life
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