WHAT’S IT LIKE? The hotel describes itself as a “five-star boutique urban resort” with trendy, slick-looking photos of the interiors on its website, but I was disappointed to find that it was nothing like what I had imagined. It is a huge Brutalist tower block (nothing boutique about it), with a prison-like set up inside of echoing, open corridors and concrete walkways linking from one side of the building to the other.
The overall look was dated, worn, depressing and cheap, and the corridors had a distinct institutional feel about them. Looking down from the upper floors of the atrium, you see the dining outlets on one side and the valet parking bay on the other. (Very ugly and strange.) And from the top you got a real sense of vertigo looking down.
My first impression was not helped by the fact that the traffic was so gridlocked at 6pm, when simply trying to drive from the Grand Hyatt by the Petronas Towers, I had to get out a walk 20 minutes in the rain, dragging my suitcase to get there. Upon arrival, there is confusing open-plan series of restaurants, a spiral staircase and pools of water, but no sign of a reception desk – you have to walk around to a small lift and then go up to level two to check-in.
WHERE IS IT? On Jalan Ampang, a short distance from the Petronas Towers in central KL. It is 60km from the airport – on a good day, the drive will take about 50 minutes. At rush hour, you can be stuck for hours so be careful how you time it.
ROOM FACILITIES Standard-category Studio rooms are a spacious 34 sqm, and come with free wifi, a DVD player, coffee maker, workdesk, safe and air steriliser to help remove pollution. I was in a 45 sqm Junior suite on the 19th floor, which meant it had excellent views and faced the Petronas Towers. I was also pleased to find the windows opened, though the air probably wasn’t very fresh to breath if they install air purifiers.
The parquet floor looked worn, as did the old brown sofa and clunky TV cabinet. Weird homemade art adorned the walls. There was a large bathroom with two separate sink areas, a bath and a rainshower but the floor was made of unhygienic-looking wooden slats. The bed was overly firm and the light system complicated. Deluxe suites are 67 sqm.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS There are three dining outlets – Ramah Tamah (level one, for coffee and snacks), Still Waters (for Japanese cuisine) and Maya Brasserie, which serves international options from both a buffet and a la carte menu. With no time to go out for a meal, I had a pizza and a salad here in the evening. It was almost empty and looked out towards the hotel entrance – the open-plan set-up left you feeling exposed and cold. The staff were sweet though. In the morning, a generous breakfast buffet was on offer here, and it was much more lively at this time. The coffee was poor though and the quality hit-and-miss.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There is an open-air Sky Lounge Terrace on level 13 with tables and chairs set up, along with the Sky Lounge boardroom for 12 people. As well as six further meeting rooms, there is a 350-capacity ballroom is on level two.
LEISURE FACILITIES There is a spa with six treatment rooms on the third floor and a partially open-air swimming pool with bamboo walls and roofing (this was almost quite a nice area). The on-site gym has natural light, Life Fitness machines and a yoga studio. I experienced a very soothing 90-minute Maya signature massage in the evening, and although the studio was bare, the masseuse was very good.
VERDICT A disappointing property that is very dated and uninviting. Not recommended as there are better hotels in the city.
FACT FILE
HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 100 rooms and 107 suites.
HIGHLIGHTS The 90-minute Maya signature massage and free wifi.
PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in June started from 812 MYR (£177) for a Studio room.
CONTACT Hotel Maya, 138, Jalan Ampang; tel +60 327 118 866; worldhotels.com
Jenny Southan
