WHAT’S IT LIKE? It is the flagship property of Malaysia-based hotel chain Berjaya Hotels and Resorts. The Berjaya Times Square is in the middle of the city centre and within walking distance of some big shopping malls and offices at Bukit Bintang. Its easy accessibility makes it an ideal base for business travellers. The hotel takes inspiration from New York, naming its highest-tiered rooms Brooklyn Suite and its ballroom the Manhattan Ballroom, among others.
WHERE IS IT? At the corner of Bukit Bintang on the main thoroughfare of Jalan Imbi. The hotel is located right next to Bukit Bintang monorail station, making it easy for guests to move around the city. Arriving guests who do not want to take a taxi can get off the airport train at KL Sentral transport hub and transfer to a city commuter train running on the monorail line. Journey time from the airport to KL Sentral by airport rail is 28 minutes, and it takes six minutes to travel between KL Sentral and the hotel.
ROOM FACILITIES There are 650 suites, each with a panoramic view of the city. The suites are equipped with individually controlled air conditioning, cable TV with premium channels, integrated in-room entertainment system, daybed, high-speed Wi-Fi internet access, tea- and coffee-making facilities, separate shower and bath, a separate living area and a spacious work area. With approximately 22 rooms on each floor, space is comfortably large for guests to move around.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS On level 14, the all-day dining outlet Big Apple Restaurant serves a wide range of American and Asian cuisine, while the Broadway lounge across the hall offers light snacks and refreshing cocktails. The lounge boasts live entertainment in the evening.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Level 14 also houses the hotel’s business and meeting facilities. The business centre provides a full range of secretarial services. For corporate events, Manhattan Ballroom is said to be one of the biggest pillarless venues in the city, which can hold a maximum of 2,000 people. There are eight breakout rooms across the ballroom to cater to smaller group meetings.
LEISURE FACILITIES The hotel is part of a complex that includes the Berjaya Square Shopping Mall covering 12 floors of retail outlets. The mall houses the country’s first IMAX 3D and 2D theatres complementing its nine-screen Cineplex, as well as the country’s largest indoor theme park called Cosmo’s World Theme Park.
Inside the hotel, guests can enjoy working out either in the fitness centre, swimming pool or on the squash court. Or they can chill out in the hotel’s steam and sauna facilities. For guests with children in tow, the hotel has a children’s playground.
Gigi Onag
FACT FILE
HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 650 suites in the all-suites hotel. The hotel’s top five floors are dedicated to Club rooms with plans to convert four more floors for premium guests with the entire 20th floor to undergo a total face-lift to become a dedicated Executive lounge.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS All 110 club rooms have been fully renovated featuring flat-screen television and faster broadband internet speed of 18Mbps. Guestrooms are spacious.
PRICE Internet rates in mid-June start from MYR440 (US$135) a night for a Deluxe suite to MYR1,480 (US$454) a night for a two-bedroom Club Brooklyn suite.
CONTACT 1 Jalan Imbi, 551100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tel 603 2117 8000, www.berjayahotel.com
VERDICT
The hotel offers all the conveniences of urban living. With its easy accessibility, it is an ideal base for business travellers visiting Kuala Lumpur.
