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I had always wanted to experience the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, it has a reputation of punching above its category. The ‘Grand Suite’ room is well known (among frequent travelers) for being an ideal candidate for a diamond suite upgrade. Late last year, an opportunity to be in KL popped up and the suite upgrade calling was loud and clear!
Booking Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
The hotel is really well priced and offers a great value for cash booking. A standard room can be had for ~$175 USD while the ‘Grand Suite’ room regularly prices around $375/night. I booked a points+cash rate: 6000 points + $65USD per night, a category 3 redemption. I was also able to apply a suite upgrade (Diamond amenity) to the points+cash rate 🙂
Arrival and Check-in
Upon arrival from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Malindo Air Business Class review here), I availed the efficient KLIA Express VIP service for a door to door airport transfer experience. A 25 minute ride from the airport and I arrived at the hotel well rested. The hotel lobby was incredible! High ceilings, marble floors and the grandeur of the lobby was captivating. The Grand Hyatt in KL has a unique setup in that the lobby hosts a welcome desk but the check-in desk is located on the 39th floor of the hotel.
Grand Hyatt entrance
Ground floor area
The welcome desk on the ground floor
First set of Elevators take you from ground floor to check-in desk on the 39th!
Check-in floor, with magnificent views of the city
Seating are on the 37th floor
My check-in experience was smooth and the staff was genuinely welcoming and warm. The staff confirmed my suite upgrade and assigned me to room 2916. I was escorted to my suite and given a brief overview of the hotel amenities and services on offer. Guest rooms were accessed through a second set of elevators, located around the check-in desks.
Grand Suite
Impressive is an understatement. To think that this was a Category 3 redemption with 6000 points + $65 cash, arguably the best suite upgrade I have had!
The doors open to a wide and inviting living room with a work desk, seating and entertainment area along with great city views.
Living room
Seating, looking towards room entrance ahead and the bedroom to the left.
Living room seating area and work desk
Welcome note with fruits, cookies and dessert plate
Coffee station and a well stocked mini bar
Snacks and cutlery
City View from the living room
Room view – KLCC Park
Spacious bedroom with King Bed and Sofa
Floor to ceiling windows with sweeping city views from the bedroom
The bathroom was the HIGHLIGHT of the suite. In years of my travel, I have never come across a bigger and better bathroom in a hotel suite. The bathroom was bigger than some of the suites I have stayed in. The soaking tub next to the floor-to-ceiling window was incredible and offered a soak with a view.
Marble floor and walls with wash sinks on the right. Walk-in closet, toilet , shower on the left.
A spacious walk-in closet
One of the biggest stand-in shower I have seen, with a rain shower head.
Breakfast at Thirty8
As a diamond member, breakfast was complimentary at the Club lounge. However, I was surprised when the check-in staff confirmed that as a Diamond member I could also opt for the ‘full breakfast’ at the restaurant – Thirty8.
Restaurant Thirty8, as name would suggest, is located on the 38th floor. A chic glass staircase from the check-in floor gives easy access to the restaurant.
Glass Staircase leading into Thirty8 restaurant
Thirty8 Bar
Seating was plentiful and setup along the windows, which offered picturesque views. The most coveted spots however, were those with an unobstructed view of the Petronas Towers.
Seating along the windows
That view never got old!
The breakfast was buffet style and the spread was worldly and endless. Several food stations were setup around the restaurants and each table came with a made-to-order menu which included omelettes, pancakes etc.
Congee station
Traditional Malaysian curries, samosas and South Indian breakfast items were on offer too.
Fresh fruit and Juice bar/station
Extensive selection of fresh noodle preparations at the ‘Noodles’ bar
All American breakfast station
Cold cuts and cheese station
The breakfast at restaurant Thirty8 was truly luxurious and the service impeccible. Given the sheer variety of food on offer, it was hard to not treat it like brunch. Breakfast in the restaurant was served from 6:00am – 11am on weekends.
Grand Club
The club lounge also served breakfast from 6:00 – 11:00 and hosted a cocktail hour with appetizers and small plates in the evening. While the club lounge itself was impressive and well appointed, the breakfast offering was underwhelming.
Club Lounge entrance
Grand Club main seating area with great views of the Petronas Towers.
The first table had fresh fruits, cold cuts and cheese plates
The second table offered limited warm food options.
Grand Lounge Coffee station
Additional seating area in the club lounge
Boardroom in Club Lounge
Take Away
No matter how I slice it, this was an incredible stay and the Grand Suite was a few notches above my expectations. As a Category 3 redemption, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is an absolute steal. My diamond suite upgrade was right up there with Andaz West Hollywood (review here) in LA. But purely on redemption value, Grand Hyatt KL is the best diamond suite upgrade I have experienced.
