Five-star, 250 rooms, Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia, www.shr.my/the-saujana-hotel/
The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur is a gem. Following major refurbishments which completed in June, the almost 30 year-old hotel feels spanking new. It also scores on location, being accessible via the Federal Highway and the New Klang Valley Expressway.
Although it is a city hotel, I felt transported to a resort on a beautiful island, thanks to the lobby’s high ceiling which brought a cool breeze through the reception area. This vision followed through to my deluxe room which offered views of the lake and free-form swimming pool. With views so tempting, I was glad I had my portable notebook with me, allowing me to write this review outdoors.
Meeting facilities The are nine meeting rooms and a ballroom at Block 1, while Block 2 features six meetings venues, all of which were renovated. In my view, they appeal to two types of planners.
For the planner who desires a stimulating environment for brainstorming, an air-conditioned meeting room with beautiful views of the lake may be ideal. There are three venues with such views. They are equipped with two 70-inch flat-screen TVs in each room, whiteboard, LCD projector and sound system. Delegates also get to enjoy the convenience of a well-stocked private minibar and charging stations for mobile devices.
For the planner who wants for a venue for solemn meetings, an enclosed environment would be more suitable and there are five venues to suit this need.
All meeting rooms sit on the ground floor and are close to the Suajana Ballroom which has a permanent stage and capacity for 700 pax in theatre-style. The entrance to the ballroom was renovated, now allowing cars to be easily driven in, making the venue ideal for car launches.
Saujana Hotel & Resorts vice president of operations, Peter J Hourigan, told me that the hotel is keen on winning over car events “since many luxury automobile brands are located in the vicinity”.
With 160 hectares of manicured gardens, there’s ample space for outdoor teambuilding activities.
Rooms All 250 guestrooms were refurbished. I enjoyed the 50-inch flat-screen TV in my room and the iPod docking station on my bedside table. A free app, designed for use in the hotel and downloadable from Google Play Store, allowed me to project photos from my smartphone onto the TV, which was great.
My deluxe room was spacious, even with two super single beds, a comfortable lounge chair, a side table and a long work desk with a multimedia hub.
F&B Seven restaurants, each specialising in a different cuisine, provide variety for event delegates who are staying a few nights at the hotel.
Senja Italian restaurant has a live band playing every night, a lounge area, a cocktail bar and a dining area.
Charcoal opened last year, serving prime meats, quality seafood and a wide selection of Peranakan dishes. It has a private dining area for 60 pax.
Kogetsu features a classic Japanese countryside, complete with a show kitchen in the main area, separate sushi and teppanyaki counters for alternative seating options and three tatami rooms for private functions.
Other facilities Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for in-house guests throughout the resort. Free parking is offered too.
