A Delightful Stay at Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam
My recent journey took me from the bustling heart of Bukit Bintang to the tranquil surroundings of Setia Alam, all for a stay at a promising hotel under the renowned Marriott umbrella. This establishment officially opened its doors in December 2022, and I booked my visit through the Trip.com app. I opted for a King room, priced at RM279, a rate that conveniently included taxes, though I chose to forgo breakfast.
Arrival and Seamless Check-in
Arriving at the hotel around 12:40 PM, I made my way directly to the lobby on the ground floor. The lobby itself is spacious yet exuded a simple elegance, furnished with a few comfortable sofas for guests. Adjacent to the reception counter, I noticed a Starbucks and a 24-hour convenience store, adding to the hotel's practical offerings. The check-in process was remarkably swift, and I was promptly handed my access card as my room was ready. Though I had booked a King room, I was graciously upgraded to a Deluxe room. I wasn't entirely sure about the precise differences between the two room types, especially since the Deluxe room was listed at a higher price on Trip.com. Pleasingly, the hotel did not require any deposit during my stay.
Exploring the Deluxe Room
Ascending to the 21st floor via one of the hotel's five elevators, I found my Deluxe room, which, like the King room, measured a generous 312 square feet. Upon entering, a well-appointed wardrobe stood to the right, while the bathroom was situated to the left. The wardrobe was quite sizable, featuring sliding doors. Inside, I found ample hanging space, a safety deposit box, an iron, and an ironing board. Two plush bathrobes were also neatly hung, ready for use. Beside the wardrobe, a compact cabinet housed a mini-refrigerator and amenities for making hot beverages. A convenient luggage rack was positioned next to this cabinet, providing a dedicated spot for my belongings.
Comfort and Entertainment
The sleeping area was dominated by a comfortable king-sized bed. To the left, near the window, a large sofa offered a cozy spot to relax, complete with a small side table at its end. In the corner by the foot of the bed, a moderately sized round table paired with a chair provided a functional workspace. A reading lamp sat atop the table, perfect for late-night reading. As is standard in modern hotels, a large television, likely 55 or 60 inches, was mounted on the wall opposite the bed, offering a generous viewing experience.
A Thoughtful Bathroom Design
The bathroom, though compact, was efficiently designed with a sink, toilet, and shower area. Instead of a separate bidet pipe, the toilet featured an integrated bidet function within the bowl. The shower space itself was rather spacious, offering two distinct showerhead options. A striking feature was the fully transparent glass wall facing the bed area, made entirely of clear glass. However, this could be easily obscured by a blind, controllable from within the shower and operated by magnets, ensuring privacy when desired. The hotel thoughtfully provided a comprehensive set of toiletries, including toothbrushes, hand towels, and face towels.
Leisure and Fitness Facilities
Located on the 12th floor, the hotel's swimming pool was of a moderate size. While I personally found the landscaping to be less inspiring, the pool area was open to the elements. On the same level, guests can also make use of the gymnasium and sauna. The pool and sauna operate from 8 AM to 7 PM, while the gymnasium is accessible 24 hours a day. A pleasant cafe is situated beside the pool, staying open until midnight, perfect for a late-night refreshment.
Connectivity, Dining, and Value
The complimentary in-room Wi-Fi was impressively fast, boasting speeds of up to 62 Mbps for both upload and download. However, mobile network coverage in the area presented some challenges, with CelcomDigi offering speeds of only 12 Mbps and Tune Talk around 5 Mbps. The in-room television provided basic channels, along with a selection of news and sports channels, most of which were in HD. I particularly enjoyed the strong water pressure in the bathroom shower. The hotel also offers in-room dining, with prices that were not overly steep. For instance, Nasi Goreng was RM32, Laksa Kari RM32, and fruit juices were RM18. For those traveling by car, complimentary parking is available for hotel guests.
Location and Overall Impression
Situated in Setia Alam, the hotel is approximately 40km from Kuala Lumpur city center. Its prime location places it in close proximity to the Setia City Convention Centre and the Setia City Mall. A convenient skybridge on the first floor directly connects the hotel to the mall. While weekends or convention events might see the hotel buzzing with activity, my visit was during a quieter period, with few guests around. Considering the price I paid, under RM300, the stay offered excellent value. The hotel is clean, comfortable, and still feels remarkably new. I am already planning a return visit, with an eye on experiencing their suites.
I've included photographs from my stay. For those interested in reading my reviews of other hotels, please visit my website at https://hanuds.wixsite.com/hanudds or my contributions within this group. Thank you for taking the time to read!
