A Fresh Stay at Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam
My recent escape from the hustle of Bukit Bintang led me to Setia Alam, where I checked into a promising Marriott property. This hotel, which opened its doors in December 2022, offered a welcoming retreat. I booked my King room through the Trip.com app for RM279. This rate was all-inclusive of taxes, and I opted out of breakfast to explore local flavors.
Arriving around 12:40 PM, I made my way to the ground-floor lobby. It was spacious yet understated, furnished with a few comfortable sofas for guests. Adjacent to the reception counter, I spotted a Starbucks and a convenient 24-hour self-service convenience store. The check-in process was remarkably swift, and I was handed my access card almost immediately, as my room was ready.
While I had reserved a King room, I was upgraded to a Deluxe room. I'm still curious about the exact differences, especially since the Deluxe room was listed at a higher price on Trip.com. A pleasant surprise was that the hotel does not require a security deposit. A quick ride up in one of the hotel's five elevators brought me to the 21st floor, where my room awaited.
Exploring My Deluxe Room
My Deluxe room spanned a generous 312 square feet, mirroring the size of the King room, and felt quite expansive. As I stepped inside, a large sliding-door wardrobe stood to my right, while the bathroom was to my left.
Inside the wardrobe, I found ample hanging space, a safe, an iron, and an ironing board. Two plush bathrobes were also neatly hung, ready for use. Next to the wardrobe, a compact cabinet housed a mini-fridge and amenities for brewing hot beverages. Opposite this cabinet, a convenient shelf was available for placing luggage and other belongings.
The sleeping area was dominated by a king-sized bed. To the left, near the window, a sizable sofa beckoned, accompanied by a small side table. In the corner at the foot of the bed, a medium-sized round table paired with a chair provided a dedicated workspace, complete with a reading lamp overhead. As expected in a modern hotel, a large TV, likely 55 or 60 inches, was wall-mounted opposite the bed.
A Closer Look at the Bathroom
The bathroom, though compact, was efficiently designed, featuring a sink, toilet, and a shower area. Instead of a bidet spray, the toilet had an integrated bidet function. The shower space itself was quite roomy, offering two distinct showerhead options.
An intriguing feature was the fully transparent mirror on the shower wall facing the bedroom, which could be discreetly covered or revealed from the inside using a magnetic blind. The hotel thoughtfully provided a comprehensive range of toiletries, including toothbrushes, hand towels, and face towels.
Hotel Amenities and Services
The hotel's swimming pool, located on the 12th floor, is of a moderate size. While the landscaping was not particularly striking to me, it offered an open-air experience. On the same level, guests can also access a well-equipped gymnasium and a sauna.
The pool and sauna are open from 8 AM to 7 PM, while the gymnasium operates 24 hours a day. A charming cafe situated by the poolside serves refreshments until midnight.
Back in my room, the complimentary Wi-Fi was impressively fast, boasting download and upload speeds of 62mbps. However, mobile network reception in the area proved a bit challenging, with CelcomDigi clocking in at just 12mbps and Tune Talk at a modest 5mbps.
For entertainment, the TV offered a selection of basic channels, including several news and sports broadcasts, mostly in HD. I particularly enjoyed the strong water pressure in the bathroom and the invigorating shower.
The hotel also provides in-room dining, and the prices were surprisingly reasonable. For instance, Nasi Goreng and Kari Laksa were priced at RM32 each, with fruit juices at RM18. For those arriving by car, complimentary parking is available for hotel guests.
Location and Verdict
The Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam is situated about 40km from Kuala Lumpur city center, in the vibrant Setia Alam township. Its prime location offers easy access to the Setia City Convention Centre and the Setia City Mall. A pedestrian bridge on the first floor conveniently links the hotel directly to the mall.
While weekends or convention events might make the hotel busier, my stay was remarkably peaceful, with few other guests around. Considering I paid less than RM300 for the night, the value was exceptional. The hotel is impeccably clean, comfortable, and still exudes a new-build freshness. I'm already contemplating a return visit, perhaps to experience one of their suites.
I've included some photos from my stay to give you a better visual. If you're keen to read my reviews of other hotels, feel free to visit my website at https://hanuds.wixsite.com/hanudds or check out my contributions in this group. Thank you for reading!
