A Fresh Staycation at Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam: A Detailed Review
Fresh off a visit from Bukit Bintang, I recently experienced the comforts of Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam. This modern hotel, which opened its doors in December 2022, offers a delightful escape. My booking was made effortlessly through the Trip.com app, securing a King room for RM279. This rate conveniently included taxes, though I opted out of breakfast.
Arrival and Seamless Check-in
Arriving around 12:40 PM, I headed straight to the ground-floor lobby. It's spacious and elegantly minimalist, furnished with a few comfortable sofas for guests. Adjacent to the reception counter, you'll find a Starbucks and a 24-hour self-service convenience store. The check-in process was remarkably swift. My room card was ready, allowing me to head up to my accommodation without delay. Interestingly, I was upgraded to a Deluxe room, though the specific differences from the King room, which was priced higher on Trip.com, remained a pleasant mystery. The hotel also has a no-deposit policy, which is always a welcome perk. With five lifts at my disposal, reaching my room on the 21st floor was a breeze.
Exploring the Deluxe Room
The Deluxe room boasts a generous 312 square feet, providing ample space, just like the King room. Upon entering, a large sliding-door wardrobe sits to your right, while the bathroom is conveniently located to your left. Inside the wardrobe, you'll find hanging space for clothes, a safety deposit box, an iron, and an ironing board, along with two plush bathrobes. Next to this, a compact cabinet houses a mini-fridge and amenities for brewing hot beverages. A shelf unit nearby is perfect for placing luggage. The sleeping area is dominated by a comfortable king-size bed. To the left, near the window, a spacious sofa is accompanied by a small side table. At the foot of the bed, in the left corner, a sizable round table and a chair offer a dedicated workspace, complete with a reading lamp.
Entertainment and Room Amenities
As expected in a contemporary hotel, a large TV, likely 55 or 60 inches, is mounted on the wall opposite the bed, offering a great viewing experience. The bathroom, while compact, efficiently accommodates a sink, toilet, and a dedicated shower area. I appreciated the modern toilet design, which integrated a small pipe within the bowl rather than a separate bidet. The shower space itself is generous, featuring two types of showerheads. A unique design element is the full-length transparent mirror on the shower wall facing the bedroom, complete with a magnetically controlled blind that can be opened or closed from within. The hotel provides a comprehensive set of toiletries, including toothbrushes, hand towels, and face towels.
Leisure and Fitness Facilities
The hotel's swimming pool is located on the 12th floor and is of a decent size. While the landscaping was not particularly striking to me, it's an open-air space. On the same level, you'll also find a well-equipped gymnasium and a sauna. The pool and sauna are accessible from 8 AM to 7 PM, while the 24-hour gymnasium caters to all schedules. A poolside cafe offers refreshments until midnight.
Connectivity, Dining, and Location Advantages
The complimentary in-room Wi-Fi is impressively fast, clocking in at 62mbps for both upload and download speeds. However, mobile network coverage in the area can be spotty, with CelcomDigi showing speeds of only 12mbps and Tune Talk at 5mbps. The TV channels offer a basic selection, including news and sports, with most broadcasting in HD. The water pressure in the shower was excellent, making for an invigorating bathing experience. For those preferring to dine in, the in-room dining service is reasonably priced. For instance, nasi goreng is RM32, laksa kari is RM32, and fruit juices are RM18. Guests arriving by car will be pleased to know that complimentary parking is available.
A Worthwhile Retreat
Situated in Setia Alam, the hotel is about 40km from Kuala Lumpur city center. Its prime location offers easy access to the Setia City Convention Centre and the Setia City Mall. A convenient skybridge on the 1st floor directly connects the hotel to the mall. While the hotel might see more activity during weekends or convention events, my stay was remarkably peaceful and uncrowded. Considering the price point below RM300, the stay was excellent value, offering a clean, comfortable, and modern environment. I'm already planning a return visit, perhaps to experience one of their suites.
I've included some photos from my stay to give you a visual feel. For more hotel reviews, please visit my website at https://hanuds.wixsite.com/hanudds or my posts within this group. Thank you for reading!
