A Fresh Staycation at Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam
My recent adventure took me from the bustling heart of Bukit Bintang all the way to Setia Alam for a delightful stay at a Marriott property. This hotel officially opened its doors in December 2022, and I snagged a King room for RM279 through the Trip.com app. This rate was inclusive of taxes, and I opted out of breakfast to keep things simple.
First Impressions and Seamless Check-In
Arriving around 12:40 PM, I headed straight for the lobby on the ground floor. It felt spacious yet understated, with a few comfortable sofas for guests. Complementing the reception counter, you'll find a Starbucks and a convenient 24-hour convenience store. My check-in process was remarkably swift; I was handed my access card almost immediately as my room was already prepared.
Interestingly, I was upgraded from my booked King room to a Deluxe room. While I'm not entirely sure about the exact differences, the Deluxe room was listed as more expensive on Trip.com. The hotel also wisely doesn't require any deposit, which is always a welcome touch. I took one of the five elevators up to the 21st floor to discover my new temporary home.
Exploring the Deluxe Room
The Deluxe room boasts a generous 312 square feet, offering plenty of space to stretch out, much like the King room. As you enter, a sizable sliding-door wardrobe greets you on the right, while the bathroom is conveniently located to the left. Inside the wardrobe, you'll find ample hanging space, a safe, an iron, and an ironing board. Two plush bathrobes were neatly hung, ready for use.
Adjacent to the wardrobe is a compact cabinet housing a mini-fridge and amenities for brewing your in-room beverages. Next to that, a handy shelf provides a dedicated spot for your luggage and belongings. The sleeping area features a king-size bed and a large sofa positioned near the window. A small table sits at the end of the sofa. In the opposite corner, near the foot of the bed, a moderately sized round table paired with a chair creates a functional workspace, complete with a reading lamp above.
As is standard in most modern hotels, a large TV, likely 55 or 60 inches, is mounted on the wall facing the foot of the bed.
A Closer Look at the Bathroom
The bathroom itself is a little more compact but efficiently designed, housing a sink, toilet, and a dedicated shower area. Instead of a bidet pipe, the toilet features an integrated bidet function. The shower space is quite generous, offering two distinct showerhead options. A striking feature is the fully transparent mirror wall facing the bed within the shower enclosure; however, it can be discreetly covered with blinds controlled from inside via a magnetic system.
The hotel thoughtfully provides a comprehensive set of toiletries, including toothbrushes, hand towels, and face towels.
Leisure and Wellness Facilities
The hotel's swimming pool is located on the 12th floor and is of a decent size. While the landscaping wasn't particularly captivating for me, it's an open-air space. 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 gym operates 24 hours, catering to all schedules.
Conveniently situated by the pool, a café serves refreshments until midnight.
Connectivity, Comfort, and Value
The complimentary in-room Wi-Fi was impressively fast, reaching speeds of 62mbps for both uploads and downloads. However, mobile network coverage in the area can be a bit spotty, with CelcomDigi showing around 12mbps and Tune Talk at about 5mbps. The in-room TV offers a good selection of basic channels, including news and sports, with most broadcasts in high definition.
I particularly enjoyed the strong water pressure in the bathroom shower. For those who prefer dining in, the hotel offers in-room dining with reasonably priced options; for instance, nasi goreng and laksa kari are RM32 each, and fruit juices are RM18. For guests arriving by car, complimentary parking is available.
Location and Final Thoughts
Situated in Setia Alam, the hotel is about 40 km from Kuala Lumpur city center. Its prime location means it's in close proximity to the Setia City Convention Centre and the Setia City Mall. A direct pedestrian bridge on Level 1 conveniently connects the hotel to the mall.
While this area can get busy during weekends or when events are held at the convention center, my visit was surprisingly quiet, with few other guests around. Considering the price I paid, which was under RM300, the stay offered excellent value. The hotel is clean, comfortable, and still feels brand new. I'm already planning a return trip to experience their suites!
I've included some photos from my stay. For more hotel reviews, please visit my website at https://hanuds.wixsite.com/hanudds or my contributions in this group. Thank you for reading!
