A Fresh Stay at Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam: My Recent Experience
Embarking on a journey from the vibrant heart of Bukit Bintang, my recent adventure led me to Setia Alam for a delightful stay at a Marriott property. This contemporary hotel, which opened its doors in December 2022, promises a comfortable and stylish retreat. I secured my booking through the Trip.com app, opting for a King room for RM279. This rate conveniently included taxes, though I chose to forgo the breakfast option.
Arrival and First Impressions
Arriving at the hotel around 12:40 PM, I headed straight to the ground-floor lobby. It's a spacious yet elegantly understated area, furnished with a few comfortable sofas for guests. Alongside the reception counter, you'll find a Starbucks for your caffeine fix and a convenient 24-hour self-service convenience store. The check-in process was refreshingly 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 between the two, I noted that the Deluxe room was listed at a higher price on Trip.com. A welcome touch was that the hotel does not require a deposit. I made my way to the 21st floor via one of the hotel's five elevators to reach my room.
Exploring the Deluxe Room
The Deluxe room boasts a generous 312 square feet of space, on par with the King room, offering a feeling of ample room. As I stepped inside, a spacious wardrobe greeted me to the right of the entrance, while the bathroom was conveniently located to the left. The sliding doors of the wardrobe revealed ample hanging space, a safety deposit box, an iron, and an ironing board. Two plush bathrobes were also neatly hung inside.
Adjacent to the wardrobe, a compact cabinet housed a mini-refrigerator and amenities for preparing hot beverages. Nearby, a small shelf provided a perfect spot to place luggage and belongings. The sleeping area featured a comfortable king-sized bed, and to its left, near the window, was a large sofa accompanied by a small side table. In the corner by the foot of the bed, a moderately sized round table and a chair offered a dedicated workspace, complete with a reading lamp.
As is standard in many hotels, a large TV, likely a 55 or 60-inch screen, was mounted on the wall opposite the bed, providing entertainment options.
A Peek Inside the Bathroom
The bathroom, though compact, was well-appointed, featuring a sink, toilet, and a shower area. Instead of a bidet hose, the toilet incorporated a small pipe within the bowl. The shower space was impressively roomy, offering two distinct showerhead options. A unique feature was the fully transparent mirror on the wall facing the bedroom area, which could be easily obscured by blinds controlled magnetically from within the shower. The hotel thoughtfully provided a comprehensive range of toiletries, including toothbrushes, hand towels, and face towels.
Amenities and Facilities
The hotel's swimming pool, located on the 12th floor, is of a moderate size. While the landscaping wasn't particularly striking to 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 accessible from 8 AM to 7 PM, while the 24-hour gymnasium caters to early risers and night owls. A pleasant café is situated by the pool, staying open until midnight.
Connectivity and Comforts
During my stay, the complimentary in-room Wi-Fi proved to be exceptionally fast, delivering impressive upload and download speeds of up to 62mbps. However, local mobile network coverage presented a mixed bag, with CelcomDigi offering around 12mbps and Tune Talk a more modest 5mbps. The hotel's TV channels provided a basic selection, including news and sports, with most broadcasts in high definition. I particularly enjoyed the strong water pressure in the bathroom shower, making for a truly invigorating experience.
For those preferring to dine in, the in-room dining service is available and reasonably priced. For instance, Nasi Goreng is priced at RM32, Laksa Kari at RM32, and fresh fruit juices at RM18. For guests arriving by car, complimentary parking is provided, adding to the overall convenience.
Location and Value
Situated in Setia Alam, the hotel is approximately 40km from Kuala Lumpur city center. Its prime location offers 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, making shopping and dining effortlessly accessible.
While weekends or convention events might bring a busier atmosphere, my visit was surprisingly tranquil, with few other guests around. Considering the price I paid, well under RM300, the stay offered excellent value. The hotel is impeccably clean, comfortable, and still feels wonderfully new. I'm already contemplating a return visit to experience their suites.
I've included photographs from my stay to give you a visual glimpse. Should you wish to read my reviews of other hotels, please visit my website at https://hanuds.wixsite.com/hanudds or my profile within this group. Thank you for taking the time to read!
