When the first person you encounter in the lift is carrying a massive gun, the best strategy is to stay calm and realise you’re staying in a hotel that hosts some very important people.
That was my first experience at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur – before even checking in. Because when you’re booked into a suite, you check in upstairs, at the Mandarin Oriental Club lounge.
Thankfully, no shots were fired and the gun carrier headed to his room, making check-in stress-free.
Some hotels are just made for business travellers, with every aspect catering to the expectations of a guest staying to work, conduct meetings or relax after a long day at a conference.
The property, located just steps away from the Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC mall, fits into this category. It has 571 rooms, 21 suites and 40 executive apartments. Most of the suites have a spacious living area with TV, sofa and a small dining table and guest bathroom.
In the bedroom, the comfortable king-size four-poster bed dominates the space, with as a large leather-top desk overlooking the Malaysian skyline beside it.
The desk is designed to be worked on, with an array of stationery (pens, pencils, paper, stapler, paper clips and envelopes), an international plugs station and ethernet cable. Newspapers are delivered daily to the room and Wi-Fi is fast and, more importantly, free.
Guests of these suites have access to the club lounge on the 24th floor, where complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner is served as well as afternoon tea and light snacks throughout the day. The international menu changes daily. Compared to other hotel executive lounges, this is one of the best thanks to the quality of the food, service and the layout, which offers privacy in some sections – ideal for holding meetings.
Executive suite guests also receive a 20 per cent discount at the spa and five pieces of clothing laundered for free. There is also an iron and ironing board available in the rooms.
Yet something is missing. Despite the modern amenities available, the rooms were a little dated in decor, almost colonial.
q&a plenty of things to do
Triska Hamid expands on what the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur has to offer the business traveller:
How much for a night?
A standard double room costs from US$150 per night, an executive room from $365 and a three-bed apartment from $605.
How many meeting rooms does the hotel have?
There are 11 meeting rooms and two ballrooms. Prices start from $152 per hour for a meeting room with various packages and menus available. Those with access to the club lounge get complimentary use of the club’s meeting rooms with coffee and tea facilities.
Is there a business centre?
Yes, but it is on the small side with three workstations and a couple of boardrooms.
Is it easy to get around the city?
Yes, there is a steady stream of taxis available outside the hotel at all hours. Uber is also available in Kuala Lumpur.
Tell us more about the restaurants and food.
Malaysia has a very rich dining culture, drawing influence from its ethnically diverse population. The Mandarin Oriental has 10 different restaurants and cafes offering cuisines that range from steak to sushi. Room service is just as varied; the breakfast set menu options start from $17 and go all the way up to $171. There is also a coffee machine and tea set available in the room.
What can I do if I want some time out?
Explore the local area, or get your blood pumping at the outdoor infinity pool or gym, which opens from 5am until 11pm. The hotel also has a spa and a nightclub as well as indoor golf.
business@thenational.ae
* The writer was a guest of the hotel.
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
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Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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