by Penne Cole

Created on: November 09, 2011

Putrajaya Marriott Hotel

IOI Resort City

Sepang Utara

62505 Malaysia

The Putrajaya Marriott is a lovely hotel. A tall fountain accented with high pillars graces the front of the hotel. The lobby is expansive, with a double staircase leading down towards the pool and restaurants. The ceilings are high and the light streaming in through the windows coupled with the lush greenery outside are reminiscent of a tropical paradise, making guests feel instantly relaxed.

The service at the Putrajaya Marriott is unfortunately a little inconsistent. The front desk felt a little under-manned and there was a mix up with our reservations, with a wrongly-quoted price and no extra beds despite a previous request. However, our requests for extra towels and bottles of water to be delivered to the room were always met promptly.

The hotel was completed several years ago and the rooms are starting to show their age. The décor is a little dated and the towels are no longer satisfyingly fluffy. The bathrooms are large with a separate shower and bathtub. However, the toiletries are a little disappointing, with overly strong scents and cheap packaging. Nevertheless, the water pressure in the shower is amazing, and perhaps the best feature of the room. The beds are covered with 300 thread count sheets from the Revive Bedding Collection. Complimentary internet access for all Marriott Rewards members is a boon.

Located in Putrajaya, the seat of the Malaysian government, the Putrajaya Marriott is an ideal hotel for those who have business to attend to in the federal administrative capital. However, it is a little too far from Kuala Lumpur to make it an attractive hotel for the average tourist. While the hotel offers a free shuttle service to the closest public transport station, the Putrajaya ERL, guests will still have to take a half hour train ride to the city or depend on cabs for the long journey.

That said, the hotel is a good choice for a weekend retreat or for those who want to escape for a little while. There is an outdoor pool and whirlpool and a well-equipped fitness center complete with a fitness advisor for the health nuts. Squash and tennis courts are also available. The Dewi Sri Spa by Martha Tilaar is great for relaxation and there are six in-house restaurants and lounges if you get hungry. Options range from simple cakes and coffee at the d’Oracle Coffee Lounge to Japanese at the Midori Japanese Restaurant to a Chinese banquet at the Summer Palace.

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