Hotels & Resorts: Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree

Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree: A Sanctuary for the Senses

Text by JUHAN KAMARUDDIN Images by: PAVILION HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR MANAGED BY BANYAN TREE

Standing 13 storeys above Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, an award-winning six-storey shopping centre, Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree is strategically located in Bukit Bintang, Malaysia’s major hotspot for shopping, dining and nightlife. World-renowned landmarks like Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre are within walking distance too.

“Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur has the ability to accept guests from all walks of life, whether they are leisure, business, corporate, social, and we have the price point that meets every guest’s needs from start to finish,” says the General Manager of Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur Mr Anders Dimblad.

Capitalising on Banyan Tree expertise

Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur is unique because it leverages on Banyan Tree’s world-class service standards, operational excellence, and positive work culture. Though it currently receives more leisure travellers due to its location and direct connection to the Banyan Tree brand, the hotel is steadily receiving increasing number of corporate guests seeking an efficient city stay that doubles up as an upscale, urbane getaway.

“When guests stay at Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur, they get to enjoy the legendary Banyan Tree experience with the same high touch but more corporate- and businessinclined. Staying at Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur opens guests to facilities available at the hotel and Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur. Since both hotels are under the same group, guests can go across (to Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur) and cross sign at any of its food and beverage outlets, including spa facilities,” assures Mr Dimblad.

Undeniably deluxe and refined, the hotel recognises guests as individuals who have different needs and attempts to deliver exceptional service and unparalleled experience. “(Our) service is out of sight but never out of reach, and we always anticipate our guests’ needs,” he adds.

“Banyan Tree is a strong brand built up by its people. The hotel employees are recruited based on attitude and they go out of their way to delight guests,” reveals Mr Dimblad. To further boost their competence, employees are given a minimum of six hours of training per month done online and offline.

“We want to be established as one of the leading hotels not just in terms of guest satisfaction and financial returns, but also employee satisfaction through constructive feedback and employee engagement. (We believe) happy staff equals happy guests, who then become repeat guests, bringing in business, generating revenue and giving good returns to the owners,” he elaborates.

Contemporary interiors and rooms

Due to the generous amount of natural light being allowed inside, Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s interior feels airy and bright. Light coloured furnishings are generously applied throughout the hotel, making the spaces appear roomier. High ceilings and clean lines, especially within the hotel’s Japanese restaurant named Ebisu, evoke a calming, reflective mood.

The hotel houses 325 rooms and suites decked in contemporary décor overlooking either the courtyard or city skyline, all accessed using fast elevators. Each guestroom at least comes with a 55-inch flat-screen television, minibar, and Capsule Coffee Machine. The bathroom – accompanied by Banyan Tree toiletries containing the signature Thai Chamanard formula – has two types of shower heads: one is handheld, while the other is large and fixed onto the ceiling to simulate a refreshing tropical rain. As with all luxurious properties, turndown service is customary.

Refined gastronomic selection

Talking about dining at Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur, guests should head to The Courtyard, the hotel’s all-day dining outlet embellished with natural tones interspersed with vibrant colours, reminiscent of the brightly coloured motifs gracing the songket, a rich Malaysian woven fabric. This outlet serves up mouth-watering smorgasbord of flavourful Malaysian cuisine along with the view of a relaxing open-air space with waterfall that can be rented out for functions. Guests should also dine at Ebisu, a smart and wellproportioned restaurant and bar space on level 8 highlighting Japanese cuisine with a twist, prepared by Chef Kusuo Kamiishi, affectionately known as Chef Ricky.

The Whisky Cove – a place to unwind with a wide selection of whiskies and blends from around the world – is one of the hotel’s unique selling points because not all Banyan Tree-managed properties have it. This bijou joint prepares signature cocktails and mocktails like the ‘Highland Poney’ using home-made sugar syrup, giving it a distinct, stimulating flavour, ideal even for parched teetotallers.

State-of-the-art facilities

Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur offers a range of meeting and event facilities suitable for all occasions. The total event space measures 1,298 square metres comprising ballroom on large enough for 450 persons; a well-thought-out multi-functional crescent-shaped venue with double-height ceiling aptly called The Crescent that seats 120 persons in banquet setting; and five fully-equipped meeting rooms, each comfortably accommodating up to 40 persons.

The hotel’s 24-hour Sky Gym with spacious, Zen-inspired changing rooms and rooftop infinity pool are located on level 18. Do wake up early to take in the view of sunrise and the surrounding city skyline from the infinity pool, which is bound to take your breath away.

The urban escapade is not complete without experiencing the internationally acclaimed Banyan Tree Spa on level 16, which dispenses selected Asian-inspired treatments through highly skilled therapists; each therapist had undergone a minimum of 350 hours of training conducted by Banyan Tree Spa Academy. Guests should try out the spa’s rain mist therapy as well, a newly introduced feature that sets the spa apart from its competitors.

Epicureans should gravitate to the Banyan Tree Retail Shop, which retails handicrafts, apparels and signature Banyan Tree spa amenities like body care products and essential oils. Various formulae and uplifting scent collections for example Coconut Seaweed, Honey Turmeric, and Jasmine Frangipani are on sale for guests to bring home the Banyan Tree experience. My personal favourite is the sweet and woody Dill and Sandalwood, which I gleefully purchased and used almost instantly.

Conclusion

Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur makes for an excellent stay not only due to its strategic location and ability to meet the needs of a wide range of guests, but also because it aims to become a ‘sanctuary of the senses’, the place where guests can get away, reenergise, and have their experience raised to another level, perfect for sophisticated out-of-town business or leisure travellers, including staycationers…