The Hotel Nikko is an exemplary example of a luxurious hotel for business travelers, tourists and locals alike. On the day of the review, when I drove into the compound looking for the parking signages, great service was already evident, it came in the form of helpful security guards ushering me to the appropriate parking entrance.
The Lobby Lounge located on the ground floor is magnificent; exuding a regal, five-star welcome to Hotel Nikko patrons and their guests. Warm glowing colors diffuse into its surroundings; bestowing upon me a rather congenial feel that is expressed in shades of gold, brown and elegant reds. Upon entering the lobby area, smooth tunes of jazz performed by a live band punctuate the atmosphere with its promise of more entertainment in store.
When I was at the Nikko Executive Lounge (26th floor), staff occasionally checked to see that my needs were attended to without being obtrusive. Platters of tidbits and other finger foods are made available to me and other hotel guests throughout the day. These consisted of mini pastries, delicate croissants, generous fruit tarts, freshly cut fruits and many more tummy-rubbing delights! High speed wireless broadband Internet connection is free at the lounge and caters to only exclusive Hotel Nikko Executive Lounge guests. Towards the back of the lounge, a clear view of the observation deck beckons me to explore it. An au naturale centerpiece charms guests and I was awed by the spectacular view of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. The Empire Tower, Menara Tabung Haji and PNB structure and other magnificent structures are but a few examples that make up the breathtaking scenery before me! Right beneath the deck stands Ampang Park and Plaza Ampang; two frequented shopping malls on Jalan Ampang that are easily accessible by patrons from the hotel and incoming traffic from the highways and interconnecting roads.
I had the opportunity to stay at the premier room. A tasteful presentation of fresh fruits on a platter welcomes me to my room with just the right tangy touch. Magazines like Newsweek, Forbes and VisionFour are available for leisure reading, or just to be referred to for television schedules and other program information. The room provided me with the serenity that I needed; unlike some other hotels on Jalan Bukit Bintang area, where guests can get annoyed by the cacophony sounds of morning traffic! I must say, the comfort and quality of the Nikko beds are truly underrated! I enjoyed a good night’s sleep and woke up feeling increasingly refreshed. Though high speed Internet access is available to all hotel guests, it comes at a rather hefty price of MYR50 for one day's use (24 hours).
SD's take on Hotel Nikko
Although I had a comfortable stay, the interior of Hotel Nikko and its rooms seemed a little worn out and this might be due to wear and tear over the years. That itself is not a deterrent to indulging in an exclusive stay at Hotel Nikko because it is currently undergoing extensive renovation to give the Hotel a "face lift". Searching for the entrance to the hotel car park or its compound for that matter was difficult. Perhaps an unobstructed signage should be put up in full view of incoming traffic (some distance away from the turn-in to the hotel car park); visitors do not have to slow down in heavy traffic to look out for it. An advantageous reason for the traveler to stay in luxurious Hotel Nikko is high accessibility to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and the Petronas Twin Towers. Just a short walk will take you to KLCC via Menara Naluri. If you’re hungry for food that will add that tantalizing spice to your day, a short stroll from Hotel Nikko gives you delicious, steaming nasi kandar (Indian curry, rice, assorted vegetables and meat similar to banana leaf meals), fried mamak noodles, roti canai (tossed, tasty pan-fried dough eaten plain or with preferred ingredients) and et cetera; not to mention hanging out at the mamak for elongated chat time with friendly company!
To further convince myself that the service I have been receiving during my stay was not faked, I carried out a SD test during the wee hours of the morning. A complaint was lodged to housekeeping that the towels and toiletries were missing and in five minutes flat, staff smilingly arrived to present fresh towels and toiletries!
On the day I checked out, I was honored with the opportunity to meet with Ms. Azira, who is the Assistant Communications Manager at Hotel Nikko. She emphasized the importance of staff providing proper care; paying attention to finer details concerning the hotel guests and basically making their guests number one on their priority list. This further reinforces my belief in the high standards of service that Hotel Nikko sets for all staff. When I needed more detailed information from Ms. Azira earlier in the day, she made it a point to re-visit the hotel on her day off just to have a chat with me and to hand over what I needed.
Now I am fully convinced of Nikko’s sincere service. The staff here makes you feel special while the hotel service is impeccable; truly living up to its motto of 'At Nikko We Serve With Love'.
