End of this trip in Malaysia and the opportunity to make a debrief of my experience and the good or not so good choices I made on this occasion (don’t worry, there are mostly positive ones).
For the record you will find at the bottom of the page all the articles about this trip in Malaysia.
Table of Contents
Destination and dates
As explained in my introductory article on this trip, I didn’t have a specific destination in mind as long as it was in Asia and I could rest a bit, all this while booking almost at the last minute and therefore with relatively prohibitive prices.
Finally the best I found was Malaysia, a country I know and love very much.
I spent most of my time in Langkawi with two mini stops in Kuala Lumpur on the outward and return journeys.
Langkawi is always so pleasant, whether you go there to relax at the beach or decide to explore this nature reserve further. As for Kuala Lumpur, it is also a city that I appreciate a lot, in any case in the region much more than Bangkok for example. I just walked around for a day or two, not enough to really document my visits, that will be for another stay.
The dates, just before Christmas, were not ideal but I could not do otherwise: I knew with certainty when I could leave only two weeks before. This had an impact on the price of the plane tickets (late booking) even if I managed to find a fare from Gothenburg almost half the price of a departure from Paris, as well as on the price of the hotels which are more expensive in this vacation period but Malaysia remains an affordable destination.
In bottom line, Malaysia is a beautiful destination, less known than some of its neighbors but just as good and the Kuala Lumpur-Langkawi combo is a good idea and at this time of the year the climate was very correct, almost without rain. After that there are other areas to visit in Malaysia and I will have to explore that in the future.
Regarding the necessary detour through Gothenburg which made me save nearly 3000 euros for a flight in business class compared to a departure from Paris. it was not the best time of the year…snow on the outward journey, incessant rain on the return journey but that was not the most important thing.
In the end I could have stayed 4 or 5 days longer and taken more time to visit or even discover another part of the country…but I didn’t know when I was organizing this time constrained trip that my Christmas Eve was going to be cancelled because of the SNCF strikes. Otherwise I would have stayed longer with a less “speedy” trip.
Airlines
The most important subject was the long-haul part with a Gothenburg-Copenhagen-Kuala Lumpur round trip operated by SAS for the first segment and Singapore Airlines for the second.
Nothing to say about SAS: in short haul, you shouldn’t expect anything special from it. The planes are clean, the staff friendly and that’s the main thing.
As for Singapore Airlines and as my reviews show, my feeling is positive…but mixed. It is today with Qatar Airways one of the two best airlines in the world and my experience confirms its reputation. Excellent, but not (or no longer) perfect. No oshiboris on board, a different service protocol on the outbound and return trip, too little service on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur leg, an overcrowded and unbearable lounge on the return trip… there are, if not things to complain about, at least questions to ask.
Honestly it was one of my best flights in business class but I expected maybe a little more or rather I didn’t expect to be surprised by some details.
The flights between Singapore and Langkawi also left me a mixed impression: very nice cabins on 737 Max and A350 but very disappointing catering even if the flight is short.
As a comparison I was pleasantly surprised once again by Malaysia Airlines that I used for domestic flights. Even for a one-hour hop in the air, you get hot food!
As for Lufthansa that I took to reach Gothenburg, nothing to report: it is both reassuringly consistent and boring.
Oh, I almost forgot! For various and understandable reasons I had to deal with delayed luggage with both Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. In both cases it was handled proactively (I received an alert before I noticed the delay myself) and efficiently (luggage retrieved on time, status constantly updated) …. Light years ahead of the hell experienced with TAP earlier this year. And I will have a special thanks for the agent who, in Gothenburg, allowed me to recover my suitcase while being a little out of process to allow me to leave in time the next morning.
Hotels
There was a bit of everything! Let’s start with the satisfactions.
The Ritz Carlton Langkawi was supposed to be the pinnacle of this trip and it was: almost irreproachable. I recommend it with my eyes closed even if I have never been disappointed by a hotel in Langkawi. A little better, in my opinion, than the St Regis Langkawi, except for the fine dining.
To a lesser degree I liked the Westin Langkawi. I don’t like resorts and even less when they attract a family clientele with children but this one finds favor in my eyes: beautiful rooms, adorable staff, and overall quite calm. A good plan if you travel with your family and/or if your budget is not extensible. Otherwise, as a couple, solo and if your budget allows it, I still recommend the two above (I specify that the Ritz Carlton has a Kids Club and that one of its swimming pools is reserved for adults…)
To a lesser degree also I would put the Scandic Rubinen in Gothenburg. I was not expecting much, even something spartan, but it was finally very correct and it is, by its facilities, a hotel to review in summer.
Then let’s talk about disappointments.
The first of them is the Moxy at Roissy CDG which I thought was very good when it opened and has not ceased to disappoint me by its service and the casual attitude of its staff since. And an upcoming trip I will tell you about soon will convince me not to go return anymore.
In the same vein is the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur. Don’t exaggerate, it was not as disappointing as the Moxy but on the other hand did not inspire me anything special either. Without charm, without personality, almost a little old-fashioned, very deceptive or even misleading restaurant offer…. it owes its success to its location and its name which attracts a certain clientele who go there with their eyes closed. Not much to reproach it but nothing to fall in love with either.
Finally, the big disappointment: the Ritz Carlon Kuala Lumpur. I had only planned to stay there one night to find out what I had heard about it was justified and I did well. Dusty hotel, service not at the level for a hotel of this category… there is much better if you are looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, in luxury hotel but not only.
Restaurants
This time I did not scour the restaurants of my different destinations, relying mainly on the restaurants of the hotels, especially in Langkawi.
However, I tested two gourmet restaurants.
The Cilantro in Kuala Lumpur to start. A very good restaurant with a French cuisine where we find the touch of a Japanese chef. Too many approximations to get a star but not far.
Then the 28+, a Michelin starred restaurant in Gothenburg. A restaurant that confirms me in the good image I have of the restaurants of Gothenburg. A traditional and solid cuisine for this restaurant which keeps its star for the 32nd consecutive year.
In another style and still in Gothenburg, Kaifo, a bistronomic restaurant with a Japanese fusion cuisine. Very nice for a dinner with friends.
I will also have a word for the restaurant of the Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur, The Library. It offered an interesting tasting menu with Whisky Pairing. Not bad at all but atmosphere worthy of a funeral home…and that doesn’t justify that a non customer of the hotel goes there just for the restaurant.
Tourism
As you have understood, I wanted to rest at the end of the year and did not insist on visiting Kuala Lumpur, especially since I had already visited it in depth several years ago.
However, it is a city that is worth taking two days to visit.
As for Langkawi, one day I will have to take the trouble to visit the island in depth and especially the nature reserve part. But after a rough quarter (if you followed my trip to Australia you know I was limping low due to a damaged nerve in my leg). This time it was better but this trip was about recovery so I didn’t force myself to walk on sometimes rough terrain.
And then, as regrets, for lack of time I did not go to see other parts of the country. If I had known that thanks to the SNCF strikes my New Year’s Eve was going to be cancelled, I would have extended my stay by a few days and had time to explore more.
Bonus gift
My last night in Kuala Lumpur was the night of the world cup final. For the occasion, the advertising boards were broadcasting the games and the street was closed.
Night atmosphere between midnight and 3 am…
From my hotel room…
Match in the middle of luxury stores.
Penalty by Mbappé…
Bottom line
An unsurprising destination for me but a pleasant vacation despite the high pace I imposed on myself due to constrained dates and a last minute booking.
I will come back with pleasure to discover other parts of the country and, in general, I notice that Malaysia is a little too unknown destination that people should be more interested in…
Articles about this trip to Malaysia
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