As much as we’d love to drop everything and cave in incessantly to our all-consuming wanderlust, responsibilities and obligations still burden our lives regardless of how much we abhor them. But that’s not to say travelling is a no-go altogether; rather, substituting exorbitant holidays with cheaper alternatives for the same – or similar – sense of fulfilment and gratification.
One increasingly popular way to do that is to embark on a short getaway to unwind within driving distance from one’s own home instead of abroad, and engage in leisure activities close by. Take it as a temporary escape pod from hard reality, if you may, whereby you can explore local sights you may have dismissed. There are bound to be activities or common sites you haven’t experienced after all.
About a five-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle past Berjaya Times Square nestles the newly revamped Shaw Parade Mall that is swanked by Accor Hotels’ first property in Malaysia (with Mercure Selangor Selayang slated to open this September being the second), Mercure Shaw Parade Kuala Lumpur, which happens to be the preferred one-night abode for a recent getaway of my own.
The French-based multinational hotel operator Accor Hotels lists Mercure as its largest midscale brand spanning over 57 countries worldwide, and where Mercure Shaw Parade Kuala Lumpur is concerned, 213 rooms, comprising 173 Deluxe Twin and Queen rooms, 33 Privilege rooms and four suites make up the moderately-sized property, alongside an outdoor pool, fitness centre and three F&B outlets.
Even without the extra fluff, the modern heritage-inspired 25-square metre Deluxe Queen room was cosy and adequate, complete with fundamentals such as an in-room minibar, LED flat screen TV, safe box, shower, and the uber comfortable bed where I whiled away the hours lounging. The view out the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows wasn’t half bad as well as it overlooked Bukit Bintang with the CBD around the fringe.
Though the property is designed with business and leisure travellers in mind, its facility and dining front proves to be a little lacklustre. While the outdoor pool does seem tempting; likewise for the fitness centre that is well equipped for entry-level workouts, its main F&B establishment – Chorak-All Day Dining Restaurant – where guests are served breakfast daily, was very mediocre and a slight letdown.
That aside, the property can be a decent stay if you aren’t too fussed about dining there as location-wise, Mercure Shaw Parade Kuala Lumpur is pretty effortless to get to from the shopping belt of Kuala Lumpur including Lot 10, Pavilion KL, and even the Imbi Monorail station. Convenience is also of the utmost best as many eateries and grocery stores skirt around the property.
Mercure Shaw Parade Kuala Lumpur
152, Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah,
Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
