EVERYONE knows Rome wasn’t built in a day, but the development of Putra Jaya, from a palm oil plantation to Malaysia’s stunning administrative capital in just 12 years, is a tribute to the industrious nation.
I had the pleasure of staying a night and two days in the charming city, built around a man-made lake traversed by multiple gravity-defying traffic and pedestrian bridges, surrounded by 15km of user-friendly cycle path.
Home to the nation’s ministries, current and former heads of state, international embassies and places of worship, all accommodated within impressive architecture inspired by the world’s respected historic and contemporary designs, Putra Jaya is the nation’s showpiece and translated, literally means successful prince.
I stayed in Accor’s luxurious new Pullman-branded resort, Pullman Putra Jaya Lakeside Hotel, and it is no exception to the city’s opulence, featuring a central clock tower in traditional Malaysian style, flanked by accommodation wings inspired by architecture redolent of Malaysia, Borneo, India and China – three of the main influences of Malaysia’s development over the centuries.
Named after the historic luxury railway carriages invented by American George Mortimer Pullman in the late 1800s, the Pullman brand – Check in. Chill out – was relaunched 14 months ago and 12 more of the five-star resorts are under construction in the Asia Pacific region.
About 20km from KL’s two international airports, the grand hotel is a short boat or car trip from a business and shopping precinct that is remarkably quieter than the mecca of KL, also about 30 minutes away.
Construction of the hotel’s main section began about four years ago during the previous government’s reign and it was the new broom that decided to develop it into business and holiday accommodation instead of a public facility whose purpose was yet to be decided.
It has stunning views of the nearby convention and exhibition centre, resembling a flying saucer perched on a hilltop. It can seat more than 2000 delegates at a silver service dinner in its banquet hall.
The hotel’s grounds are outstanding with cool water features and vast viewing platforms for the regular water skiing and canoeing events on the lake, where you can also board day or night boat cruises to the city’s many restaurants or shopping destinations.
Its many amenities include 283 rooms in a range of accommodation, the best in technology and conferencing services, 22 meeting rooms, a large ballroom and open-air amphitheatre, plus a day spa, water sports and five delicious eateries, including B’s where you can dine all day.
Perfect for business or pleasure, this large hotel offers respite from the maddening crowds, either before, during or after a shopping trip, or on either side of travel to other Asian destinations.
The writer stayed at the hotel as a guest of Accor.