Tag Archives: Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian F1 2012, Sepang Circuit

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Three days at the F1 was the final part of my trip and the main reason for the visit to KL.

Went in for Friday practice. Caught the Airport train (local) which included a bus to the circuit dropoff zone, then onto another bus to the main entrance. Entry is actually totall fee on the Friday and you had run of the house apart from the Paddock Club which is the other side of the main straight. Was hottest day getting close to 30deg and track temp well over 40.

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Leaving the circuit I jumped on the bus to the Airport terminal and raced off to buy a SIM topup (none available at the track). Unfortunately just missed the train (after accidentally going to the express platform first) and had to wait another half hour.

Saturday was with a few friends and we cabbed to the circuit and back.

On the Sunday again caught the AirAsia affiliated bus from KL Sentral to the LCCT, put my luggage in left luggage then a 2pm (the last one) bus to the track. As those who are F1 fans will know, the race was a little wet, and was red flagged for some time. But a great race and even better listening to a proper broadcast on FanVision.

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Doubletree By Hilton Kuala Lumpur

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Doubletree By Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Had picked this hotel given I have Diamond status and it is closer to KL triangle (one station or a 10min walk from Petronas/KLCC)(and was cheaper than the main Hilton). The hotel sits within The Intermark complex which is an office tower with a new one under construction, across the road from the Ampang Park station. I travelled by Lcct bus to Sentral, then train. To find the hotel, take the Ampang Plaza exit (opposite side to Intercontinental) then head towards the McDonalds, hotel is across the road to the left. The current overpass has stairs up and down so not great with heavy bags but looks like a new overpass will open soon which will connect Level 1 of Intermark (hotel lobby level) with the 2nd level of Ampang Plaza.

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Check-in at Doubletree is off to the side and there were four lanes, but the HH lane wasn’t manned. Great hotel cookie served and given Diamond benefit letter (Exec Lounge breakfast only, 530-730 drinks and canapés). Free wifi in lounge mentioned (but no mention of in room internet). Was not advised of an upgrade.

Going to room heading towards the corner – yes an Executive Suite. Rooms looks impressive, light wood throughout and very modern. Two tv’s recessed into the wall so connections aren’t easy to get at. Replicator at desk for hdmi/usb/available but this only works for lounge tv. You also need to find the hidden input button on the side of the tv as nothing on the remote. In any event the hdmi connection was poorly shielded and showed big interference.

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Drinks and canapés in executive floor of were very good. 8 hot dishes, 4-5 cold dishes, chips, dips, and some tasty dessert morsels, tiger, heineken, Australia, Argentina and French wines, and a good range of spirits. On the two occasions I went good variety in the dishes, which was repeated at breakfast. For breakfast choice was also decent albeit small and the scrambled eggs were the only downfall. Lounge also has a small outdoor area with four our so sears with views of both Petronas and KL Tower.

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Hotel has a good sized outdoor pool and the gym looked impressive although I didn’t use it. Axis lounge near the lobby was fairly happening most nights with live music, and there is also another venue a floor down that appears dessert and drink focused that was pumping at midnight on a Saturday.

Overall very impressed and would use again when in KL.