Hotel Review: Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara (Junior Suite) - Great Hotel within Walking Distance to Pavilion Damansara Heights and MRT Kajang Line
Kuala Lumpur is one of my favourite cities to visit over weekends. It is only a short flight away from Singapore and most of the hotels are affordably priced. I also love being able to keep to my usual workout routine when I visit (since there are plenty of great fitness studios in the city) and obviously being able to enjoy the local food is an added bonus. There are many great hotels in Kuala Lumpur but as someone who hates sitting in traffic, I prefer staying somewhere where I can either take advantage of the LRT and MRT lines, or somewhere that is self-sufficient enough so I do not have to travel far for things. As such, I typically stay at the Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur (which offers direct access to Bangsar LRT Station), or the Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur, Mont Kiara which is located in a fantastic neighbourhood with great dining options.
Click HERE for the latest offers and promotions for the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara!
Singapore Airlines SilverKris Business Class Lounge
Changi Airport
Having secured enough nights to keep my elite statuses in the World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs, I looked at Accor properties in Kuala Lumpur as I still need to clock spend to hit ALL Diamond by the end of 2024. ALL Diamond can be achieved with 26,000 Status points each calendar year and that can essentially be earned by spending EUR 10,400 (before applicable taxes). Accor was running an Unlock Luxury global promotion a couple of months ago that offered up to 25% savings on stays across participating Sofitel, Sofitel Legend as well as MGallery properties worldwide. I took advantage of that offer and booked myself a stay at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara for this trip as it was actually fairly close (approximately 10-minute drive away) to fitness studios that I typically frequent in Hartamas and Mont Kiara.
If you are traveling from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in the evening, do note that the immigration lines at KLIA are generally quite long. If you can use the autogate system at KLIA (36 low-risk countries can now use these lanes at KLIA), I highly recommend doing so as it will help to save you some time. I opted for the Fast Track lane instead since I have an ABTC but this is also one of the reasons why you should consider booking (or redeeming for) a Business Class flight to Kuala Lumpur as premium cabin passengers will also be able to use the same Fast Track lanes. If you are traveling out of Singapore Changi Airport on Malaysia Airlines Business Class in the evening, you might be able to access the highly exclusive Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge (which cannot be accessed by frequent flyer status) before your flight.
Hotel Lobby
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Even though it is possible to take the KLIA Ekspres from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara, it certainly isn't the most convenient since you will have to first take the express train to KL Sentral before changing to the Kelana Jaya line and then the Kajang Line at Pasar Seni. Following this, it is also a 10-minute walk from Pusat Bandar Damansara to the hotel. The car ride from KLIA to the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara will take approximately 60-65 minutes but it is fairly comfortable - the cheapest ride from KLIA should also cost you around MYR 75 to MYR 80 on Grab. Alternatively, you may also wish to book a private airport transfer via a platform like Klook which can be more suitable if you need someone to meet and greet at the arrival hall. hotel via Klook.
Entrance
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara is located next to Damansara City (DC) Mall and there is a dedicated check-in area for Accor Live Limitless (ALL) elite members. As an ALL Platinum member, I was informed that my room had been accorded a one-category upgrade from a Luxury Room to a Junior Suite for this stay. Additionally, I also have access to Club Millésime (located on Level 22) as well as complimentary breakfast as part of my ALL Platinum benefits. Strangely, I was not given the option to check-in at the lounge, but I was happy to do so at the hotel lobby since it was after 7:00 PM (and evening cocktails are only offered from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM each day), and to be honest, I just wanted to get to my room as soon as possible. Late check-out was not proactively offered at check-in but I requested for one a day before my departure and was granted 3:00 PM without any issues.
Bedroom
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The Junior Suite that I was assigned to on this stay was located on Level 9 of the hotel and therefore did not really have much of a view. With that being said, I definitely appreciate the extra space over a potentially smaller room that is located on a higher floor. As I have mentioned previously, I typically visit Kuala Lumpur to try out fitness studios, have a change of environment, and meet up with friends who live here. As someone who visits the city six to nine times a year, I am more interested in having a larger room than one with a better view.
Work Desk
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Junior Suites at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara measure approximately 55 sqm in size and this is significantly larger than the Luxury Room category which measures 43 sqm in size on average. If I am not mistaken, Junior Suites are essentially corner rooms and they can be found on most levels - since ALL Platinum members generally get a next room category upgrade, it is safe to say that the usual upgrade (unless the hotel is running full) will be a Junior Suite which is quite nice.
Bedroom
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
This is the first Accor hotel that I have been to as an ALL Platinum member where I did not receive any welcome amenities - not even a box of pralines, or a handwritten note which I thought was rather interesting. Obviously, this is not a big deal but it is definitely atypical since I usually receive something (no matter how small the gesture is) even at mid-range properties like Mercure and Pullman hotels.
Wardrobe
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara apparently opened in 2017 and despite being seven years old, the hotel is actually maintained quite well. The air-conditioning in my room works perfectly and the room temperature can be adjusted to a comfortable 18 degrees Celsius. I also appreciate the fact that the soundproofing in the room is done well so I do not actually get disturbed by any noise outside the hotel or in the corridor.
Bedside Controls
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
While the bedding is not as plush as the one back home at the Sofitel Singapore City Centre, it is still really comfortable. Strangely, I could not find a master light switch by the bedside control panel - most of the lights in the room can be switched off but if you have left the wardrobe or bathroom lights on, it seems impossible to turn them off without having to leave the bed. Even though there are universal power outlets located on each side of the bed, the lack of USB charging ports makes it slightly less convenient to keep your devices charged.
Nespresso Coffee Machine
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Bottled water is provided in every guestroom and these glass bottles are replaced daily when housekeeping comes in to make up the room. You may also request for additional bottles of water to be sent up to your room but if you prefer, there is a massive Jayer Grocer located on the LG floor of DC Mall which is right next to the hotel. For your convenience, a basic Nespresso coffee machine and complimentary coffee capsules can be found in the room. On the other hand, teabags are provided by Dilmah which I thought was a bit of a missed opportunity.
View from Room
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
While DC Mall is not the most exciting place to visit, there are a handful of fitness studios there that you may wish to check out - I typically book into these classes using ClassPass which is a great way to keep to a fitness routine even while traveling. You should be able to find everything you need in a supermarket at Jaya Grocer and if you do have a Grab account (even if you have registered it in Singapore), you should consider getting the Jaya Grocer Membership Card in the app so you can earn GrabRewards Points with your purchases.
Universal Power Outlets
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The Junior Suite that I stayed in also comes equipped with a large work desk with universal charging outlets located on the side. While this is a really conducive spot to get work done, there is no reason why you should pick this over the Club Millésime (provided it is before 12:00 PM) where non-alcoholic drinks like coffee, tea, juices, soft drinks, and sparkling water are free-flowing for eligible guests. Even if you do not have ALL Platinum status, you should consider booking a room with club access for you to get the most out of your stays - especially if you are already planning on staying in quite a fair bit.
Bathroom with Bathtub
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
All of the guestrooms and suites at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara feature a deep-soaking standalone bathtub as well as a separate shower area. The design of room reminds me of my stays at the Sofitel Singapore City Centre - it is simple, and elegant with a bit of French flair without being overly ostentatious.
Bathroom
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The bathroom is located near the entrance of the room and the sliding doors can be drawn and locked for extra privacy. The water pressure is also great so you do not have to wait too long for the tub to fill but I did find the hot water temperature in the shower area to be fairly inconsistent during the stay. It took quite a while for the hot water to kick in and it didn't really stay hot throughout but that's not really a big issue.
Bath Amenities from Balmain
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Consistent with brand standards, bath amenities at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara are provided by Balmain. Bulk-size amenities (that have been wall-mounted) can only be found in the shower area which may make it challenging if you wish to draw yourself a nice bubble bath.
Disposable Personal Amenities
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
While the hotel has generally done away with single-use plastics (with the provision of bulk-sized bath amenities and reusable glass bottles), disposable personal amenities like razors and toothbrushes are still provided. I do not typically use them but I do appreciate the fact that these are provided in case of emergencies.
Entrance
Club Millésime - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The greatest perk of having ALL Platinum is arguably access to Club Millésime on all qualifying Sofitel stays. While I have not been an ALL Platinum member for long (even though I used to be Platinum many years ago when the loyalty program was known as Le Club AccorHotels), I have grown to like quite a number of stays that I have consumed in recent months. The Ambassador Seoul where I stayed in March this year was a breath of fresh air from the usual Marriott and Hyatt properties that I stay in when visiting Seoul and even though the Club Lounge has certain timing restrictions in the evening, I really enjoyed the quality of food and beverages served there.
Seating Area
Club Millésime - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The Club Millésime is located on level 22 of the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara and as mentioned earlier, I have access to this due to my ALL Platinum status. For whatever reason, my keycard did not give me access to Level 22 initially but this issue was quickly resolved once I dropped by the front desk to have the keys recut. There are two meal presentations at the Club Millésime - the Afternoon Tea (or Le Goûter) which runs from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and Apero Chic which runs from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM each evening. I dropped by for afternoon tea one day but wasn't particularly impressed with the offerings - there was a small selection of sandwiches and sweets but it was definitely not worth making a dedicated trip for.
Apero Chic (Evening Cocktails and Canapes)
Club Millésime - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
On the other hand, Apero Chic at the Club Millésime is certainly one that you should carve out time for. There is a good selection of hot and cold dishes on offer, and there is even a live station that rotates on a daily basis. Even though I do not typically like to lounge food as a meal replacement, I did really enjoy some of the dishes offered here in the evening. One of the carbohydrates (e.g. fried rice and noodles) offered during Apero Chic comes from Wan Chun Ting, the Chinese restaurant within the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara. I have first encountered this at the luxurious Conrad Tokyo and I think that this is an excellent way to get in-house guses to try out dishes from one of the F&B establishments within the property.
The service in the Club Millésime has also been consistently good throughout the day - refills are proactively offered and used plates are cleared from the table quickly. On my second day, the staff in the Club Millésime also remembered my drink order from the previous night and offered me a glass of sparkling wine to start. Even though the Club Millésime at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara does not offer Champagne, it does offer a pretty decent glass of Chateau Paul Mas Prima Perla Blanc de Blanc which is a sparkling wine that is produced in the Languedoc region of France. On the second evening, they ran out of this and offered prosecco instead, but that's not a big issue at all.
Bedroom
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
My sleep quality at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara has been excellent - the bed is comfortable and even though the goose down pillows are quite soft, two additional 'extra comfort pillows' are provided in the bedroom should you wish to utilise it. if you prefer to select a more suitable pillow from a menu, there is a pillow menu that you can choose from - you will have to request them to be sent up to your room but that's definitely a nice touch for those who are a little bit more picky. The rooms at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansaraare also really quiet and I did not hear any ambient noise (from the streets) or from my neighbours during my stay. Despite being a relatively low floor, the street noise did not bother me at all.
Breakfast
Kwee Zeen - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Breakfast at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara is served at Kwee Zeen on ground level each morning from 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM (until 11:00 AM on weekends). The selection of food is honestly pretty good and there is a good variety that ranges from local dishes to international selections. There is also a dedicated vegetarian section which I thought was pretty nice. With all that being said, I am not entirely a fan of Kwee Zeen restaurant - the tables are fairly close to each other and the lack of natural daylight in the morning makes the entire area feel rather cramped.
Breakfast
Kwee Zeen - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Coffee orders are taken tableside but they were sometimes unfulfilled which makes it rather annoying especially if you are only planning to have a quick 10-minute breakfast before heading off. Moments like these make me wish that Club Millésime is open for breakfast - I just need a morning coffee and maybe an egg white omelette to start my day.
Breakfast
Kwee Zeen - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The benefit of having breakfast in the lounge is the possibility of being able to linger after food to answer some emails or to catch up on a little bit of work. Kwee Zeen on the other hand, serves a very different purpose - the selection of food is good, but it definitely isn't somewhere that I would want to linger after my meal.
Outdoor Swimming Pool
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara has a nice freeform swimming pool on Level 3. The pool was never busy during my visit, but it didn’t get much sun during the day. Depending on your preferences, this could be a good or bad thing. I noticed the pool was more popular with families than with travelers trying to get a workout.
Outdoor Swimming Pool
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The pool's shape makes it difficult to swim proper laps, making it more suitable for lounging around or enjoying a drink by the pool. WIth that being said, I do appreciate the different seating configurations and the abundance of sun loungers here. I have also found the poolside to be fairly condusive for getting work done between breakfast and 12:00 PM (after which the Club Millésime is open).
Welcome Drink
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
I redeemed my welcome drinks (courtesy of my ALL membership) at the Nizza pool bar, located adjacent to Nizza. The pool bar opens daily at 12:00 PM, except on Tuesdays when it is closed. To my surprise, there was a wide range of beverages available. Unlike my experience at the Sofitel Singapore City Centre, where the welcome drink was limited to a few items, I could choose almost anything from cocktails, spirits, and wines at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara. I opted for the Illy Martini, essentially an espresso martini, and it was delicious.
Fitness Centre
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
The fitness centre which has a decent selection of fitness equipment can be found on the same level. If you are after dumbbells, the heaviest pair you can pick up here are a pair of 20kg dumbbells. There are a number of gym equipment from Technogym here but nothing compares to the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur where you can find even a proper squat rack. If you are comparing the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara to the Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur, Mont Kiara, the former property is definitely a lot more well-equipped.
Fitness Centre
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
My weekends in Kuala Lumpur are centered around workout routines, errands, and convenience, and therefore, staying around KLCC or Bukit Bintang is never an option. I really like the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur but getting from the city to my workouts takes anywhere between 20-60 minutes in the morning and the uncertainty is something I cannot deal with. I have been staying at the Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur, Mont Kiara (which is conveniently located next to 163 Retail Park) on most of my recent visits but now that I have at least 60 nights with Hyatt in the bag, I am highly tempted to move my remaining stays to the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara instead. As an Accor Plus member, the average room rate at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara can start from MYR 420++ per night on longer stays (or even lower when there are global offers running) and in comparison, the Hyatt House charges around MYR 352++ per night. The difference between both properties is just MYR 68++ per night, but an ALL Platinum member gets a lot more perks at the Sofitel than a Globalist member gets at the Hyatt House.
Bedroom
Junior Suite - Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Not many Accor properties can leave such a lasting impression and it is safe to say that the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara now ranks amongst my favourite hotels in the city. The location of the hotel works well for me and I love being able to get to my favourite fitness studios within 10 minutes on car, and the convenience of having Pusat Bandar Damansara MRT Station around means being able to travel down to Pasar Seni, Bukit Bintang (if I really have to), and the relatively-new TRX if I wanted to. The staff at the Club Millésime have also done a great job at not only ensuring that all the guests are well taken care of, but also exceed my expectations in making an effort to remember drink orders and personal preferences.
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
6, Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website | Email
The Park Hyatt Auckland is quite possibly the nicest luxury hotel in Auckland with stunning rooms and suites, but the soft product needs some work.