The Explorer’s trip this time around was held indoors at the fabulous EQ Hotel; starting in the afternoon and would finish in the evening. It is uncommon that any Exploration would begin late in the day but judging by the number of people who signed up, it did not deter most folks.
The old and original sign board of Kampachi Japanese restaurant greeted us as we made our way to lunch. A pioneer of Japanese cuisine in Malaysia since 1974, Kampachi’s uncompromising commitment to quality has resulted in numerous local and international accolades, including an unprecedented 9-time award winner for Best Japanese Restaurant by Time Out magazine.
The set lunch meal was the Okonomi Gozen. Members could choose two main side dishes from grilled saba, salmon teriyaki, shake sashimi, tempura in addition to chicken and beef dishes. It was indeed a feast for our eyes and soul. After much convivial enjoyment at lunch, we gathered outside the restaurant to kick off our tour. We were met by the lovely Hotel Manager Ms. Belinda Leong and her business sales team; all jovial and raring to guide us. 22 Explorers were grouped into two teams and off we went!
The bronze statue, or rather the disappearing sculpture of Nico caught our eyes immediately in the hotel lobby. The sculptor of Nico is Bruce Catalano, a French man whose famous Travellers Series often depict sculptures with a central section missing, accompanied by a suitcase. Aesthetically, Nico represents a sense of strength, suggesting resilience and hope for the future.
Also situated at the hotel lobby was the original old spiral staircase and the Nipah coffee house, retaining its charm from the old Equatorial. Belinda explained that Etoile cafe at the lower basement, was the first cafe in KL to introduce gourmet coffee. The former Equatorial was also the first hotel to have wifi. We noticed that certain walls and carpets of the hotel were adorned with the diamond songket motif.
Our first stop was at the spectacular 235m2 duplex Presidential Suite. Priced at RM40,000 per night, it was all dazzling marble floors, plush linens and soft furnishings, sky-high ceilings, luxurious bathrooms with Bulgari amenities in addition to being equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for the weary traveller. After that we adjourned to one of the two Executive Suites at the EQ to observe a bedmaking process. We were informed by the Housekeeping Supervisor Ms Chitra that one housekeeping staff cleans an average of 15 rooms a day. All 440 rooms at the EQ use the King Koil Hotel Premium Mattresses, supporting the local King Koil industry/factory in Malaysia. Snacks provided in the rooms are also mostly Malaysian tidbits. As we entered the lift to proceed to the “Aha” suite, Belinda pointed out that a feature button in EQ lifts helps release trapped passengers which was a marvel really. We learnt later why the Aha suite was called the Aha suite – as our eyes stopped dead in the tracks of a sunken jacuzzi in the bathroom, splendour in its view of the surrounding KLCC skyscrapers. Now who would not want to spend a delightful evening soaked in warm bubbles and a crystal bubbly in one hand?
Next up – we stepped outside to view EQ’s saltwater pool, heated up to a comfortable 26 degrees; notwithstanding the music one can hear when swimming underwater. “What can possibly top this” – Or so we thought; as we made our way into the EQ Sanctum Wellness Gym and Spa. The gym is fully equipped with Technogym equipment. For us though, the Himalayan Salt Sauna held promises of rejuvenating tired bodies. Across was the Tropical Monsoon Showers – dark and ethereal, changing overhead colours like the Northern Aurora Borealis. Such was the appealing tranquility of the EQ Sanctum Spa which offered a range of body massages and treatments.
We were jolted back into reality from our dreamy state with a trip to the inner part of the hotel building (the mechanical and pump/water tank area) and found out why the EQ was the only hotel in KL that was awarded a Green Building Index Gold Accreditation. The hotel’s water purification system and energy efficiency was the best in all of KL city. Head Engineer Mr. Naran explained how rainwater is collected and stored in a tank; reused for irrigation. Waste water was also treated for the cooling tower tank. Plus the entire building used only LED lights. Such is the impact that the EQ strives to have for a sustainable and green environment. Syabas EQ Hotel!
Finally, we left the mechanical floor and wound up in a cool, small banquet room to observe napkin folding by the amiable Encik Khalid. Explorers tried their hands creating Rosebuds, Birds of Paradise and other napkin folding styles. Not long after that, we made headway to the kitchen and watched a mooncake making demo. No longer was mooncake bound to its traditional fillings; we sampled chocolate nutty ones, mango yuzu to other bolder, richer flavours. Chef Anas showed how a modern compressor created the mold of the mooncake and easily slid it out after. Several Explorers had a go at this activity too.
Lastly, the icing of the cake to our EQ Tour was to head up to the 51st floor of one of Time Out Asia’s Top Five Rooftop Bars – Sky51. A talented mixologist demonstrated the stirred and shaken action of creating Sky51’s bestselling Summer Beach mocktail; a refreshing blend of mango, pandan and coconut milk. With this delicious concoction in hand, we thanked Belinda profusely, for we did not expect the EQ to spoil us with mocktail treats! Soon after we walked out to the balcony, looking out to a magnificent view of the Twin Towers. It felt as if we could reach out and just touch them. Many Explorers posed individually and when it was time to take our Group Photo, happy faces abound and we knew what a splendid, generous tour it had been – conducted by Belinda Leong and her amazing team. The EQ Hotel is SIMPLY FABULOUS and I cannot wait to return; to be pampered by the Best Hotel in KL!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Explorer Host Astrid Belliot, the General Manager of the EQ Hotel, Hotel Manager Belinda Leong and her team, MCG President and Fellow Explorers!
