A friend checked in with his family a long time ago and he said it was ok for a two star rated hotel. It is listed as a budget hotel after all, and they are proud to be ‘Low Budget but High Quality’.
I have always wondered how it would be like to stay there for a night or two. So when the opportunity came I couldn’t resist finding out.
My elder sister was in town two weeks ago and somehow most of the economy class rooms in the vicinity of her assignment area, Bangsar, were fully occupied (It was summer holiday in the middle east, go figure). The health ministry only allowed her RM 160 for accommodation, see.
On our way to look for other options we passed by Heritage Hotel KL. The location was strategic; a straight forward route against the morning traffic rush. My sister checked in a twin room so I can accompany her for the night and send her to work in the morning.
I finally have the chance to experience and explore this piece of historical item.
Unfortunately, the reception was less than welcoming. The Chinese lady behind the counter gave an impression of a ‘mama san’ too proud to care. Short of chewing gum, her lazy eyes kinda said ‘...yeah, what do you want? Sure we got rooms. Take it or leave it, just make it quick…’ And the assisting migrant worker understood few English and Malay words. He could be Nepalese. The place almost felt like a crackpot whorehouse. It could be due to our late arrival, 11pm I guess. Perhaps they should put up an additional note saying, "Pleasant Smiles and Hospitality Rate applies after 11pm. Charged separately"
Nevertheless, my sister was too tired to give it a second thought and decided to just get a good night sleep. I told her we’ll check out first thing in the morning.
“I’m going out to have a look around this place” I told her. With my trusty Olympus I gingerly walked the timber corridors. The floor squeaks and squeals in most places. The old carpeting helped muffle the sound a little.
Outside it was drizzling and there were few wandering souls around. A red bucket sits shamelessly on a mouldy (how else would you describe it, when red turns green?) carpet floor, trying hard to keep the surrounding areas as dry as possible. Up above, the white paint on the ceiling peels off steadily with every drop of rain seeping from the roof, but not before changing color and getting heavily stained.
I examined the old school elevator; one with manually closed doors and exposed frames. It’s seen better days.
Then I went to the railway station. Empty and sad. The new Kuala Lumpur Sentral transportation hub buried this old hag for good it seems.
Pity, for all the charms, emotions, grandeur and romance Heritage Hotel projects in photographs and assumed status, it is in dying need of restoration proper. A complete makeover is in order, from the shady front desk to the mouldy floor space.
Bring it back. Back on track.
The staircase surrounding the elevator shaft. Pesky fingers of the living sure left an impression on the railings and poles. I hope they're still in the 'living zone'.
The station's corridor leading to the hotel.
A corner of the heritage.
The view from across. This building houses the headquarters of the Malaysian Railway Company, KTM Berhad.
An indication of the entrance.
The lounge, for reading, chit chatting or just wandering.
Another view from the third floor.
There's a hole in the ceiling, dear Eliza...
Don't kick the bucket, yet.
Charlie's Cafe.
No comments:
Post a Comment