THIS is not an entirely new hotel to me. I've stayed here once during an event some years ago, then at another time, my friends and I almost checked into it but unfortunately, it was fully booked.
So, I could almost picture the hotel, its surroundings and the way to get to the hotel when I finally got the confirmation on my booking for a two-night stay at AC Hotel By Marriott Kuantan.
Yes, it spots a different name now. Quite an unfamiliar name, I must say. But how different can a changed name do to a property? Big!
The moment I turn into its driveway off Jalan Teluk Sisek, AC Hotel By Marriott Kuantan looks so much different from the building I had in my mind.
The low-rise building is now sporting a new colour scheme - all grey with a simple signboard design for its logo. A clean, unpretentious look but has enough warmth to exude a warm welcome.
THE NAME
Formerly known as Vistana Kuantan City Centre, the four-star hotel officially took on the new brand in February 2022, about a month before Malaysia went into its first Movement Control Order (MCO), thanks to Covid-19 pandemic.
Yes, it didn't look good for business, especially for a new, foreign brand to get a firm footing in the local tourism market, but the two long years of MCO series and measures turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the hotel.
Why? Well, this two-year old hotel looks very much like a brand new hotel that just opened its doors. One can even get that fresh, new smell!
So, what does AC stand for? The AC Hotel brand is named after its founder, a renowned Spanish hotelier Antonio Catalan who founded the AC Hotel brand in Madrid, Spain 25 years ago. It then took on its new brand, AC Hotels By Marriott in 2011.
Though it sets itself as "an upscale business hotel", the hotel chain also puts its money on a concept as a design-led lifestyle brand with a trendy design mission defined as "European-inspired classic modernism."
Together with AC Hotels By Marriott Kuantan, the brand debuts in Malaysia with two other properties in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. These three hotels were formerly Vistana hotels, a brand owned by YTL Hotels.
THE STAY
True to its design-led, lifestyle brand, AC Hotel by Marriott Kuantan welcomes me with a stylish lobby without being pretentious with over-the-top or unnecessary ornaments.
Still continuing the grey colour scheme, the bright lobby looks like a luxurious office setting with its choices of furniture perhaps to suit its "upscale business hotel" concept.
But, thanks to the presence of unique art deco and fresh plants in the forms of cute cactus and giant monstera leaves that are placed at the right spots, the lobby has warmth to welcome leisure travellers.
In the room, the hotel takes on a dark but warm setting to set up the right mood for guests to unwind after the long journey, or even after a day's work.
What I like about the room is, besides the functional and purposeful designs, the king-sized bed with Marriott standard pillows and beddings. Another plus point is the sweeping view of Kuantan city with its latest landmark, the towering Kuantan 188.
But what I like the most about my whole stay at AC Hotel By Marriott Kuantan is its strategic location that puts me close to the city's attractions like the beaches and the happening city vibes. And of course, the friendly and efficient staff.
FAST FACTS
AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT KUANTAN
Jalan Teluk Sisek
25000 Kuantan
Pahang
TEL 09-5178000
FAX 09-5178400
WEBSITE www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/kuaar-ac-hotel-kuantan
STAY A total of 215 guestrooms and suites that are designed with clean lines and unpretentious elegance. They may not be extravagantly spacious but they have enough space to give guests rooms to move around with amenities and furniture are placed at the right places to maximise spaciousness. Business travellers will appreciate the large work desk and the luxurious Marriott-standard beddings of plush pillows and soft sheets.
EAT Two outlets - AC Kitchen, the all-day dining restaurant where daily breakfast is served, and AC Lounge, a cosy lounge with a view of the outdoor swimming pool is where AC Hour is served in the evening. As the AC Hotel brand originated from Spain, guests will find Spanish cuisine being featured at these outlets. For AC Hour, the lounge serves unique Spanish Root, Local Flavours tea time offering in a form of Malaysian-flavoured tapas and signature drink, Signature Roselle that is inspired by Malaysia's national flower. At the breakfast buffet counter, AC Kitchen dedicates a section for Spanish breakfast dishes.
DO There is an outdoor swimming pool and a gymnasium.
GO With its strategic location - not exactly in the heart of Kuantan city and not too far away from the city's happening sites, the hotel is within short driving distance from Pantai Teluk Cempedak, Jalan Besar - the main thoroughfare where the city's latest landmark, Kuantan 188 and most of its hipster cafes are located, and Tanjung Lumpur's famous ikan bakar joints.
HIGHS It is a "brand new" hotel in a familiar site at a strategic location.
LOWS If only there's a direct exit route from the hotel to the city centre, instead of driving down Jalan Teluk Sisek towards Pantai Teluk Cempedak before making a U-turn at a nearest possible U-turn point.
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