"My experience with W Kuala Lumpur was frustrating enough that I feel compelled to share it.
This was not just a casual stay — I was planning my wedding/ ROM and exploring hotel options, which would have potentially included multiple room bookings from my family and relatives. Unfortunately, from the very first interaction, the experience was underwhelming, and it only deteriorated from there.
To begin with, the level of professionalism and attentiveness was far below expectations for a property of this standing. My initial enquiry contained several straightforward questions, yet the first response addressed only one point, while the rest were simply passed along internally with “please answer” notes. This immediately gave the impression of a lack of ownership and coordination.
More concerning, however, was the misinformation provided prior to signing up for Club Marriott W Kuala Lumpur. Before committing to the membership, I had explicitly confirmed (via both email and WhatsApp) that I would be able to utilise my Nightly Upgrade Award (NUA) together with the complimentary room night. This was a key deciding factor for me.
However, after signing up and making the booking, I discovered — through repeated failed attempts and subsequent confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy — that complimentary stays are not eligible for NUA at all. This meant that the core benefit I had relied on when making my purchase decision was simply not true.
What made the situation worse was how this was handled.
Instead of acknowledging the possibility of a mistake, the team initially dismissed the issue and defended their position, insisting that such misinformation would not have occurred. It was only after I provided clear evidence of prior communication that the matter was taken seriously. This approach was disappointing — mistakes can happen, but the refusal to acknowledge them until proven otherwise reflects poorly on the service culture.
Adding to the frustration was the complete lack of responsiveness. Multiple follow-up emails went unanswered. I made several calls to the hotel and was repeatedly told to call back later. At one point, I was assured that a manager would return my call — which never happened. For a hotel in this category, this level of follow-through is simply unacceptable.
When I tried to politely enquire about my special occasion, I was not requesting any form of special treatment or complimentary upgrade. I merely asked whether a note could be placed on my reservation and if any consideration could be given when reviewing my Nightly Upgrade Award (NUA) — fully understanding that approval remains subject to availability and standard processes. However, the response I received was surprisingly dismissive. I was told — in a tone that came across as unnecessarily blunt — not to mention my Titanium Elite status, and that even higher-tier members such as Ambassador Elite would not receive such consideration. The way this was communicated made me feel less like a valued guest and more like I was asking for something unreasonable, when in fact I was simply seeking a clarification within reasonable bounds.
This stood in stark contrast to another Marriott property I eventually chose (which I have also reviewed on Tripadvisor), where the team was attentive, sincere, and genuinely made an effort to understand and support my needs. The difference between the two experiences was truly “day and night.”
Eventually, after multiple escalations and conversations, the Club Marriott manager contacted me. While the issue was ultimately resolved with a refund, the entire process was unnecessarily prolonged and stressful — something that could have been avoided with proper communication and accountability from the beginning.
What is most disappointing is the overall impression this experience left:
A lack of ownership and coordination
Misinformation provided at point of sale
Poor responsiveness and follow-through
A dismissive attitude towards guest enquiries
Little to no recognition of a meaningful personal occasion
In the end, this was not just a lost booking. The hotel also lost potential bookings from my family and relatives who would have stayed together for the occasion. Additionally, from a corporate perspective, I had previously brought my team here for events and had considered doing so again — but after this experience, I chose to take that business elsewhere.
For a brand that positions itself as vibrant and guest-centric, this experience fell significantly short.
I sincerely hope the management team takes this feedback constructively, as there are clear gaps in both communication and service culture that need to be addressed."
A Tripadvisor traveler review
Apr 13, 2026