Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre, 3rd June, 2015

We were among those invited to Vistana Hotel Kuantan's Ramadhan Preview Dinner as part of the 'media' group. It's so cool that my efforts with this blog and photography lands me as a member of the media here. Duly, here is my report on the evening's events.

Vistana Kuantan City Centre Ballroom for Ramadhan Preview Dinner

We arrived at 6:30pm and were showed to our places on table 45 - the media table. Curiously, there were only two other people on the table, representing Chinese newspaper, Nanyang Siang Pau. Others joined later on, but I didn't notice anyone other than myself taking any photographs of the event. So I guess this post is the exclusive!

Vistana Kuantan City Centre Ballroom for Ramadhan Preview Dinner

Whilst tucking in to the delicious food on offer, I snapped these photos. There was pretty much everything you could imagine for Malaysian cuisine, apart from macaroons! Oh well, I gorged on a couple of chocolate mousses which were heavenly.

Welcome to the Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Food selection for Ramadhan Preview Dinner at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Made some new friends

Some of the staff and our good friends at Vistana Kuantan City Centre after the Ramadhan Preview Dinner event

It was a great event and we truly ate till we were bursting! A great selection and quality of food all round. I'm sure you will enjoy the dinners during Ramadhan.

Vistana Kuantan City Centre is a beautiful sight at night

Vistana Kuantan City Centre is a beautiful sight at night

Vistana Kuantan City Centre is a beautiful sight at night

Vistana Kuantan City Centre is a beautiful sight at night

Part of the Family - Our Relationship with the Hotel Industry - Part 2

In the previous post, Treated like a King, I discussed how we first met Wayne Lee, the then-Vistana Hotel Kuantan manager.

Soon after meeting him, we became quickly integrated into the Vistana family and treated with the utmost love and attention that a close-knit family naturally provides. I sometimes wonder about the whys and hows we were extended so many privileges, it was almost too good to be true.

The girls enjoying one of our many stays at Vistana Hotel Kuantan

We were grateful indeed for invitations to stay at Vistana Hotel free of charge; I posted a detailed and highly complimentary write-up on this blog each time we were afforded such generosity by the management.

Wayne even took us behind the scenes one time, showing us all the back alleys in the basement where all the real action that keeps the hotel running, takes place. This included a very interesting, if not humid and stuffy, tour and explanation of the laundry room, washing machines, and chemicals used in cleaning. That post can be found here: Vistana behind the scenes

Of course, I didn't expect free food and stays to last forever, even though I was giving the hotel more publicity on the internet through my blog and facebook pages. Wayne was transferred to another YTL property and a new manager, Sharon, came in for her second spell in charge at Vistana Hotel Kuantan. I really didn't feel comfortable with asking Sharon if we could stay for a night, or if we could sit down in the Coffee House and have a lunch on the house. She didn't know us. But over the years we have become good friends with Sharon as well, and we still receive all the emails and invitations to events at the hotel, including this year's Rebranding Launch Event.

Nowadays, I have no problem paying for a room like any other person would have to. However, we remain extremely thankful for the times when things came free. We still have options to enjoy free stays at hotels, on a services exchange kind of basis, as will be explained in Part 3!

Rebranding Launch Ceremony of Vistana Kuantan City Centre (Vistana Hotel Kuantan)

A fresh coat of paint and a new logo adorn the new Vistana Kuantan City Centre

I was invited to attend the Rebranding Launch Ceremony of Vistana Kuantan City Centre. Refurbishment is complete and the hotel has a fresh, clean and simplistic new look.

Page 1 of the guest book. I like being punctual.

Two F&B staff preparing drinks at the new Barista section

In the Ballroom, waiting for the event to begin

A look through the front doors of Vistana Kuantan City Centre to the new-look lobby

The lobby is a little larger and more spacious now as the front desk has been moved back a few spaces. Seating has also been added for guests to relax while waiting.

The new-look lobby at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

The trendy lobby at Vistana Kuantan City Centre typifies the new brand promise of 'Vibrance, Verve and Value.'

This is HUB247, the business solutions centre, to the right of the lobby, featuring discussion table, computers, TV screens and two private cubicles with power points

The lift lobby on the Ground Floor at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Beautifully simplistic signage at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

The swimming pool has had new floor tiles and looks a lot more spacious

The Executive Suite essentially has the same layout but with new furniture in the living area. With the connecting room at the far end, even a large family can stay here. One could easily have between 8-10 visitors in the Suite too

Bedroom in the Executive Suite at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Our tour of the hotel took us to an Executive Deluxe and Executive Suite room on the 6th floor, as well as the new-look function rooms on the 1st floor along with a brand new gym.

One of the function rooms at Vistana Kuantan City Centre featuring mirrors, glassboard, whiteboard and overhead projector

Another function room setup at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Another function room on the 1st floor at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

A simple gym has been prepared on the 1st floor of Vistana Kuantan City Centre

YAB Dato' Sri DiRaja Haji Adnan Bin Haji Yaakob, Menteri Besar of Pahang arrived and the event soon started.

The Chief Minister of Pahang arrives at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Dignitaries take their places on stage in the Ballroom at Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Dato' Mark Yeoh Seok Kah, Executive Director of YTL Hotels, opened proceedings

The Chief Minister of Pahang speaks as a camerman adjusts his equipment

Media, guests and VIPs gather in the Ballroom for the Vistana Kuantan City Centre Rebranding Launch Activation

The dignitaries watch a short video presentation of the new Vistana brand

Hotel Manager Sharon Ang escorts the Chief Minister of Pahang out of the Ballroom for a tour of the hotel

I was very fortunate to have a pleasant conversation with the Chief Minister of Pahang in the Cafe when he stopped to have a chat with my wife and I before he left for KL.

Do come and drop by the new Vistana Kuantan City Centre and sample the hotel for yourselves. It is highly recommended for business travellers and the friendly staff are really great. Great value for a stay the next time you come to Kuantan!