Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam, Malaysia Hotel Review

**In partnership with Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam. I was invited to experience their property, but all opinions, photos, and reviews remain strictly my own.**

I’ve visited Malaysia a dozen times. But I’ve stayed mostly in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. So when I was offered the opportunity to visit Setia Alam and stay at the 4 star rated Courtyard by Marriott there, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse!

Especially after learning about Malaysia’s largest night market, held every Saturday right in Setia Alam! The opportunity to explore a different area in this wonderful country is the cherry on top.

Where is Courtyard by Marriott in Setia Alam

How to Get There

This Courtyard Marriott property is located in Setia Alam, a burgeoning township nestled in Shah Alam, a central state in Malaysia.

It’s about 40km from central Kuala Lumpur, or about a forty minute taxi ride. I used Grab taxi in the morning, and the fare was around $13 USD. Or take advantage of Central Malaysia’s vast, efficient train network to get most of the way there.

As of now, Pasar Klang Station on the Shah Alam Line (SAL) is the nearest station. Then you’ll need to take a Grab Taxi to the hotel, roughly a six to ten minute ride.

What to See and Do

For those who enjoy being one with nature, a few eco parks are near this hotel.

• Swan Lake 1.6km
• Butterfly Creek 1.8km

If you want to be in the thick of the jungle, the Shah Alam Community Forest Trail is 3km east of Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam.

For foodies, check out Setia Alam’s Night Market. It’s about 5km from the hotel. I used Grab Taxi, and the fare was around $2.50 USD.

Then there’s Setia Alam City Mall, the town’s anchor for shopping, dining, and family entertainment. It’s a big mall too, and you can pretty much hang out inside all day.

I bought some clothes for my daughter and some new eyeglasses. There are movie theaters, an indoor playground, and arcades. There are plenty of family activities.

While I was there on a weekend, there were many locals. As I mentioned, the Setia Alam City Mall is where most locals will gravitate on weekends.

For hotel guests, there’s a convenient walkway bridge linking the hotel straight to the mall.

My Two Night Stay at Courtyard Marriott Setia Alam

From the outside, this is a massive hotel. Built in 2022, so it’s a baby in hotel property terms. My first thought when I stepped inside was that it felt like a business hotel.

That makes sense, since there’s a convention center right outside. The lobby is bright and airy with tall ceilings and a massive spiral chandelier in the center.

I came across a traveler many moons ago who said that if the hotel lobby is big. Then the guest rooms are big too. Not sure why that memory just randomly popped into my head.

But so far, it rings true.

Again, I was given a few nights’ stay to write this review. To get an idea of room rates, I keyed in a random date for two guests staying one night on their website.

To get the best rates, you have to sign up for Marriott’s free membership. The room costs $75 USD (298 MYR) per night, plus taxes and fees. Buffet breakfast for two is an additional $20 USD.

Bear in mind rates fluctuate seasonally, so I recommend checking their website for your own specific travel dates.

I was expected, so checking in at the reception desk was a breeze. I was given a room on the 19th floor, specifically room 1918.

First Impressions

Because this is the tallest building in the vicinity, you’ll have an unobstructed view of Setia Alam and beyond. The tall windows make it feel bright and cheerful. There are no weird musty smells.

The room vibes are just what I like.

The mattress is a full king size. A bit firm for my personal taste. Though I know many may prefer that for back support. I still slept like a baby. The pillows were super comfortable.

Room space is generous at 30 square meters. That’s plenty enough for two adults and a child. Plenty of bedside power outlets, updated with USB charging ports, plus a master light switch.

The toilet is spacious, with soft, clean towels, a high-pressure rain shower, and consistent hot water. Toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo are provided.

Bottled water is no longer provided for environmental reasons. Instead, there’s a built-in filtered water tap next to the sink.

The air con kept my room nice and chilly, and the mini fridge kept my Coke Zeros I bought at Lawson’s convenience store even chillier.

In the closet, there’s a small electronic safe for small valuables, a pair of disposable slippers, and bathrobes.

A large television offers movie and news channels. The room is modern and, most importantly, clean and comfortable.

There’s a nifty work table. Plus plenty of charging ports. The Wi-Fi is fast, though you need to register with the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program to access it. Bonus points for the wheeled desk chair.

Overall, the room suits business travelers. And it’ll easily satisfy leisure travelers too.

The Breakfast

If you booked a room with breakfast, get ready for some good eats. Breakfast is served from 6:30 am to 10:30 am.

When I ate there, it was the weekend. The dining area was full of guests. And the food stations were consistently replenished.

The variety of foods at this hotel pretty much runs the gamut of Malaysian cuisine. So if you like Chinese, Indian, and especially Malay foods, it’s all covered here.

Courtyard Marriott Setia Alam is halal-friendly.

Which means no pork sausage or crispy bacon. They do have chicken sausage and streaky beef. Both were really good and tasty.

Especially the streaky beef. I don’t find it often, so I went back for a bunch of helpings. I even made a sandwich with their house-made sourdough bread. I devoured it too fast and forgot to take photos.

It’s terrific for putting a Western breakfast plate below! I don’t often eat Western breakfast at restaurants. I typically cook my own at home. But the ingredients and food quality here are good.

There are also more substantial dishes, from fish head curry to chicken rendang. Plus nasi lemak, a fragrant coconut-infused rice to eat with it.

And of course, a bread, pastry, and sweets section to make guests happy.

Even chee cheong fun, a Chinese rice roll breakfast staple I don’t really see in hotels, they’ve got it.

If you want a light meal in the morning instead, they’ve got you covered with house-grown salads, a wide selection of salad dressings, cold cuts, oatmeal, cereals, and a cheese platter.

Three automated coffee machines mean no long wait for your caffeine fix. And they use Starbucks coffee beans.

Afterward, you can burn off those calories by swimming or hitting the gym.

My routine is to crawl back into bed after a big, tasty, filling breakfast.

Conclusion

I can see the Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam playing a big role in the community. Locals can hold wedding receptions in large ballrooms. Shakers and movers can close deals and give presentations in meeting rooms.