The Pan Pacific’s KL Sling

By Sandra Scott

Where is the best Singapore Sling? It may not be in Singapore. Several years ago we made a point to go to the very bar where the Singapore Sling was invented. Recently we were at the Pan Pacific airport hotel in Kuala Lumpur, commonly known as KL. When we checked in we noticed the hotel was running a special upgrade to the Pacific Club Lounge. Considering it included breakfast, free Internet and afternoon cocktails it was an excellent deal. So there we were in the Club Lounge and Azarina, our server, asked what we wanted to drink. It had been a long day. We had taken the bus from Melaka to KL and then taken a taxi to the Pan Pacific. We were tired and needed something to pep us up.

“What do you have?” John asked expecting to hear the usual response – beer, wine and soft drinks.

Yes, Azarina, mentioned those but she also said, “…and most kinds of cocktails.” That was a bit unusual for club level. So we asked what kind.

“I can make you a Margarita, Daiquiri, Singapore Sling…”
We stopped her there.

“Singapore Sling? John, lets try that and see what it is like here in Malaysia,” I suggested.

John agreed and we ordered two. Azarina made the Pan Pacific “KL” Sling with 30 ml of gin, 15 ml of cherry brandy, 15 ml of grenadine, 30 ml sweet and sour, then shook it vigorously, added a dash of bitters and topped it off with soda. She garnished it with a cherry.

It definitely it had more “punch” that the one in Singapore and I don’t mean fruit punch. We sipped our cocktails and enjoyed watching the lights of the incoming flights.

John and I had been traveling for weeks, so the next day was a rest day for us, a day to catch up on all the e-mail and laundry that accumulates on a long trip. The Pan Pacific is not the typical airport hotel, it is more like a resort hotel. First of all, arriving passengers can check in at the airport and a complimentary buggy transports guests to the lobby, which is elegant with a high ceiling, huge pillars, and windows that look out onto a jungle scene. The pool is surrounded by so much greenery that once again we were reminded of a jungle resort.

However, John loves airplanes and could watch them take off and land for hours. So it was the best of both worlds because the view from our room was of the landing strip. The airplanes came and went with John on duty making sure all was right with the flights!

In the morning, after breakfast in the Pacific Lounge, we enjoyed a refreshing dip in the pool, relaxed for a couple hours, and had a late lunch at the attractive Degrees Restaurant, which features a show kitchen. Nighttime came and it was once again time to head to the Pacific Lounge for our Pan Pacific KL Sling.

The Pan Pacific KLIA Hotel is even more convenient and a great stopover option when one realizes that the airport is a long, long distance from KL—perfect for those very early or very late flights…or for chilling out for a couple of days and enjoying the evenings at the Pan Pacific Lounge sipping a KL Sling.

Visit www.panpacific.com.

Sandra Scott is a frequent contributor to travel publications and to Creators Syndicate
and has co-authored two books on local history. She lives in Mexico, NY.

Photos by J. J. Scott.

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