Twin TowerThe annual 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival brings seven weeks of great deals, making Kuala Lumpur the destination of choice if you want to travel to shop. Beginning on June 15, 2012 until September 2, 2012 the sale carnival coincides with the Hari Raya Puasa festivities, adding a cultural dimension to your shopping holiday.

Before your trip, it is good to do a bit of research on where the items and brands you intend to purchase are located, then zero in on which hotels are within the vicinity of those shops. That way, it will be easy to drop off your purchases at the hotel, especially if they are bulky, then conveniently return to the shops.

For computers, cameras and other electronics, Sungai Wang Plaza and LowYat Plaza in the Bukit Bintang area carry the most popular brands, but keep in mind that the latest models of electronics arrive in Kuala Lumpur three to four months after they are available in Hong Kong and Singapore. Prices are negotiable and most stores throw in extras such as camera bags or SD cards. Hotels near these two shopping centers are the Royal Bintang, a four-star hotel, and the five-star Berjaya Times Square.

For designer brands, stay at the Crown Plaza Mutiara, then walk to the nearby Suria KLCC Shopping Complex. Located at the base of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC houses the trendiest fashion brands, prestigious high-end labels, and the finest jewelry brands. A tip when shopping here: present your passport at the concierge at the concourse and ground levels to claim your Tourist Privilege Card and avail of special gifts from participating shops.

A 20-minute taxi ride from Suria KLCC will take you to MO: Melium Outlet. Goods at this discount warehouse have warehouse price tags but not the warehouse feel. The surroundings are elegant and the service is good, items are arranged on shelves and racks, and not piled in bins for shoppers to rummage through. Expect discounts that start from 40% off on brands such as Aigner, Hugo Boss, Castaner, Farah Khan, Stuart Weitzman, D&G, Furla, Galliano, Tod’s, Just Cavalli and about 50 other brands.

Deals + packages

Malaysia Sale Kuala Lumpur package. $325 per person. Includes 3D/2N deluxe twin or triple room accommodation at the Crown Plaza Mutiara, daily breakfast, private round-trip transfers. Flights not included. Rates valid until May 31, 2012.

Saigon packages. $300 per person at Rex Hotel (new wing) or $274 at New World Hotel. Includes 3D/2N deluxe twin or triple room accommodation with daily breakfast, private round-trip transfers and private city tour. Flights not included. Rates valid until May 31, 2012.

Singapore packages. $475 per person for Marina Bay Sands and $320 per person for Orchard Hotel. Includes 3D/2N deluxe twin or triple room accommodation with daily breakfast, round-trip sit-in-coach transfers, sit-in-coach city tour. Flights not included. Rates valid until May 31, 2012.

For more info, call Griffin Sierra at 898-2451 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Other packages available.