Through the Hotel Accommodation Management course, APU students gain practical experience by applying their classroom theory to the daily operations of EQ Hotel Kuala Lumpur (EQ KL), a five-star hotel, including front office, housekeeping, guest services, and room management, thereby understanding real-world procedures and service quality. 

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A group of Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) students recently went on an unforgettable educational visit to the Equatorial Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. 

They were under the supervision of Senior Lecturers, Mr Shazeel Ali Sardar Ali, accompanied by Mr Kumaresu Murugasu @ Murugesi. 

The Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur, now sleekly rebranded as ‘EQ Kuala Lumpur (EQ KL)’, boasts a rich heritage stretching back to 1973, firmly establishing itself as a city landmark. 

After four decades of sterling service, the hotel underwent a significant redevelopment, closing its doors in 2012 to make way for the impressive 52-storey Equatorial Plaza. 

Reopening in 2019 as the contemporary EQ KL, the hotel proudly maintains its prime spot along Jalan Sultan Ismail. 

This insightful tour to the EQ KL forms an integral part of their Hotel Accommodation Management course. 

The students were warmly welcomed by Ms Nico Sin, the Learning and Development Manager for EQ KL. 

The primary purpose of this visit was to provide the students with real practical, hands-on experience with the inner workings of a hotel. 
 

It was designed to deepen their understanding of accommodation-related services, encompassing everything from the bustling front office operations to the meticulous art of housekeeping, attentive guest services, and the smooth management of guest rooms. 

This activity directly bolsters the course’s learning objectives by seamlessly blending academic theory with real-world industry practices. 

According to Saad Kamran, “This visit has really helped us grasp the day-to-day operations involved in running accommodation services within a five-star hotel environment.” 

For Hikari Yamashiro, the intricacies of the front office and housekeeping departments proved particularly illuminating. 

“For me, these departments clearly demand immense precision to consistently deliver top-notch guest experiences. This visit has been invaluable in helping us understand the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the crucial focus on service quality in guest room management.” 

Ismail Ibrahim was particularly impressed by the cutting-edge technologies and current trends employed in managing the hotel’s extensive accommodation facilities. 

“This visit has genuinely inspired me to apply for industrial training and to seriously consider future employment within the hospitality sector.” 

Mr Shazeel concluded, “The history underpinning the construction of the EQ KL is absolutely fascinating, and it is something every student majoring in Hotel Management should delve into. There are invaluable lessons to be learned there.”