Kuala Lumpur, a city that effortlessly blends tradition with modernity. Located in the heart of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is a captivating destination that welcomes visitors with its striking skyline, rich cultural tapestry, and a harmonious fusion of diverse influences. Whether you’re drawn to its iconic Petronas Twin Towers that pierce the heavens or yearn to explore the bustling markets and mouthwatering street food, Kuala Lumpur promises an unforgettable journey through a world of contrasts and here are our favourite hotels in the city to stay at when visiting. Read on to discover our favourite 5-star and luxury hotels in the city.
JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Occupying a prime location on Jalan Bukit Bintang, this hotel is ideal for those wishing to immerse in the city’s entertainment and shopping options, as well as for those travelling on business. There are 738 bedrooms, including those beside the pool and suites for guests needing a little more space. Dining takes place at Shanghai, Shook! restaurant or Luk Yu Tea House. Or grab a bite at the intimate Alchemy bar, where gin botanicals and a New York-style afternoon tea are served. In addition to the outdoor pool, there’s a fitness centre and sauna for all your wellness needs.
Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed By Banyan Tree (5 Star)
An urban oasis in the heart of bustling Bukit Bintang, the Pavilion Hotel is connected to a huge shopping and entertainment complex. But there’s plenty to do within the property. It boasts an infinity pool with wonderful views, a state-of-the-art Sky Gym and a kid’s club. Dine at Jade, a pork-free Chinese restaurant, or in The Courtyard, where you can choose from indoor and outdoor tables. The Cove is the Pavilion’s take on a speakeasy, an intimate space with bar, table and sofa seating. The hotel has 325 rooms and encompasses nine floors.
Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Clean lines, a white palette and architecture that maximises natural light lead the way at this Hyatt Hotel. Alila Bangsar stands tall and proud on the city skyline; its dark external cladding and neon signage mark it out as a modern emblem, housed on the upper floors of the Establishment building. Book the Alila Suite for 252 square meters of your own space, a balcony, a living area and far-reaching views. Dine on French food, 41 floors up at Entier, or on Asia fare at Botanica + Co and take a dip in the pool.
Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Park yourself at the centre of the Malaysian capital’s action, at the Intercontinental. You can easily walk to the Petronas Towers, Skytrain, KLCC Park and shopping mall from here. But you’ll also enjoy the trappings of a resort, with a palm-fringed outdoor pool, the Sompoton Spa and a fitness centre. The high-rise hotel has 473 decorated in earthy tones, with huge beds and comfy workstations. Tatsu Japanese Cuisine, Tao Chinese Cuisine and the Serena Brasserie are the hotel’s restaurants, with Bentley’s Pub and OneSixFive available for drinks and snacks.
EQ Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Once the Hotel Equatorial, this 52-storey 1970s landmark received a makeover at the end of last decade, after which it was quickly named Winner of Best New Hotel Asia Pacific 2019 by Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards. The five-star EQ occupies the top half of the building (the rest is fancy office space) and is found close to KL’s Golden Triangle. The award-winning GDP Architects added energy-saving technology during the refurb, and remarkable features, such as a three-storey corkscrew staircase ascending from the lobby. Facilities include The Bottega Lounge, Kampachi and Nipah restaurants, the Diamond Ballroom, a rooftop dining terrace, a spa and an infinity pool.
Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel (5 Star)
Floor-to-ceiling windows in bedrooms provide excellent views across the city and iconic towers, at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel. Relax on a lounger beside the large freeform pool, in the sauna, or with treatments at Mandara Spa, after a day’s sightseeing. Or get active at the fitness centre and on the hotel’s tennis courts. Then grab a spot of lunch at Evolution Café, cocktails at The Poolside Gazebo, or a light bite at the R Bar. The property also provides a kids’ pool and play area. It is found in the Central Business District.
The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection (5 Star)
This heritage building dates back to the 1930s and is counted among Southeast Asia’s Grande Dames. The Majestic Wing is the original, neo-classical part of the hotel with bedrooms for adults only, while the Tower Wing is its family-friendly 12-storey annexe completed in 2012. Both have an art deco feel to the interiors and each has its own pool. The Colonial Café, the Bar, the Tea Lounge, the Writer’s Room, the Drawing Room, the Orchid Conservatory and the Cigar Room are all in the Majestic Wing, with the Contago Restaurant in the Tower Wing. The hotel also has a pool and spa, inspired by Charles Rennie Macintosh’s Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Stay in this urban lifestyle resort, with eco-chic credentials. The 527-bedroom Parkroyal Collection is located in the buzzing Bukit Bintang district. At the top is a swanky roof terrace with 13,000 square feet of lush greenery, including a vertical garden with sky planters, a swimming pool and the Skye Chill pool bar. The hotel’s front elevation also displays an array of plants cascading from balconies. The interiors follow an earthy palette, with lots of natural wood textures and environmentally-friendly gadgets. It also offers an all-day dining restaurant and The Botanist Lounge & Bar.
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Set in the very heart of the city, the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur provides guests with a luxurious retreat. The hotel’s décor boasts tones of gold, black and silver and every surface is polished so that it gleams. The main lobby is extremely impressive as it is set with a wide staircase and plenty of nooks where guests can unwind. There are 662 rooms in the hotel that fall into ten different types of rooms and suites for guests to choose from, ranging from the deluxe to the extremely spacious royal suite that offers stunning panoramic city views. The hotel is especially celebrated for its huge outdoor swimming pool, which boasts views of the Menara Tower, while guests are also treated to a modern spa. Lovers of fine dining are sure to be in their element as there are eight different excellent restaurants to choose from on the site including the Lemon Garden, which features a huge buffet including an impressive seafood section.
Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Comprising of 65 storeys and providing guests with views of the Petronas Towers, the Four Seasons perfectly combines style with convenience. The crisp white furnishings of each of the 209 guest rooms are teamed with light blue walls and textured wallpaper to provide a very light and airy look that creates the illusion of extra space. Guests can take in views of the city from the infinity pool that is set on the seventh floor, while this floor also boasts a large and fully loaded gym and spa. Lovers of authentic Cantonese cuisine will want to make sure that they reserve a table at the hotel’s celebrated Yun House restaurant, while a blend of Chinese, Malay and Indian dishes are served in the Curate restaurant.
W Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Offering guests easy access to KLCC Park and Suria KLCC shopping mall, W Kuala Lumpur boasts a fun and friendly use of colours and style to make guests from all walks of life feel right at home. From bamboo chandeliers to warm LED lighting, the hotel has plenty of character while also offering pure luxury in terms of spacious guest rooms and sumptuous furnishings. Each room features a well-stocked minibar and a LED lighted cabinet containing tea and coffee-making facilities and wine glasses, while the en suite bathrooms come with large bathtubs and powerful showers. Whether guests are travelling for business or pleasure they are sure to love unwinding in the on-site spa, which comes complete with a sauna, while the swimming pool boasts uninterrupted views of the iconic Petronas Towers and sipping a cocktail beside the pool is the perfect way to get the evening started before indulging in a meal in one of the on-site restaurants.
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Set on the top seven floors of a towering skyscraper, the Banyan Tree is a sleek and modern space that can be found in the very centre of the Malaysian capital. Clean lines and bright surfaces are enlivened with plenty of splashes of colour to appeal to those who are young at heart. There are just 55 rooms for guests to choose from, which helps to add to the feeling of opulence, and being attached to Pavilion Mall you are two minutes from shopping heaven!
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Fully embracing the luxury and style of the Colonial era, the Mandarin Oriental is set in the shadow of the Petronas Towers and is sure to dazzle with its stunning marble-floored lobby. Guests should make sure they secure one of the spacious rooms that overlook the Petronas Towers so that they can recline in their goose-down bed and gaze out at the city. The rooftop swimming pool is lined with palm trees to create a real city oasis, while those who want to get back into the swing of things will love the indoor golf centre.
The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur (5 Star)
Conveniently located right next to KL Central train station, St Regis KL reflects the luxury and style of the 20th-century New York Art Deco theme. This includes wide spaces set with gleaming marble, lavish chandeliers and subtle yet evocative murals. Guests are treated to a personal 24-hour butler service and impressive picture windows that provide plenty of light as well as unblocked views of the city centre’s iconic attractions. Guests who book one of the couple’s suites will also be treated to their very own hot tub and sauna for optimum luxury.
Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral (4 Star)
Taking hospitality firmly into the 21st century, Aloft Kuala Lumpur is the country’s first-ever VR hotel — pop on your headset and strap in for some immersive 360-degree in-room gaming. The tiki-style poolside rooftop MaiBar (with frequent DJ sets and live music acts) is another highlight of any stay here, or you can drink in the W XYZ bar. And there are some quirky, themed, pop-up features, like all-pink and matcha afternoon teas, served in one of the four restaurants. Colourful, trendy and tech-forward, this hotel also caters ably for its “Little Travellers”, with a kid’s club.
