Best Design Hotels in Kuala Lumpur

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.

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!

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, set within the soaring Merdeka 118 skyscraper, occupies levels 75 to 114, making it one of the highest hotels in the world. The property offers 252 guestrooms and suites, each framed by floor-to-ceiling windows capturing panoramic city views. Interiors by G.A Group take cues from traditional Malay Kampung houses, combining natural timber, woven textures and artisanal details with contemporary artistry.

The dining programme includes Merdeka Grill for premium cuts and sustainable seafood, Park Lounge serving heritage Malaysian dishes and elegant afternoon tea, and Cacao Mixology & Chocolate, the city’s first chocolate-themed bar. On the 99th floor, the wellness sanctuary features private treatment suites, a yoga studio, aromatherapy steam bath, vitality pool, Himalayan Salt Alcove, and a 30-metre infinity pool with skyline views.

A state-of-the-art fitness centre completes the offering. The hotel is within the Merdeka 118 Precinct, providing exclusive access to Stadium Merdeka, the Al-Sultan Abdullah Mosque, and local museums, creating a seamless connection between Kuala Lumpur’s heritage and its modern cityscape.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.