Holiday Asia

May 2003

Hotel Watch: Kuala Lumpur, p. 72

Only 146 years old, Kuala Lumpur is a city that has come a long way in such a short period of time. You can walk along the streets and get caught up in the city's atmosphere of progress and multiculturalism. First class shopping and dining are part of the KL experience. The question is where to stay? Here are asia-hotels.com's recommended picks:

Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur Bellhop rating: 4.83 Star rating: 4 Prices from: USD 46 Cleanliness: 4 Facilities: 4 Staff Attitude: 4 Value for Money: 5 Overall Rating: 4	The busy Concorde Hotel is in the middle of some of Kuala Lumpur's coolest night spots (The Hard Rock Café is next door), and within easy reach of all the major tourist attractions. It offers a broad variety of room types and standards. Superior rooms are older and therefore furnishings and décor are dated, although the rooms themselves are comfortable and well-maintained. The Premier rooms (opened in 2001) on the other hand are a world apart and well worth the extra cost - these contemporary and ergonomically designed rooms include large TVs, stereo systems and separate bath and shower. The hotel has a dedicated large Premier gym equipped with all the latest machines. Various dining options are available, along with a good-sized pool and an adequate business centre. Hotels in KL tend to be on the older side. This one is no exception, and it does show in places. However as an overall product it is excellent value and highly recommended.
Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur Bellhop rating: 4.53 Star rating: 4.5 Prices from: USD 53 Cleanliness: 3.5 Facilities: 4.5 Staff Attitude: 4 Value for Money: 4 Overall Rating: 4.5	The Equatorial is a no-nonsense hotel in an excellent location in the Golden Triangle. Although décor might have been more stylish 20 years ago, it is nevertheless a fine property. Rooms are functional and tastefully furnished using warm creams and beiges, with a nice use of wood throughout. Deluxe rooms offer greater space than Superior rooms, which are a comfortable size but not really suitable for accommodating an extra bed. This well established hotel has slightly higher standards and facilities than the normal four star hotels although some rather annoyingly require a fee, for example the gym. The coffee shop offers wireless Internet, so you can drink a coffee and surf the net from any seat. Its other dining options, the Golden Phoenix and Chalet Swiss, are noteworthy local favourites. Very good value for all - business travellers, families and couples alike.
JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur Bellhop rating: 4.6 Star rating: 5 Prices from: USD 74 Cleanliness: 4.5 Facilities: 4.5 Staff Attitude: 3 Value for Money: 4 Overall Rating: 4	A centrally located hotel with good facilities and very stylish rooms, the Marriott is ideally located in the Golden Triangle. It is close to Lot 10 and some of the major shopping and eating areas of KL and part of the new Star Hill shopping and entertainment centre, making it a very popular and busy hotel. With its European interiors, the hotel presents a regal ambience, while the solid dark wood trims in the spacious rooms give it an elegant but sober air and the beds are fantastically comfortable. The club floors includes a peaceful lounge which is one of the few quiet areas in the hotel. Still, guests have other options for relaxation: a spa, a cigar club, a swimming pool, a jogging track and a tennis court are among the hotel's facilities. Dining can be limited, there are four restaurants - the JW California Grill, Man Ho Chinese, Marriott Cafe and a poolside restaurant featuring traditional Malaysian cuisine - however there are numerous eateries in easy walking distance. Staff are generally friendly, making this by and large, a worthy choice.
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur Bellhop rating: 4.28 Star rating: 5 Prices from: USD 95 Cleanliness: 4.5 Facilities: 4.5 Staff Attitude: 4 Value for Money: 4 Overall Rating: 4.5	There is no question that the Mandarin Oriental is one of Kuala Lumpur's foremost addresses, being among the most luxurious hotels in the city. Situated in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre complex, this hotel is just beside the Petronas Towers and the Suria shopping centre, and overlooks the lush 50-acre KLCC park. The hotel has impressive décor throughout, from large-scale artwork that adorn its tall walls down to detailed custom-made fittings. Rooms are plush, have opulent marble bathrooms with separate shower and tubs, and are fitted with the latest modern conveniences including two-line IDD phones with voicemail and data ports. All six of the hotel's F&B outlets offer top class dining in different relaxing environments. Lai Po Heen, Pacifica Grill and Wasabi Bistro are particularly renowned for their fine fare. With a wide range of leisure facilities-pools, tennis and squash courts, gym, aerobics studio, outdoor and indoor jacuzzis, etc-the hotel doubles as a city centre resort. All this, taken with the Mandarin's trademark service, makes for a memorable experience in KL.