The best boutique hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia offer stellar service, local cuisine, and stunning design
Beyond the tall towers.
If you’ve already discovered the best boutique hotels in Singapore and Bali, then maybe a Malaysian adventure should be on the cards? Home to some of the most flavourful dishes you’ll ever experience, a buzzing art and design scene, and close to some great beaches, a trip to the nation’s capital is a must. And a stay at the very best boutique hotels in Kuala Lumpur will only enhance your travels.
These are the best boutique Hotels In Kuala Lumpur
1. The Chow Kit
The Chow Kit’s design was led by New York based Post Company, and the hotel is located in the area of Kuala Lumpur with which it shares its name. Owned by Ormond hotels, the building pays homage to local stories and creations while maintaining high luxury standards. It has 113 rooms, 27 of which are suites, with names such as The Den and the Towkay Suite, which means boss in Malay – there’s even a ‘Boss Lady’ suite featuring curated artworks.
Rooms have king-sized beds, rain showers and organic toiletries, while the suites add lounge areas and skyline views, all decorated in deep green velvet with timber floors. The Chow Kit also offers a 500sq-ft deck where yoga classes take place and a private art collection. The heart of the hotel is The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar, which serves simple, locally sourced Malaysian dishes such as laksa and nasi lemak.
Learn more about The Chow Kit
2. KLoe Hotel
An 85-room boutique hotel situated in Kuala Lumpur’s thriving Bukit Bintang district, KLoe Hotel is the ultimate in homely yet industrial chic. The hotel’s design is intended to encourage the exploration of art, music, food, reading, and gardening and many of the rooms are themed around this concept.
All rooms are designed with plenty of bare wood, bright colours, and cosy touches such as modern artwork and bulb lamps. There are five designated ‘Artists Lofts’ and in the ‘Room to Draw’ you’ll find brushes, pencils, canvases, and acrylic paint set against the cement walls, woven rugs, and natural lighting.
Elsewhere in the hotel, you can unwind in the Living Room which serves fresh coffee and pastries or cool down on a bright pink deck chair by the pool. Lucky Coffee Bar is Kloe’s only eatery, but is perfect for a morning snack or working lunch with artisanal sandwiches and nitro drinks served all day.
Find out more about KLoe Hotel
3. Else Kuala Lumpur
Housed in the iconic Lee Rubber Building that was constructed in the 1930s, Else Kuala Lumpur is the ideal spot to stay if you’re looking for a slice of the city’s history. Wonderfully restored, the heritage setting has been updates with everything the modern traveller could ask for, from swimming pools to gyms, and a whole lot of style.
Rooms and suites have been designed with soft hues for relaxation with many offering panoramic views of the city. Sample Thai and latin dishes at Raw Kitchen Hall or head to Yellow Fin Horse for innovative open-flame dining.
Find out more about Else Kuala Lumpur
4. Bello & Bella
Around 8km from the city centre, Bello & Bella is the hotel you need if you’re searching for a relaxing escape away from KL’s bustling streets. From the outside, the hotel looks like a modern townhouse, and inside it is decorated with quirky rugs, comfy armchairs, and big chandeliers, plus eclectic touches such as antique typewriters and jewel-toned cushions.
Rooms range from the Superior Queen to the Executive Suite Sanctuary and larger rooms feature balconies and living areas. The hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant, however the friendly staff serve all-day coffee and tea which can be enjoyed in the dining area, and multiple local restaurants surround the property.
Find out more about Bello & Bella
5. Villa Samadhi
For a complete retreat while still having easy access to the city, Villa Samadhi is exactly what you picture in a tranquil, beachside hotel – despite the fact it’s just a short taxi ride from the city centre. The entire property features Malaysian architecture such as palm roofs and wooden doors and surrounds a central lagoon, complete with sunbeds, and a high wall for privacy.
Just 21 luxury villas make up the property, each uniquely styled and home to natural wood, open-plan living areas, and private plunge pools. The small spa is where the welcoming staff provide massages and reflexology treatments, while The Dining Room sits on the edge of The Lagoon and serves healthy Malay and Western meals all day, as well as complimentary wine and cocktails each evening.
Learn more about Villa Samadhi
6. The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel
The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel sits in everyone’s favourite district of Bukit Bintang, and it’s arguably the coolest hotel in the city. Decked out with neon signs, a lively rooftop bar and pool, and huge life-sized photographs, the rooms still somehow manage to be quiet and sophisticated.
Expect spacious beds, UBL alarm clocks, power showers, and city views, with bathrooms almost as big as the bedroom itself. Each morning, a satisfying breakfast is served in the ground floor Kedai Kopi Journal restaurant, where you can also grab coffee and snacks to go. The hotel does have its own Terrace Bar & Grill, but for background music and a sundowner, The Swimming Club on the roof is the only place to be.
Find out more about The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel
7. Hotel Stripes
Hotel Stripes is part of Marriot’s Autograph Collection, located in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Jalan Kamunting. The property’s design is super modern and minimalist, with silver accents and bright colour pops combined with wooden walls and floors.
Rooms are far cosier, with plush carpets, billowing white curtains, and huge black-and-white historic photographs of the city. The onsite restaurant Brasserie 25 exudes rustic charm with its high brick arches and wooden floors. It serves a seasonal menu for three meals a day, as well as barbecues, coffee and snacks. For late-night cocktails, head up to the Man Tao bar on the roof where you’ll also find the hotel’s stunning infinity pool.
Learn more about Hotel Stripes
8. WOLO Kuala Lumpur
In Kuala Lumpur, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more quirky and design-forward hotel than WOLO. Throughout the hotel, you’ll find marble flooring, huge neon lights and soft furnishings featuring bright, pop-art designs. The rooms and suites, called Gold, Copper, Platinum and Wolo, have king beds, 45” TVs, Marshall speakers and city views plus copper fixtures and futuristic appliances.
Wolo doesn’t offer a dining option on site, but the hotel is all about location, being right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur amongst the bright lights, shops and restaurants of Bukit Bintang. Wolo often collaborates with a local spa to offer massages and treatments for its guests, so ask at reception if you’re in need of rejuvenation.
Discover more about WOLO Kuala Lumpur
9. AMI Suites
You’ll find AMI Suites in the leafy northern suburb of Mont Kiara, and although it appears a simple skyscraper from below, inside are rich, Art Deco interiors with brightly coloured walls, deep velvet furnishings and copper accented living areas.
The elegant rooms continue this design trend, adding floor-to-ceiling windows and all the amenities of a studio, such as a kitchen, laundry area and living room. There’s also a cooker, fridge, minibar, and Smart TV – everything you need to make this feel like home.
Hidden by the aesthetically curved roof is the large swimming pool, a TechnoGym and an eclectic terrace decorated with thrones and checkerboard flooring, like something out of Alice in Wonderland. The Lounge is equally quirky, with neon-coloured hammocks hanging from the ceiling and rainbow-tinted windows. ALLO is where delectable food is served all day long, including a combination of local and international cuisine, and light pastries and drinks.
Find out more about AMI Suites
10. Chaos Hotel
Despite its name, Chaos Hotel isn’t nearly as chaotic as you’d expect, in fact, it’s exceptionally charming and comfortable. The hotel provides both standard rooms and long-term options, with some rooms designed with abstract, modern drawings on the cement walls.
The staff here are extremely friendly, providing a 24-hour concierge service, luggage storage, and laundry options, making it a great value and useful place to stay in KL. Chaos is home to Gerai Restaurant, which is perfect for a quick bite to eat, however the hotel’s convenient location in Bukit Bintang means shopping and dining are always a few feet away.
Learn more about Chaos Hotel
11. Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang Hotel
You always know you’re getting stellar service and fun design concepts at Citizen M hotels, and their Kuala Lumpur hotel is no different. The hotel is compact, clean and minimalist, designed for people who want to sleep and relax here, while having quick access to the parties, dining scene, and landmarks of the city centre.
At any time of day, you can make yourself at home in the incredibly cool lobby, which has bright green sofas, abstract furnishings, and an abundance of plant life. There is also plenty of space downstairs for working, snacking, drinking, and chatting.
Rooms are sleek and white, with clean linens, plenty of storage and a simple bathroom. Inside are XL King beds, power showers and blackout blinds – although with amazing city views, you may want to keep the curtains open. Downstairs, the canteenM bar and kitchen serves an impressive buffet breakfast each day, along with a broad range of wine, beer and cocktails in the evenings.
Discover more about Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang Hotel
12. The RuMa Hotel and Residences
The word rumah means ‘home’ in Malay, which is exactly what MQ design studio tried to recreate in this sleek yet cosy hotel. Everywhere you look, the interiors pay tribute to Malaysian culture, from the copper fixtures hinting at the country’s mining industry, to the six entrance columns taken from a real Malaysian home.
Each of the 253 rooms and suites have huge rattan headboards, panelled walls, and dainty copper sinks. They all come complete with a complimentary minibar, Egyptian cotton linens, a Nespresso machine, and a rain shower, along with epic city views.
To keep you occupied and out of the heat, RuMa also has a gym and infinity pool with views of the Petronas Towers, a pool bar, and Ura spa where peels, massages and scrubs are on the menu. Before dinner, visit the in-house TrueFitt & Hill barber shop, before settling in at either the Lobby Bar, Librari, or ATAS restaurant, which offers European-Asian fusion cooking.
Discover more about The RuMa Hotel and Residences
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