World City Guide

Hotels

Sales tax of 5% and service charge at 10% are added to the bill in most hotels in Kuala Lumpur. Additional tips are not necessary, although it is perfectly acceptable to tip the porter at more expensive hotels. The prices quoted below are the starting price for a standard double room and include sales tax but not service charge. Breakfast is not included, unless otherwise specified.

Business

Putrajaya Shangri-La
This luxurious hilltop hotel, situated in the heart of Malaysia’s new administrative capital, Putrajaya, and close to the airport, offers guests tasteful, spacious and modern bedrooms with a computer data port and high speed broadband internet access. Shangri-La have managed to give their out-of-city design hotel a real boutique feel as well as a touch of class distilled by Philip Dailey, the general manager who takes his influences from Miami and his native New York. The hotel also has an excellent business centre, top class dining and banqueting facilities, a gymnasium that is open 24 hours a day and a first-rate spa, which offers a range of therapies in a purpose-built facility. The ‘infinity’ swimming pool is the place to be at sunset as the sun comes down with a warm glow over the Putrajaya skyline.

Taman Putra Perdana, Presint 1, 62000 Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya
Tel. (03) 8887 8888. Fax: (03) 8887 8889.
E-mail: slpt@shangri-la.com
Website: www.shangri-la.com
Price: From RM390.

Pan Pacific Airport Hotel
Voted ‘Best Business Airport Hotel in Asia’ in 2000 and 2002 by both Business Asia Magazine and Bloomberg TV, the Pan Pacific is perfect for visitors short on time or with early morning flights. The hotel is only a five-minute walk from the airport, across a covered walkway, although there is a free shuttle bus for those with a lot of luggage. The 403 rooms and 38 suites are more than comfortable, with all mod cons for business travellers, as well as an outdoor pool, tennis court, fitness centre, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna for those looking to relax. Conference facilities are impressive for an airport hotel, able to accommodate 1,800 delegates for a reception or 1,000 for dinner.

Jalan CTA 4B
Tel: (03) 8787 3333. Fax: (03) 8787 5555.
E-mail: klairport@panpacific.com
Website: www.panpacific.com
Price: From RM270.

Shangri-La Hotel
Following a substantial renovation programme this award-winning central hotel, located in attractive gardens, is back to its best and is now arguably the city’s finest hotel. It boasts 681 modern, stylish and spacious air-conditioned guest rooms and 39 suites. In-room facilities include voice-mail, TV, mini-bar, movies and safe. The hotel also boasts a modern business centre, commercial library, high-tech audiovisual equipment and extensive conference and banqueting facilities. Other features include a florist, beauty salon, bureau de change, shopping arcade, fitness centre, spa treatments, tennis courts and an outdoor swimming pool, where you can swim with the Menara Tower and the Petronas Towers as a staggering backdrop. The Horizon Executive Floors are well worth the additional cost with a whole host of extras, including all day nibbles and complimentary drinks, and access to a lounge with sweeping views of the city.

11 Jalan Sultan Ismail
Tel: (03) 2032 2388. Fax: (03) 2070 1514.
E-mail: slkl@shangri-la.com
Website: www.shangri-la.com
Price: From RM485 (including breakfast).

Sheraton Imperial
Winner of Bloomberg’s ‘Best Business Hotel in Malaysia’ in 2001 and 2002, the Sheraton Imperial is perfect for business travellers. The hotel is well located in central Kuala Lumpur, close to the main roads, the new monorail and STAR transport. Guest rooms are large (with fax machines in every room), the service is smooth and business facilities include eight conference rooms, catering for functions from 20 to 1,000 delegates. Worth the extra cost are the Executive Rooms, which offer the use of a dedicated lounge, with free refreshments all day and cocktails in the evening, as well as complimentary clothes pressing. The Imperial also boasts a string of eateries, the excellent Mandara Spa and a modern gym for guests with a bit of downtime. There are even rubber ducks in the bathrooms – no doubt to soothe stressed-out executives.

Jalan Sultan Ismail
Tel: (03) 2717 9900. Fax: (03) 2717 9999.
E-mail: reservations.imperial@luxurycollection.com
Website: www.luxurycollection.com/kualalumpur
Price: From RM735.

Luxury

Hotel Istana
This modern glass and steel construction is handily located in the heart of the city’s business district, the Golden Triangle. The hotel has lost some of its shine in recent years and service standards are sometimes patchy, although it still remains one of the more glamorous addresses in the city. All of the hotel’s 439 rooms and 77 suites are elegant and comfortable, offering guests private safes and spacious bathrooms with deep bathtubs. The hotel’s extensive facilities include conference and banqueting facilities for up to 2,000 people, a fully equipped business centre, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis courts, squash courts and a health spa.
73 Jalan Raja Chulan
Tel: (03) 2141 9988. Fax: (03) 2144 0111.
E-mail: histana.hik@meritus-hotels.com
Website: www.hotelistana.com.my
Price: From RM342.

Mandarin Oriental
This modern, luxury hotel, situated next to the Petronas Towers in the heart of the business district, was the winner of Business Traveller’s ‘Best Business Hotel in Asia Pacific’ in both 2000 and 2001. It offers accommodation in 643 deluxe rooms, including 41 suites and 51 exclusive apartments. Many of the rooms have views over the expanse of Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park. In-room features include high-speed wireless internet access, modem data ports, a digital phone system with fax and deluxe bathrooms. Guests staying on the Club Floor benefit from a variety of complimentary services that include breakfast, evening cocktails, laundry and dry cleaning, private meeting rooms and a concierge. All residents have access to the gym, outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi, tennis courts and squash courts. Extensive business facilities include banqueting for up to 1,800 people, a business centre, two conference rooms and a courier and translation service. The hotel has six restaurants offering fine Chinese dining, fusion cuisine with an Asian flair, Mediterranean dishes and Japanese meals with an American twist as well as snacks and pastries. The spa facilities are excellent.
Kuala Lumpur City Centre, PO Box 10905
Tel: (03) 2380 8888. Fax: (03) 2179 8659.
E-mail: mokul-reservations@mohg.com
Website: www.mandarin-oriental.com/kualalumpur
Price: From RM700.

Moderate

Bintang Warisan
This 10-storey, colonial-style hotel is handily located for the shopping and entertainment facilities of Jalan Bukit Bintang. All of the 97 clean and simply furnished rooms are air conditioned with en-suite bathroom, TV and telephone. Additional guest services include safety deposit boxes, postal service, car hire, laundry and an on-call doctor.

68 Jalan Bukit Bintang
Tel: (03) 2148 8111. Fax: (03) 2148 2333.
E-mail: maxcarry@tm.net.my
Website: www.bintangwarisan.com
Price: From RM110.

Park Inn International
Located within easy walking distance of the city’s business and shopping districts, the Park Inn offers accommodation in 431 neutrally decorated and comfortable rooms, including 11 suites. In-room features include TV, in-house films, telephone, mini-bars and en-suite bathrooms. The hotel also offers a travel service, outdoor swimming pool, health club, bureau de change, shopping arcade and a business centre, where guest services include typing, fax, photocopying and Internet access.

51A Changkat Bukit Bintang
Tel: (03) 2715 3888. Fax: (03) 2715 1888.
E-mail: klsales@parkinn.com.my
Website: www.parkinn.com.my
Price: From RM158.

Other Recommendations

Allson Genesis Hotel
This boutique hotel has 133 rooms, including business suites with their own kitchenettes, and a penthouse suite. Each of the contemporary rooms has been individually designed and many feature original European artwork. In-room facilities include air conditioning, modem points, TV, mini-bar and safe. Ironing boards, hair dryers and fax machines are also available on request. The hotel’s business centre offers guests full secretarial services and Internet access, and the conference and banqueting facilities can cater for up to 100 people.

45 Tengkat Tong Shin
Tel: (03) 2141 2000. Fax: (03) 2141 1000.
E-mail: maxcarry@tm.net.my
Website: www.hotelskualalumpur.net
Price: From RM145 (including breakfast).

Caracosa Seri Negara Hotel
This historic, colonial hotel is a ‘Small Luxury Hotel of the World’ and provides accommodation in 13 exclusive suites. It nestles in attractive landscaped gardens, just a 10-minute drive from the city centre. Famous former guests include the Queen and Prince Philip, who stayed here in 1989 and again in 1998. All the spacious, air-conditioned suites have a private mini-bar, video and CD players, satellite TV, fax machines and modem points. Guest services include a butler, chauffeur, florist and 24-hour room service. The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool, sauna, tennis courts and five conference rooms complete with high-tech audiovisual equipment.

Taman Tasik Perdana, Persiaran Mahameru
Tel: (03) 2282 1888. Fax: (03) 2282 7888/6868.
E-mail: carcosa@mol.net.my
Website: www.carcosa.com.my
Price: From RM1,100.