Else Kuala Lumpur
For those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, but appreciate the background noise and conveniences of the cityscape, Else Kuala Lumpur is the perfect option. Located right in the middle of downtown KL inside the iconic Lee Rubber Building, Else provides a respite with its well-crafted rooms, detailed service, and unique dining options.
Dine at Yellow Fin Horse and RAW, Else’s two in-house restaurants which have already been making waves in the local gastronomy scene. Then lounge with a refreshing glass of natural sparkling wines in the Unwined Cabana, before retiring to your room where a sanctuary awaits amid sweeping views of Chinatown.
KLoé Hotel
Explore a different, quieter side of Bukit Bintang at KLoé Hotel where specially curated design and concepts meet delicious food and good coffee. KLoé is the home away from home for creative nomads looking to explore the city, and to take it all in slowly. Their curated Artist Lofts offers the perfect room for a getaway, allowing you to unleash your creative side, be it in literature, music, food, art, or painting, as well as allowing you to discover your green thumb.
Lucky Coffee Bar in the lobby dubbed the Living Room, serves up coffee and scrumptious light bites too, and is the perfect place to hang out and meet fellow travellers. Since launching in 2020, KLoé has aimed to be a community space, hosting weekly live DJ sessions as well as weekend markets, on top of offering a starkly different vibe of the city than that of the Bukit Bintang we are used to, which is located just a short walk away.
The Danna Langkawi
If you are looking to escape the city and want the soothing sounds of crashing waves to calm you, then The Danna Langkawi would be the better choice for you. The Danna prides itself on its focus on the finer things in life, and its beautiful colonial architecture is warm and inviting. Sip on a cocktail or enjoy a cigar, and perhaps get settled in a comfortable leather Chesterfield couch for an evening of reading in their library.
Signature service and plush bedding aside, the bodies of water are the biggest draw to The Danna, from the three-tiered pool, private pools in each Beach Villa, and just a stone’s throw away, the Andaman Sea. Therefore allowing you to choose whether to just lounge in the pool, practise your swimming, or even kayak, there are so many ways to enjoy your stay.
Eythrope Boutique Villa Penang Hill
If you’re looking to head for the hills for a bit of healing among the high(er) lands, make your way to the summit of Penang Hill for this intimate stay. Eythrope Boutique Villa is a 1920s-era colonial home which has been transformed into a luxe getaway. With only five rooms on the property, you can expect attentive service throughout your stay in this Malaysian boutique hotel.
Meals are served in the dining room which offers the charm and warmth of a home. For those looking to sweat it out a little, walking nature tours and easy hiking expeditions are available too. At night, sit on the deck to enjoy the night lights of Penang city and the ocean as the view from the hilltop of this location is unattainable elsewhere.
The Chow Kit
Another choice for those who love the city too much to leave it is The Chow Kit, whose inviting rooms and strategic location give you the best of both worlds: relaxation and exploration. But the intimate rooms and variety of food options are what you’ll look forward to every day when you return.
The Chow Kit’s Kitchen and Bar offers excellent dishes with flavours of north and south Malaysia and uses locally sourced ingredients (from the nearby Chow Kit market no less) to serve a blend of homey, nostalgic experiences with every bite.
The RuMa Hotel
When it comes to Malaysian boutique hotels, The RuMa needs no introduction, as it has become one of KL’s best hotels and having won several awards to prove it. Its distinct theme and independently designed décor make The RuMa a uniquely beautiful choice, and it prides itself on their use of locally sourced and sustainable materials that are used throughout the hotel.
And as the name suggests, you’ll be feeling right at home from the moment you check in, thanks to the warm environment and traditional kampung-inspired architecture, not forgetting the accommodating staff. Plus, their commitment to making eco-friendly decisions in the hotel’s daily operations will have you worrying about one less thing.
More travel inspiration awaits here.