Kuala Lumpur Hotels

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s fashion, food and shopping hub

Kuala Lumpur, aptly nicknamed KL by locals, is the capital of Malaysia and a major hub for international connecting flights, making it an ideal destination for a short stopover or longer stay. Known for some of the cheapest five-star hotels in the world, excellent shopping, natural wonders and amazing food, Kuala Lumpur offers each of its guests a uniquely tailored experience. The mix of Malay, Chinese and Tamil cultures give the city an exotic ambience that flows through each day and into the vibrant nightlife.

Eat and bargain your way through Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is famous for shopping and eating, with 66 shopping malls and various cultural sections including Little India and Chinatown. The refurbished Art Deco style Central Market is a multi-level gifts, arts and crafts emporium with a dash of old-world charm. Central Market is conveniently near the narrow streets of Chinatown where you’ll find delectable Chinese fare and some convincing cheap knock-offs. Bangsar Village I & II is another shopping option, with international brands and local Malaysian designers sitting side by side in these twin malls. Although the hazy view from the Skybridge might not be compelling, a visit to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and surrounding parkland is a quintessential experience in Kuala Lumpur. It’s also worth a visit to the Islamic Arts Museum with its wonderful collection of Islamic decorative arts, housed in a stunning building topped with glazed tiled domes.

The natural landscape of Kuala Lumpur is something to behold. On the edge of the city lie the Batu Caves, a distinctive geological labyrinth of eerie caves whose entrance is marked by the giant gold Lord Murugan statue. A little further from the city is Fraser’s Hill nature reserve, which offers visitors awe-inspiring views, an ice cold waterfall and a lovely traditional village. Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur is as diverse as the city itself. Bukit Ceylon is considered to be the expat nightlife strip, and while this may not sound so appealing to more seasoned travellers, the area offers an ever-changing landscape of venues providing jazz, Brazilian funk, poetry and amazing cocktails.

Choose your accommodation location

Kuala Lumpur is divided into fairly distinct areas, and booking accommodation within proximity to the major sights can be the best option. The Old City Centre is the traditional core of the city and includes Chinatown. For five-star hotels, the Golden Triangle is your best bet and is also close to many of the most popular shopping malls and the Petronas Twin Towers. Brickfields is home to the charming Little India as well as the central train station which is most convenient for short stays. In each neighbourhood it’s possible to find budget hostels or hotels at a range of prices at any time of year.

Transport to and around Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur International Airport, with its impressive glass and steel structure, is ranked as one of the world’s best airports and receives flights from major cities worldwide. Airport trains link the main terminal to the KL Sentral transportation hub in the city. The trip takes around half an hour and trains run every fifteen to twenty minutes. An express bus makes the same trip every hour. If you choose to catch a taxi, be aware only Airport Limousines and budget taxis are allowed to collect passengers at the airport. Other taxi drivers will most likely try to scam tourists with inflated fares. Travellers coming from Singapore, Thailand or within Malaysia can skip the airport and arrive in Kuala Lumpur directly by day or overnight train. Getting around Kuala Lumpur is best achieved using a combination of transport methods. The monorail will allow you to avoid traffic jams so use it when convenient and finish your journey by taxi or train. Although somewhat conspicuous, the double-decker KL Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing buses have free wi-fi and make stops at many significant attractions.