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Where to Stay in the Old City of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Get a feel of Kuala Lumpur from a five-star hotel
Get a feel of Kuala Lumpur from a five-star hotel | Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur / Expedia

Southeast Asia’s cultural crossroads and key transport hub does a fine trade in moreish hotels – especially in Chinatown, the city’s heritage heart.

The beauty of the Old City in Kuala Lumpur – located south of Chow Kit and west of Bukit Bintang – is its variety. While it lives up to its name with heaps of heritage history, especially in the incense-wreathed Buddhist temples of Chinatown, the city’s modern attractions are also close at hand. Our selection of places to stay in Kuala Lumpur’s Old City hotels are within walking distance of KL icons like the Petronas Towers, KLCC Park and the Kuala Lumpur Tower.

The RuMa Hotel and Residences

Hotel

Twin beds in a contemporary hotel suite with a chair and chaise lounge next to the window with a city view.
Courtesy of The RuMa Hotel and Residences / Expedia

Sleek, contemporary elegance exudes from every inch of RuMa, from the dark wood and stone of the lobby to the rooms and suites, all of which feature plush daybeds by the window where you can take in KL’s iconic matchstick skyline. At the Atas restaurant, enjoy a modern take on Malaysian cuisine, with dishes like chicken rendang and spicy prawn sambal. The Ur Spa, complete with an on-site barbershop, will have you looking and feeling your best.

Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur

Luxury

A large bed with leather headboard and carved wood frame opens through double doors to a seating area in a hotel suite.
Courtesy of Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur / Expedia

Promising traditional luxury in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Royale Chulan has a classic design and spacious rooms, suites and apartments. The trellis-walled Warisan Café serves lavish high teas at weekends, while Bunga Emas is KL’s original hotel-housed, fine-dining experience; try the lemongrass lamb. Famous city attractions such as KLCC Park and Petronas Towers are within walking distance, making this hotel one of the best places to stay in Kuala Lumpur.

The Face Suites

Suite Hotel

A full kitchen leads to a lounge area with views over the Kuala Lumpur skyline from this self-contained suite.
Courtesy of The Face Suites / Expedia

Monochrome minimalism is the aesthetic of these stylish, comfortable suites, which have either one or two bedrooms, kitchenettes and living areas, and views over Kuala Lumpur from the central district of Kampung Baru, famed for its traditional wooden stilt houses. If you don’t fancy cooking for yourself, head to the spectacular rooftop Deepblue restaurant, where soft-shell crab is served on the 51st floor, in eyeshot of the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool.

Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Hotel

A large hotel room wit traditionally styled furniture and city views at the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur / Expedia
This hidden paradise is situated in the heart of the city centre and is sure to delight every visitor. Shangri-La Hotel is located near the Golden Triangle and boasts a relaxing spa with a rooftop pool and a fully equipped health centre. All of the rooms are filled with modern and luxurious fittings to ensure that a guest’s experience is one of absolute comfort. Indulge in some incredible international buffets and be sure to have breakfast at the hotel for a great start to any busy days.

Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

Chain Hotel, Hotel

An outdoor deck with casual rattan dining seating looking out to lush tropical gardens at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur / Expedia

Nestled between the flowery, green gardens of the City Center Park and the Petronas Twin Towers, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel offers a five-star experience with incredible views. Offering rooms, suites and apartments, the Mandarin can cater to almost every need. The hotel has seven bars and restaurants, including the kyō with cocktails and music going on until the early hours of the morning. The swimming pool offers a view of the city skyline and after a swim, guests can enjoy some pampering time in one of the steam rooms, dry saunas or hot and cold whirlpools.

Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

Hotel

The pool area at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur with its bar area and city skyscrapers surrounding it.
Courtesy of Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur / Expedia
Located in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Le Meridien is easily accessible by the network of integrated railway stations in the city. Close to bustling Little India in Brickfields, and the Perdana Botanical Gardens, the hotel is in the perfect area for exploring. Le Meridien invites guests to indulge in luxurious rooms and a great range of international fare at its several restaurants. The hotel features the largest free-form swimming pool in the city with water slides, splash pools and play areas for kids. Here, guests can relax at the pool by The Pool Bar & Grill with some refreshing drinks.

Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur

Serviced Apartment

The Petronas Towers can be seen in the distance from the rooftop infinity pool and deck at Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur.
Courtesy of Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur / Expedia

These stylish serviced apartments are ideally located within the prestigious Embassy Row area. The Somerset Ampang apartments are great for business or leisure visits as each spacious residence is fully furnished with a full kitchen, internet, and designer furniture. The surrounding area is full of businesses, embassies and shopping centres; these apartments are all within close walking distance to the train station too.

Villa Samadhi – By Samadhi

Hotel, Villa

A large pool wit decorative island outside the straw-roofed, traditionally styled Villa Samadhi, Kuala Lumpur.
Courtesy of Villa Samadhi – By Samadhi / Expedia
For a luxurious, romantic place to stay in Kuala Lumpur, Villa Samadhi by Samadhi is a relaxing, boutique paradise. The hotel is discreetly hidden from street view, ensuring guests a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and is just a 10-minute drive from the city centre. Each of the 21 Asian-inspired villas offers a distinctive layout to create the very concept of yin and yang with earthy tones and charcoal. The hotel offers relaxation areas and rooms equipped with a plunge pool.

Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur

Hotel

Through double doors to the left hand side a seating area can be seen from the spacious sleeping area with large bed in a suite at the Grand Hyatt, Kuala Lumpur.
Courtesy of Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur / Expedia
Located in the heart of the Golden Triangle shopping and entertainment district, the Grand Hyatt hotel in Kuala Lumpur is a grand five-star hotel in the city. Though it is a 60-minute drive away from the airport, it is just a short walk away from some of the finest best things to see and do in Kuala Lumpur like the KL Tower, the Petronas Towers, several shopping malls and more.

PARKROYAL Serviced Suites

Hotel

A kitchen area sits behind a lounge and large bed in a suite at the Park Royal, Kuala Lumpur.
Courtesy of PARKROYAL Serviced Suites / Expedia
Perfect for both family holidays and business trips, PARKROYAL Serviced Suites in Kuala Lumpur are wonderfully located in the city centre. Boasting a huge range of facilities including a business centre, fitness rooms, a rooftop swimming pool and a dedicated children’s play area, the hotel is designed for ultimate convenience. The suites are elegant and relaxing; guests can pick from a studio, a one-bedroom suite or a two-bedroom suite. Each suite comes with a separate living and dining area and a fully equipped kitchenette.

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Hotel

A suite with large four-poster bed and two round windows looking out over the city at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Courtesy of The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur / Expedia

Just one kilometre (0.6mi) away from Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, The Majestic Hotel features warm and luxurious suites and rooms for a delightful stay. The Majestic Hotel is located in a historic old building, which has been completely redone to include art deco nuances that echo throughout the hotel. All the suites in the Majestic Wing include 24-hour butler service where no request is too small. The Tower Wing holds the majority of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites, and the bathrooms boast a modern design created for relaxation.

Ascott Kuala Lumpur

Apartment, Luxury

The covered pool deck on the roof of a hotel overlooking the Kuala Lumpur skyline.
Courtesy of Ascott Kuala Lumpur / Hotels.com
The Ascott offers a choice of luxurious serviced apartments in the heart of Malaysia’s capital. The spacious and elegant apartments are ideal for business and leisure stays as they are located just across from the famous Petronas Twin Towers, offering a huge variety of restaurants and entertainment. At the Ascott, guests can expect 24-hour concierge and security services along with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa and various bars and lounges. Each apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen and internet access. The Ascott has apartments with up to three bedrooms so there is space for the whole family.

DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Hotel

A large twin room with seating area and desk at the Double Tree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur with modern wall painting
Courtesy of Double Tree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur / Expedia
Located in the heart of the Intermark shopping and office area, the DoubleTree by Hilton is just ten minutes away on foot from the Petronas Twin Towers. The hotel offers a saltwater outdoor swimming pool with a fully equipped 24-hour gym. If you are in town on business or for leisure, the hotel has a shuttle bus to take its guests to the nearby business areas as well as the Kuala Lumpur tourist sites. Indulge in one of the five restaurants, including its authentic Malaysian dining experience at the Makan Kitchen.

Looking for more places to stay in Kuala Lumpur? Our guides to the best hotels in Kuala Lumpur and the top boutique stays as well has you covered, all bookable on Culture Trip.

Daniel Stables has contributed additional reporting to this article.

About the author

Born and raised in a small town in Japan with an Indian and Spanish background, Prema is now in her final year of an English Literature degree at the University of Edinburgh. With her parents both being ex-magazine writers, Prema developed a passion for reading and writing at an early age. When not in front of a kindle, she'll be jet setting and exploring the world soaking in all the new languages and cultures.

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