Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
220
Malaysian and many international banks, most of which hav e outlets along Jalan Sultan
Ismail, plus ATMs at countless locations thr oughout the city. Look for money changers
in just about every shopping mall; they're a better bargain than banks or hotel cashiers.
KL's
General Post Office,
on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin in the enormous Pos Malay-
sia Komplex Dayabumi (
&
03/2274-1122
), can be pretty overwhelming. If you can, try
to use y our hotel's mail ser vice for a much easier time. I nternet service in KL will r un
about RM3 to RM6 (85¢-$1.75/55p-£1.10) per hour for usage. I nternet cafes come
and go, popping up in backpacker areas like Chinatown and the streets around BB Plaza
off Jalan Bukit Bintang.
The emergency number for
police
and
ambulance
is
&
999.
For
fire
emergencies,
call
&
994.
WHERE TO STAY
International business-class pr operties like the Westin, Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, and M an-
darin O riental fill their r ooms ev ery night with corporate trav elers who ar e charged
corporate rates to their corporate expense accounts. The hotels I've selected her e repre-
sent only those pr operties I think ar e best for leisur e travelers. Even the more expensive
hotels I've chosen have qualities that extend beyond the business center.
If you plan to travel to KL in July and August and want to stay in an upmarket hotel,
you'll need to book your room well in advance. KL's super-peak season falls during these
months, when travelers from the Middle East take a br eak from scorching temperatures
back home. M alaysia is the per fect tr opical holiday spot for M uslim trav elers fr om
around the world, and Tourism M alaysia has done an ex cellent job of attracting the
Middle Eastern market in particular, extending restaurant and cafe hours, and even shop-
ping mall hours into the w ee hours of the morning.
Very Expensive
The Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
One of the best fiv e-star properties in
Kuala Lumpur, this landmark along KL's fashionable Jalan Bukit Bintang shopping strip
has an ev er-bustling lobb y to match the ex citement along the side walks outside—the
lobby lounge is busy night and day. Surprisingly, the staff always seems polite and profes-
sional, despite the barrage. The guest r ooms ar e spacious, quiet, and cool, with huge
plush beds covered in soft cozy cotton sheets and down comforters. Bathrooms are large
marble affairs with plenty of counter space. The outdoor pool is a palm-lined fr ee-form
escape, and the fitness center is state-of-the-ar t, with sauna, steam, spa, and J acuzzi.
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the city's smart new shopping mall, adjoins the hotel, and while
some construction is still ongoing, disturbance to hotel guests is minimized. Night Owls
should enjoy the lively entertainment in the hotel's Pulse bar and nightclub.
160 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
&
866/866-8066
in the U.S. and Canada, 800/124-420 in
Australia, 800/808-228 in New Zealand, 800/414-741 in the U.K., or 03/2117-4888. Fax 03/2117-1441. www.
millenniumhotels.com. 468 units. RM750 ($218/£135) double; fr om RM1,450 ($421/£261) suit e. AE, DC,
MC, V. 5-min. walk t o Bukit Bintang M onorail station.
Amenities:
3 r estaurants; bar and lobb y lounge;
outdoor pool; 2 squash c ourts; 24-hr. health club w/Jacuzzi, sauna, st eam, and massage; c oncierge; air-
port transfers; room service; babysitting; smoke-free rooms; executive-level rooms.
In room:
A/C, TV w/
satellite programming and in-house movies, high-speed Internet, minibar, hair dryer.
13
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
The glistening P etronas Twin Towers
are the iconic KL landmarks, and its neighbor, the Mandarin Oriental or “MO,” has the
best views. The hotel has set the benchmar k for hospitality standar ds in the city and is
