Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
222
Traders Kuala Lumpur
Traders is a little deceptive, in that it is supposed to be a
four-star S hangri-La, but this centrally located hotel packs a punch bigger than its
humble rating. It overlooks the Twin Towers and has magical evening views of floodlight
icons and the associated parklands. It adjoins the Convention Center, and golf carts ferry
guests to and from the towers and the shopping paradise found at their base. SkyBar, on
the hotel's 33rd floor, is my favorite nightspot in KL, with unsurpassed aerial views of the
city skyline. O nly 2 y ears old, this hotel has ev erything business trav elers need, and its
location makes it popular with confer ence delegates and leisure travelers.
Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC), 50088 Kuala Lumpur.
&
866/656-5050
in the U.S. and Canada, 800/222-
448 in A ustralia, 800/442-179 in New Z ealand, 800/028-3337 in the U .K., or 03/2332-9888. F ax 03/2332-
2667. www.tradershotels.com. 571 units. RM400 ($116/£72) double; from RM725 ($210/£131) suite. AE, DC,
MC, V. Brisk 10-min walk t o the Twin Towers and 15-min t o Bintang Walk.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; 1 bar;
health club; spa; Jacuzzi; sauna; steam bath.
In room:
A/C, satellite TV, high-speed Internet, hair dryer.
The Westin K uala L umpur
The Westin is no or dinary hotel. I ts sensor y
approach to hospitality is ob vious the minute y ou enter fr om busy B intang Walk and
notice the aromatherapy candles, the fruit-flavored welcome drinks, and the mood of the
music. The staff looks mor e like smar t shop assistants fr om the nearb y Louis Vuitton
store than those of a chain hotel. There is a trendy vibe to everything from restaurants to
bars, and the rooms are contemporary, functional, and welcoming. The buffet breakfast
is easily the region's best. EEST serves up a wide array of Asian cuisines, and Qba features
live salsa bands almost every night.
199 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur,
&
800/937-8461
in the U.S. and Canada, 800/656-535 in
Australia, 800/490-375 in New Z ealand, 800/325-95959 in the U .K., or 03/2731-8333. Fax 03/2773 8087.
www.westin.com/kualalumpur. 443 units. RM980 ($284/£176) double; fr om RM1,530 ($444/£275) suit e.
AE, DC, MC, V. 5-min walk to monorail station and on the doorstep to the restaurants, bars, and entertain-
ment of Bintang Walk.
Amenities:
4 restaurants; 2 bars; outdoor pool; health club; airport transfers; room
service.
In room:
A/C,
satellite TV, high-speed Internet, minibar, hair dryer.
13
Moderate
Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Value
Concorde is one of my fav orites in
this price categor y for its central location and quality accommodations at an incr edible
price. Although r ooms are not as large as those in mor e expensive hotels, they 're well
outfitted with desks, side chairs, comfortable beds, and tidy bathrooms. A recent renova-
tion has made them mor e stylish. Concorde has a small outdoor pool with a charming
cafe and small fitness center. The lobby lounge is noisy at night because i's popular. Hard
Rock Café is also on the pr emises.
2 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.
&
03/2144-2200.
Fax 03/2144-1628. www.concorde.net/kl.
570 units. RM330 ($96/£59) double; from RM1,360 ($394/£245) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. 5-min. walk to Bukit
Nanas Monorail station and 10-min. walk t o Dang Wangi LRT station.
Amenities:
3 r estaurants; lobby
lounge and Hard Rock Cafe; small outdoor pool; health club w/sauna, st eam room, and massage; c on-
cierge; airpor t transfers; room ser vice; babysitting; executive-level rooms.
In room:
A/C, TV w/satellite
programming and in-house movies, high-speed Internet, minibar.
Meliá Kuala Lumpur
Value
This hotel is located next to a KL M onorail station
and across the str eet from the mind-bogglingly enormous Times Square shopping and
entertainment complex, making it an appealing option for visitors. The small lobb y is
functional, with space for tour gr oups and a v ery active and efficient tour desk. G uest
rooms have light wood furnishings, contemporar y fixtures, wall desks with a swiv el arm
for extra space, and big-scr een TVs. B athrooms, although small, ar e w ell maintained,
with good counter space. Mealtimes in the hotel's coffee shop can be a little cr owded.
