Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
16 Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
&
888/33MELIA
(336-3542) in the U.S. and Canada, 800/962-720 in
the U.K., or 03/2785-2828. F ax 03/2785-2800. w ww.solmelia.com. 300 units. RM435 ($126/£78) double;
from RM1,200 ($348/£216) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Imbi Monorail station.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; bar and
karaoke lounge; small out door pool; health club w/massage; r oom ser vice; bab ysitting; smoke -free
rooms; Wi-Fi.
In room:
A/C, TV w/satellite programming and in-house movies, minibar.
223
Swiss-Garden Hotel
For midrange prices, Swiss-Garden offers reliable comfort, okay
location, and affor dability that attracts many leisur e travelers to its doors. I t also kno ws
how to make you feel right at home, with a friendly staff (the concierge is on the ball) and
a hotel lobb y bar that actually gets patr onized (by travelers having cool cocktails at the
end of a busy day of sightseeing). The guest rooms are decorated in warm ear thy tones.
Swiss-Garden is within walking distance from KL's lively Chinatown district and close to
the Puduraya bus station (which, unfortunately, makes traffic ugly at rush hour). Facilities
include an outdoor pool, a small spa, an e-lounge, a ne w eco-cafe, and a fitness center.
117 Jalan Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
&
03/2141-3333.
Fax 03/2141-5555. www.swissgarden.com. 310
units. RM450 ($131/£81) double; from RM800 ($232/£144) suite. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
2 restaurants;
lobby lounge; small outdoor pool; small health club; spa w/massage; c oncierge; airport transfers; room
service; babysitting; smoke-free rooms.
In room:
A/C, satellite TV, minibar, hair dryer.
Inexpensive
Hotel Capitol
Value
A top pick for a budget hotel, Capitol is located in a liv ely
part of the city 's popular G olden Triangle district, close to the junction of J alan Sultan
Ismail and Jalan Bukit Bintang. In the surrounding lanes, you'll find small eateries and
shops for necessities, and shopping malls ar e close by. The place has a minimalist lobb y
that's function o ver frills. I nside the guest r ooms, the wooden furnitur e seems like it 's
been around a while, but the upholster y, bedding, carpeting, and drapes all seem fr esh.
The big tiled bathroom also has a long bathtub. There are no leisure facilities to speak of,
but if you've come to KL to sightsee, y ou won't miss them.
Jalan Bulan, off Jalan Buk it Bintang, 55100 K uala Lumpur.
&
800/448-8355
in the U .S. and C anada,
800/221-176 in A ustralia, or 03/2143-7000. F ax 03/2143-0000. w ww.capitol.com.my/index.html. 225
units. RM250 ($73/£45) double. AE, DC, MC, V. 5-min. walk to Bintang Monorail station.
Amenities:
Res-
taurant; room service; smoke-free rooms.
In room:
A/C, satellite TV, high-speed Internet access, minibar,
hair dryer.
13
Swiss-Inn
This tiny hotel is popular with budget trav elers. Tucked away in the hear t
of Chinato wn, Swiss-Inn's best asset is its location, amid the jumble of vibrant night
market hawkers. The place is small, but a ne w contemporary west wing has 41 r ooms
with 26-inch L CD TVs and smar t bathrooms. Higher-priced rooms have a
small win-
dow, a bit mor e space (but ar e still compact), and ar e some what better maintained.
Budget rooms, on lo wer floors, ar e very small, the cheapest having no windo ws at all.
Room categories are superior, deluxe, and family, and they often have good promotional
rates. Make sure you reserve your room early because this place r uns at high occupancy
year-round. The cafe, hidden behind mar ket stalls, is an inter esting place to have a beer
and people-watch.
62 Jalan Sultan, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
&
03/2072-3333.
Fax 03/2031-6699. www.swissinnkualalumpur.
com. 110 units. RM295 ($86/£53) double. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; Internet kiosks (extra
charge); smoke-free rooms.
In room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer.
WHERE TO DINE
Kuala Lumpur, like Singapore, is very cosmopolitan. Here you'll not only find delicious
and exotic cuisine, but you'll find it served in some pretty trendy settings.
