21 April 2015

Recommended Serviced Suites/ Apartments/ Hotels for Kuala Lumpur



Recommended Serviced Suites/ Apartments/ Hotels for Kuala Lumpur
Updated as of 21/04/2015


Being a frequent traveller to Kuala Lumpur, booking my hotel beforehand has become more of a chore than a luxury. Sites like Agoda.com, Booking.com and Hotels.com definitely make all the hotels prettier than they actually are- causing more disappointment than satisfaction most times due to false advertising. 

Here are a few that I recommend, 
and some I highly recommend against (at the bottom where they belong)

  • Fraser Residence Kuala Lumpur
Off Jalan Sultan Ismail, 
10, Jalan Cendana, Kampung Baru, 
50250 Kuala Lumpur, 
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


Newly built in January 2015, we were upgraded to the 1 bedroom apartment with the view overlooking the pool. Amazing 24 hour room service, excellent wi-fi signal, and a bed you would sink into- i cannot recommend anywhere better.

S$120/ night ++
Free Wi-fi throughout.
24 hour room service
Size of smallest suite: 42m2

  •  The Westin Kuala Lumpur
Thewestinkualalumpur.com
199 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 
Bukit Bintang, 55100  
Wilayah Persekutuan 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia



Family of the renowned chain of hotels, it has been recently renovated and is located smack right in the centre of Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle. I had the privilege of staying in the executive suite on the 33rd floor, which is 80m2! Bigger than my house in Singapore!
The restaurant had ran out of what I wanted to order, and I asked for the staff's recommendation over the phone. She was friendly and even called later on to ask how the food was. 
The restaurant has an italian chef, who makes the best pizza I have tried in Asia. If you're like me, who doesn't like to leave the hotel and just wants to use all the facilities, The Westin should be your first choice. Their facility is always almost fully booked. I would suggest booking in advance for this hotel. 


Room Service: 24 hours
Wi-Fi: Free within the entire hotel
Size of smallest suite: 42m2
Price Starting From: S$200/ Night
(Not including 16% service tax)
  • Fraser Place
Kualalumpur.frasershospitality.com
Jalan Perak, 
50450 Kuala Lumpur, 
Wilayah Persekutuan 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia





Newly opened, renowned too and fully booked most of the time. It is located next to KLCC, and at certain wings of the compound, you get a view of the tower which is unfortunately the only pretty sight at night in Kuala Lumpur. With prior booking, you would get to choose between a 1 bedroom/ 2 bedrooms/ studio apartment. 
I walked in without a booking at 5pm, hence did not have much of a choice- yet I cannot complain. The studio apartment is fully equipped with a kitchenette. With the place being so new, almost all the equipment were obviously unused, or very cleaned. If you don't like getting disturbed, this residence is for you. There are restaurants nearby which you can call for food delivery which is pretty fast. Check-in and check-out was quick for me, and their staff were excellent to me. 
I was late for my flight as I had overslept on their very comfortable bed and they managed to get me a taxi within 5 minutes and the driver got me to the airport 40 minutes earlier than I had to arrive, hah! 
Rates are surprisingly cheaper via walk-in than booking online.


Room Service: Till 10PM
Wi-Fi: Free within the entire hotel
Size of smallest suite: 42m2
Price Starting From: S$150/ Night
(Not including 16% service tax)

*




  • Pacific Regency Hotel Suites
Pacific-regency.com
KH Tower, Jalan Punchak, 
Off Jalan P.Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, 
Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia







This hotel is apparently famous for their Luna Bar and swimming pool- why I do not know. I did not get the chance to use either. It is of walking distance to the monorail and many taxis around. 
The suites are huge! I was given the Deluxe Suite which is an impressive 70m2,with a huge bathroom and a walk-in closet. Room service is quick, breakfast is different everyday with an amazing variety, and staff are friendly and quick to help. 
Only downside- I had requested for wake up calls 3 days in a row there, and was not woken up, hence late to all my meetings. Granted! They were fully booked by the time I had checked in. 
For this hotel, I recommend booking online as the walk-in rate starts at S$300/ night. 


Room Service: 24 hours
Wi-Fi: Free within the entire hotel
Size of smallest suite: 42m2
Price Starting From: S$100/ Night
(Not including 16% service tax)

  •  Berjaya Times Square Residences


  •  http://www.berjayahotel.com/kualalumpur/





  • Location is splendid. It is within one of the largest shopping malls- Berjaya Times Square, and above the Berjaya Times Square Hotel. It is next to the monorail as well. 
    Mind you,the hotel and the residences  are under different managements. I had to look for a very random lady with a clipboard standing in the middle of reception of the hotel. Apparently the Residences do not have a counter, just yet. 
    Wi-fi is not provided, a top-up is required. And because there are about 45 floors, the reception is terrible- with or without wifi. I had topped up for wifi and was staying on the 26th floor, absolutely no signal. 
    It does have an impressive view, the rooms are relatively huge and it is comfortable. However for KL, I would recommend new or renovated hotels over old famous hotels, as their old hotels can be extremely old.


    Room Service: Not Applicable
    Wi-Fi: Not Applicable
    Size of smallest suite: 50m2
    Rates Usually Start From: S$75/ Night
    (Not including 16% service tax)
    • Silka Maytower Hotel& Residences
    Silkahotels.com/maytower
    No 7 Jalan Munshi Abdullah,
    50100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 





    Similar system to Berjaya Times Square Residences, I had to call a lady on my booking voucher, who then brought me to my room. It is above the Silka Maytower Hotel, and located in Little India. There are tons of shops and street food around, it is always bustling there and I absolutely loved the local vibe there. 
    Unlike Berjaya Times Square, I was allowed to use the pool which was outdoor and quiet (yay) and very clean. Breakfast is provided as well at the hotel. All the units are uniformed size, but do not expect luxury. It is basic with wooden flooring and looks like a semi- furnished rental studio apartment. Windows can be opened though! Which is a plus point in most hotels nowadays due to the increased suicides... But let's not go there. 
    Check out was a breeze- just gotta let the lady who checked you in know what time you would be checking out, and she will appear at your door with your deposit then. 


    Room Service: Not Applicable
    Wi-Fi: Not Applicable
    Size of all suites: 61m2.
    Rates Usually Start From: S$70/ Night
    (Not including 16% service tax)

    *

    The Nomad Sucasa All- Suite Hotel
    http://www.thenomadsucasa.com/
    222 Jalan Ampang, 
    50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    As the name suggests, the entire hotel are all suites. Location is fairly out of the way as it is near all the embassies. As the suites come with a kitchen, the supermarket opposite is extremely helpful and cheap. Food products that can only be usually found in the States or Europe are for sale there at reasonable prices. There are a few tiny malls around the area and it is 15 minutes walking distance to KLCC Towers. Wifi is almost non-existent and the hotel is old, so do not expect new furnishing.


    Room Service: 24 Hours
    Wi-Fi: Don't bother really.
    Size of smallest suite: 45m2.
    Rates Usually Start From: S$70/ Night
    (Not including 16% service tax)




    Simple Hotels

    For solo travellers

    V'La Heritage Hotel
    21, Jalan Berangan, Bukit Bintang,
    50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


    Very generic walk-up building with about 20 rooms. If you do not plan on staying in your hotel, this is the place for you. Right smack in the middle of Bukit Bintang, next to Invito Hotel Suites- which is lovely, if I have to add. Club music all night will be playing from Invito's in-house club. Room has basic features.

    Wi-fi and breakfast provided.
    Room rates start from 29SGD onwards.

    *

    Frenz Hotel
    http://www.frenzhotel.com.my/
    Frenz Hotel Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
    135, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
    50100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    This hotel is located in Little India with a Zam Zam next to it. The hotel liased with Zam Zam for buffet breakfasts. The rooms are tiny, I would recommend this for solo travellers. As it is fairly new, the rooms are clean with no hidden dark corners of grime.. yet. Walk-in rates are cheaper than the online rates.

    Room Service: Not Applicable
    Wi-Fi: Free within entire hotel.
    Size of the smallest room: 15m2
    Rates Usually Start From: S$40/ Night
    (Not including 16% service tax)

    *

    Hotel 1915
    http://www.hotel1915kl.com.my/
    Leboh Ampang, 
    50100 Kuala Lumpur, 
    Wilayah Persekutuan 
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia




    This hotel is meant for solo travellers. Rooms are tiny, but very clean. Service staff were fairly nice to me- then again I was there to review the hotel so it could have been an exception. The hotel does not provide any dining options, but there is a 24 hours Burger King and Mcdonald's just a walk away, with a 7-11 nearby as well. It is right at the foot of the Monorail station. I was confused when I stepped into the room as there were no hot water flasks yet they provided coffee and glasses. Turns out you have to walk to the lift area whereby they have a water cooler on every floor. Location is key for this hotel. Rates are cheaper via walk-ins but they are always almost fully booked.


    Room Service: Not Applicable
    Wi-Fi: Free within entire hotel.
    Size of the smallest room: 11m2
    Rates Usually Start From: S$40/ Night
    (Not including 16% service tax)

    *

    Prescott Inn Medan Tuanku
    http://prescotthotels.asia/KLMedanTuanku/
    No. 23, Lorong Medan Tuanku
    Satu Off Jalan Sultan Ismail 
    50300, Kuala Lumpur
    Malaysia





    Prescott Inn has a few branches within KL. It's a standard hotel, but their room service is definitely value for money. It is at the foot of Chow Kit Monorail station, not the most glamorous area in KL, but a good hotel nonetheless. It is right next to a shopping mall, but I would suggest just to be a tad bit careful at night around the area. Online rates are cheaper than walk-ins. Their wifi is pretty much unreliable though. 


    Room Service: 24hours
    Wi-Fi: Free within entire hotel.
    Size of the smallest room: 22m2
    Rates Usually Start From: S$50/ Night
    (Not including 16% service tax)

    *


    -- 


    Frowned Upon Hotels



    • Alpha Genesis Hotel

    Location is terrible, staff is terrible, breakfast buffet is a waste of time.


    • Swiss Garden Residences


    They had cancelled my booking with no prior notice. Waited in the flies infested lobby for 15 minutes and headed to Fraser Place instead.
    • Citrus Hotel
    Firstly I do not understand how they have managed to rack up an average rating of 7.0 on most hotel sites. 
    The service was terrible, wifi was not an option, the hotel room reeked of death and moist carpets. The water kettle was rusty, bathroom was mouldy, bed made broken spring noises and even though I had a room on the 7th floor, I could hear the kids in the swimming pool on the 1st floor. The rates of the hotel are not inviting on any standard, and I checked out a few hours after to the Westin.


    Room Service: 24 hours
    Wi-Fi: Free in the lobby
    Size of smallest room: 25m2 
    Rates Usually Start From: S$50/ Night
    (Not including 16% service tax)
    • Quality Hotel City Centre
    Again, I do not know how this hotel achieved an average of 8.0 on most hotel sites.
     I had specifically called the night before and paid extra to ensure I would be able to check in early. However when I reached, they told me they were fully booked (come on, have you ever seen a hotel booked till the point they do not have a single room left). 
    The staff were snooty, there were no waiting areas whatsoever, and all the outlet plugs were not working. Yes I tried them all. 
    After waiting 2 1/2 hours, they finally gave me a room which.. I wished immediately they didn't. I had gotten the room next to the service lift, which meant that all I heard that afternoon were housekeeping clearing room service trays and lift doors functioning, extremely well. 
    Rooms are definitely not soundproofed, and I did not have a room service menu to begin with so I do not know if their food was good. Toilet was adorned with mouldy shower curtains and I was provided with 1 towel, water kettle was rusty too. I checked out within a few hours and headed to Fraser. 


    Room Service: Status Unknown
    Wi-Fi: Chargeable 
    Size of smallest room: 25m2
    Rates Usually Start From: S$50/ Night
    (Not including 16% service tax)
    --
    I will be constantly updating this list, so do bookmark this page for more hotel reviews! 
    I hope this list helps you pick better hotels in Kuala Lumpur. Feel free to email me with your opinions, and if I had made any mistakes, please correct me. Thank you! 
    *All prices stated were accurate upon publishing.