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Tourism Malaysia

LUXE AROUND THE CAPITAL

It has been a thriving year for tourism in Malaysia with an array of accommodations making prominent marks as new hotels and resorts are built and officiated. Many new premises mean travellers have more options to choose from in terms of location, service delivery and price.  Having said that, some are not looking for a low published rate, but they are looking for the luxury that money can buy…and Kuala Lumpur offers just that!

FOUR SEASON KUALA LUMPUR

Coming in at the top of our latest list of luxury hotels is Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur located adjacent to the Petronas Twin Towers, and within the Golden Triangle neighbourhood, the city’s exciting business, shopping and entertainment hub.

The location makes it an ultimate choice for travellers looking to indulge in ultimate comfort within walking distance of a high-end shopping experience in central Kuala Lumpur.

With 209 tastefully-designed rooms and suites, as well as serviced apartments for those guests looking for an extended stay, Four Seasons offers more than just a bed. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views of the cityscape; eight treatment spa rooms ease away the stresses with Malaysian healing traditions and the latest global therapies; an outdoor pool oasis with private cabanas and bar and grill facilities is the perfect place to relax; and signature cocktails made with locally-sourced ingredients are the perfect way to end the day while enjoying sunset views of the city.

Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur opened on 1 July 2018.
Address:          145, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur,
Website:         www.fourseasons.com/kualalumpur/
Phone:             03-2382 8888

BANYAN TREE KUALA LUMPUR

The renowned Banyan Tree brand has finally stepped on Malaysian soil with the opening of Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur adding to another major landmark in the city.

Touted by many as a luxury urban sanctuary, it pledges a 5-star service that will pamper you from head to toe. Styled as a resort in the city, it is conveniently located in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle district, the heartbeat of the city’s business, shopping and leisure activities.

The elegant 60-storey Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur features 55 well-appointed rooms and suites starting at a spacious 51 sqm, state-of-the-art fitness facility, 3 boardrooms to hold private executive meetings, as well as 4 stylish restaurants and bars with breath-taking views overlooking the city skyline.

And how about the Open Air pool on Level 53 for more serene time all by yourself? To completely indulge yourself, check out the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa. Some of the signature spa treatments include Master Therapist Experience, a specially tailored treatment using a repertoire of massage techniques and tools, drawn from the expertise of the Master Therapist; or try out the Nusantara treatment package, Malaysian Bliss, for an indulgent local experience.

Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur opened on 1 July 2018.
Address: 2 Jalan Conlay, 50450 Kuala Lumpur,
Website: www.banyantree.com/en/malaysia/kuala-lumpur
Phone: + 603 2113 1888

SHERATON PETALING JAYA

Just south of the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, a new gem has taken shape in the form of Sheraton Petaling Jaya. This delightful hotel offers a 5 star service with rooms with a view.

Located just 20 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur – and 45 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur International Airport — Sheraton Petaling Jaya is accessible from Federal Highway, the main arterial road linking PJ and the city centre. The new hotel brings a new definition of pampered stay, with full amenities and facilities.

For a start, its 253 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, will certainly inspire leisure and business travellers alike. The selection of signature restaurants offers local and international flavours at six different eateries. Enjoy local favourites buffet-style dining at Feast; savour refined Japanese dishes at the contemporary Miyabi restaurant; try inventive Chinese specialties at Yue; relax at Link@Sheraton Café for quick bites; wind down with cigar and whiskey at Chime Lounge; or enjoy Latin-inspired fare at Sala Bar.

On top of that, those looking for a refreshing and serene encounter, please try the 33rd level outdoor pool that brings you close to the sky and the whole city.

Address:          Lot 55, Lorong Utara C, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Website:         https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/szbsi-sheraton-petaling-jaya-hotel/
Phone:             +603 7622 8888

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

CYCLING IN THE CITY

Question – what do Kuala Lumpur and Amsterdam now have in common? Answer – MikeBikes.

Yes, following in the tracks of the cycling city of Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur now has a new attraction – a cycling tour of Kuala Lumpur’s heritage areas utilising the original Dutch bicycle, no less, in the famous “oranje” colour! Nothing short of exciting and thrilling, the MikeBikes Tour offers a unique insight into some of the city’s oldest and historic quarters, and the best way to go off the beaten track in an otherwise modern and cosmopolitan city!

Before we ‘cycle’ any further, let me tell you that the local council of the capital has recently introduced a dedicated blue lane especially for cyclists. The 11-kilometer long cycling-track along selected major roads in Kuala Lumpur will ensure safety for all road-users and is a thumbs up towards reducing one’s carbon footprint in the city. Cycling in the city is still a new concept in Kuala Lumpur, but it looks like we’re headed in the right direction!

To register for a MikeBikes Tour, it’s best to call ahead and book (better than walking in) the tour package of your choice. At the meeting point, you will be given the Oranje Bicycle and a security vest. Two experienced guides will be at your service throughout the cycling tour.

The meeting point is well-placed certainly. MikeBikes is located at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MATIC) in Jalan Ampang, a stone’s throw away from KLCC. It is centrally-located and easily accessible to many places of interest in the capital.

With a group of enthusiasts, I managed to join the tour recently. MikeBikes offers two basic, highly experiential tours namely The Best of KL Classic and The KL Sunset Night Tour.

According to MikeBikes, the first tour takes you along some striking and iconic spots in the city — the Petronas Twin Towers, the fruit and vegetable market in Chow Kit and the Sin Sze Ya temple. This one starts at 8 am and ends at 12 pm.

The latter tour is about discovering the city while it is getting ready for the evening. The guys at MikeBikes painted this picture for us: The locals gather on squares and they set up their food stalls. You will be amazed at the colors and aromas of the city after sunset. Of course, the original Nasi Lemak should not be missed. The beautiful architectural buildings look different at nightfall. The KLCC Tower, Kampung Baru and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building are just a small selection of the places you will visit.

We wisely chose the evening tour (to escape the scorching sun) that would allow us to see the best of of both modern and traditional Kuala Lumpur, a kind of 2-in1 adventure. Plus, I thought it would be interesting to see the changes as the city transitioned from a bustling business centre to whatever goes on at night.

We were all geared up by 5 pm, ready and waiting eagerly at MATIC for a four-hour journey that would cover more than 14 kilometres.

We first cycled to a very special area – the untouched yet famous kampung or village in the city, Kampung Baru. Against the backdrop of KLCC, the only-surviving Malay village of wooden houses looked strangely juxtaposed against its modern surroundings. As we pedalled through back alleys and age-old heritage houses, I realised then that the village wasn’t at all backward but was a symbol of cultural identity that stood proudly against the encroaching modernisation. What makes Kampung Baru near and dear to many is its charm as a street-food institution with more than 200 stalls selling a gobsmacking array of food at affordable prices.

We later passed the Loke Mansion building and then made a brief stop in front of Masjid India at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, an area famous for local shopping and a melting pot of cultures. From time to time we digested morsels of interesting information and facts about the city dished out by our experienced guides.

As the sun started to disappear beneath the skyline, we reached the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It was quite something to admire the Moorish architecture of this iconic national building in the fading light. Special arrangements were made for us to have dinner at the historic Royal Selangor Club, once a British-only place of gathering where membership was reserved to only those in selected social circles…and here we were, quite tired, hungry and sticky, yet able to enjoy a once elitist view of the city. How ironic, yet delightful!

After dinner, we had a chance to view Masjid Jamek by night. As we were photographing this centennial place of worship sandwiched by colonial buildings, I briefly felt like I was stepping back in time to what was once the beginnings of a small riverine settlement that later turned into a modern city of wonder.

In no time, we were weaving our way through the heart of Petaling Street, where small-time vendors did thriving business. We cicyled past the Mahamariamman temple from which aromatic incense wafted and fragranced the air, and later passed by KL Forest Eco Park (formerly known as the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve), the last remaining tropical rainforest in the city.

When I glimpsed KLCC later, I knew that our journey was about to end. Towards the end, I thought that any tourist would enjoy and be happy with this authentic experience of getting up close and personal with Kuala Lumpur through the MikeBikes’ tour programme. Driving by these same places in a car would only leave a fleeting impression, if one were any observant. But cycling through the alleyways, weaving through foot traffic, passing by age-oild buildings within touching distance, really put a sense of perspective in me. Though my legs were tired, I felt a sense of pride to witness how my Kuala Lumpur had progressed well in its beauty and harmony. What a ride!

AddressMikeBikes’ at Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTIC), 109 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Web: www.mikebikes.my
Operation     Open daily. Closes 10 pm
Phone:          +6017-673 7322

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

16 Cafes, Bakeries And Coffee Outlets To Enjoy In KL

Ok coffee lovers, patisserie pilgrims, organic juice junkies and the ‘Seen on Sunday’ socialites among us. Here’s your definitive list of the best café bars, bakery-cum deli cafes and coffee outlets in the city. These will win you over for their vibrant coffee culture, quality beverages, tantalising breakfasts and brunches and sinfully sweet desserts.

1. Artisan Roast Coffee:
Like a seasoned pro, Artisan Roast Coffee has been serving top notch coffees since 2010. With passionate elite baristas at the helm, these guys really know how to deliver your perfect morning coffee. The food is good too with hearty sandwiches, french toasts and even a wholesome quinoa salad.
Where: 4, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur.

Artisan Roast

2. Levain Boulangerie Patisserie:
For a bit of French flair and decadent French flavour, head to Levain Boulangerie Patisserie off Jalan Imbi. All your taste buds will be satisfied — both sweet and savoury — from freshly baked bread, pastries, cakes, pralines, cookies and macarons. Yum!
Where: Levain Boulangerie Patisserie, No. 7, Jalan Delima, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

3. PULP by Papa Palheta:
If you want a proven formula, check in with the guys at PULP by Papa Palheta — the same people behind Nylon Cafe in Singapore. They really know their coffee, serving mainly strong single roasts. Each cup comes with a description to train you on the scent you should pick up. Who say’s you can’t get addicted to coffee?
Where: 29, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur

4. Lepidor French Boulangerie Cafe Bakery:
This French owned bakery-cafe is nestled audaciously between rows of laundromats, camera shops and mamaks, but if you look past its exterior, it doesn’t fail to impress with its delicious croissants and cinnamon-cloaked cakes. If you’re really naught, ask for extra serving of French butter.
Where: No 38-G Block C, Zenith Corporate Park, 1, Jalan SS 7/26, 47301 Petaling Jaya.

5. Café Berlin:
Another addition from Europe, Café Berlin will impress you on all fronts with their modern coffee variations and large array of European patisseries including Germany’s schwarzbrot, vollkornbrot and brötchen, France’s famed baguettes and croissants and Italian ciabatta and panini.
Where: 1 Mont Kiara Mall, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

6. Merchant’s Lane:
Smack in the heart of Petaling Street, Merchant’s Lane is a food-lovers haven combining the charm of Chinatown with a modern Malaysian twist. The cuisine is simple: Asian Fusion, Breakfast, Brunch, Burgers and Soul Food. That’s all you want on a Sunday morning, isn’t it?
Where: 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.

Merchant Lane

7. Yeast Bistronomy:
Rise each morning with this quaint, French-themed bistronomy aptly named Yeast (pun intended). This local Bangsar favourite is a bakery, restaurant and wine bar and of course, with their own yeast they create an assortment of French breads to match their famed almond croissant and rare smoked duck cheese puff.
Where: 24, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.

8. Swich Café:
Switch it up with Swich Cafe, home to some of the best cakes in the city using seasonal Asian fruits like in their bizarre, yet tempting Musang King durian mud pie and guilt- pleasured Valrhona chocolate cake.
Where: Bukit Damansara Mezzanine Floor, HP Towers, 12 Jalan Gelenggang, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.

9. Grind 22:
Avoid the daily grind with what is fast becoming one of KL’s most popular venues. Their house blends of Kenyan, Ethiopian and Sumatran coffee beans work a treat, focusing on coffee-lovers favourites, flat white, Americano and cappuccino, finished with latte art.
Where: 22, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar Park, 59000 Kuala Lumpur.

10. The Grumpy Cyclist:
Are all cyclists that grumpy? Well, if you step foot in this TTDI haunt, you’ll never feel disappointed. Providing a relaxed space for people to hang out, regardless of whether they’re cyclists or not, this venue borrows its concept from the array of cycle cafés in Europe and Australia. Warning — cyclists and hipsters aplenty! Coffee is awesome too!
Where: 36, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur.

Grumpy Cyclist

11. Acme Bar Coffee:
These guys are the AM specialists having mastered the art of breakfast and brunch. Divulge in their salted egg yolk chicken strips and possibly the best poached eggs in town. It is on the pricey side, but if breakfast means that much too, you won’t leave unsatisfied.
Where: The Troika, Persiaran KLCC, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.

12. RGB The Bean Hive:
This cafe may sound like a 70’s disco band (think KC Sunshine Band), but it’s definitely coffee and not singing that they do best. Standing for Roast, Grind, Brew (or Rather Good Beans), RGB does exactly that; their renowned micro-roasting process (5kg per roast instead of the usual 60kg), offers some of the best joe in town — with their sim- ple black brew going for just RM5.
Where: 35, Jalan Damai, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 55000 Kuala Lumpur.

RGB Bean Hive

13. LOKL Coffee Co:
Keen to skip on the European and American inspired cafes and coffee houses popping up? LOKL Coffee Co keeps it local and masters everything you love about Malaysian breakfast, but with a modern twist: string hoppers toastie, Hainanese meatloaf and a good old-fashioned Malaysian kopi.
Where: 30, Jalan Tun H S Lee, 50100 Kuala Lumpur.

14. Rubberduck:
Where’s Wally or Where’s Rubber Duck? This place can be difficult to find, nestled in the maze that is Plaza Damas, but it’s certainly worth it for their freshly baked cakes and pastries, headlined by their famed Felchlin chocolate mousse, lemon tart and perfectly formed macarons. Their coffee is good and strong, too.
Where: Lot K-0-6, Dorchester Apartment Plaza Damas, 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

15. Juan Valdez Café:
Since the arrival of Narcos onto Netflix in Malaysia, my mates haven’t stopped with their Pablo Escobar impressions. Now, their less than convincing accents would not be out of place at Juan Valdez Cafe on Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ampang — a product of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. Featuring specialty coffee from Colombian producers, this place is a must.
Where: 348, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur AND 156, Jalan Ampang, 55000 Kuala Lumpur.

Juan Valdez Cafe

16. Haikara Style Café and Bakery:
Sticking with the international theme, we finish our list with this Japanese operated cafe which serves great coffee and Japanese style food and drinks in Subang Jaya. “One coffee to go, thanks. Sayonara!”
Where: Jalan SS 16/1, e-tiara service apartment g-03, 47500 Subang Jaya.

 

If you disagree with our list or have alternative suggestions, join the conversation on Tourism Malaysia Facebook page.



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All Malaysia Info

Five places to dance the night away in KL

Dancing may not be everyone’s forte, but people do enjoy a good night out in the capital.  And the KL clubbing scene is rich and varied, so there’s no shortage of venues.

Here are five places to dance the night away in cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur.

1. Zouk

Zouk Club is located along Jalan Ampang, offering party-goers four different clubs within the main premise itself. These five spots are Zouk, Phuture, Velvet Underground and the Wine bar. The club often organises events featuring popular DeeJays and artistes, offering nights on dance music or retro music from the ’80s.

113 Jalan Ampang 55000
Kuala Lumpur
P:+603-2171-1997

Zouk, Jalan Ampang

Zouk in Jalan Ampang, KL.

2. Twentyone on Changkat Bukit Bintang

At first glance, Twentyone appears to be a hip restaurant and bar, popular with tourists and expatriates living in Kuala Lumpur. During the weekends, patrons can dance the night away on the small dance floor at the second floor of the restaurant. Dance or retro music is usually the flavour of this club cum restaurant.

20 Changkat Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur
P:+603-2142-0021

3. Qba at the Westin Kuala Lumpur

Tucked in the corner of the luxurious hotel along Jalan Bukit Bintang is a bar that offers more than just Latin music, drinks and cuisine. Those who enjoy a good salsa dance can make their way here, as beginners and professional salsa dancers show off their hip-swaying moves to a boisterous crowd.

199 Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur
P:+603-2731 8338 ?

dancefloor

There’s plenty of choices in KL for those who love the clubbing scene.

4. Frangipani Restaurant and Bar on Changkat Bukit Bintang

On the second floor of this restaurant lies one of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular and longest running clubs. Located in a cool art-deco building, a hip and modern dance floor offers patrons the opportunity to let their hair down to loud and catchy dance music.

29 Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur
P: +603-2144-3001

5. Rootz Club

The club’s design is said to be inspired by 18th century Russian museums and palaces, and it’s located on the rooftop of the Lot 10 shopping mall along Jalan Bukit Bintang. The premise boasts of a 700-pax capacity, offering patrons a different themed clubbing experience on weeknights, ranging from “Harajuku Night” Fridays to “The Get Up” Saturdays. A cover charge of up to RM50 is expected to get into this “cool” club.

Lot 10
50 Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur,
P: +603-2782-3555

Thumbnail Image ©stock.xchngmushanga


Map: KL Nightclubs


The Pacific Regency Hotel Suites

Breathtaking views with a drink

Soju Club

Hot nights in Penang

Foie Gras

Anyone can cook

Royal Selangor

Right royal space

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Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Hop On and Off in Kuala Lumpur

August 21, 2011 at 8:00 pm

After having always seen the double decker bus all over Kuala Lumpur, we finally checked out the KL Hop On Hop Off City Tour. This bus tour is not your typical tour, as it allows its passengers to disembark and explore at their own discretion. And the best part is, your ticket is valid for 24 hours or 48 hours, depending on the type of ticket you get. So what does all that mean?

KL Hop On Hop Off

The KL Hop On Hop Off Information Counter is located within the Malaysia Tourism Information Centre (MaTic) building

It means that if you are a visitor to Kuala Lumpur, you get a convenient means of travelling around the city. The tour stops at 22 different locations in the city, all chosen for convenience and tourism in mind. Taking all the locations into consideration, there are over 40 tourist attractions that can be visited during the tour, which is actually a lot of places to visit in one day to be honest. That is probably why a 48 hour ticket comes in handy for most visitors.

KL Hop On Hop Off

The KL Hop On Hop Off Tour bus

What is even more convenient is that passengers can begin their tour at any of the stops. The buses travel in a so called loop, repeating the 22 stops all around the city from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm daily. The first stop in the tour is Malaysia Tourist Centre at Jalan Ampang and the last stop is at Petronas Twin Towers. The tour bus is comfortable, and is actually a very easy and convenient method of sightseeing. The upper deck has wide windows and also a glass roof panel to enable visitors to view the various sights and the entire skyline of Kuala Lumpur. The air conditioned bus offers a welcomed respite to those who are unaccustomed to the tropical climate of Malaysia, and there is an open air deck at the back of some of the buses for those who want to have an unrestricted view of Kuala Lumpur without the hassle of actually walking.

KL Hop On Hop Off

The KL Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour will stop at major tourist destinations all around Kuala Lumpur, like the Kuala Lumpur Tower.

Although the private pre-recording tour guide, which allows visitors to listen to a commentary via earphones in nine different languages, was being upgraded at the time of our visit, there was an English language audio guide playing in the bus for the visitors. While the bus tour maintains a half an hour schedule, delays should be expected because of the traffic jams that Kuala Lumpur is notoriously known for, especially during evenings of workdays, most notably Friday.

KL Hop On Hop Off

The interior of the bus is spacious and comfortable. Tourists who opt to sit in the whole tour around Kuala Lumpur can do so in a comfortable manner.

All in all, we were rather satisfied with Kuala Lumpur KL Hop On Hop Off City Tour. It really is an easy and convienent way to get around Kuala Lumpur without any hassle and worry, especially in having to deal with taxi drivers or getting all weary with walking all around the city. And don’t worry about having to buy your ticket in advance. Just wait for the bus at any of the 22 stops and when one comes along, purchase your ticket from the tour guide, hop onboard, and enjoy your tour!

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