Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur: A Taste of Malaysian Luxury

Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, just steps from all the best shopping, attractions and city center, hides the glamorous Ritz Carlton. 

 

Kuala Lumpur is a cultural epicenter. It’s a destination where Chinese, Indian and Malaysian cultures converge and their influences are seen throughout the city. It’s a place that can seem confusing at first, busy and undirected, yet when you walk into the Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, a sense of calmness and relaxation takes over.  

I have always associated the Ritz Carlton with glamour, prestige and comfort.  From fancy soirees, to cocktails with stunning views, the memories and moments I’ve had at a Ritz hotel, have always been amazing. So whether you’re looking to lounge on the Californian Coast, visit bustling Hong Kong, or hide away in Abu Dhabi, you know what to expect at the Ritz – excellent service met with elegant design.

In a city as diverse Kuala Lumpur, it’s comforting to relax in a hotel where consistency is key and elegant design meets superior service.

The lobby of the Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

 

In The Heart of Kuala Lumpur...

In the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s financial district, in the Golden Triangle hides the Ritz Carlton. Located just off the main area of Bukit Bintang (KL’s shopping and entertainment district), the hotel is literally just steps from all the best shopping - think Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and plenty of boutiques. It’s quiet all around, yet right next to the hustle of Kuala Lumpur’s nightlife. The hotel is also well connected to the Starhill shopping mall, which is a beautiful structure filled with more designer shops and plenty of restaurants to choose from. No matter what you're in the mood to feast on, rest assured you'll find something very close by. 

If you're coming from the airport the best way to get to the hotel is via taxi or a private car. The city center & hotel is located bout 40 minutes away from the airport, so our recommendation is to go with a private car. The hotel can coordinate your pickup and drop off, so you don't have to worry about a thing...and the comfort of a private car tops a taxi any day! 

Visiting the major tourist attractions, like the Petronas Towers, is also very easy...you only have to walk about 10 minutes via air conditioned walk-ways.  You can also grab a taxi or private car at the concierge desk, to get to some of the areas outside the city center. The point is - getting around is very convenient and easy!

 

The inside of Starhill Mall, connected to the Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

 

Experience

Walking through the lobby, you immediately know your somewhere special. From the small but grand lobby, with it’s rich wood paneling and glowing chandeliers to the staircase leading to the lobby lounge, everything exudes elegance.

Check-in was an easy process and after a few minutes we were whisked away to our suite, where welcome drinks, a few snacks and our personal butler were awaiting us.  At first I wasn’t to sure what to expect with the personal butler, yet this ended up being one of the best parts of our stay. He was cool, full of great recommendations and just really made sure we were taken care of. At one point we needed to get our laundry done, so he took it to a place around the corner and came back with everything clean and pressed.

Our room was decorated in warm earth tone colors with simple yet sophisticated furniture and plenty of brass detailing. We had a large living room area, two bathrooms and views that overlooked the cityscape. Our room was comfortable and spacious enough for both of us to sprawl out and get some last minute work done.

 

One of the many corridors of the Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

 

A Foodies Wonderland

Aside from the comforts a five star property, the hotel is also a wonderland for foodies. There are four different restaurants on site and a covered walkway brings you to the restaurants of Starhill mall. A few of our favorites, was dinner at Li Yen (the hotels award –winning Cantonese restaurant) and the Sunday Roast.

If you’re staying at the hotel over a Sunday (or even if you’re not), you must make reservations for the Sunday Roast! Every Sunday, the Lobby Lounge hosts a gourmet buffet, where you can indulge in plenty of International cuisine, that is simply the best we’ve had. Options range from fresh sushi, French cheeses, cured meats, foie gras, terrine, fresh sashimi, salads, various fish dishes and of course cut of the roasted Prime Rib.

With free flowing champagne and the best dessert selection we’ve tasted, this is definitely and event that takes about 3 hours to full appreciate. Come to the Sunday Roast hungry and know that your room is just a few floors above, for an after brunch nap.
 

Li Yen is the kind of place, where you’ll likely be the only non-Chinese patron, and where everything you thought you knew about Chinese food, will change. The menu features Cantonese specialties like variations of duck and birds nest soup, along with traditional dim sum options for lunch. The waiters walk around swiftly and quietly as Yangqing music plays in the background.

At dinner we went with the duck, which came prepared several ways including, duck spring rolls and duck rice. For an tasteful night out, where you can dine on authentic Cantonese, Li Yen is not to be missed!

 

Duck spring rolls at Li Yen inside the Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

 

Take a Trip to Spa Village

After a day of exploring Kuala Lumpur, we took advantage of the beautiful pool area and Spa Village. The pool itself is a bit of a tropical paradise in the center of a bustling city. All around you are palm trees and sun loungers, yet in the distance are towering skyscrapers, reminding you of where you actually are.

At the recommendation of the Ritz team, we booked a three hour long couples, spa session at the Spa Village and it couldn’t have been more indulgent! Chris had the Gandapura or gentlemen’s experience and I had the Rose Therapy. Our session started with hair treatments and a very soothing body scrub. Afterwards we each had a full body massage and then soaked in a private outdoor milk bath.

I never thought that three hours could be so blissful and relaxing. We each left the treatment room with extremely soft skin, which lasted for several days afterwards. Before our trip to Kuala Lumpur, we had been on the beach and in very hot tropical climates. Our bodies were so thankful for the body scrub and the massages rejuvenated us. If you’re short on time, or just want a taste of the Spa Village, definitely try the milk bath. It was soothing and I could definitely feel the softness on my skin. This truly was a piece of heaven!

 

For more information about the Ritz Carlton, make sure to visit their website: