Hotel Review: The Sheraton Imperial, Kuala Lumpur

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Sheraton Imperial is a comfortable hotel geared towards business travelers and a perfect base for exploring.

 

Located in the Golden Triangle just minutes from city center, The Sheraton Imperial is centrally located in the business and commercial area of Kuala Lumpur. All around the area, people in suits run from one appointment to another andeverything is very lively. There is a small mall located across the street which has and H&M and a few other boutiques, but nothing to fancy. There are plenty of taxis in front of the hotel and metro stations everywhere. 

Every afternoon we would venture out of the hotel and head in a different direction to explore Kuala Lumpur. Only a few steps away was Little India where you could find delicious Indian food and bright and colourful saris draped in window after window. 5 minutes in the opposite direction and we were standing in the middle of beautiful mosque, taking in all the culture with the stunning Petrona Towers hovering over.  Although public transportation is very efficient in KL we ended up walking everywhere…we just didn’t want to miss a thing! So make sure to pack comfortable shoes. 

 
 

Our Room

Our room was a little bit dated with the furnishings and style but the comfortable bed and views made up for it. We stayed in a Deluxe Room  on one of the upper floors and it came furnished with all the necessities, including a work area, a walk in closet and palatial style bathroom. The room had a corporate like style to it with a mix of dark wood furniture and a neutral palette with pops of burnt-orange accents. The room was comfortable, no frills and perfect if you’re just looking to have a place to sleep. Our room came with a mini bar and complimentary tea and coffee, so we could lounge around with coffee, before heading off to breakfast. 

During our stay, we also had access to the Sheraton Club Lounge which was on the 38th floor and offered even more spectacular views and a few great perks. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are served all day and a spread of hors d'oeuvres and cocktails were served in the evenings, all complimentary of course. Although we didn’t take advantage of the evening cocktails we did head to the lounge every morning for espresso and breakfast. We prefer quiet less chaotic hotel common areas, so this was the perfect alternative for us!

 

The view from our suite at the Sheraton Imperial


What to do at the Sheraton Imperial

After an afternoon of sightseeing and wandering around the city, we headed back to the hotel for some top notch relaxation. Hidden on the fifth floor of the hotel, is the award winning Mandara Spa. We booked a couples massage before our stay and after a quick introduction we were whisked away to our private couples room. The room was dimly lit and the smell of essential oils lingered in the space. Our massage therapists were efficient, very professional and were able to massage us both into a light sleep. We both woke up refreshed and extremely thankful to have had our knots and kinks worked out. Unfortunately we had dinner plans, so we weren’t able to linger, but I wish we could have. The jacuzzi and sauna were calling my name! 

With temperatures creeping over 100 degrees,  escaping the heat became a wonderful pastime we were all to eager to partake in. Fortunately the Sheraton has a great outdoor pool with sun loungers all around. We ventured out a couple times and had the entire area to ourselves. Right next to the pool is the Italian restaurant, Villa Danieli, who were very accommodating when we asked them to make negronis for us. Sitting poolside, under the shade sipping cocktails is the perfect way to spend an afternoon! 

 

The pool at the Sheraton


Dining at the Sheraton Imperial

The Sheraton has serval restaurants on property, so you don’t have to venture far to indulge. You pretty much have your choice from Italian, Japanese, Chinese to a very well done international buffet. Although you might be tempted to venture our for dinner or lunch, don’t! Take some time and make sure to check out the restaurants as they are absolutely fantastic! 

For breakfast we took advantage of our club level privileges and started our day with healthy options high up onthe 38th floor. The breakfast buffet in the lounge was simple, yet had our favourite basics, granola and fruit! Access to the club is restricted, so you can relax and eat breakfast in peace and quiet, with only a few other guests around. If you have the access, use it!  With a birds eye view of the city, it was a great way to start the day. 

 

Breakfast in the Club Lounge

 

On the day of our arrival we were pretty hungry and I was craving a hearty salad, while Chris wanted some Indian food. We weren’t in the mood to wander around in the heat looking for something so we decided to try Essence, the all day buffet restaurant at the hotel. Usually we aren’t fans of buffets but this one was an exception. Each table in the buffet line was full of fresh produce and delicious options. Chefs were working alongside the tables and everything being prepared was made to order. They had a noodle station, complete with all the accoutrements to have delicious ramen or vegetable soup, an Indian station with freshly made rotti, sushi, pizza, sandwiches, salads and so much more.  Even with all the different cuisine options, everything was done deliciously well! 

 

The exterior of Celestial Court

One of our dishes at Celestial Court

 

Another stand out restaurant at the Sheraton Imperial, is Celestial Court, a beautifully decorated Chinese restaurant specialising in dim sum. Now after having spent a week in Kuala Lumpur already, we had seen our fair share of dim sum restaurants, so we were starting to become pretty picky. Celestial Court did not disappoint! Each dish had a very traditional feel to it and was incredibly delicious. We had prawns, BBQ pork buns, an array of steamed dumplings and perhaps the best fried rice we’ve had in awhile. The ambiance was formal but felt relaxed. This would be a perfect date night place, yet comfortable enough for a business lunch. 


Overall

Overall, we had a thoroughly enjoyable stay at Sheraton Imperial KL. We loved our spa experience at Madara and our meals at Celestial Court and Essence. The hotel was a little dated for my tastes but the service, the spa and restaurants made it a relaxing place to come home to. If they update the rooms and common areas a bit, I have no doubt this hotel will live up to his 5 star credentials!

 

For more information about the Sheraton Imperial, make sure to visit their website: