Zalina Mohd Som
Edgy and oozing attitude,W Kuala Lumpur impresses Zalina Mohd Som with its decor and range of cuisines
“OK, let’s celebrate your birthday and turn the hotel upside down,” says my friend Lee excitedly when I told her that we’re stayin at the W Kuala Lumpur for the weekend.
“No, we cannot do that because then it will be an M, no longer a W.” My nonchalant reply gets guffaws from Lee and Tanim.
I usually choose to be in a foreign land on my birthday but this year, since my schedule is quite packed, I plan a staycation at a new hotel over the weekend.
“Nothing fancy,” I tell the girls. “We just stay in the room, laze on the plush bed and have a movie marathon.”
“Cool. Then, when we’re tired of the bed, we go out and check what’s on next door,” Lee says.
FIRST IMPRESSION
Though just a few months old, it’s not hard to find the hotel for it sits at the busy intersection of Jalan Ampang and Jalan P.Ramlee, opposite the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
Except for its location, we do not know what to expect from this hotel. We go with zero inkling what the hotel is all about though I’ve heard of this hotel brand.
W Kuala Lumpur gives us a very good first impression as we drive up to the parking floors. First, its building and the giant W sign, and then the full ramp carpark instead of the usual levelled floors that are connected by ramps. For someone who has had a bad experience driving up a steep and narrow ramp, its absence deserves a mention.
The bright and well-lit car park doesn’t prepare us for the dim light in the lift that takes us to the lobby on the eighth floor.
Not only is the light dimmed, the lift is also draped in black finishing with only hints of bright colours to add contrast.
The lobby is brighter, thanks to the natural light from glass walls. Then, there’s an edgy contrast coming from striking strings of LED lights that “fall” from ceiling to floor which mimic waterfalls.
The “darkness” follows us to our room on the 22nd floor. We step out of the lift to an even darker lift lobby - dark wood wall and thick black carpet.
The lift lobby is only lit by warm down lights sparsely set along the wall.
With up beat music playing in the background, the setting makes me feel like I’m about to catwalk on a fashion show runaway!
This is probably the “darkest” hotel I’ve stayed in but, in all fairness, W Kuala Lumpur knows how to deck up itself to give edge and attitude.
It uses unique art decor and furniture that come in eye-catching colours and designs that will make art lovers, or even the uninitiated ones like me, feel like we are in a modern art gallery.
But all these are not just random decorative items. They have their own stories to tell. The LED lights set the theme of jungle in the city, the ceiling’s ripple-like patterns represent the city’s topography, the neon green heart-shaped pillow is likened to a yam leaf and chandeliers are wooden tops.
DINE IN STYLE
In the food department, W Kuala Lumpur shows off its creativity in style.
While the contemporarysettings of its F&B outlets pleases our eyes and sets our mood, their menus and characters have good stories to tell too.
Anyone of these outlets makes a perfect place for you to be seen in, and to get more “likes” for your Instagram posts.
Our W weekend starts with a funky high tea - there’s a DJ, mind you! - at the dim but chic Woo bar. Just before hunger kicks in again, we head to Yen for a dinner that turns out to be a contemporary take on traditional Cantonese recipes.
The following day, W takes us on a different culinary journey at Flock, an all-day dining restaurant that offers locally farmed organic produce and sustainable eats.
Breakfast buffet is just nice - not too long but enough to let us taste almost everything - and lunch is light and healthy.
FAST FACTS
W Kuala Lumpur
121, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
TEL 03-2786 8888
FAX 03-2786 8899
WEBSITE whotels.com/kualalumpur
STAY 150 guest rooms and suites which include two WOW suites and an Extreme WOW Suite (the brand’s take on the traditional presidential suite).
EAT Six outlets: Yen, a contemporary Chinese restaurant; Flock, an all-day dining restaurant; Woobar, a chic all-day bar; Wet Deck pool bar; and two privately managed outlets: Saint Pierre, a 70-seat French eatery; and Wicked, the city’s newest VIP club.
DO Of all the spots in this chic hotel, do not miss its swimming pool. It’s all right if you’re not into swimming, just take in the sight. Just standing at the edge of the heated pool with the imposing, looming Twin Towers is enough to make you awestruck. Don’t forget to check out Away Spa.
GO Step into the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
HIGHS Well, it’s W!
LOWS Maybe it’s the age factor but personally, the hotel is a bit too dark and the music is quite loud.