When duty calls for a stay in an upmarket section of residential Kuala Lumpur, Loong Wai Ting finds comfort in Alila Bangsar
TOWERING neon-lit skyscrapers light up the clear night sky as I sit on the patio of the Lido Rooftop Bar on the 42nd floor of Alila Bangsar, overlooking the Kuala Lumpur cityscape below.
The sprawling view of the Kuala Lumpur cityscape becomes more bewitching as the night wears on, when the traffic comes to slow and most urban dwellers are either home or somewhere meeting their friends. Meticulously designed by the world renowned and Shanghai-based designer duo Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu (the same designers behind some of the most celebrated hotels around the world including Kimpton Da’an in Taipei and The Waterhouse at South Bund in Shanghai), Alila Bangsar drew me in the moment I stepped into its lobby on the 41st floor to check in for a weekend staycation.
Located at Jalan Ang Seng in Brickfields, the 143-room Alila Bangsar stands towering over its peers like a giant block, its all-black facade making it very easy to spot even from afar. Surrounded by low rise and retro 1970s buildings, the hotel looks as if it is being torn off from the pages of a minimalist catalogue.
Everywhere you go, the sprawling property is encased with fresh and warm paint and teak wood interior. Glass walls let in plenty of natural light to stream in which gives the hotel no reason to switch on the light during the day.
But when the night comes, overhead lightbulbs in their tasteful fittings are set to a comfortable warm glow. The mood is further accentuated by the soft music playing in the background.
With its huge wraparound windows, you can take in the views of the entire city, from the not-too-far peaks of the Petronas Twin Towers to the golden-roofed Thean Hou Temple in Seputeh and the long stretch of green hills in the far background.
While the hotel shares the stoic building with The Establishment, a private residence that occupies the lower floors from level 36th, every floor of the hotel has its own dedicated “living room” that serves a simple breakfast of tea, coffee, juices and pastries — perfect for those who’ve got an early morning flight.
MY SANCTUARY
All of the rooms are sanctuaries of their own. My favourite corner of my Bangsar Suite is the tiny wooden desk, overlooking the city outside. The table is clear of the usual clutter of hotel brochures in their clunky leather folder. Only a table lamp and a small wooden container holding a couple of pencils take up the small desk.
The rooms are smart and simple, with (again!) plenty of natural lighting. My room is painted in warm hues, a palette of beige, almost pastel white and grey. The colours complement well with the wood flooring and earth tone furniture.
The walk-in bathroom is huge and is tucked behind a stylist sliding door that separates the closet and the living room. The toilet is another space of its own. The water pressure from the rain shower is powerful. In doing their part to save the environment, the hotel doesn’t opt for the usual toiletries in plastic bottles. Instead, showering essentials are provided in their big wooden tubs, which is refilled daily.
From the living room, two sliding doors replaced the traditional push in doors to make full use of the space. A spacious King size bed takes up most of the room’s space. There are pillow menu for you to choose your favourite type of pillows and you can have as many as you need in order to ensure a good night sleep.
The hotel goes big on its sustainability lifestyle. Every suite is equipped with reusable utensils and a set of steel straws.
For me, Alila Bangsar stands out both in its design and hospitality. I love the overall design and my short but highly enjoyable stay is further fuelled by the warm service by its staff. Although modest might be an understatement, I feel that Alila Bangsar deserves a worthy mention of its own.
Pictures by Loong Wai Ting
FAST FACTS
ALILA BANGSAR
53, Jalan Ang Seng,
50470 Kuala Lumpur
TEL 03 2268 3888
EMAIL bangsar@alilahotels.com
WEBSITE www.alilahotels.com
STAY There are 143 rooms including five suites and one Alila suite. The hotel occupies the topmost floors of a mixeduse development known as Establishment. The hotel’s lobby is located on the 41st floor. The guestrooms are located on floors 24 to 40, all offering an uninterrupted views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. All rooms are equipped with modern facilities such as LED TV, USB charging, in-room safe and minibar.
EAT Check out the French restaurant Entier on level 41, which is helmed by Japanese-born Chef Masashi Horiuchi, who has over 20 years of experience under his belt, including five years as sous chef in Michelin-starred L’atelier de JoÎl Robuchon in London. For a more laid back dining, there’s Botanica+Co on the ground floor.
DO Swim at its saltwater pool or work out in its well-equipped gym.
GO Retail therapy in nearby shopping malls. There is free pick-up and drop off by the hotel to Mid Valley Megamall, KL Sentral and Bangsar Village. Book with the concierge 30 minutes before your departure. Also, check out the various coffee establishments around the hotel. If you’re there on Friday, head over to KL’s smallest pasar malam or night market, which is literally a couple of steps away from the hotel.
HIGH Central location and overall design.
LOW Self-parked in-house guests need to pay a flat-rate parking of RM5.