In the hustling and bustling centre of Malaysia lies the heart of the country – Kuala Lumpur. The allure of this concrete jungle should not be underestimated, as the capital city of Malaysia attracts droves of tourists each year.
In fact, the city of more than 7 million has often been regarded as one of the most-visited cities in the world! Particularly, Mastercard’s annual Global Destination Cities Index listed KL as the sixth most-visited city in 2019. Thus, it comes as no surprise that KL is home to a booming travel/hotel industry.
From inexpensive hostels to highly luxurious hotels, you’ll be hardpressed to pick from a myriad of accommodations options. No matter your personal preference, budget or travel style, KL has it all!
But why stop there? Take the chance and elevate your holiday to the next level. We’re talking about thematic hotels – Ideation, innovation, and imagination brought to life in the form of hotels.
Why? Because choosing a hotel in the age of social media is more than just a good night’s sleep. It’s about a memorable experience influenced by the ambience and architecture of the hotel, as well as the thematic design. In short, the hotel experience has to be “IG-able”.
Here’s our pick of the best thematic hotels in KL for a stylish retreat.
Container Hotel – Concrete Comfort in the City
Repurposing old shipping containers into comfortable living quarters is certainly not unheard of. But seeing as this hotel is THE pioneer in shipping container hotels in Malaysia, we thought that they deserved a spot on our list.
On top of their already unique container rooms, the Container Hotel has other themed rooms that may tickle your fancy. These rooms include the Concrete Rooms, the Camp Site room, and other themed suite rooms.
Plus, since opening its doors to the first container hotel in KL, the ever-popular hotel line has even expanded to Penang and Ipoh. But of course, if you want the original container hotel experience, then head over to their KL branch!
Where: Jalan Delima, Imbi, 55100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Chaos Hotel – A Little Nature Respite Amidst the City
First things first, unlike its name, Chaos Hotel is not actually an edgy emo metal band.
In fact, it is one of the more unique (design-wise) thematic hotels on our list. On the contrary, Chaos Hotel derived its name from its trendy and contemporary design, creating a beautiful (albeit contrasting i.e. chaos) blend of industrial and modern styles.
The hotel is housed in a repurposed five-storey building in the retail heart of KL and is furnished with natural and primary materials. Specifically, the hotel is located right in the middle of the always busy Bukit Bintang area. And believe us, this is one of the most “happening” places for you to explore if you’re interested in shopping, dining, and generally experiencing the city on a personal level.
But most importantly, almost every corner is set up for Instagram-worthy shots. Talk about a whole lot of #ootd content!
Where: Lot B-1 Fahrenheit 88, 179, Jln Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mélange Boutique Hotel – Made for Street Art Lovers
Next on our list is the eclectic and modern Mélange Boutique Hotel. Mélange was inspired in part by the graffiti in the area, and especially in the riverbank in Pasar Seni where there is a whole stretch of graffiti murals done by local artists.
If you look closely at the exterior of the building, you’ll notice playful cats adorning its painted windows. There’s one that is smiling and stretching, while another one is sleeping; and there’s even a cheeky feline peeking into the window!
But that’s not the only themed aspect of the hotel. Upon entering Mélange hotel, you’ll notice an assortment of different themes on each floor. More particularly, the three themes include:
HANDSOME (Tampan suites) features wooden furnishing, dark furniture, and spacious work tables ideal for business travellers.
ELEGANT (Ayu suites) features clean white designs and basic lines for that touch of minimalism.
FUN (Manja suites) features colourful rooms and funky shapes, which will be a good choice for those with little ones.
Oh, and have we mentioned that the hotel is just a stone’s throw away from the foodie paradise, Jalan Alor? Talk about convenience!
Where: 14, Jalan Rembia, off Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Bagasta Boutique Guesthouse – Modern Kampung House
Let’s be real: A majority of us city boys and girls have never experienced “kampung” or village life.
Well, if you haven’t tried sleeping in a kampung house before, you will enjoy checking into Bagasta Boutique Guesthouse located in a historic Malay enclave, Kampung Baru. This unique accommodation feature a mix of Malay antiques and contemporary furnishing which encapsulates a ‘modern’ kampung experience. And what makes this particular guesthouse all the more interesting is that it is located in the middle of the bustling city of KL. Imagine the contrasting styles! Bagasta is placed such that you’ll get to gaze upon the engineering marvel of the Petronas Twin Towers from your room.
Where: 56, Jalan Raja Alang, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
The Yard Boutique Hotel – Sometimes Life’s Best Things are Just Around the Corner
Last but certainly not least, take a gander at the final entry on our list: The Yard Boutique Hotel.
This hotel is pleasantly tucked in a rather hidden spot in a side alley. The Yard Hotel features a central courtyard surrounded by 11 deluxe rooms where each room is designed with comfort in mind. Each room is designed with wooden furniture, while clean, white sheets adorn each bed. Other than that, the bathrooms are decorated with polished concrete stretching from floor to wall.
And if you’re feeling hungry at any time of the day, fret not. The Yard Boutique Hotel is located in the midst of a ton of food outlets, so you can be sure that you will be gastronomically satisfied!
Where: 623(No.51D), Jalan Tengkat Tong Shin, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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