Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur @ The Luxury In The Heart of Kuala Lumpur City Centre

The Mandarin Oriental Group is very choosy about where they open hotels and the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur is no exception, as it has a prime location next to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers at Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC),  overlooking the lush expanse of KLCC park is a stunning view to have and to access so readily. While it is not a new hotel, it is a ‘grande dame’ in the city and offers that heightened level of luxury those other luxury hotels sometimes miss, as it is all in the details. mylifestylenews writes……

The location is all, although the KL traffic can be frustrating at times and makes you wonder when you will actually get there, but once the car alights at the entrance, your MO experience begins. The external appearance is looking a little tired, but, as it happens, it will get a makeover in early 2015, along with a renovation of all the guest rooms including the suites, some public areas like the infinity pool and spa that with associated amenities (saunas, steam rooms and recreation areas) will have a brand new facelift. Competition is heating up with some new luxury brands entering the market in the next few years, so this 30-storey hotel opened in October 1998 is ready to take things to the next level now.

As expected, the lobby is an oasis of luxury and granduer for most Mandarin Oriental hotels as well as in other part of the world. It is an opulent destination and done it an understated elegant way that was completely renovated in 2013. Hence, it has a very fresh new look.

The columns are clad in Selangor Pewter which adds that local Malaysian artisanal touch. We arrived at peak Sunday check-out time, we were quickly directed to the lifts to travel up to the Club Lounge for our check-in, with a more tranquil feel and very welcoming staff to assist us, followed by an escort to our room, where everything was explained, in details.

We were allocated to a 40sqm deluxe city view corner club room, which was more than spacious enough and had windows on two sides, affording us a view partly of the twin towers, which is still a wonderful vista. All amenities are provided as one would expect, but the heavenly bed experience was a standout – what a sleep to remember! The bathroom is done in a classic way, although a little tired looking, but all necessary updates will be addressed in this year’s renovation. At least the branded SENSES Pure Botanical toiletries is a plus, such distinctive quality that was a pleasure to use.

The main focus of our stay, however, was the Club Lounge, it surely has the WOW factor once you stepped in to the 24^th floor. The city largest club lounge offers privacy, exclusivity and convenience boasts breathtaking views, includes a reading room, executive boardrooms and business centre. 

A 270 degree uninterrupted three different amazing views of the city with the stunning Petronas Twin Tower right on your face. They are so close and you feel like you can almost touch them (they are next door after all). The layout of the lounge is very residential and extensive,  the clever use of speace in the Lounge has divided the area into small, cosy and intimate corners. Every visit you really want to try to sit at a different section to enjoy a different city’s impressive skyline.

The food and beverage selection is incredibly extensive and varied, with a definite emphasis on Asian menu items, but Western palates are well taken care of too. They also have a daily rotation, so there is always some new items of interest daily, there is a chef at the live cooking station every breakfast and cocktail hours. 

On our first night, Chinese/Asian food was on the menu and the following night switched to an Indian focus, the contrasts were nice and flavours distinctly different on the palate. It is almost a private full buffet spread for all Club lounge guests. While the other daily meal period offerings are what you would expect in such a luxury hotel, the Mandarin Oriental just takes it to a new level and everything is a lot more extensive from our perspective. What is the standout from a normal hotel practice in town.

Breakfast in Mosaic - a all day dining concept restaurant is also worth trying, lavish buffet spread with different stations presenting various local delicacies from different cultures.  Besides, the feature of the interior of this outlet is the gorgeous lighting design covering most of the ceiling adding the Peranakan mood well best suit the ambience.

Giant Peranakan paintings are found in the Mosiac all day dining

It is no doubt a popular outlet especially for the first meal of your day not to mention that the kitchen is certified Halal in accordance to required standard.

Adjacent to the Mosaic is Lounge on the Park which serves the most luscious afternoon tea with freshly baked cakes, breads, macaroons and chocolates.

Lounge on the park interior

Enjoying the Lush by sitting outside of the Lounge on the Park.

The Mandarin Grill lead by the Chef de Cuisine, Benjamin Halat is another signature outlet for the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. An exclusive and contemporary grill restaurant beautifully designed with elegant modern touches complete with inbuilt fireplace and glass wine cellar serves the finest cut of meat and a range of classic dishes with modern twist.

Halat aims to satisfy both local and international food connoisseurs with a range of classic French cuisine. We were invited for the express lunch semi-buffet. We chose the Angus Rib-Eye steak and a Veal Stroganoff for our mains and they could not be faulted, not to mention a great wine list of various international selection.

We changed our Chardonnay from the lighter crisps to a more buttery, smokey and creamy flavor with excellent recommendations from the sommelier. This is how a good fine dining restaurant shall have in term of presentation on food, quality and service.

The scenic infinity-edged swimming pool is quite spacious, and with indoor and outdoor whirlpools facilities. On busy days, it can be over-crowded with no spare sun lounges, but this will be addressed early this year’s planned renovation, a larger pool and pool deck in promise.

Knowing that the hotel is about to be upgraded to strengthen the bran presence and maintain its reputation as the finest hotel in Kuala Lumpur adds to the excitement of wanting to return, but we still very much enjoyed the hotel.

 From the staff service in the Club Lounge and Mandarin Grill, to the relaxing and unfussy atmosphere that you experience, we truly felt we could relax and do things without feeling as if you were imposing on the hotel and the location is perfect. You could wait until the renovation to complete, or book yourself to the Club floors for the one-of-a kind gracious experience that will be one to remember in this deluxe urban resort in the heart of the city, the choice is yours to make!

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5
Ambience: 4/5
Design & Decor: 4.5/5

Housekeeping: 4/5
Food & Beverage: 3.5/5

Service: 3.5/5

Highlights:
Executive Floor Club Lounge

Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +6 032380 8888