Tucked between the neighborhoods of colorful Little India and trendy Bangsar is Alila Bangsar, the 5-star lifestyle hotel that is Malaysia’s first – and currently only – property under the internationally-renowned Alila brand of luxury hotels and resorts.

One of the unique things about Alila Bangsar is that it occupies the topmost floors of a mixed-use development known as the Establishment. Taking up floors 35 to 41, the hotel has 143 rooms – inclusive of suites – with the lobby on the 41st floor. Thanks to its height and strategic location, all of its rooms offer unobstructed views of Kuala Lumpur’s breathtaking skyline.

Designed to bring you comfort and relaxation at every moment, Alila Bangsar’s minimalist white design contrasts with its sleek, dark wood interiors, adding a sense of sophistication, while bursts of greenery and natural light transforms it into an urban jungle nestled high above the city.

Alila Bangsar practices the philosophy of making guests feel like they’re at home… Albeit a fancier one than most of us are used to. For example, General Manager Kamal Munasinghe makes the habit of greeting and chatting with several guests every day and discourages the practice of guests being checked in at the reception counter.

Instead, he prefers a more personalized touch, where guests are escorted to the Living Room, available on each floor, for check-in and given a brief introduction to the hotel’s facilities before being brought to their room, where they can immediately make themselves at home.

With calming neutral colors and plush, contemporary furnishings, your mind is set right at ease from the moment you step through the door into your spacious room. The work space and living area is separate from the bedroom, making it easy for you to separate work from play, while you’ll be tempted to spend all day lazing around in the king-sized bed.

Every room is equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi access, USB plug-in ports, an LCD TV with satellite channels, coffee and tea-making facilities, as well as an in-room safe. You’ll want to take your time getting ready, as the bathroom is tailor-made for pampering, thanks to its well-lit vanity mirrors and bath amenities from Alila Living, the in-house bath and spa brand made from locally-sourced, natural ingredients.

I couldn’t stop smelling the light, refreshing scent the shampoo and conditioner left on my hair – said to come from fresh lavender, pink grapefruit and ginger root essential oils.

The word Alila means "surprise" in Sanskrit, and indeed, our stay at Alila Bangsar was full of wonderful surprises, from its top-notch service to its world-class facilities. There’s something for everyone: for the gym bunnies, you’ll be happy with the 24-hour gym, where you can work up a sweat at any hour of the day, and for the perpetual snackers, there’s a 24-hour refreshments bar located at the Living Room on each floor, where you get an unlimited supply of local snacks, iced tea, juice and coffee. (As you can tell from the photo, I chose the latter. 😂)

From the lobby, you’ll be drawn in by the sight of the hotel’s Instagram-worthy pool, lined with comfy, cushioned loungers. Be sure to catch the view from the pool at night as the city nightscape comes to life – vibrant lights turn the drab concrete jungle into a sparkling metropolis. You can even spot the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower from your vantage point.

Looking to explore all the wonders that Kuala Lumpur has to offer? You’re in luck – the hotel has a direct link bridge to the Bangsar LRT station, as well as a complimentary chauffeur service available on request to KL Sentral, Mid Valley City and Bangsar Village, making getting around the city a cinch.

If you want to immerse yourself in local experiences, the hotel has a Leisure Concierge team dedicated to curating the perfect experiences for you based on your interests. Some of the activities they can arrange for you include a pewter crafting workshop at Royal Selangor and the chance to tour the beautiful Lake Gardens on a Segway.

But before you head out for a day of exploration, be sure to fuel up with the hotel’s sumptuous breakfast, served in Entier restaurant. You’ll have a tough time choosing between the five breakfast sets – International, Oriental, Malay, Indian and Vegetarian – as they all look tempting, but worry not, each set is delicious and satisfying.

So whether it’s for work or leisure, book a room at Alila Bangsar for a stay to remember.

Alila Bangsar’s convenient location near KL Sentral and Brickfields means that guests get to see a different side of Kuala Lumpur's melting pot of cultures. If you can bring yourself to leave the comforts of the hotel, here are the top things you should check out:

Whether you’re here for a chilled-out brunch or a fun night out with friends, Bangsar is the place to be. Charming cafes, hipster restaurants and busy bars line the streets of Bangsar’s happening Telawi area, where Bangsar Village and Bangsar Village II stand. Dew, VCR, Cocodash by Cocoraw and Inside Scoop are some of our favorite haunts.

Right in Alila Bangsar’s backyard is Brickfields, better known as Kuala Lumpur’s Little India, where you’ll find rows of shops selling Indian clothes, jewelry and oh-so-yummy food. Just before Deepavali, the bustling streets get even busier, with sidewalks being converted to bazaars as locals prepare for the Festival of Lights.

Just a 10-minute drive away from Alila Bangsar is Lake Gardens, also known as Perdana Botanical Gardens, Kuala Lumpur’s version of Central Park or Hyde Park. This green oasis is where locals and visitors drop by for some much-needed fresh air. Besides walking around the well-kept grounds, there are actually several popular attractions that are accessible from the park, such as Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park, Deer Park, the National Planetarium and a couple of playgrounds for the kids to enjoy.

This hidden gem is located right next to Lake Gardens, housing artifacts that tell the history of Islamic art in its many forms, from textiles and ceramics to coins and jewelry. However, the museum itself is an homage to Islamic architecture, featuring intricate motifs and magnificent domes. The museum also has a children’s library, which is used to host storytelling sessions and arts-and-crafts lessons. If you’re feeling hungry after your tour, you can grab a bite at the Museum Restaurant, which serves Middle Eastern dishes.

Entrance Fees
Adults: RM14
Students & Senior Citizens: RM7
Children Aged 6 and Younger: Free

Opening Hours: 10.00am – 6.00pm | Open daily

Set on a hill in Seputeh, which is across from Bangsar, Thean Hou Temple boasts a scenic view of the surrounding area. The impressive six-tiered temple incorporates a mix of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism symbolism. You’ll have to take the stairs up, but on a good day, the panorama is worth it. Still used as a place of worship, the temple and road leading up to it can get pretty jammed up with traffic during special occasions in the Chinese calendar, so be sure to check before your visit.

Free to enter
Opening Hours: 8.00am – 9.00pm | Open daily

With such a wide range of accommodation options across the country, it can be a challenge to pick the one that’s best for you. To be in the know when it comes to Malaysia’s stand-out stays, keep your eyes peeled for Traveloka’s ‘Super Stays’ posts, a bi-weekly hotel special featuring our top picks!