GBP
Mandarin Oriental
PRICE: Punchy but doesn’t blow the budget
The Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur is every bit as perfect as you would expect from a brand of this standing. It’s big and opulent, if not a little shiny. And if you are going to stay somewhere shiny, you might as well fully embrace it. We always opt for a rather OTT arrival with our uniformed chauffeur, complete with cap, waiting at the airport to usher us into our waiting limousine, but not before we’ve refreshed with a cold towel and rehydrated with chilled water.
Let’s be honest, there is something rather attractive about the anonymity of a large hotel. No one passes judgment as you stumble home hand-in-hand from a nearby bar, nor does a late arrival at breakfast raise eyebrows. And at the time of our most recent stay, the Mandarin Oriental hosted an exceptional pop-up from Malaysia’s first three Michelin starred chef.
The Mandarin Oriental hotel rooms are large, the service is superb and the palm-lined rooftop pool envelopes you in silky pleasure. Facilities are not in short supply. In fact, with 571 rooms, 21 suites and 40 executive apartments, a choice of of no fewer than 10 dining venues and a world-class spa, the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur provides five-star indulgence on an impressive scale.
What’s more, the location is a hop, skip and a jump to the Petronas Towers and the adjoining malls.
Mandarin Oriental: The Gallery
Yonder Insight
Most try-too-hard brochures would say ‘don't miss the spa’. In fact, you CAN’T miss it – it's spread over two floors. The signature treatment draws its inspiration from the forest healers of Borneo, with a particular focus on easing stress by stimulating pressure points. Mmmm… and relax...
On your doorstep
From the Mandarin Kuala Lumpur, go for an early morning jog around nearby KLCC park. It's a little hot and humid, but the jogging track is short and you’ll feel the endorphins pumping as you power through the long shadows cast by the Petronas Towers.
