Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

It’s all too easy to wax lyrical about five-star hotels, especially when you’re embarking on a romantic getaway. From the guy in the top hat and tails at the front and the hushed opulence of the grand lobby, to the wide carpeted corridors, marble bathrooms, and that oh so heavenly feeling of slipping between crisp white sheets on a bed the size of a small African nation. You expect nothing less. But in the wonderful world of the deluxe hotel there are, of course, other factors that make one property more appealing than another, sometimes things you can’t even put a finger on. Obviously location is up there, but then there’s the atmosphere and, perhaps most important of all, the people. The Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur is a great example of this.

Overview

Like many hotels of its ilk, first impressions of the 643-room property, which sits slap-bang in the middle of Kuala Lumpur’s “Golden Triangle”, are of palatial grandeur with romance in mind. The recently refurbished lobby is a polished expanse of black and gold marble set off by striking pewter-clad columns and massed crystal chandeliers. But, considering the opulent surroundings, the vibe is more homely than you might expect. While few would argue that the hotel’s central position and its luxurious, top-class facilities and Mandarin Oriental credentials are big draw cards, it’s the people who work here that set the hotel apart. Just check out the comments on Trip Advisor and you’ll see that, often, it’s the staff that get a mention.

e arrived feeling hot and weary after a 12-hour flight from Europe followed by a peak-hour train journey from the airport. But never mind the fact we looked and felt less than ordinary, we were treated like VIPs by the immaculate, smiling team at reception. Our bags were spirited away as we were greeted by name, offered cool drinks and whisked through the check-in process. Within minutes we were shown to our room and amazed to find our luggage had beaten us to it. As we were to discover, the grace and charm with which we were greeted on our arrival filters right through the hotel. From the receptionists on the front desk and the dedicated team in the Club Lounge to the delightful staff in the spa, the affable cocktail waiters and even the guy cleaning the pool; all made us feel not just special, but right at home. 

The hotel is right next to the striking 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers and is a stone’s throw from the Petronas Philharmonic Concert Hall, six-level Suria KLCC shopping centre and 50-acre KLCC Park. Its central position makes it the perfect base for exploring the city and accessing the main business district. Whether you’re on a business trip, a stopover en route to or from Europe, or a romantic getaway, the hotel is the perfect sanctuary, with a wide range of accommodation, 10 restaurants and bars and 16 function rooms, including a massive, pillar-less grand ballroom with enough room to seat 1800 dinner guests.

The guest rooms, including 41 suites and 51 serviced apartments, have been designed with a luxurious but residential feel. The décor is mainly soft gold and green tones with tropical hardwood veneers, and the marble bathrooms are gracious and well appointed with deep bathtubs, separate showers with rainfall shower heads and generous tubes of Aromatherapy Associates products. 

The Mandarin Oriental Club concept, a premium accommodation package introduced across the group in 1993 with the business traveller in mind, comes with a swag of extra benefits; they're also ideal for leisure travellers. At the Kuala Lumpur hotel, Club guest accommodation is spread across 148 rooms, including 11 suites, on levels 24-30. One of the best things about the Club option is it gives guests access to the sprawling Club Lounge with its dedicated staff on level 24. For business and leisure travellers alike, this is a peaceful haven where complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and romantic evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served. It is also a great spot to simply chill with a gin and tonic on a comfortable sofa, soak up the city views (notably the neighbouring Petronas Twin Towers) or browse through the books and magazines in the library. Club guests also have two hours’ free use of meeting rooms, free laundry/dry cleaning/pressing (up to five items per day), access to the business centre and complimentary high-speed internet (both in rooms and the Club Lounge). Given all these extras, the Club option is well worth considering, especially as the additional cost per night for a Club room is from about $150 (based on deluxe city view category). At the other end of the scale, if money is no object, there’s always the 335-square-metre Presidential Suite that will set you back about $10,000 a night. This was occupied while we were at the hotel, but try as we might to find out who was staying there, the staff, quite rightly, remained tightlipped. 

Dining

With 10 restaurants and bars to choose from, guests are spoilt for choice. But if you had to choose just one, it would probably be the elegant and romantic Lai Po Heen Chinese restaurant that specialises in Cantonese cuisine and dim sum. Here, you might even find yourself rubbing shoulders with royalty – we’re told Malaysia’s King Abdul Halim of Kedah is a regular diner. If you have time, the plush but contemporary Mandarin Grill, renowned for its classic dishes with a modern twist, is another experience you’re unlikely to forget. It’s no surprise to learn that this restaurant has been chosen by Penfolds winery for a five-course dinner event in October when dishes will be paired with, you guessed it, Grange vintages. For more casual dining, the 24-hour Mosaic restaurant offers a seemingly limitless array of international cuisine from seven cooking stations.

Other Facilities

The hotel’s large, infinity-edge pool with a laid back bar and poolside grill is the place to be on a hot and steamy day. There’s something rather wonderful about wading into the cool blue water, swimming to the far side of the pool, leaning against the infinity edge and gazing at the city’s futuristic skyline. On the same level are tennis courts, an enormous gym and, that ultimate stressbuster, the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, which has separate male and female areas, steam rooms, saunas, and hot and cold jacuzzis. New to the hotel’s spa menu is an ultimate pampering treatment called Tropical Rainforest Spa Experience, an indulgent, top-to-toe 140-minute “journey”. For those with less time, the 80-minute Oriental Essence, Aromatherapy and Traditional Malay massages are popular choices. For relaxation of a different kind, how about a round of golf? Not something you’d expect in the middle of a city, but here at the hotel you can practise your swing at Indoor Golf @ MO, a realistic golf simulator that allows you to play on any of the world’s 50 famous courses in numerous playing conditions.

The Verdict

It’s not hard to understand why this hotel is a favourite among Australians, who account for around 20 per cent of its guests. Super-luxurious but far from stuffy, the Mandarin Oriental KL is a welcome slice of serenity among the skyscrapers. The friendliness of its staff is worthy of special mention.