Native rainforest trees is actually a striking part of downtown Kuala Lumpur’s landscape and characteristics, and though many media reports on the city oftentimes pinpoint the Malaysian capital’s traffic jams there are other cities that are for sure much worse. It may not occur to a visitor at once – especially if coming from the same region – but compared to for example Bangkok this city is really green and feels tropical. This should not be overlooked as one of the nicest and distinct features about KL (as its name is abbreviated). Welcome to Malaysia – the country of nature, rainforests and beaches!
Sure, there is quite a lot of construction going on, where homes in the form of condominium buildings and serviced apartments along with more hotels are mainly being built. Otherwise the city is also being equipped with other new very much needed upscale fashion shopping centres such as Pavilion, which attracts visitors from far and near (Singapore, the Middle East etc.). Though compared to for example the booming oil rich emirates in the Middle East, Kuala Lumpur is nowhere near having the sign ‘Under Construction’ stamped all over the city map.
Overall the city feels very green and in the very city centre one can find grass fields, tropical trees and private villas on fairly large properties. Such is the case for instance in the vicinity of KL’s most striking attention-grabber, once the highest building in the world – Petronas Twin Towers.
Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur: Petronas view
This iconic international landmark, a twin tower and – so far – the skyscraper of all skyscrapers within Southeast Asia, comes with its own shopping centre Suria KLCC, the KL Convention Centre as neighbour and also a large, lush park outside offering swimming pools, a 1.3 km jogging track and playgrounds for families which is very popular.
But what is even better is that you can stay in style a stone’s throw away from KLCC and enjoy unobstructed views of the towers at one of the capital’s utmost hotel attractions – Trader’s Hotel Kuala Lumpur. On the other side of the park opposite Petronas Twin Towers, this is the only hotel in KL offering this kind of close-up view.
And along with the towers, this slick high-rise construction’s grey-blue metal and glass façade stands out from the surroundings relatively dated city architecture.
Quite expectedly, this hotel also comes with an entirely modern design. And what exciting interior and concepts (led by the architect and designer Brian Chan) have conjured up!
Combine the stylish Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur – being a new Traders Hotel generation of city centre hotels – with its well-positioned location and you have a winning formula! You don’t trade this hotel for much else.
The 571-room Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur is sort of the new generation of this sub brand – Traders Hotel – and of Shangri-La Resorts & Hotels itself, having evolved Shangri-La’s hallmark brand into a courteous, unobtrusive style of our own.
This is without any question the best hotel from where to catch the twin towers on camera and most suitably Traders Hotel comes with no less than two superb spots from where to enjoy, as the hotel itself describes it, ‘intoxicating views’ of the shimmering steel skyscraper opposite the park.
Traders Club Lounge, Kuala Lumpur
The first vintage point is its large and popular club lounge – in this hotel opting for a club room is really worthwhile – where it is unavoidable to contemplate the surroundings while savouring the superb service and all the benefits of being a club guest. Looking out one will soon also realise how close nearby many of the city’s attractions are.
Pavilion can’t be seen but this new shopping nirvana is a mere 10-minute walk from the hotel (this one comes with more brands than one can ask for).
Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur club impeccable lounge
Anyhow, with floor-to-ceiling panorama windows in two opposite directions, the surprisingly fresh Traders Club Lounge offers a nearly 360-degree vista along with a high level of professional service throughout the day. Ample choices of very comfy seating along with breakfast, afternoon tea (13.00 – 17.00 hours) and evening cocktails (17.30 – 19.30), leave little left to yearn for. Coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks are also available throughout the day. The fresh and modern context together with balanced, impeccable service gives an ambience which exudes true warmth.
A hot cappuccino with some cookies, while surveying the vista upon arrival to the lounge for check-in, is definitely a great start of your stay.
It is easy to pinpoint the advantages and in fact over all praise for this hotel, and it is probably clear by now that opting for a club room is highly recommended here as you will then also get a room on the higher floors with better view of the surroundings. If you get a Traders Club Park View room you also have the impressive twin towers in view, as well as from the gymnasium, actually.
But the other main spot is from the rooftop’s Sky Bar, with its built-in pool and spa.
In order to get clear shots without obstruction from any window one can venture up here to level 33. Preferably this skyscraper should be photographed in darkness, since the core feature is its illuminated façade (lasting until midnight). It is only then that the construction of the building and the metal and steel surface comes out right.
Gaze at the glow from towering twin wonders while enjoying the latest chill and club tunes and sipping delectable cocktails.
Sky Bar, Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Sky Bar hot spot
Any proper city guide to Kuala Lumpur will have to mention the Sky Bar since it is one of the city’s foremost hot spots. Rejuvenated in 2008 the overhead installations shield guests from the elements outside. A line-up of signature cocktails created by international mixologists is part of a very weighty menu.
Sky Bar has developed a popular following among local and international guests for its combination of great cocktails and panoramic views, and also hosts international DJ’s from time to time.
Sky Bar is basically a multi-functional, semi outdoor bathing house but with a sound system. Daytime the setting provokes the desire to just chill-out. Guests at the hotel can start swimming as early as 7 a.m., though if you have a late night out in this SkyBar converted into a nightclub after 7 p.m. (open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturday), you might come up for a wake-up swim around noon or even later…
Then you get to hear the absolutely best chill-out tracks daytime, inspiring you to have a cocktail to get in the mood in the afternoon.
Essentials for modern travellers are met
The rest of Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur is also designed with a purpose, including many of the essential amenities expected by the hotel’s modern business and leisure traveller guests.
Not only are there Hi–speed Internet (complimentary Wi-Fi in club rooms) and an Internet corner on each Traders Club Floor, but also the lifts are hi-speed.
Furthermore, while accommodating all the expected essentials this top-of-the-line hotel did not neglect such a great convenience for guests as installing a good old ice machine on each floor. For creative guests this is just as easy, going out into the comfy corridor to refill the ice bucket with the desired quantity, and thereby also avoiding having to wait for this room service.
Other things of importance when being choosy about which hotel to stay in, the rooms should ideally have at least a DVD player with the aim to be able to connect or play music from ones’ own source of movies and music. A mini-stereo will also do the job.
Additional concerns guests might be checking are if the room is large enough for a private yoga session and regarding the quality of the air condition. You need it but you certainly don’t want it to be too cold or noisy. Other needs – which are for some reason not always standard – are the iron and ironing board as well a large enough safety box for both a 17 inch laptop and a camera. These are no issues at Traders Hotel where the fabulous rooms – another hotel highlight – are done up to impress.
Sometimes one gets impressed by things and details that we normally would not pay much attention to. In this case the bathroom comes with a wow factor; designed with fabulous material and being well thought-out to fit its four features. This formula should suit many modern hotels.
First of all, the illuminated and half transparent sink counter with some yellow-gold veined, remarkable marble sink counter is of the most fantastic design – shining like a lamp!
Enjoy the bath salt in the large enough bath tub; then step over at its end to the shower. There, you can move the cleverly installed glass slide door along with you so the bathroom floor stays dry no matter where you choose to shower!
The ultra-comfortable room is large enough to fit an office desk and chair, as well as design furniture to recline and laze in; including an armchair with support for the feet and a sofa. Here one can get the business of the day done in comfort and privacy, and enjoying each others’ company over a glass of wine and anything one could yearn for from room service. Touching the ‘Touch’ button solves such matters.
Several floor-to-ceiling mirrors – next to the bed, on the wardrobe doors, and even under the sink in the bathroom – gives it an extra roomy feeling, in addition to its normal purpose to allow inspecting one’s appearance.
The beautiful bed linen and matching light brown bed cover are in concert with the room design.
Gobo lights concept
After enjoying and relaxing in the room, by the pool, or having returned from a day of shopping and sightseeing club it will be time for a bite to eat.
Not to be overlooked is the hotel’s dining experience Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill. From its name you can guess it has something to do with gobos and those rotating lights displays patterns in all colours around the restaurant and its curved ceiling, giving it a special, stylish and entertaining atmosphere.
A la carte and buffets are served, including Spinosini pasta especially flown in from Italy, Meatloaf with raisin apricot jam, wok frieds like Mee Mamak (Indian style noodles with chicken, prawn, potatoes and bean curd), or Wanton Noodles (Egg noodles with chicken char siew, shrimp dumplings, shitake mushrooms, green vegetables).
Among the desserts try the unusual combo Carrot cake with chili and sweet sauce! The chocolate tower is orange, matching the design of the interior.
Also essential is to head for the club lounge’s Evening Cocktails. Then one gets to fully appreciate this large and comfy lounge with its smorgasbord of delicacies such as sushi, clam or steamed butter fish with garlic soy oil and fresh coriander, along with desserts, beer, wine cocktails, juices and other standard drinks. Charm your darling with a ‘Pink Lady’…
During these cocktail hours one gets to see that the hotel has deservedly gained a large cosmopolitan following, with unusually many guests on weekends.
And with the convenience of Wi-fi – this lounge is comfortable to spend many hours in and connect. Get down to doing the correspondence and if on holiday, why not sharing the experience with friends and include some just taken digital snapshots from Kuala Lumpur!
Then, KL’s nightlife awaits you where you obviously don’t have to venture far. At around 9 p.m. it still early but the perfect time to head up to the night sky on Level 33 in order to grab a seat before the crowds arrive.
Day and night, being a truly metropolitan hotspot and oasis, we give Traders Hotel the thumbs up.
Sky Bar, Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur
