A city of nearly two million people, Kuala Lumpur is a capital city in Southeast Asia that is visited primarily for its thriving shopping scene, the architectural splendor of the Petronas Twin Towers, and the exciting street food experience. But it was never really a hotspot for hotels to make headlines until recently, when big-name brands like Four Seasons established themselves with luxury satellites within city limits. Even more recent is the introduction of high-end properties that draw jetset aesthetes to one of the city’s hipster districts.
Local hotel company Ormond Group just opened two of these hotels in Chow Kit. Located approximately one mile west of the Twin Towers, Chow Kit was historically a red-light district, but is now undergoing a dramatic transformation that has won. the love of today’s Malays. And the opening of these hotels, both cashed in thanks to coveted international design agencies, puts the neighborhood on the radar of like-minded global nomads.
“I think you can argue that the people of Kuala Lumpur know that they have lost their sense of place; they are superstructures and shopping malls, ”says Gareth Lim, CEO of Ormond Group. How is it different from any Asian metropolis? In Chow Kit, you can see a side that is uniquely Kuala Lumpur.
According to Lim, this property offers simplified luxury. For example, the rooms, which are not huge, were put together to efficiently provide guests with the essentials, such as a custom light wood console that is simultaneously a desk, a closet and a mini bar. But visually, there is excess. The lacquered headboard, matching light fixtures, green ceiling, and tapestry-inspired upholstery on the sofa give guests plenty to look at.
The same is also true in public areas. Like most large kid-friendly hotels, The Chow Kit has become a gathering place for locals and travelers alike. The main floor is divided between the lobby, the restaurant and there is even a small intimate corner for whatever the atmosphere requires. The dining room menu was purposely crafted so as not to compete with street food vendors. Tandoori-marinated fish and chips, avocado fried rice, and cocktails enriched with ingredients like cardamom bitters and lemongrass liqueurs keep things familiar but still adventurous.
Research on the project included studying historical books that reveal a bit of what the neighborhood was like decades ago, as well as an in-depth analysis of what the environment and culture is like there today. Namely: the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant with its vintage chairs and hanging lantern-shaped chandeliers is a gentle nod to the kopitiams, cafes of the region, where Tack’s team began their mornings during visits to Kuala Lumpur.
But at MoMo’s, like many hotels that favor limited room space, the magic happens outside those four walls. “MoMo’s is social and cute,” explains Lim. “These were selected for the traveler who is not here to relax and unwind but is looking to meet like-minded people. “
At The Chow Kit, which Lim calls reflective and retrospective, there is a rooftop space where regularly scheduled yoga or meditation takes place. Similarly, both properties offer walking tours of the surrounding areas and will soon be led by at-risk local youth through a partnership with Yayasan Chow Kit, a foundation that works specifically to provide opportunities for youth.
“KL didn’t have a great selection of design hotels, so we were never able to attract design seekers,” adds Lim. “By prioritizing good design, we can attract the design and cultural traveler looking for new adventures in a well-known city.”
