Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Opened in 2004, the Hilton Kuala Lumpur is ranked among the best hotels in Southeast Asia according to TripAdvisor. After a relaxing time on the Malaysian island of Penang, we wanted to unwind a bit in Kuala Lumpur before our flight to Bangkok. Find out whether the five-star Hilton Kuala Lumpur was the right choice in the following hotel review.

Booking, arrival and check-in

As usual, we booked the Hilton Kuala Lumpur directly through the Hilton website. Only by booking directly through the website do you receive benefits in the Hilton Honors program and can collect points for free nights. The price was also very reasonable for a five-star hotel by European standards.

On our arrival day, we drove from Penang Island to Kuala Lumpur. The drive on the well-maintained highway took about 5 hours. However, we made a short detour to Kuala Kangsar. The detour was definitely worth it to see the Ubudiah Mosque, built in 1913 in the Moorish style with its golden domes.

Check-in in the impressive lobby of the Hilton Kuala Lumpur was quick and friendly, with no waiting time. We were greeted as Diamond guests and received an upgrade from our booked King Deluxe Plus Room to a Junior Suite.

Where is the Hilton Kuala Lumpur located?

The Hilton Kuala Lumpur is strategically located right next to KL Sentral train station. From KL Sentral, you can easily reach popular attractions like the Petronas Twin Towers and KLIA airport, which is directly connected to the high-speed rail network. The hotel is also easily accessible by car thanks to Kuala Lumpur's well-developed road network. Ample parking is available in a multi-story car park.

What are the rooms (Junior Suite) like at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur?

Our junior suite was located on the 21st floor near the elevators. The suite was very compact. Upon entering, you were immediately in the living area. This contained a desk, somewhat inconveniently positioned directly under the television, a seating area with a sofa, and a fully stocked minibar. A Nespresso machine and four bottles of water were also on the cabinet next to the minibar.

The bedroom was separated from the living area by a wall with a doorway. The king-size bed was very comfortable and integrated into the room with a leather headboard. The bedside lamps hung from the ceiling and were dimmable. Unfortunately, they couldn't be switched on and off separately for each side of the bed. The highlight of the room for us was the large panoramic window overlooking Kuala Lumpur. From the sofa in front of it, you had a fantastic view of the surrounding area. The television was mounted on the wall opposite the bed.

To the left and right of the television, a frosted glass sliding door led into the bathroom. It was equipped with a bathtub and a walk-in shower. The toilet was separated by another glass door. However, the room was rather small and cramped. The vanity with ample storage space was located against the wall adjoining the bedroom. The bathroom also contained a wardrobe with a safe and an iron.

What is the breakfast like at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur?

As Diamond members at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur, we had the option of having breakfast either in the main restaurant, Vasco's, in the lobby or in the Executive Lounge. When we're in Asia, we usually prefer the main restaurant, as the selection there is much larger than in the lounge. The downside of breakfast in the main restaurant is that it's usually very crowded. On a Sunday morning around 9 a.m., a short queue had formed outside the restaurant.

The Hilton Kuala Lumpur offers a generous breakfast buffet. In addition to the usual American breakfast, there was a wide variety of Asian dishes, including local breakfast favorites like Nasi Lemak and Roti Canai, as well as Japanese and Indian options. There was also a wide selection of fresh fruit, salads, and various yogurts.

What is the Executive Lounge like at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur?

The Executive Lounge is located on the 33rd floor of the Hilton Kuala Lumpur and is accessible only with an activated room key. As Diamond status guests, we had unrestricted access to the lounge. Soft drinks, water, and hot beverages are available all day (open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM). Snacks such as nuts and dried fruit are also offered. The lounge spans two sides of the corridor: a larger lounge on the right where food and drinks are served, and a smaller lounge on the left, which houses the reception. Both spaces feature high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows with city views.

Breakfast is served buffet-style in the lounge from 6:00 to 10:00 AM. The buffet offers a wide selection of hot dishes, fresh fruit, yogurt, and pastries. Additionally, various egg dishes such as omelets, eggs Benedict, or pancakes are freshly prepared upon request.

Afternoon tea at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, offers a selection of sweet and savory snacks, as well as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. During our stay, there was a selection of salmon sandwiches, wraps, chocolate cake, and scones with fresh whipped cream. The sandwiches were delicious. I was initially a little skeptical about the scones, but they tasted better than they looked.

The Hilton Kuala Lumpur invites guests to an aperitif in the Executive Lounge from 6 pm to 8 pm. The buffet was first-class for a hotel lounge. There were two hot dishes, such as pasta, a tomato soup, and a wide selection of salads and cheeses. Curry Laksa (Malacca Nyonya Laksa) was also freshly prepared by a chef. For dessert, there were various cakes and a rich assortment of sliced fruit.

Also worth mentioning is the service in the lounge, which was excellent despite the large crowds. Drink orders were taken at the table and served promptly. The staff was very proactive, circulating around the tables during the two-hour service window to, for example, refill wine glasses. The selection of drinks was also very extensive. There were various soft drinks such as Coca-Cola and ginger ale, a wide variety of Dilmah teas, two red wines and two white wines each from Australia and Chile, as well as an Australian sparkling wine. The spirits selection included whisky, Absolut Vodka, gin, and rum. Various long drinks were also available upon request.

What does the Hilton Kuala Lumpur offer for relaxation?

The pool at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur promises an oasis of relaxation and refreshment amidst the hustle and bustle of city life. With breathtaking views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, lush greenery, and comfortable lounge chairs, the pool area invites you to unwind under the Malaysian sun. The absolute highlight for our son, however, was the water slide. In addition to the pool, the Hilton also offers a well-equipped fitness center.

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