> > by Tanya Joslin
When word got out that I was visiting Kuala Lumpur, my inbox was inundated with messages from friends telling me I had to visit Traders Hotel KL for a drink at their glamorous Sky Bar. I took it a step further and booked a fantastic five night stay!
As the scaled down (yet still luxurious) sister brand of the opulent Shangri-La hotels, our expectations were high – but Traders managed to exceed them. The first thing that strikes you is the stunning location, right at the foot of KLCC Park, KL’s ‘green-lung’. Look a bit further and you realise that this park is the only thing separating you and the iconic Petronas Towers. Next is the hotel itself. Traders is the epitome of contemporary chic – light walls interspersed with splashes of vibrant greens and reds, stylish furniture (and staff!), the whole feeling is minimalist yet warm and inviting. The staff are outstanding and everyone we met seemed to really enjoy coming to work.
VENTURING OUT
Kuala Lumpur is often considered a stop-over, perhaps on the way to one of Malaysia’s gorgeous islands. But we recommend basing yourself here for a good four to five nights to soak up the shopping scene - the famous Suria KLCC is a buggy- ride away from Traders and if you are really clever and time it with one of the city’s big sales it will be hard to drag yourself away.
But there is more to do in this fabulous city - read the local Time Out on arrival and make a list of local restaurants to visit, book a game of golf at one of the many courses, take a day to immerse in the city via the hop-on-hop-off bus. My host at Traders had the fabulous idea of using the hotel as a base and getting out to see some of the real Malaysia. Malacca, for example, is not much over an hour by car and an opportunity to learn about some of Malaysia’s interesting history.
TASTE TEMPTATIONS
The city’s beautiful people flock to Traders Hotel’s famous open-air SkyBar, situated on the 33rd floor – the one place that had a more striking view than our room! This is Kuala Lumpur at its most chic; imagine the incredible city views from the top floor of this hotel, now picture a contemporary bar/restaurant setting, but with a pool taking centre stage! Spacious sunken lounges beckon you to kick back and relax (particularly enticing for a light lunch during the day) and at night you can take in some of KL’s funkiest beats. For the ultimate romantic evening, head to Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill and enjoy one of KL’s best steaks, then head to the SkyBar for a nightcap. Trader’s also serve up one of the best buffet breakfasts and casual dining at Gobo Chit Chat restaurant on the 5th floor.
COUPLES WILL LOVE
Did I mention the view and location? And the Club Lounge? Honestly, all these things are a massive highlight, but couples will also love the modern take Traders have on hospitality and value. Strictly a four-star hotel with a four-star price, you’ll love the five-star service and surroundings. Also, the Spa at Traders is the perfect spot to nip off for some R&R. Here, the contemporary and modern feel of the hotel continues yet again and they offer a spa menu to satisfy even the most demanding spa diva.
THE ROOMS
There are so many details that impressed us: the pillow menu, how the modern style of the whole hotel extends to the warm and inviting guest rooms, the wireless broadband ... but it is the view that made us yelp with glee. Oh the view! You open the curtains and there they are, surely the most iconic buildings in Asia, the Petronas Towers. There could, perhaps, be one other place in KL where the view gets better than this, but more about that later because it, too, is from Traders KL!
But back to the nitty gritty. Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur offers 571 rooms and suites in total, but you cannot go past the value of and difference made by staying on one of their Club Floor Rooms. What these rooms give you access to is the ‘Traders Club’, an exclusive lounge where personal service is taken to new heights. Some of the highlights are: access to a ‘Club Concierge’ who will assist and guide you with anything you need, breakfast each morning (in the club or the restaurant), a generous selection of afternoon cocktails complemented with delicious nibbles and a higher category room and floor.
GETTING THERE
Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia X both fly direct from Australia to Kuala Lumpur.
www.malaysiaairlines.com.au; www.airasia.com