Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaBukit Bintang
The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel
Retro Malaysiana hotel
Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opened
2016
Price
$
Rated for
Design Social LocalOutside the door
Retro Malaysiana hotel
Nostalgic mid-century details and upbeat pastel styling turn this urban tower into an unpretentious tribute to vintage Malaysia.
What it’s good at
Notable
Ramesh Seshan layered upcycled shophouse grilles and pastel mid-century furniture across the tower.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
A modern tower in the heart of it all, this boutique hotel features rooms decked out in vibrant colors, modern design, and mural-sized photography.
In a lively part of town
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Jalan Alor's nightly hawker stalls sit footsteps away, and the lively bars of Changkat are just around the corner.
1 of 5
The rooms
Mural-sized street photographs hang above the beds, offset by saturated wall colors and clean retro furnishings.
The rooftop pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The Level 11 saltwater pool looks over Bukit Bintang, lined with cord loungers beneath a retro neon swimmer sign.
At the table
The lobby coffee bar serves à la carte breakfast, and the rooftop deck has light bites and evening cocktails.
How it began
The project started as a standard budget build before its founders pivoted, reshaping the tower around 1950s Malaysian nostalgia.
Kuala Lumpur
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.