Hotel Novotel Kuala Lumpur City Centre

The 28-story Hotel Novotel Kuala Lumpur City Centre draws a mix of leisure and business travelers with its stellar location above all else. In a bustling part of town, there are frequently guests moving in and out of the lobby and common areas. Decor is largely dated and worn throughout the property -- think chipped wood furniture, busy patterned carpets, and boxy brown armchairs. However, the lobby's winding staircase adds some character, and the Quing Zheng restaurant has a lovely design with patterned tile floors, ceramic vases, and pointed archways. An outdoor pool and casual lounge provide areas to relax on-site, and guests who want more privacy or exclusivity can upgrade to a Premier-level room for access to a quiet lounge with free drinks and snacks. Overall, the on-site features aren't the main draw here, but rather the affordable rates and central location. In November 2018, the hotel started renovations of its Premier floors, which are set to be completed April 2019, with the rest of the floors to follow. 

This hotel has a prime location between Kuala Lumpur City Center and Bukit Bintang, and is adjacent to a pedestrian skybridge for easy access to sights and restaurants. The skybridge connects to major city attractions like the Petronas Twin Towers (a 15-minute walk away), Suria shopping center (13-minute walk), and Pavilion shopping center (two-minute walk). Raja Chalun Monorail station is just a five-minute walk from the hotel, as is the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Numerous restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions are within easy reach. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a 50-minute drive away.

The 295 rooms here are largely dated, featuring scuffed wooden furniture, worn carpeting, mismatched linens, and unappealing green accent walls or color block wall hangings. Also on the downside, many past guests have complained of noise from adjacent rooms and the road. Fortunately, the hotel began renovations on the Premier-level floors in November 2018, and the first phase is set to be done in April 2019. The rest of the rooms will slowly be updated after that. On the plus side, rooms are spacious, and all come with free Wi-Fi, free bottled mineral water, lightly stocked minibars, electronic safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, ergonomic work areas, and small flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Basic bathrooms have granite countertops, shower/tub combos, and bides, as well as free toiletries and wall-mounted hairdryers. Upgrading to Junior Suites means more attractive wood flooring, separate living spaces with couches, showers and separate bathtubs, and espresso machines. 

Although most guests are here for the easy access to sights, restaurants, and shops, there's a good deal of features to keep guests occupied on-site. In terms of dining, there are two restaurants: one that specializes in Chinese cuisine, while the other offers a menu with both Asian and international dishes. The Qing Zhen Chinese restaurant has a more attractive, elaborate design. A lobby bar and poolside bar serve cocktails. Travelers in a Premier-level room get access to an exclusive lounge on the 28th floor, where free breakfast, free evening cocktails and canapes, and two free hours of meeting room use are offered. The freeform, unheated outdoor pool is set in a pleasant space with loungers and umbrellas, and a separate small kiddy pool. A simple spa offers massages and beauty treatments, while a fitness center has all the expected equipment. Meeting and event spaces are also available. Wi-Fi is free while parking costs extra.