Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur

Set in Kuala Lumpur's busy transport and business hub, this hotel combines luxury style with a convenient central location. Giving a lot of attention to art, Le Meridien is contemporary in design, filled with original installations by a variety of international artists. These include the colourful, eye-catching entrance and the sparkling fountain taking center-stage in the large, circular lobby. The lobby feels more like a casual hub than simply a place to check in and out, featuring stylish seating areas where guests can enjoy coffee and have small meetings. A big outdoor free-form pool is similarly laid-back, lined with padded sun loungers, umbrellas, tropical palm trees, and a poolside bar. The hotel also pays a lot of attention to cuisine, offering a total of six dining options, which is more than most in this category. Most on-site restaurants have a casual flair, though some take on a more formal feel, without being pretentious. This hotel attracts mostly business travelers, but families and couples also pass through here. 

Le Meridien is located in a busy transport hub, situated right next to Kuala Lumpur's Sentral Station, making it a convenient choice for business travelers and tourists. It's also within easy walking distance to the shops and restaurants of Nu Sentral Mall. A 15-minute drive leads to many of the city's most popular attractions, including the Petronas Twin Towers, Bukit Bintang, and the Pavilion Shopping Center. Mid-Valley Megamall is just a 10-minute drive from the hotel, while Petaling Street Market in Chinatown is a five-minute drive. There's plenty of drinking and dining options in the immediate area, as well as all manner of transport options. The International Airport can be reached in 30-minutes from the hotel via the KLIA express, which can be accessed at KL Sentral Station. 

The contemporary style exhibited in the hotel's lobby and public has been carried through into most Le Meridien's 420 rooms and suites. We plan on revisiting to get new images, though most rooms are now tricked out in a crisp gray palette, with eye-catching patterned feature walls, plus hardwood furniture that takes its cues from both mod and Scandinavian minimalist design trends. Keep in mind that the degree to which rooms have been upgraded varies, so check ahead. Club Rooms are spacious, while entry-level Superior Rooms are smaller than expected. The suites are particularly handsome, and have an upscale-home vibe, with master bedrooms, office space, and funky knick-knacks strategically placed to give the rooms some character. Crisp white bedding includes cozy goose down duvets, and big windows offering nice views of the city and lake garden. Modern amenities and technology include free Wi-Fi, 48-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, DVD players, air-conditioning, phones, safes, and minibars. Bottled water is free. Marble-tiled bathrooms are generously-sized. Each includes separate showers and bathtubs, large sinks, and free toiletries -- some have large windows with lovely city views. Robes and slippers are provided.

The tropical free-form outdoor pool is a real highlight of this hotel. Lined with padded sun loungers, umbrellas, and palm trees, it sits alongside the open-air Pool Bar and Grill, which serves a variety of tasty BBQ dishes and cocktails. This is just one of several on-site eateries, giving guests plenty of dining options. Gastro@Sentral has a relaxed flair, serving a selection of local and international dishes, while Latest Recipe offers a plethora of Asian cuisines. Ginza Sushimasa serves premium sushi from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, while Prime is a go-to for meat lovers, specializing in steak and fine wines. Favola offers a high-end Venetian menu, and Latitude 03 caters for those with a sweet tooth, serving pastries, chocolate, and coffee. The hotel also serves a daily breakfast buffet which earns excellent reviews, though this comes at an additional fee. Though the hotel has several dining options, it takes a hit when it comes to other facilities. There is no fitness center or spa, which might be disappointing for some, and certainly diminishes its own luxury claims. Guests are allowed to use the accompanying Hilton Hotel's fitness center and spa for free. The Le Meridien also has a hair and beauty salon, convenience store, and the Metropolis Business Center, with several meeting rooms and a self-serve kitchen. Other services include 24-hour concierge, room service, laundry, luggage storage, currency exchange, and car rentals. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though there is a fee for parking.