Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

Set on one of Kuala Lumpur's nicest parks, in one of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods, this hotel embodies the luxurious style for which the Mandarin Oriental is known. The lobby is filled with green-and-gold marble, and the ceilings have gilded insets and large chandeliers. The restaurants and bars are similarly grand, with sophisticated decor and dramatic light fixtures. A standout is the Casbah bar, a dark space filled with rich jewel tones, while the Sultan Lounge has cream-colored, crescent-shaped banquettes. The outdoor spaces are made for lounging -- the free-form adult pool with an infinity edge overlooks the Kuala Lumpur skyline and surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs. The separate children’s pool is almost as spacious as the adult pool. While the services and amenities here put this property toward the top of the list when it comes to Kuala Lumpur luxury hotels, keep in mind that the style is a bit old school and won't work for those who like their high-end hotels in a sleek, contemporary package. Couples and business travelers make up the lion's share of guests here, though plenty of families pass through as well.

In one of central Kuala Lumpur's most exclusive neighborhoods -- KLCC -- the hotel sits adjacent to KL City Park and the Petronas Twin Towers. The neighborhood is filled with other upscale and luxury hotels, and the hotel is surrounded by shops and restaurants. One of the poshest and most popular malls in the city, The Pavilion, is a 15-minute walk or 10-minute drive from the hotel. The Kuala Lumpur Convention Center and the Aquaria KLCC -- ideal for business travelers and families, respectively -- are both about a five-minute walk from the hotel. It's a 20-minute walk to the trendy Bukit Bintang shopping and entertainment district, though in this city's epic heat a cab ride is more comfortable and should take around five minutes. The KLCC light rail station is a 12-minute walk from the hotel, and travelers should expect a 50-minute drive to Kuala Lampur International Airport.

The Mandarin Oriental’s 643 rooms have city, park, or Twin Towers views; Club Rooms, with access to a luxurious executive lounge, and suites have separate living rooms. Decor in guest rooms is traditionally elegant, with a brown-and-beige palette created by a combination of light tan carpets, floral-print and chiffon fabrics, and old school wood furniture like heavy two-poster bed frames. The style will strike some guests -- particularly those looking for contemporary luxury style -- as dated. Higher-category rooms have additional luxe accents, like granite-inlay foyers or woven area rugs, but the overall effect is similarly off-modern.

Gold- and black-toned marble bathrooms have soaking tubs and separate stall showers, while the palatial Club Suite has its own sauna. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars, electric kettles, iPod docks, safes, irons, and ironing boards. Wi-Fi is free in Club Rooms and Suites, though in other rooms it requires either a direct booking through the hotel (which can be expensive) and creating a profile -- check ahead.

The hotel’s luxurious facilities include a free-form adult pool and a separate large rectangular children’s pool, both surrounded by palm trees and with views of the surrounding skyscrapers. The large spa has a full menu of massages, body scrubs, facials, and other beauty treatments, along with a sauna, steam room, hot tub, and plunge pool. Fitness facilities include a large gym with plenty of machines, group and private fitness classes, and two outdoor tennis courts. There’s also an indoor golf simulator with the ability to play virtual rounds at 50 different courses -- a feature that not many competing hotels lack.

There are several on-site restaurants, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner available at Mosaic, and lunch and dinner available at Mandarin Grill, the Cantonese eatery Lai Po Heen, and Wasabi Bistro, which serves California-Japanese cuisine. Food is also available at the poolside Aqua Restaurant & Bar and Casbah, with afternoon tea served at Lounge on the Park. There are two other bars, including MO Bar, which allows smoking, as well as a cake shop. The luxurious Club lounge is free to Club Room guests and includes free breakfast, weekday lunch, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails, as well as use of a boardroom. Keep in mind that standard room rates outside of Club Room and suite categories do not include breakfast.

There are a wealth of meeting and event spaces throughout the hotel, including impressive ballrooms and more intimate spaces, but the style is a slightly less fresh take on luxury, similar to the hotels other common areas and rooms. As explained, the Wi-Fi policy is a bit convoluted and Wi-Fi is only free for Club Room guests, suite guests, and those who book directly through the hotel's website and create a profile. There are also several shops on-site, and the hotel can arrange for all manner of services including private limousines, dry cleaning, babysitting, and laundry.