Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Kuala Lumpur

With its prime location on KL City Park, next to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the Mandarin Oriental is right in the heart of this sprawling city. Business travelers flock here, but there are amenities for leisure travelers, too, including numerous restaurants, outdoor pools, a massive spa, and an indoor golf simulator. The spacious rooms offer great views of the city, and the Club Suite has its own sauna, but the traditionally elegant will strike some as dated. Wi-Fi is nominally free -- it's advertised by the hotel, but involves creating a profile and direct bookings -- so check ahead. For an intimate option near KLCC with lots of polish, travelers should investigate Villa Samadhi, which has similar rates.

This large, upscale Hilton is located across the street from the KL Sentral train station, a quick trip from the airport via high-speed train. It’s just outside of the city center, and local attractions can be reached on public transportation. Along with more than 500 rooms -- some with beautiful views of the skyline or nearby lake -- the hotel has 10 restaurants and bars, including a well-regarded grill, and shares two pools with the adjacent Le Meridien. There is also a spa, a massive fitness center, and a private lounge for Executive Room guests. Wi-Fi is only free in the common areas, except for Executive Room guests and HHonors members. Travelers wanting to be closer to the city center can try the Traders Hotel, which has similar rates.

The 482-room Aloft Sentral Hotel is a modern, three-and-a-half pearl property that's a 10-minute walk from KL Sentral Station. It's also conveniently connected to the Nu Sentral Mall, filled with shops and restaurants. Decor is colorful and contemporary, with a cozy, relaxed vibe throughout. There are two bars and a chic restaurant offering international dishes, plus a small self-serve pantry. The hotel also has a spacious fitness center with up-to-date equipment, a large business center, and a sleek rooftop infinity pool with amazing city views. The loft-style rooms are small, clean, and modern, featuring flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free snacks. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. For more a traditional atmosphere, travelers should consider The Royal Chulan, which adds a spa and free parking.

Despite the somewhat gritty immediate area, the PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur is an upscale property that caters to families with its 287 modern studios and large apartments. The kitchenettes, complete with rice cookers and electric stovetops, are designed for longer stays, and the kid-friendly facilities include indoor and outdoor play areas -- some of the reasons this won a 2015 TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award for the best family hotel in Malaysia. There are also two outdoor pools, one of which is on the rooftop with city views. There's no full restaurant or bar, but continental breakfast is free. Travelers looking for a more conventional hotel setting can compare rates at the related PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur, which has three restaurants, a live music bar, and a spa.

Just across from the Pavilion shopping center, the 443-room Westin
Kuala Lumpur is a five-pearl chain hotel in a convenient location. There are
several restaurants on-site offering Italian, Latin, and Cantonese cuisine, but
the breakfast buffet receives mixed reviews. The outdoor pool area is
particularly pretty with a stone walkway and leafy landscape. Rooms are
polished and tastefully decorated, if a touch generic, with 40-inch flat-screen TVs, stocked
minibars, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Business
travelers are drawn in by the business center and an Executive Club, but
families are also catered to with a kids' club and a kiddy pool. For a similar rate, guests should check out Traders Hotel, Kuala
Lumpur, which offers an excellent location near the Petronas Twin Towers and a
popular rooftop nightclub, but no outdoor pool.

The DoubleTree by Hilton is a three-and-a-half-pearl property in the central business district of Kuala Lumpur, connected to The Intermark shopping and office complex. The 540 rooms and suites are contemporary, if generic, outfitted with large desks, kettles, free Wi-Fi and sleek peek-a-boo bathrooms with rainfall showers. Suites have living spaces and showers alongside separate tubs. Executive-level guests get access to a lounge with free breakfasts and evening appetizers. Five dining options offer Italian cuisine, Malaysian fare, and a full bar. Features include an outdoor saltwater pool, which is often in the shade, a 24-hour fitness center, free parking, and a free shuttle to area attractions. Travelers wanting a spa may prefer the Hilton Kuala Lumpur, though it's outside the city center.

This upscale hotel in the Chow Kit area of Kuala Lumpur is connected to the Sunway Putra Mall and a one-minute walk from a LRT Station. The large 650-room, 33-floor hotel underwent renovations in 2016, resulting in contemporary, neutral-tone spaces that are sleek but have little character. Earth-tone rooms are spacious and come with free bottled water, safes, mini-fridges, LCD TVs, and free Wi-Fi, plus some add balconies and living areas. Quality dining includes an elegant Japanese restaurant, breakfast buffet (for a fee), and lobby lounge with live piano music. A fitness center, outdoor swimming pool with hot tub and kiddy pool, and grand ballroom are also on-site, but there is no spa. Travelers willing to pay a bit more for a swish property with a spa may prefer Shangri-La Hotel, though it's a bit outside the city center.

The 402-room Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur is an upscale chain property that's a 10-minute walk from the glitzy Pavilion shopping center. There's a distinct old-school vibe throughout, from the elegant lobby to the ornate headboards and parlor chairs in handsome (but austere) guest rooms. There are several restaurants on-site, including Malaysian, French, and Chinese spots, plus an excellent breakfast buffet with a wide selection. A big outdoor pool area has a pool bar and a children's pool, and there's also a fitness center and spa. Both parking and Wi-Fi are free. For more stylish, contemporary rooms, check out Traders Hotel, another luxury option in the KLCC area.

The 426-room PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur is centrally located within the popular Bukit Bintang shopping district, surrounded by dining and nightlife. The crowds and noise that come with the area can be an issue, and its mediocre standard rooms may surprise guests who expect more from the four-and-a-half pearl rating. But all the perks are saved for the updated club-level rooms, which also get free breakfast and drinks in the hotel's Orchid Lounge. For everyone else there are still three other eateries to choose from, along with an outdoor pool and a full spa. For families, the apartments at PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur may present better options.

The mid-range, 235-room Capitol Hotel is a well-maintained, largely contemporary spot close to many shops, restaurants, nightlife, and tourist attractions in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur. Some rooms are a bit dated in terms of decor, while others are more modern, though all come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free toiletries. Unfortunately, some guests have reported noise issues. There’s no swimming pool on-site, but guests can use the outdoor pool at their sister property Federal Hotel. A restaurant serves buffet breakfasts every morning, which receives mostly positive feedback. Free Wi-Fi and free nearby parking are available, as is a small fitness center. It's worth considering the more modern Ramada Suites Kuala Lumpur City Centre, which has kitchenette-equipped rooms, a pool, and a bigger gym.

The 151-room, mid-range Swiss Inn Kuala Lumpur is an affordable property conveniently located in the heart of Chinatown by bustling Petaling Street. Small rooms are largely contemporary and come with free bottled water, coffee- and tea-making facilities, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. However, some of the lower-category units lack windows, so be sure to request one if that's important.Unfortunately, guests have complained of maintenance issues, unpleasant odors, and inconsistent service. Features here are limited to a tasty all-day restaurant that serves a decent buffet breakfast for a fee, free property-wide Wi-Fi, and a meeting room. Overall, there are better values to be found in the area, such as the nearby Geo Hotel, a similarly priced property with quiet rooms.