Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur

Palm trees and fountains
decorate the entrance to the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, a hotel that claims to be a luxury property, but isn't quite up to five-pearl levels. Inside, large marble staircases and leather couches give
the spacious lobby a grand, old school feeling. The slightly dated look is enhanced by an abundance of oak paneling and overstuff furniture, though there are attractive, ornate antique pieces and wood carvings throughout as well. On one floor, shops behind glass windows
line a hallway with blue carpeting creating a mall-like atmosphere. Bunga Emas, the
hotel’s upscale Malaysian restaurant, has an elegant appeal, with formal chairs
and heavy linens, while the buffet restaurant, Warisan Cafe, is a vivid
space in a huge atrium with bright table linens and gold chairs. There is live
music in The Heritage Club on many nights, and high tea is served daily in
the Lanai Lounge. Outside, blue lounge chairs and umbrellas surround the pool,
and a poolside bar offers a spot for
guests to enjoy a drink. This is a larger property that attracts both leisure and business travelers for its mix of features and convenient location. 

This hotel is situated in what many travelers consider the center of Kuala Lumpur, between Bukit Bintang and the KLCC area. There are a few sights within an easy walk, including the glitzy Pavilion
mall, 10 minutes from the hotel on foot. There are several major shopping centers in the area with plenty of stores, bars, and restaurants. Lot 10, Sungei Wang Plaza, and Starhill Gallery are all within
a 15-minute walk, and Berjaya Times Square, a shopping center with a theme park,
is just a little further. KLCC is less than a 15-minute walk away, though KLCC area destinations like the Petronas Towers will require a car or taxi to reach (the trip takes about five minutes). The airport takes about 50 minutes to reach, though this depends on traffic.

Rooms at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur have elegant accents, including carved wood
and pin-tucked leather headboards plus white parlor chairs, but overall the rooms are bland and offer little in the way of style, especially given the hotel's luxury claims. Most standard level rooms are decorated in an abundance of white and beige, from carpets to light wood veneer furniture, bedding, and walls. There's little in the way of wall art, and fabrics throughout are almost uniformly neutral. Higher level bookings, like the Premier Suite and apartments we saw, are more attractive, and have features like hardwood floors and ornately carved wooden panels. These rooms also feature more interesting textiles. All rooms have flat-screen
TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea facilities, and (limited) minibars. Bathrooms are
pretty, with light marble walls with attractive trim details, walk-in showers with
rainfall showerheads, and separate tubs. Makeup mirrors and glass weight scales are
thoughtful touches. Rooms with kitchenettes, dining areas, and extra living space are available, and furnished balconies are a nice extra in some rooms.  

This hotel has plenty of space to relax, including an outdoor pool, children’s
pool, and whirlpool, as well as a poolside bar. There are several restaurants
on-site serving a variety of cuisines -- from Malaysian to French to Chinese -- and a breakfast buffet is offered that earns good
reviews for the impressive variety and tasty dishes. Unfortunately, breakfast is not included with room rates. On-site lounges offer high
tea as well live music on some evenings. The property has several
shops, a spa, and a fitness center with treadmills, weight machines, free weights, and an area for yoga. There’s an elegant business center with one computer, and 10 meeting rooms and a ballroom are available for private events. Parking is free,
and airport transfers can be arranged for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.