Wolo Hotel Bukit Bintang

Known for its standout design, the aesthetic of this hotel can be described as modern quirk. The Avant Garde design is immediately evident by the massive paper horse, colorful wall display made from paper cups and plates behind the reception desk, and bright LED lights on the ground that change color at various intervals in the otherwise dimly lit lobby. The rest of the hotel is just as eclectic, with sculptures of figures perched over the third-floor stairwell, brick walls by the elevators, elaborate paintings, and mismatched vintage seating in the lounge areas. Dance/electronic music pumps (though not too loudly) through the common areas and in the elevators. Offbeat and artistic, but still sleek, the hotel is clearly geared towards younger tourists more than families, though business travelers may find its proximity to commercial areas convenient.

At the corner of a busy intersection in the bustling Golden Triangle area, the hotel is surrounded by malls, hotels, and restaurants. Nightlife is a huge draw in the vicinity, and music from nearby clubs and lounges can get loud. There’s also tons of shopping in the area. The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur mall has high-end stores like Celine, and is a three-minute walk away. The famous former red-light district around Alor Street, and its night food market, is a six-minute walk away. The monorail station is a two-minute walk from the hotel. Bus stops, including the free intra-city shuttle, are within a  two-minute walk. Major attractions like the Petronus Twin Towers, Jamek Sultan Mosque, Chinatown, the Central Market, and the KLCC Park can all be reached in about 30 minutes by public transport. The Batu Caves can be reached in an hour by public transport. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is about an hour away by car. 

Rooms range from the small My Room with twin or queen beds, and the slightly larger Our Room, to the family-friendly options of Our Big Room and Our Family Room. Efforts have been made to maximize the limited spaces: some beds are tucked into nooks, closets with large mirrors and low beds give the illusion of space, and sliding doors separate living areas from the bathrooms. Decor with light wood floors and minimalist desks, warm lighting, and little wall art is simpler than the designs in the common areas. Many rooms lack windows, though, which shrinks the spaces and can feel claustrophobic to some guests.Room amenities include air-conditioning, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, universal adaptors and phone chargers, mini-fridges, tea and coffee facilities, ironing equipment and safes. Free Wi-Fi can be slow at times. Bathrooms, outfitted in dark tiles and modern fixtures, are separated into toilet, shower, and basin sections. All have walk-in showers with handheld showerheads. Hairdryers are provided and amenities include toothbrush sets in addition to the usual shampoo and shower gels. Past guests have complained about frayed towels. 

Features here are limited, as most guests use the hotel as a place to sleep and shower in between shopping sprees and night club visits. Breakfast can be added on with rooms rates, and the meal is offered in the airy, French-inspired Tour le Jour cafe/bakery on the ground floor. The continental buffet is expensive and the set menu is minimal; guests report both as having inadequate options. The eclectic Wine and Cigar Lounge is a laid-back space with a walk-in wine chiller. The carpeted and dimly-lit fitness center (creatively named Heartwork), is largely in keeping with the hotel’s aesthetic, but with only four cardio machines and dangerously dark lighting, it isn’t the most well-equipped or inviting space. Bottled water is provided.Reflecting the hotel’s commitment to artistic endeavors, The Stage is a gallery-like space which often features exhibitions by local artists. The Classroom, with a straightforward, boardroom-style setup is the hotel’s meeting space. Laundry services are available. Spotty Wi-Fi throughout the property is free. There is no parking on-site.