The night becomes your stage at the W Kuala Lumpur

Source: W Kuala Lumpur. The W logo with the
Petronas Towers as a backdrop.

The W Kuala Lumpur is billing itself as an ideal base for after-dark adventures.

Located in the capital city's golden triangle, guests can easily stroll over to Changkat, Bukit Bintang, Chinatown, or visit the hotel's own rooftop bar WET Deck - featuring a stunning view of the Petronas Twin Towers to set the mood.

The W invites guests to bask in the the neon glow of Petaling Street's night market, sample late-night culinary adventures at Jalan Alor, or chase an adrenaline rush in the Changkat nightlife district. Other destinations for foodies include Taman Connaught Night Market in Cheras, Tapak Urban Street Dining, and Persiaran Hampshire, off Jalan Ampang.

Club venues include kyō Kuala Lumpur and Pitt Club KL.

The W hotel in Kuala Lumpur offers stylish accommodation with the signature W amenities. All 150 rooms and suites feature traditional and modern elements of the jungle city and Kuala Lumpur skyline views.

The WOW and Extreme WOW Suites on the 23rd floor are decorated with distinctive jungle-city designs. The expansive spaces host views of the Petronas Twin Towers, and easily transform into bespoke event spaces.

Hashtags: #LuxurySuites, #luxuryhotel, #KualaLumpur, #PetronasTwinTowers, #WHOTELS, #AfterDark, #Malaysia

*Note that the YEN Cantonese restaurant will be undergoing renovations from 17 March 2025 to 27 May 2025. The AWAY Spa is temporarily closed.

IdeaLab empowers ASEAN startups

IdeaLab 2016 is a two-day boutique startup conference focusing on ASEAN startup cross-border linkages, and the Malaysian startup ecosystem, and includes the Malaysian Business Angels Network (MBAN) Summit (All About Angels) for investors worldwide. According to the organisers, 500 of the best startups, investors and corporates in the ASEAN ecosystem have been targeted.

Delegates can attend the Ideation Stage, where industry leaders will discuss pressing issues for startups in ASEAN; the IdeaPad Stage where the best ASEAN startups battle it out in front of a panel of judges; and the IdeaClinic, where startups get real-time advice on legal, public relations and marketing issues.

In Startups Anonymous; breakout rooms allow ASEAN startups to share their challenges and experiences, while Networking Pods offer an online-to-offline platform for setting up discussions between participants during the event. The MBAN Summit (All About Angels) will introduce traditional investors to the startup ecosystem, whereas the Startup Ecosystem Fair will showcase the major players in the Malaysian startup ecosystem and some of the best startups in the ASEAN region.

The event is part of Malaysian Entrepreneurship Week, from 31 October to 3 November, a collaboration between the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC), the WIEF Foundation, MBAN, the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Global Startup Awards.

The week begins with IdeaLab and the MBAN Summit from 31 October to 1 November at Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, followed by the Global Entrepreneurship Community (GEC) hosted by MaGIC on 2 to 3 November at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, focusing on creating a collaborative platform for entrepreneurial innovation between the major and micro ecosystem builders in the global startup space. The MOSTI Commercialisation Year conference will run parallel to the GEC. The Global Startup Award ceremony will be held on 3 November.

Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur reveals new look

Source: Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur.

The 18-year-old Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur has been completely reimagined. Located in Kuala Lumpur’s luxury shopping, commercial and nightlife downtown district, the city’s first luxury property commissioned the New York-based design studio Alexandra Champalimaud features a new environment inspired by the heart of The Ritz-Carlton, its ladies and gentlemen, and the cultural and historical heritage of the property.

The new design has a fresh palette of neutral shades, contemporary details and uncompromisingly high quality furnishings and finishes throughout the 364 new guestrooms and suites, restaurants and public spaces.

In keeping with the hotel's position as the home of choice for the world’s elite, the refreshed Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur retains its butler service. Every guest is assigned their own personal butler, on-call throughout their stay 24 hours a day.

The property’s Spa Village team developed a new treatment based around the experience of Asia’s first Sensory Sound Bath Room and the culinary team have introduced their own equivalent of a butler with a Chef-on-Call to tailor personalised menus and experiences for corporate and private events.

Interested?

The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur is within the Starhill Gallery complex, a luxury retail and dining destination. It also houses the largest number of global luxury brands under one roof, some of which are in Malaysia for the first time.

KLGCC to host dinner buffet over Ramadhan

Source: KLGCC.

The Ramadhan dinner buffet at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) was a big hit last year, and the culinary team is planning a comeback this year with the theme Selera Nostalgia. 

Set up in a stall-oriented alfresco setting beside the pool with live cooking and performances, the Selera Nostalgia buffet will feature dishes from more than 100 cuisines. Some of the menu highlights, prepared by some 60 chefs, will include nasi Arab, tom yam nelayan, kambing panggang, plus assorted pizzas, pastas, and local delights.

Source: KLGCC. Part of the Selera Nostalgia feast.

Exclusive private functions

Corporate get-togethers can be held at two locations within the clubhouse. For events at the Banquet Hall, the prices range from RM98 to RM118 nett per person. Alternatively, the Piano Lounge Courtyard offers menus from RM90 to RM108 nett per person.

There are a number of promotions for private events. Ten complimentary guests are applicable for every 250 paid guests, for example. For guest lists of 300 or more guests, a roast lamb will be provided on the house. Priced at RM1,250 nett per lamb, a 15% discount is applicable every fourth lamb ordered, inclusive of the free lamb. 

Source: KLGCC. Chef carves a roast lamb.

The spread of local and international cuisines is complemented by a panoramic view of the golf and country club's championship golf courses. There is ample parking space with a free buggy service for the convenience of guests. 

KLGCC is also running a golf promotion at RM225.85 on weekdays and RM325.85 on weekends for members' guests and visitors from 6 June to 17 July.

Interested?

KLGCC is at 10, Jalan 1/70D, Bukit Kiara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

See terms and conditions for the Ramadan Golf Special

KLGCC will be offering early bird vouchers at RM105 nett from 16 April to 6 June. Once Ramadhan begins on 7 June, the vouchers will be priced at RM122.45 nett. Only one voucher will be required for children aged between four and 12 years old. Book a place at +603 2011 9188

There is also a takeaway menu specials from 7 June to 3 July 2016, available from 4pm to 6.45pm daily. The menu includes the famous bubur lambuk, goreng-goreng, lidah bakar, mee rebus ekor, curry yong tau foo, ayam golek bumbu cabai, ayam penyet telur masin and a host of delicious of Malay kueh. Prices range from RM7.50 to RM40 

A different corporate event package comes into force from 6 July to 3 August 2016. For Banquet Hall events, the menus are priced from RM110 to RM148 nett, while the Piano Lounge Courtyard costs between RM96 and RM128 nett per person. The corporate event promotions continue to apply. Call the banquet and sales team with enquiries at +603 2011 9182/3, and to check out further terms and conditions. 

Weekend Staycation packages now available at the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

Source: Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur website.

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur is offering guests special weekend city breaks in the Malaysian capital. Situated adjacent to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur is a luxury hotel with 643 rooms, suites and serviced apartments.

By booking the Weekend Staycation package, guests can wake up to the sight of the Petronas Twin Towers or KLCC Park and enjoy the diverse retail, gourmet and cultural delights available at the hotel and nearby. Chinatown and Little India are located 15 minutes from the hotel, while Suria KLCC mall is next to the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur. The Pavilion KL mall is ten minutes' walk from the hotel.

The Weekend Staycation package is priced from RM649++, and includes:

• Daily breakfast for two adults and one child at the Mosaic buffet restaurant
• Extra bed for one child up to five years of age, sharing the same room
• Upgrade to next room category upon arrival
• 20% savings on treatments at The Spa
• 20% savings on laundry services
• 20% savings on food at all outlets excluding Wasabi Bistro
• Complimentary dessert with dimsum lunch at Lai Po Heen*

Interested?

The package is valid Thursday to Saturday, from now through to 29 December 2016. A minimum two nights' stay is required. The rate quoted is subject to 10% service charge and 6% goods and services tax (GST). For reservations, visit www.mandarinoriental.com or call +603 2179 8818.

*Other options are available

AirAsia X to connect Kuala Lumpur, Auckland

Source: AirAsia. AirAsia X launches flights from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland.

AirAsia X, the long-haul, low-fare affiliate of the AirAsia Group, commences its operations into Auckland, New Zealand from Kuala Lumpur via the Gold Coast, Australia on 22 March 2016.

Benyamin Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X says, “New Zealand is a world class destination that has always had a special place in our heart. We are excited to be back in this beautiful country to launch this service, allowing seamless connection for our guests from all over Asia to Auckland city. Similarly, New Zealanders will now have more flight options to Gold Coast as well as access to all the exciting destinations across our extensive flight network in Asia through the Kuala Lumpur hub. We are confident that our highly competitive fares will attract many new guests from the region, creating higher travel demand and in turn boosting tourism traffic for all sectors.

“Australia has always been a key market for us; this new route from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland via Gold Coast signifies our commitment to developing flight connectivity in the region and our continuous effort to expand our operations. We have all the confidence that this new route will thrive, riding on the success we achieved from our other Australian routes.

“At AirAsia X, our aim is to continue building an extensive list of exciting destinations to our guests and the introduction of this new route is in line with our turnaround initiatives that we believe will bring positive contribution to the bottom line.”

His Excellency Dr John Subritzky, New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia says, “I am really happy to see another major airline like AirAsia X making its entry into New Zealand, offering all Kiwis competitive fares to visit Asia – and the broader Southeast Asia region - through the airline’s extensive flight network. I look forward to seeing a higher number of tourists visit New Zealand as a result of the new daily flights into Auckland, boosting our tourism sector and strengthening economic growth.”

Following this new route announcement, guests can now travel from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland, New Zealand with a quick stopover in Gold Coast, Australia. An Australia visa is not required for this stopover and Malaysians can travel visa-free to New Zealand for up to 3 months. Guests can also make use of the Fly-Thru option to connect seamlessly to Auckland from other cities within AirAsia group’s extensive flight network; or the Multi-City option to spend a few days on the stopover in Gold Coast before travelling onward to Auckland.

Flight Schedule for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL) – Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) via Gold Coast, Australia (OOL):

Route	Flight No.	Departs	Arrives	Flight Frequency
KUL - OOL	D7 206	2140	0750	Daily
OOL - AKL	D7 206	0905	1530	Daily
AKL- OOL	D7 207	1700	1725	Daily
OOL - KUL	D7 207	2140	0400	Daily

Note: All times are the local time at the destination.

Interested?

AirAsia X is offering promotional all-in-fares from RM499* one-way on economy seats and from RM1,499* one way on the Premium Flatbed seats. The Premium Flatbed seats on AirAsia X's flights feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in amenities such as tray table, drink holder, reading light and privacy screen. Premium Flatbed guests also enjoy premium complimentary products and services including unlimited flight change, choice of seats, priority check-in, priority boarding, priority baggage, immigration fast track at selected airports, 40kg baggage allowance, complimentary meal and drinks with pillow and duvet.

These promotional fares are available for booking online until 24 January 2016 for travel from 22 March until 5 February 2017. All promotional fares can be booked online as well as via AirAsia’s mobile apps on iPhone and Android services, and also from AirAsia’s mobile site.

*Promotional all-in-fares quoted are for one-way travel only inclusive of taxes. Terms and conditions apply.

The KL Journal offers a boutique alternative to hotel chains in Kuala Lumpur

Source: The KL Journal. This hotel combines industrial design, eclectic local details and vintage elements to create a chic modern retro vibe.

The Kuala Lumpur Journal (KL Journal), a concept boutique hotel just off Bukit Bintang, the city's main shopping and entertainment district, caters to a new generation of travellers looking for an alternative to hotel chains — one that delivers essential modern day amenities but with a stamp of personal style and identity.

In keeping with the hotel's DNA, the KL Journal's interiors feature exposed beams, weathered wooden surfaces and vintage furnishings. Its 112 rooms are accented by specially commissioned black and white portraits of KL street life and architecture. The king and twin deluxe rooms plus eight designer corner suites all feature floor-to-ceiling windows, ergonomic mattresses, high thread count sheets, a power shower, connectivity for mobile devices, USB charge ports, wireless stereo and 40" flat screen TVs.

Other highlights include Workers' Union, a flexible open-plan communal area which opens out onto a green terrace. The hotel's main restaurant, Bounty, offers freshly baked breads and pastries and a classic menu of European lunch and dinner staples.

The hotel also curates its own insider guide with handpicked suggestions on how to experience KL like a local.

Interested?

Look for the best guaranteed room rates and offers at the website

MEGA Maldives sees enthusiastic response to Male-Kuala Lumpur flights

Source: MEGA Maldives. The first flight to Kuala Lumpur, LV300, left Male at 0800 on 2 December with 116 passengers.

Since announcing the relaunch of the Male-Kuala Lumpur route in November, MEGA Maldives has seen increased demand from Maldivians travelling directly to Malaysia, the airline said.

MEGA Maldives will fly Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to Kuala Lumpur with tickets from US$299 onwards. 

Hong Leong Group to site global HQ at Damansara City

Source: Damansara City website.

GuocoLand Malaysia's flagship development, Damansara City, has been chosen as the future home for the Hong Leong Group’s global headquarters. The 33-storey Grade-A office tower block in the southwest (direction) end of the iconic development, will be the star anchor tenant within Damansara City once it is fully occupied by the end of second quarter next year.

The Hong Leong Group is a major conglomerate based in Malaysia, with businesses in banking & financial services, manufacturing & distribution, property development & investment, hospitality & leisure, and principal investment. The Group controls listed companies with hundreds of operating subsidiaries and associate companies in North and Southeast Asia, Western Europe and the UK, as well as North America and Oceania.

Damansara City is an integrated city development consisting of two Grade-A office towers; two towers of luxury residences known as DC Residency; an F&B-centric lifestyle mall; and a 5-star hotel.

GuocoLand expects Damansara City to have an initial traffic of 10,000 people daily working within the integrated development and average another 6,000 visitors when it is fully operational by mid 2016. The future development of surrounding areas is expected to enhance the foot traffic within the area and further increase the demand for and the valuation of Damansara City’s units in both the residential and commercial towers.

Office Tower A’s 530,000 sq ft of usable area will be progressively handed over to various operating companies within the Hong Leong Group in coming months. “This announcement reinforces the position of Damansara City as the heart of a leading new business district in the Greater Kuala Lumpur and Damansara Height’s community. It underscores our unique combination of factors that sets us apart and has spurred both investor and corporate interest in the project to date.

"This includes our location within the exclusive enclave of Damansara Heights which is mere minutes away from Bangsar, the KL city centre, the KL Sentral transportation hub and other established townships; the highest levels of seamless integration between our corporate, residency and hospitality facilities; the onsite presence of a refined and curated lifestyle mall; and accessibility through multiple road systems and the soon to be completed MRT line,” said Tan Lee Koon, Managing Director of GuocoLand.

Damansara City, with a gross development value of RM2.5 billion, is an entry point project (EPP) under Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme. It has been identified as a key component and driver of one the fastest growing business districts in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area with strong and growing interest from buyers and tenants across South East Asia.

The office spaces at Damansara City are setting a new benchmark, not just in the Damansara Heights and greater Kuala Lumpur areas but from the regional property market. Strong regional demand for both its commercial and living spaces is being driven especially by Damansara City’s strategic location in Damansara Heights and office towers, which are MSC-status ready developments that comply with the Green Building Index (GBI) Certified rating; the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating; and CONQUAS Quality Assessment for its building construction works.

Hong Leong Group is the first of several prominent brands that are moving their corporate headquarters to Damansara City. DC Mall, the soon to be opened lifestyle and F&B heart of Damansara City is also seeing strong demand for its space. It has already secured in-principle agreements with some well known local and international brands for half its lettable space as well.

Bazaar Desa buffet at Novotel KL City Centre celebrates street food

Feast on the Bazaar Desa buffet spread at Novotel KL City Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this Ramadhan. The Square restaurant at Novotel KL City Centre will host the Bazaar Desa dinner buffet from 20 June to 15 July. Three different menus will rotate.

From top: grilled squid, the noodle corner, local fruit, a variety of beverages, including khatirah, peach, bandung coconut, sugarcane, and sweetcorn; and marinated chicken perchik on shawarma.

Crafted by Executive Chef Huzaidy and team, Bazaar Desa encapsulates the local street food culture found during Ramadhan all around the country. Fondly known as 'param’, short for pasar Ramadhan or food bazaar, Bazaar Desa will feature favourites such as banana with cheese, mee rebus tulang, kacang pool and condiments, as well as the signature oven-roasted lamb, chicken/beef satay, three selections of laksa and khatirah juice. The dessert corner will offer two types of sweet porridge, assorted local cakes and cookies, ice cendol, lai chee kang, puddings, ice-cream and dates.

Main dishes include steamed butter fish in Sze Chuan mala sauce, lemongrass chicken, and lo han chai (a Chinese vegetarian dish). Tomato rice, lontong goreng, fish asam pedas, and roti canai represent Malay cuisine while murtabak, idly, ediyappam, marinated chicken perchik on shawarma are offerings from Indian cuisine.

The Bazaar Desa dinner buffet is priced at RM95 nett per adult, and RM45 nett for children aged 8-12. An early bird voucher, available until 19 June 2015, discounts the buffet to RM80 nett per adult and RM40 nett. Accor Plus members enjoy a further 10% discount.

Interested?

For more information and reservations, please call +60 3 2147 0888 extension 7668 or email H6324-FB3@accor.com.

*Images from Novotel KL City Centre

Starry Arabian nights till 16 July at the Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar

The Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar is all set to offer a mouth-watering Ramadhan spread from 21 June to 16 July 2015. The LINK All Day Dining culinary team has designed a Starry Arabian Nights themed buffet dinner with an extensive variety of traditional Arab and Malay cuisine for the Ramadhan period. The decor features exotic starry lights in the Arab style, and there will be live ‘ghazal’ performances throughout the buffet dining experience.

Source: Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar. The Arabian salad bar features baba ghanoush, fattoush and other Middle Eastern delights.

Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar has invited Arab chefs to prepare the Arab dishes for authentic flavours. Arab cuisine is aromatic, making use of spices such as cumin, nutmeg, turmeric and caraway to achieve dishes that are unique to the region. 

Some of the highlights are shish tawook, the traditional shish kebab of Middle Eastern cuisine; whole baby lamb with Arabian marinade; sharwarma, a Levantine Arab meat preparation, where beef is placed on a vertical spit; spicy marinated sea bass fillet, a dish from the southern Mediterranean coast, and lamb kofta. Asian patrons should not miss the fresh durian, which is specially sourced from local farms.

LINK All Day Dining features all-day dining in a 360-seat restaurant that revolves around interactive show kitchens displaying a sumptuous array of food. The live cooking areas comprise a plancha grill, a rotisserie, tandoor, dim sum, and sauté stations. It will host the Starry Arabian Nights food experience at RM140 nett per person (50% discount for children between 6 to 12 years old) from 21 June to 16 July 2015, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. 

Get a taste of the buffet at RM110 nett per person during the Early Bird Special, from now to 12 June 2015. Reservations can be made by calling LINK All Day Dining at +603 2298 1855. The operating hours will be from 12pm to 3pm (lunch) and 6.30pm to 10.30pm (dinner).

PNB Darby Park Executive Suites offers Asian lunch promo

Source: PNB Darby Park Executive Suites website. The 10Binjai Restaurant.

The PNB Darby Park Executive Suites, a 4-star serviced apartment hotel which is popular with business travellers, has a promotion on till March 2015 at its The contemporary 10Binjai Restaurant for casual dining.

The Express Asian Tray is available for lunch on weekdays, with the menu rotating on a regular basis. 10Binjai is open from 6.30 am to 11 pm daily. To make a reservation call +603 7490 3838.