LIVING THE HIGH LIFE
The Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur stands head and shoulders above the capital’s surge of new properties
Kuala Lumpur seems to be having a hotel renaissance of late. Last year witnessed a spate of openings in the always vibrant and interesting Malaysian capital, upping its profile as a go-to destination for those who want a quick change of scene.
One of the most high profile openings was that of the Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur,
which has been creating some serious buzz as an addition to the city’s hotel and F&B offerings, since it launched in the second half of 2018.
The hotel has a prime location in the city, in the high traffic Golden Triangle neighbourhood, just next to the Petronas Towers. The 209-room hotel is ensconced in Four Seasons Place, a 342-metre,
65-storey mixed-use tower, which includes the hotel, a mall, the brand’s serviced apartments and exclusive residences.
A soothing cocoon
If there’s one thing to be said for Four Seasons’ KL outpost is that it doesn’t stray much from the brand DNA of contemporary, understated luxury. The hotel’s 209 guest rooms and suites are all done up with muted soothing décor, with lovely tactile details like leather and textured wallpaper that provide a welcome respite from the hurly-burly of city life. Walk-in wardrobes, separate baths and rain showers all make for a soothing escape.
There’s a wonderful sense of space in the hotel, starting from the lobby, which is situated in a higher floor to the use of floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms and suites all the better to maximise the glorious city views.
Superb dining experiences
That said, while I take the luxurious accommodations of Four Seasons as a given, I’d say it’s the hotel’s upscale F&B offerings that are really where the hotel shines.
Start with Curate, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, where breakfast is also served. It has a wide selection of cuisines to choose from that you’d be hard put to sample everything if you’re only staying for a few days. One thing you should definitely try though is a plate of nasi lemak, which was one of the best I’ve tasted. Food aside, Curate is lovely, filled with natural light; its dramatic orchid display right by the entrance setting the tone for a lovely dining experience.
Top tip: Curate holds a Chef’s Table series in which Executive Chef Junious Dickerson creates an exclusive menu based on a theme. For instance, American Southern comfort food (think buttermilk fried chicken, burgers, mac and cheese) paired with American whisky and bourbon. It’s an experience not to be missed.
Should you wish for a more private dining experience, head to the Lounge, where you can have breakfast as well (though selections are not as extensive as at Curate) or afternoon tea.
However, I think that the best of the establishments is Yun House, which serves authentic Cantonese fare, including a lunchtime dim sum menu. Book your reservation well in advance as I’ve been told the restaurant can get pretty packed.
For evening cocktails, head over to Bar Trigona, one of the most good-looking bars I’ve been to in a while. The bar serves an array of bespoke cocktails that use local ingredients, such as honey from the stingless Trigona bee, which is native to Malaysia, and the bar’s namesake. Bar Trigona is helmed by head bartender Ashish Sharma, who toured with his team around Malaysia to look for locally grown ingredients for the drinks. If you’re in a group, have fun choosing and tasting from its list of cocktails and nibbles. The bar is a great place to go to for pre-dinner drinks when the sun is about to set and fills the place with a golden glow.
Top tip: For those eager to sample more of KL’s foodie scene but don’t want to stray too far from the area, head to the basement of Robinsons where the Malaysia Boleh food court offers local alternatives. Though not really part of the hotel per se, the food court does provide an interesting counterpoint to the hotel. It offers a great selection of hawker food such as chendol, char kway teow and is reportedly one of two food courts in the city allowed to serve pork.
Luxury, year-round
Aside from the guest rooms and suites, Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur also has 27 serviced aparments and 242 private residences for those who want to have the Four Seasons experience on a day-to-day basis. Both the serviced apartments and residences enjoy the brand’s service and outstanding amenities, personally tailored for their lifestyle.