Refreshed in the heart of KL
Hotel Capitol is not only strategically located along shopping haven Bukit Bintang, but also near foodie paradise Jalan Alor, writes Loong Wai Ting
THE thought of a staycation at Hotel Capitol in the heart of Kuala Lumpur excites me. Moreover, it is located along Jalan Bukit Bintang, a shopping haven for both local and international tourists. There have been countless times when I have wished that I could just put my feet up and relax in a hotel room nearby when tired from a bout of shopping.
Well, my wish was granted. I’ve just got myself a night’s stay at the strategically located hotel, at the intersection between Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Bukit Bintang.
EASY ACCESS
One fine morning, I make my way to the hotel from my home, taking the LRT (Light Rail Transit) to Plaza Rakyat. Then, I hop onto the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) at the Merdeka MRT station, which is conveniently connected to the Plaza Rakyat LRT Station.
The hotel is just one stop from Merdeka Station. Getting off at the Bukit Bintang station, I follow the “C” exit sign and turn right. The 22-year-old hotel is less than 200 metres away.
Tucked away behind the busy Bukit Bintang stretch, the hotel occupies the corner lot, adjacent to the now-demolished BB Plaza. Except for the multi-storey parking lot that used to belong to BB Plaza, there is little of that remains of the once vibrant mall.
At the hotel, I meet with Meor, the front desk manager. After checking me in, he offers to deliver my overnight bag to my “suite” on the 19th floor. With so much to see in and around the hotel, I take up his offer, flashing him my biggest smile of gratitude.
If you’re not familiar with the Bukit Bintang area, the best way to find the hotel is to locate Plaza Low Yat, the go-to mall for electronic gadgets. From the mall’s main entrance, the hotel is located right across the two-way street.
Since the hotel doesn’t provide any parking facilities, it is advisable to park at Plaza Low Yat. When you’re ready to check-out, just present your ticket to the hotel worker to receive your complimentary parking voucher.
COMFORTABLE STAY
This is an old hotel. The traces of time can be seen on its walls as well as its rickety lifts. But not everything is old as since last year, the hotel has been going through major facelifts. Even now, upgrading is ongoing.
As promised, my bag was properly propped up on the chair beside the bed. My suite is one of the 10Rooms, or exclusive suites, occupying only two floors of the hotel. Just like the name, there are only 10 of these spacious suites with their own unique layout and decor.
What I like about my room is that there’s plenty of natural light all day long with a view of the city skyline that changes with the time. The magnificent KL Tower can be seen when you draw aside the heavy curtains. At night, the dazzling tower shines like a beacon in the dark sky. Another plus point of staying on the upper floor is that I get an unobstructed view of the hustle and bustle in the streets below.
From the information gathered, 10Rooms are considerably luxurious compared to the usual deluxe or superior rooms. The only feature the 10Rooms have in common is the luxurious comfort with a spectacular view of the city below. Some of the rooms come with bathtubs, and you can take a dip while enjoying a panoramic view of the city.
Though not too big, the hotel is cosy by all means. It has 235 rooms, most of them recently refurbished. Some of the rooms cater to smokers, so if you’re a non-smoker, remember to request for a non-smoking room.
Food haven Jalan Alor, with foodstalls along both sides of the road, is within walking distance. Jalan Alor is also located near Jalan Tong Shin, where all the famous and colourful wall murals are.
In the morning, it looks deserted, but it comes alive at night.Just walking along it, you’ll hear hawkers and restaurant workers shouting over the sounds of woks being fired up for that delicious fried Hokkien noodles.
If you’re planning to dine in, head over to Be Be’s Kitchen and Bar on the Mezanine floor of the hotel for a zero-fuss meal. Or, you can try out their signature Mee Rebus Udang or Honey Baked Salmon at Cafe Rasa on the ground floor. Be it an Asian dish or Western fare, the hotel does it well.