Kuala Lumpur is the perfect city to explore in four days or so. A place where gleaming skyscrapers stand shoulder to shoulder with old shophouses, smoky hawker stalls, and the occasional temple or mosque tucked into a side street. The energy is fast and vibrant, but not overwhelming. You can dive into the chaos of Bukit Bintang, the city’s most famous shopping and entertainment district, and still find quiet corners where life slows down. And right in the middle of all that, there’s KLoé Hotel — a boutique hideaway designed for travelers who love the buzz of city life but still want style, comfort, and a personal touch.
It’s is not a standard luxury hotel, of which there are already so many in Kuala Lumpur. KLoé is small, intimate, and full of personality. It’s for people who appreciate good design but don’t need marble lobbies or gold accents to feel spoiled. Everything here feels intentional — from the art on the walls to the scent of freshly ground coffee that greets you the moment you step inside. Whether you’re in town for a few days of shopping, recovering from a long-haul flight, or simply passing through Kuala Lumpur before heading elsewhere in Malaysia, this is the kind of hotel that turns a city break into something memorable.
Boutique hotel with a heart and soul
Upon arrival, the boutique feel at KLoé hits you immediately. The building itself is modern but softened by warm materials: polished concrete, hanging greenery, and the kind of soft lighting that instantly puts you at ease. It looks like it was pulled from the pages of a design magazine. The atmosphere is friendly and laid-back, and there’s always gentle lounge music playing in the background.
The lobby pretty much doubles as a living room, people reading, tapping away on laptops, or simply sipping a coffee from Lucky Coffee Bar, which sits right by the check-in counter. Check-in was swift and genuinely welcoming, and before I even made it to the lift, I was reminded about the complimentary daily sundowner between 6 and 7 p.m. Tired as I was from the flight, that promise of a cocktail was too tempting to skip. Half an hour later, I was back downstairs with their Signature Daiquiri in hand. You can choose between three cocktails and several mocktails or other drinks. What a nice touch.
The Courtyard Room: Modern and comfortable
KLoé has several types of rooms, and they’re not just divided by size or price. The most creative ones are the Artist Lofts, each designed around a theme like music, art, or writing — think of them as cozy studios for people who find inspiration in beautiful spaces. The City Rooms overlook the streets of Bukit Bintang, while the Courtyard Rooms, where I stayed, face the hotel’s inner garden.
My Courtyard Room was on the 7th floor and immediately felt like a little sanctuary. The color palette was soft and natural — muted greys, light wood, and crisp white bedding. The bed itself was heavenly: firm yet plush, just how I love it. The air conditioning was quiet (a blessing in humid KL), and blackout curtains made sure mornings arrived on your terms.
The bathroom was sleek and spacious, with a walk-in rain shower, large mirrors, and — to my delight — Aesop toiletries, a detail that says everything about the hotel’s attention to quality. The lighting was warm and flattering, and there was enough counter space for two people to unpack comfortably.
A small Nespresso machine with coffee capsules was a thoughtful touch. A good thing I always bring a few cartons of my favorite coffee capsules (Starbucks Espresso Blonde). The view from my window wasn’t remarkable, but the room’s quietness more than made up for it. Despite being right in the center of Kuala Lumpur, I couldn’t hear a single car horn. After a long day exploring, it genuinely felt like coming home.
Pool and other facilities
The swimming pool at KLoé is one of those pleasant surprises you don’t expect in such a compact city hotel. It’s tucked away in the courtyard, surrounded by potted plants and tropical greenery. It’s not a pool for laps but rather for lazy dips between sightseeing sessions. Sun loungers are set in partial shade, making it the perfect place to start the morning with a book or wind down after sunset. Officially, it’s open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., though I noticed a few guests sneaking in an evening swim.
Right next to the pool sits Mauceri, the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. It used to be called Monroe but recently rebranded, and it’s become one of Bukit Bintang’s low-key favourites. It has its own entrance but can also be accessed directly from the pool terrace — ideal if you want lunch in your swimsuit and flip-flops. There’s also a small gym, though to be honest, exploring Kuala Lumpur on foot is workout enough. The heat alone ensures you hit your daily step goal.
Breakfast at Lucky Coffee Bar
Breakfast is served at Lucky Coffee Bar, a bright and stylish café that feels more like a city hotspot than a hotel dining area. During the day, locals drop by for takeaway coffee or brunch, which says a lot about its quality. The café is run in collaboration with LOKL, one of Kuala Lumpur’s best-loved coffee places located in Chinatown.
Don’t expect a sprawling buffet here. Breakfast is à la carte — a small but well-curated menu with dishes like scrambled eggs on sourdough, avocado toast, and fluffy pancakes, plus a little bowl of granola on the side. They allowed me to mix it up a bit as well, which resulted in the ultimate breakfast fish for me personally. The food was beautifully presented and tasted fresh, though if you’re a big eater, you might find yourself ready for lunch earlier than usual. Each breakfast includes one drink (coffee, tea, or juice), and you can always order extras if you like.
One fun touch: breakfast is available all day, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. So if you oversleep after a long night out, no problem — your coffee and eggs will still be waiting.
Coffee by day, cocktails by night
Lucky Coffee Bar isn’t just for mornings. By day, it’s all about expertly crafted espresso and flat whites served by baristas who clearly love their work. I asked for a lungo, which puzzled them at first, but after a quick explanation, they nailed it — possibly the best coffee I had in all of Malaysia.
Come evening, the café transforms into a relaxed cocktail lounge. The lighting dims, the music softens, and the crowd shifts from laptop-tappers to locals meeting friends after work. The drink list is compact but creative, and the bartenders are happy to improvise if you want something off-menu. Even if you don’t usually drink, there are several excellent mocktails to choose from. It’s the kind of spot that makes you linger a little too long.
Perfectly placed in Bukit Bintang
From Kloé, you can walk to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Lot 10 or the popular food street Jalan Alor. Fancy a drink? Changkat Bukit Bintang is just around the corner, a 10-15 minute walk away. There are also several rooftop bars within walking distance of the hotel. The trendy TRX The Exchange with its beautiful TRX park and luxury shops is also within walking distance. The hotel is super central, but still feels like a quiet oasis when you return.
Kloé Hotel is the perfect base from which to discover Kuala Lumpur and a place you will be happy to return to after a long day in the city. You can book an overnight stay from around €80 per room, including breakfast.
Tips
- Pavilion, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular shopping centres, is about 250 metres from the hotel, less than a 10-minute walk away. This is also where Jalan Bukit Bintang, the main street in Kuala Lumpur’s tourist district, begins.
- Lot 10 is another popular shopping centre in Bukit Bintang. In the basement of the Lot 10 shopping centre, you will find the very popular Hutong food court. All the shops are original, family-run food stalls that have been around for generations. Perfect for a culinary journey of discovery without the heat outside.
- Jalan Alor, the famous food street, is a little further away, about a 15/20-minute walk from the hotel. However, because you walk through the busy shopping street for most of the way, you won’t notice the distance. Jalan Alor is a must-visit if you are staying in Kuala Lumpur for a few days.
- A little further on, just past Jalan Alor, you will find Changkat Bukit Bintang. In the evening, this street transforms into a bar strip full of music, cocktails and nightlife. Great if you feel like having a drink until the early hours.
- From the hotel, it is also less than a 10-minute walk to the entrance of The Exchange TRX, Kuala Lumpur’s large new shopping centre.
- Mauceri Pasta restaurant next to the swimming pool. It has its own entrance but is also accessible via the swimming pool. Please note: Monroe was the original name of the restaurant but has been rebranded to Mauceri.
- Although Lucky Bar also serves very good cocktails, don’t miss out on a visit to one of the many rooftop bars (or sky bars). A 10-minute walk away is the popular Vertigo, on top of the luxury hotel The Banyan Tree. Also popular is the Satellite Bar at the top of Imperial Lexis KL (about a 20-minute walk, but I would take a Grab). A little further on is the more low-key Helipad Lounge, a favourite among couples and backpackers for many years.
- Rooms come equipped with a Nespresso machine, and if you’re picky about your coffee, it’s worth bringing a few of your own capsules — something I’ve learned to do after years of Malaysian travel.
- There’s a Shell station with a McDonald’s right next door for late-night cravings, and across the street, you’ll find ZUS Coffee, a popular local chain.
Suggestions?
Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of any great things to do in Kuala Lumpur, or tips on the best places to eat? Let us know by leaving a reply below or join our private Facebook Group Friends of Malaysia.
