Kuala Lumpur Horlick Fried Chicken and Japanese Hamburg – Day One
It’s always exciting to visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The diversity of flavorful foods in every direction of the city is spectacular. I always tell people that for me, KL is a culinary goldmine. Because I can find my favorite foods, Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern staples at prices I think are quite reasonable.
I only had four days for this trip, and that’s not a lot of time. Too little time and not enough stomach capacity. So I planned out some places I gotta try out, with the emphasis on visiting some clay pot chicken and rice restaurants.
First Stop – Horlick Fried Chicken
I saw some viral videos about Gerai Ah Kow chicken and rice. When I got off the plane and dropped my bags at the hotel this was the first place I made a beeline to.
If you’ve never had fried chicken in Malaysia, your mind will be blown. Malaysia takes fried chicken to a whole new level.
This shop fries up quarter legs covered in a light horlick and sesame batter. Horlick is a malted milk powder and I drank this a lot when I was a kid. Haven’t had Horlick ever since puberty. So this one will bring back the memories.
Plus I was looking for a new fried chicken recipe for my YouTube food channel, Wally Cooks Everything.
I got lost at first, even following Google Maps. I overshot Gerai Ah Kow by 500 meters. My brain always gets foggy after getting off a plane.
If you don’t know by now I am a dummy. Part of the problem was I assumed it was a standalone restaurant.
Gerai Ah Kow is located inside Medan Selera Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz food center. I have to go back someday because there are many hawker restaurants inside with amazing-looking food.
When I found Gerai Ah Kow I ordered a leg quarter, rice, and a small plate of bean sprouts. It also comes with a small bowl of soup with pickled mustard greens. And a bottle of bright orange chili sauce.
They open at 10:30 am close at 4:00 pm and are closed only on Thursdays. I read it gets busy, especially during lunchtime.
I got there an hour right before they closed. But I think it might be better to get there early
Horlick Fried Chicken with RiceFried Bean Sprouts with AnchoviesGerai Ah Kow Horlick Sesame Fried Chicken
The first bite I kinda knew it wasn’t going to be… not so great. Mainly because the fried chicken was sitting on the tray for at least 30 minutes to an hour. So the chicken cooled down and the crispy skin which Gerai Ah Kow fried chickens are famous for was just not there.
There’s also some soy sauce with oil on the bottom of the plate of fried chicken.
It might be the reason why I couldn’t taste any of the Horlick flavors. But while reading their reviews on Google there were a handful of similar complaints
The sprouts were good and I think the fried anchovies on top gave it a good crunch. The sambal sauce was tasty, more sour than a spicy kick. They give you a whole bottle. I gotta admit, I was tempted to take it with me.
I think to get the best flavorful experience you should get there around lunchtime, when you know for certain they are frying up a fresh batch of horlick sesame fried chicken!
What I ordered at Gerai Ah Kow (Total RM 24):
Fried Horlick Sesame Chicken (Big Set) RM 19
Crispy Bean Sprouts RM 5
Hamburg at Donkai
After a not-so-stellar meal at Gerai Ah Kow, I owed my tastebuds something juicy. Something beefy!
The mighty Hambagu or Hamburg of Japan is a rehashing of the lowly Salisbury steak in the USA. But Japanese Wagyu Beef is Japanese Wagyu Beef! The cost is not that crazy which I will get to later. Donkai is the type of place you can affordably treat yourself to a tasty meal.
This restaurant called Donkai is located in the lobby of Bukit Collectionz Hotel, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur an area called Bukit Bintang.
This location is like the Times Square of New York City it’s a super busy area, close to shopping and train stations.
Close to many restaurants and nearby Jalan Alor Food Street.
Donkai opens every day, 11 am to 11 pm. I arrived there around 9 pm and only a few customers were enjoying their meals. Plenty of seats available so I sat near the main flat-top grill, where I could watch the cook work his magic.
Humbug Choices at Donkai:
Angus Beef
Australian Wagyu Beef
Japanese Wagyu Beef
Chicken
In addition, you’ll get unlimited refills of rice, vegetables, and miso soup. I wish they could also add unlimited hot green tea or iced green tea too.
On top of the type of humbug you’ve got sauce options:
Original (which I think is a tonkatsu sauce)
Truffle Sauce (truffle is overrated)
Tartar Sauce (this one I’m curious about)
Black Sauce (they said it’s an onion sauce)
And also complimentary seasonings and condiments plus unlimited Kim Chee.
Delicious Black SauceMany Condiments to PickPersonal Hot Plate
I ordered 2 Japanese Wagyu Beef Hambug patties. Each patty weighs 100 grams. I was tempted to order three patties. But after my last meal, I still felt pretty full. And to top it off I picked Black Sauce.
Customers get two options on how patties are cooked, medium rare or well done. I chose medium rare. Though if it’s still too rare to your liking there is an individual hot plate right in front of you. Mine was cooked rare but some cooking time on the personal hot plate took care of that.
I also ordered one pasteurized egg. I wanted the onsen egg but they were out. Oh, I also ordered a can of A&W Root Beer. I haven’t had that in ages.
For me, I think the patties could do well with a little bit of salt. Not saying it’s tasteless because there are just so many sauces to pick from. It’s just that simple salt can heighten the natural taste of beef. On the other hand, sauces can overpower it.
What I ordered at Donkai (Total RM 72)
2 Japanese Beef Wagyu set
Pasteurized Egg
A&W Root Beer
Conclusion
My first day, well actually my first half day in Kuala Lumpur. I think I did pretty well covering two foods I wanted to eat. It was a good start for my recipe research so I can’t wait to get started working and planning on what to cook next.
And most certainly excited for my next day full day in Kuala Lumpur!
Guide on Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur for First-Time Visitors
If you’re searching for the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur then I’ve got you covered. Kuala Lumpur is one of the most exciting cities I’ve had the pleasure to travel frequently in Southeast Asia through the years.
And I can confidently say these are the 5 Best Areas to Stay in Kuala Lumpur!
So I know which areas tourists should book a hotel for their first trip to Kuala Lumpur based on my experiences. Here in this post, I’ll point out the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur that are safe and perfect for sightseeing.
I’m going to make personal recommendations on the best hotels near KL’s nightlife, shopping, and of course most importantly for finding excellent Malay food. I’ll point out where to stay in Kuala Lumpur on a budget or to live it up in 5 star hotels. In essence, you’re going to learn where the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur are right here so you can pick that perfect hotel.
And as you can see from this post, I really do enjoy eating in Kuala Lumpur and that’s just one of the many reasons why I am so passionate about coming to KL.
3 Quick Tips on Your Kuala Lumpur Hotel Search for Your First Trip in Malaysia
Book your KL hotels near a train line. It’s one of the best ways to get around and explore the city. I recommend staying at a hotel near any of the hotels along the KL Monorail Line, specifically Imbi Station and Bukit Bintang Station.
If you can’t stand the smell of cigarettes then be sure to specify you want a nonsmoking floor. Trust me on this you’ll thank me later.
Don’t be turned off if you see a room rate that is too cheap. Many $20USD per night hotel rooms in Kuala Lumpur are decent and clean but on the small side. And there may not be a window.
Kuala Lumpur is rapidly expanding its subway train lines…
The 5 Best Areas to Stay in Kuala Lumpur for First-Time Visitors
Bukit Bintang– Kuala Lumpur’s primary shopping center with many hotels from guest houses to the city’s top 5-star hotels. From here you’re in easy walking distance to explore popular parts of the city. My recommendation and one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
Changkat– If you like your hotels near bars for booze then Changkat is where you want to be. From dive pubs to wine bars if you pick a hotel near Changkat you’ll be right at home.
KL Sentral– Trains and buses plus a shopping center all rolled into one at KL Sentral. KL Sentral is the city’s main transportation hub so book a hotel here if you’re planning on taking day trips out from KL.
Chinatown – Sort of the city’s historic district with old-fashioned shophouses, restaurants, and counterfeit luxury goods markets.
Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC)– Here’s where you’ll find lots of 5-star hotels in KL’s business district. Hotels in this area are close to KL’s most famous building and landmark, the Petronas Towers. LRT Ampang Line has a few stations around KLCC.
Below I have a selection of four hotels in five different areas of KL that I think you will enjoy staying in.
All the locations I recommend are right in central Kuala Lumpur, perfect for any first-time visitors for sightseeing purposes. Keep reading and you’ll know why they are the 5 best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for first-time visitors!
But first, check out my video and get a quick look at traveling to Kuala Lumpur from Bangkok. There’s also a review of Chaos Hotel in Bukit Bintang!
Update – Malaysia’s Hotel Tax
As of September 1st 2017 a 10RM per room per night hotel tax has gone into effect.
Malaysia’s 10MYR per room hotel tax is to be paid upon check in…
The first area I highly recommend staying in is called Bukit Bintang. It’s my favorite area in Kuala Lumpur!
1. Bukit Bintang
Hotel Price Range: $25USD to $250USD Subway Line: KL Monorail Bukit Bintang station and LRT Bukit Bintang station Why Stay in Bukit Bintang: Everything’s here, food, shopping, and train stations. One of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur even for backpackers on a budget.
Big expensive chain hotels in KL are surrounded by smaller locally run budget hotels all over Bukit Bintang…
Speaking from personal travel experiences in KL, I really do believe that Bukit Bintang is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur ever.
Bukit Bintang is like the Times Square of New York City. It has flashy billboard lights, and shopping centers, full of activity and people. I highly recommend booking a hotel in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur for your very first visit.
Yes sure it’s where all the tourists go to stay. And that’s for a good reason. Everything you could want and possibly need for a fun experience in KL can be found in Bukit Bintang.
Even though Bukit Bintang is such a busy neighborhood prices for hotels are not so expensive. Even though all the top hotel chains like Marriott and Millennium Grand are there believe it or not you can find economy hotels with single rooms as cheap as $25USD.
That’s not bad at all considering you can easily walk to the posh shopping centers of Bukit Bintang and walk to Jalan Alor, KL’s famous street food haven.
For traveling families Bukit Bintang will be the perfect location for kids and most certainly for adults.
I highly recommend staying at a hotel in Bukit Bintang, especially when it’s your first visit to Kuala Lumpur. It’s easy to travel to and get to where you need to go because of the train stations. There are so many varieties of restaurants all around plus the shopping malls to check out.
Trust me, after staying in Bukit Bintang for yourself you will know for sure why it’s one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
But for the more adult crowd, it’s not a bad idea to look into Kuala Lumpur’s Changkat area, which is not far from Bukit Bintang.
2. Changkat
Hotel Price Range: $15USD to $250USD Subway Line: KL Monorail Bukit Bintang station and LRT Bukit Bintang station Why Stay in Changkat: The mecca of international bars and pubs in KL. Easy walking distance to Bukit Bintang and KLCC. Changkat is easily one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for nightlife.
Changkat’s restaurants, bars, and pubs add an international flair to KL’s nightlife…
Changkat borders Bukit Bintang so it’s still an advantageous location for your first visit to Kuala Lumpur. The only difference is you have to walk just a little further to Bukit Bintang Monorail station and LRT Bukit Bintang station. But if you put yourself up at a hotel near Changkat you’ll be near KL’s popular mini pub crawl street that is closed off at night to vehicles.
Changkat is also near Jalan Alor, KL’s famous tourist food spot popular for hawker stands and foods found throughout Southeast Asia. Jalan Alor is where you should go find famous Malay food and other Southeast Asian favorites.
Also, a strip of affordable massage parlors can be found along the streets leading to Changkat. A great little location in KL for adult travelers. So I recommend staying at Changkat for KL’s nightlife. Because the location is also not far from Bukit Bintang. The only difference is that Changkat is a more adult-oriented neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur.
Out of the four hotels on this Changkat hotel list I recommend Izumi Hotel Bukit Bintang and you can take a look at my post review here.
Stay in Changkat and you’ll know why it’s one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for partying.
Changkat is a decent area to pick and choose hotels as there are also many hotels in low price ranges to slightly upscale hotel properties to book.
It is a more adult-oriented location in Kuala Lumpur so you may come across touts looking to persuade men to partake in “special” massages. But even so, Changkat is a pretty good area to stay and explore Kuala Lumpur during your first-ever visit to the city.
3. KL Sentral
Hotel Price Range: $30USD to $250USD Subway Line: All train lines and certain bus lines converge at KL Sentral Why Stay in KL Sentral: If you’re in KL for a few days and need quick access to KLIA airports. KL Sentral is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur for shopping.
Booking a hotel near NU Sentral Mall is a good idea for a first visit to KL…
KL Sentral is where you can find the most good quality budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
As the transportation hub of Kuala Lumpur, there won’t be a problem finding a hotel in KL Sentral. From there you can travel to most parts of the city via the train system and even to most parts of Peninsular Malaysia.
Every single train line in Peninsular Malaysia converges on KL Sentral. This is why this is a great area to choose a hotel if you’re planning on exploring Western Malaysia.
Another reason why KL Sentral is a very good area to pick a hotel in Kuala Lumpur is because it’s attached to NU Sentral Mall. So you’re not far off from retail therapy as well as a wide variety of dining options from fast food to casual sit-in dining.
Because KL Sentral is linked to all train lines you can take a quick trip to Bukit Bintang as well as Changkat. So you’re not far off from popular tourist spots in Kuala Lumpur. This is one of the main reasons why KL Sentral is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
As I mentioned earlier I am a frequent visitor to Kuala Lumpur. Sometimes I just visit for a few days and when I do I prefer to book a hotel near KL Sentral. Mainly because I like using the KLIA Express train located beneath KL Sentral station to get to the airport.
NU Sentral Mall which is connected to KL Sentral station has lots of retail brand name stores as well as plenty of casual restaurants plus Western fast food chains.
KL Sentral is an ideal area to stay in KL when you’re planning on exploring Kuala Lumpur and other parts of beautiful Malaysia.
4. Chinatown
Hotel Price Range: $10USD to $70USD Subway Line: Chinatown is a wide area. Pasar Seni MRT is in the center of Chinatown. KL Monorail Line Mahajarela is near the entrance to Petaling Street. Then up north of KL’s Chinatown is Masjid Jamek LRT station. Why Stay in Chinatown: The old world meets the new world at KL’s Chinatown. Chinatown is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur on a budget.
Kuala Lumpur is certainly a multicultural city with its local Chinese population present…
Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is a colorful and lively part of the city filled with restaurants and hawker stands serving up good cheap eats and cheap shopping. If you’re here you’re looking for hotels near or along Petaling Street.
Petaling Street is KL’s shopping bizarre filled with loads of goods, mostly cheap and fake but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?
You can also walk to other points of interest in KL such as Central Market and Merdeka Square, sight of KL’s independence.
So if you want to see the old parts of Kuala Lumpur, picking a hotel right in KL’s Chinatown will put you in touch with KL’s rich history. This is why many consider Chinatown as one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
Ahyu Hotel
I Highly Recommend the Ahyu Hotel in Chinatown
I frequently stay at Ahyu Hotel when I come to Kuala Lumpur alone. It’s a short walk to Masjid Jamek LRT station. So it is easy for me to get to this hotel from KL Sentral after taking the 1 hour 30-minute bus ride from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Rooms cost about USD 20 with taxes and these are the rooms with windows. So of course windowless rooms are cheaper. Most importantly it is clean and the rooms look new and in good condition. There’s a small fridge, room safe and the Wi-Fi internet speed is sufficient.
The front staff service is super friendly, it is a terrific hotel! And you will enjoy the Indian restaurants nearby. I certainly did!
Currently, it’s a good time to start your exploration of KL by booking a hotel in Chinatown. Through the years I’ve noticed that this little slice of KL is undergoing major renovation. New hotels are built up and many small businesses, particularly hipster cafés and restaurants are popping up all over the area.
KL’s Chinatown is undoubtedly one of my favorite spots in the city and it’ll be interesting to see how the transformation will look.
Regardless I find Chinatown is the best area in Kuala Lumpur for budget travelers.
5. Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC)
Hotel Price Range: $40USD to $300USD Subway Line: Ampang Line and KLCC Why Stay in Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC): This is KL’s flash business center with many new hotels including 4-star properties. Best hotels in the Kuala Lumpur area all in the KLCC area.
KLCC- The financial district of Kuala Lumpur…
If cash is not a concern for you then KLCC has the best hotels in Kuala Lumpur for you. KLCC neighborhood is Kuala Lumpur’s financial business area. I stayed in KLCC the fewest times because I used to go over to the Thai Embassy in KL to apply for a new visa.
KLCC is where you will find the most high-class business hotels in Kuala Lumpur. If you have the money and can pay for high-end hotel rooms then KLCC is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur for you.
KLCC is also where you can find the Petronas Towers, Malaysia’s famous skyscraper. Staying at KLCC you’ll still have some advantages when exploring the rest of Kuala Lumpur. There are several LRT train lines located along KLCC.
There are also a few shopping centers and the biggest one is located on the lower levels of the Petronas Towers. Plenty of restaurants can be found in the area as well. But if you’re staying there check out the food court inside Suria KLCC on level 2.
KLCC area is a bit more spread out. So I recommend looking for a hotel near the Petronas Towers because it’ll just be more convenient for sightseeing on your first visit to KL. The closest one on this list is Le Apple Boutique KLCC which is a very nice hotel with and in walking distance to an LRT train station too plus a shopping center.
The Takeaway
Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to explore in Malaysia. I travel there often back and forth from Thailand at least 3 or 4 times a year. So I’m quite familiar with the areas of KL particularly where to stay for sightseeing.
Please remember the 10MYR per night hotel tax that was introduced on September 1st, 2017. You pay directly to the hotel upon check-in. However, if you book with a hotel booking website like Agoda.com, the tax is collected through their portal.
Now that you know where the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur are I’m sure you’re going to fall in love with the city as much as I have. It’s been one of my favorite cities to visit ever since my first visit. I’m pretty sure you’ll feel the same way on your very first memorable trip to Kuala Lumpur.
Twice a year I make a trip to Malaysia’s capital city Kuala Lumpur, usually staying for a week. I don’t go there for business. And I don’t go there for leisure. I just go to KL to eat.
Kuala Lumpur is a easy 2 hours flight from Bangkok, Thailand. With another 30 minutes worth of travel time on the fast train from KLCC2 international airport. Tack on another 10 minutes on the KL Monorail and I’m in the heart of a culinary bliss just in time when my hunger pangs set in.
Chilli Pan Mee at Restaurant Kin Kin: Ground Floor, No. 40, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1, Off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit, 51200
Kuala Lumpur is a haven for top Eurasian and Southeast Asian cuisine. Their roots harken back to the days when Malays, Indians and the Chinese began coexisting when the city began booming on the tin trade.
In KL there’s no such a thing as fusion food. There’s ethnic Chinese, Indian and then there’s Malay. And although one culture may have influence over the other the locals look to their cuisine as one and uniquely their own. As a result there’s nothing but pure magic.
Kl has an eclectic variety of food in each and every neighborhood of KL, especially in Bukit Bintang…
But if you’re looking for genuine authentic Maly, Indian and Chinese food you won’t be disappointed.
Roti paratha, chicken curry and hot ginger tea with milk. I ate this every morning and never got sick of it…
Kuala Lumpur is the original melting pot even before my hometown New York City even heard of the phrase melting pot.
Sadly, it’s not all good news on this most recent trip to KL. Two of my favorite cafés shuttered their doors. Coffea Coffee’s Pavilion Mall location and Espresso Labs Plaza Low Yat branch were out of business. Probably due to the huge rent and Starbucks.
Starbucks branches in KL are the worst and I’ve been to more than a few branches.
With a little bit of googling I found out this branch of Jamaica Blue Coffee at Low Yat Plaza…
Luckily I found Jamaica Blue also located in Plaza Low Yat. So I still have a place to drink some fine coffee and suck up Wi-Fi internet juice for hours.
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is conveniently right across from my lunch place! Can’t get any better than that…
Watching Bukit Bintang Change Before My Eyes
Bukit Bintang is like the Times Square of New York City or the Piccadilly Circus of London. There are huge LED screens and billboards displaying advertisements. Though Bukit Bintang is not as huge or even as gaudy believe you me it’ll probably get there in a few years.
Aside from enjoying my daily meals like a gleeful school kid every year in KL I can’t help but notice that buildings are getting taller and taller as construction projects all over the city begin to take shape.
A future residential building with no doubt spaces for commercial spaces…
Same spot as the photo above, but taken the year before…
I usually stay at hotels around Bukit Bintang, which is the main tourists hub of KL. Like most tourists centers around major cities you’ll find lots of restaurants, shopping centers and of course hotels. Plus nearby train stations as well for convenience.
The recently renamed Air Asia Bukit Bintang station…
As of writing Bukit Bintang only has the KL Monorail station which starts at KL Sentral, winding its way through the edge of Little India, Chinatown and onwards to Chow Kit with a stop at Air Asia Bukit Bintang station.
Jalan Bukit Bintang Intersection..
Today there is major construction underway for a brand new MRT subway line complete with station stops in Bukit Bintang.
The completion of Bukit Bintang’s subway line could be years from now…
I’ve only used the city’s subway lines once or twice in all the years I’ve been visiting KL. When the subway trains are up and running it’ll be a great way for me to explore more of Malaysia and find more good eats.
Every year I travel around I begin to see remarkable similarities between my home town of New York and many other major cities around the world. If a city is not expanding, it’s rebuilding and renovating. It’s as if a city is actually alive, not only to thrive but to survive.
The heart of Bukit Bintang’s tourists district…
In a way Kuala Lumpur to me is trying to reinvent itself as many ASEAN members are doing the same. And the city has come a long way from the days when it was just a tin mining town with people from neighboring countries flooding in for the hope of a better life and opportunities.
The Izumi Hotel – Just One of Many Two Star Budget Hotels in KL
I’ve come across the Izumi Hotel name quite a few times while searching for budget 2 star hotels in the Bukit Bintang neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur.
So this time I decided to book a room at the Izumi for a couple of nights so I could do this review.
Bukit Bintang has tons of budget hotels and guest houses. But the Izumi is in a pretty good location. Just a short 5 to 10 minute walk from Air-Asia Bukit Bintang KL Monorail station.
And there are so many shopping centers, restaurants and nightlife to enjoy also within walking distance near Izumi Hotel.
The Izumi hotel is not far from Air Asia Bukit Bintang KL Monorail station…
Bukit Bintang’s famous Jalan Alor food street is about a 10 minute walk and you’ll also find many bars and pubs as the area is quite popular mostly with tourists.
I always tell fellow travelers that Bukit Bintang is a good choice for budget hotels and the Izumi Hotel is a perfect example.
Two Stars But Nothing More
The Izumi Hotel is a 2 star rated hotel at most. On some hotel booking websites I see it rated as 3 star hotel. Not sure where that extra star came from but whatever.
There is nothing wrong with 2 star hotels in my opinion as long as they’re clean and comfortable.
I stayed in a standard no window room. Having no windows is not as bad you might think…
As in the case of Izumi Hotel I like it because it’s clean, comfortable and modern. And the hotel is relatively new because the Izumi Hotel was built in 2014.
Like many other budget hotels in KL, showers have no curtains or partitions…
That said, you’re always going to find minor faults at any budget hotel in KL. In the instance of Izumi there were small reddish brown stains on bed linen. Some of the bathroom fixtures looked as if it needed some screw tightening.
Pretty much every budget hotel I’ve ever stayed in KL have some sort of room maintenance issue and stains on bed sheets. It just comes with the territory I suppose.
Take a look at my reviews for Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang and Hotel Capitol that are all in the vicinity of Izumi Hotel. All have the same particular faults but not a big deal really.
Izumi Hotel is right behind Jalan Alor, a very popular night market known for food…
Location, Location, Location
I can easily recommend Izumi Hotel to anyone visiting Bukit Bintang. It’s at a great location near KL monorail stations. Plenty of food option from Indian, Malaysian and Arab. Lots of shopping centers if that’s what you’re into.
What I do like is a good massage and there are plenty of massage shops near the Izumi Hotel.
Nothing like a nice foot massage after dinner…
And I paid about $40USD including taxes for the night. No breakfast. But the free Wi-Fi worked pretty well and the air con kept me chilly. And the bed was comfortable as long as I stayed away from the side with the stains.
Overall I can easily recommend the Izumi Hotel as one of the better budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
Hotel Capitol – A Nice Budget Hotel in Bukit Bintang
Recently I booked a few nights at Hotel Capitol in Kuala Lumpur to make this review. Usually I stay over at the nearby Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang but I passed by Hotel Capitol many times. This time I decided to stay at Hotel Capitol so I could check it out and share my thoughts here.
Also while I was checking room rates I saw Hotel Capitol was charging about $60USD a night including taxes on Agoda. So I figured why not check it out for a couple of nights. As it wasn’t that expensive at the time.
Hotel Capitol is listed as a 3 star hotel but there’s no gym or swimming pool. Which is not unusual for budget hotels around Kuala Lumpur.
Hotel Capitol Location
If you want to be in the heart of shopping centers with good mix of Malay, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indian foods, Bukit Bintang will not disappoint you.
Hotel Capitol is located on Jalan Bulan 1, just several minutes walk from the main drag of Jalan Bukit Bintang. It’s about a 5 minute walk from Imbi KL Monorail station.
I never bothered taking a taxi to any hotel I’ve stayed in Bukit Bintang. I’ve always used the KL Monorail system because it’s easy and cheap from KL Sentral station.
If you are not familiar with the area, the best way to find Hotel Capitol is to locate Low Yat Plaza, a popular electronics mall in Bukit Bintang. Low Yat Plaza is directly right across from the hotel.
What’s Nearby
As I already mentioned there are many restaurants near Hotel Capitol especially shopping centers:
Jalan Alor – This very popular street food area is a 5 minute walk from Hotel Capitol and opens during the evening hours. Although Jalan Alor is popular I suggest checking out other restaurants especially local Indian food centers.
Fahrenheit Shopping Center – A shopping center brand name and loca Malay shops as well.
Pavilion Shopping Mall – The is KL’s premier luxury shopping center.
Lot 10 – Not a great selection of shops at Lot 10. But there is a very good food court in the basement level.
Sungwei Plaza – This humongous shopping center is particularly popular with the locals. It’s kind of like the MBK shopping center in Bangkok. You can find a lot of knock off and counterfeit items inside Sungwei Plaza.
Berjaya Times Square – Of all the shopping centers the Berjaya Times Square is the most popular particularly with the locals and foreign tourists. There’s even a small amusement park inside.
Hotel Capitol Kuala Lumpur Review
Hotel Capitol is not a big hotel with 235 rooms. When I made my booking via Agoda I requested a non smoking room on a high floor. If you can’t stand the stench of cigarettes you best ask for a non-smoking room because in Malaysia a lot of people smoke.
For the first night I had to stay at a smoking room though because there were no non-smoking rooms available when I checked in. Luckily the next day one was available so hotel reception helped me make a room change.
A million dollar view for budget room price at Hotel Capitol…
I specifically requested a high room because I’ve read that you can get a really nice city view of Kuala Lumpur, especially the magnificently lit up Petronas Twin Towers.
And I got a room on the 11th floor which I was happy to find out that the entire floor has non smoking rooms. So you don’t really need to get a room that high up.
Still A Good Budget Hotel in Kuala Lumpur
Hotel Capitol was built in 1997. So it’s an old hotel and it really shows on the room carpets. I am not aware if the hotel has gone through any major renovations but I certainly do see certain repairs and upgrades, at least in the rooms I’ve been in.
I do have a gripe which is I found a few old stains on the bed sheets. I’ve been to many budget hotels in Asia and it’s one thing you just learn to expect.
I have seen some photos of Hotel Capitol’s premium and bigger rooms but those cost 4 times the price of a superior room. To me I can’t justify paying that much for a 3 star hotel.
But if you’re traveling alone and you just need a good clean(ish) hotel to sleep in with many excellent nearby restaurants, shopping and train stations Hotel Capitol is a recommended budget hotel in Bukit Bintang.
For discounts and and to read current guests reviews for Hotel Capitol Kuala Lumpur click here.
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