When it comes to luxurious accommodation, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur will definitely be in the list. Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur is an award-winning 5-star luxury hotel located in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The hotel is being managed by the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts group.
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur was opened in the 80s and it was the third to be opened in the hotel chain. The first two Shangri-La hotels were opened in Singapore in April 1971 and in Hangzhou in November 1984. The construction for Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur was actually completed in September 1984 but the official opening was in April 1985. The hotel was once voted as the best hotel in Kuala Lumpur at the Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards 2014, beating some other big competitors.
The design and construction of the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur was very well done. It was designed by architects Jurubena Bertiga International of Malaysia, and Kanko Kikaku Sekkeisha of Japan, as part of the UBN Complex in the city center. Others are also involved or contributed to the hotel like Graham Solano who created the original interior design and Belt Collins who completed the landscape gardening. In the year 2002, the hotel underwent a big refurbishment that cost up to USD 30 million and managed to be completed in September in the same year. The purpose of this refurbishment was to introduce new concept, a new tropical oasis theme, in which water gardens and new landscaping are big part of the theme.
In terms of the dining facilities in Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, there are quite a good number of restaurants. A French restaurant called Lafite, designed by famous interior designer, Adam Tihany from New York, was opened in March 2002. Another one called The Lemon Garden Café, opened in August 2002 was also designed Adam Tihany, comprising of three outlets in one, including a coffee bar, Italian corner and live buffet arena. Other than French restaurant, there was a Japanese restaurant called Nadaman which was reopened as Zipangu in April 2002. This Japanese restaurant was designed by Japanese firm Super Potato. These restaurants are still operating today with many additions of new restaurants such as the Shang Palace and Arthur’s Bar & Grill. For fine dining lovers, Lafite and Shang Palace are definitely not to miss.
Other than winning the Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards 2014, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur has a big collection of awards. Some include the ASEAN Green Hotel Award in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014, the Best Luxury Hotel in Malaysia, Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2012 and 3rd in 2014 and also the Best Business Hotel in Kuala Lumpur 2013, Business Traveler Asia-Pacific. Other than awards, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur was part of the charitable project called, the Gift of Life in 1985. This project was started to support a girl born without her lower limbs, in which the hotel adopted the girl in order to support her replacement of the limbs with prosthetics every five years.
After a number of renovations, the last one was in 2009 through 2010. Lobby lounge and swimming pool was greatly upgraded. Additional greenery was added, matching with its tropical oasis theme. Besides, sunbathing decks overlooking the beautiful city were added as well. New room category, the Premier Selection Rooms was added, giving more choices to guests. The 28 floors hotel comprises of 662 guestrooms in which 101 are suites, all with panoramic view of the city or gardens. After the last renovations in 2010, the hotel was painted red and beige. Other facilities that the hotel offers include an outdoor pool, a gym, health club, spa, function and banquet halls that can accommodate up to 1800 people.