The Kuala Lumpur Journal

Although I pass by Jalan Sultan Ismail in front of the HSBC building rather frequently, I hadn’t noticed The Kuala Lumpur Journal, a chic boutique hotel literally a stone’s throw away from HSBC as it is so discreetly tucked away behind. The Kuala Lumpur Journal has been open since 2015 and is an 11-storey hotel (excluding rooftop) which seems quite popular as a stream of guests were coming in to check-in as I waited for my hosts at the hotel lobby.

The location of The Kuala Lumpur Journal couldn’t be better to partake of all the city has to offer in terms of sightseeing, shopping and entertainment. The hotel is designed with a retro vibe with inspired local influences. There are 555 notebooks in every room and there is a nostalgic ambiance throughout the entire hotel. Everything is designed to provide the ultimate comfort to guests including two types of pillows on the bed – microfibre and duck down.

The Deluxe King and Deluxe Twin rooms are 28 sqm that feature ergonomic mattresses, pure cotton sheets with high thread count. The Deluxe Twin rooms come with a queen size plus single bed so parents need not have to request for an additional bed if they are bringing along children. Each room has a floor- to-ceiling window for plenty of natural light, a 40″ flat screen TV, rain shower, a functional workspace with free high speed wifi and plugged-in connectivity. There are 8 Superior Deluxe rooms measuring a spacious 34 sqm and come in two stylish designs.

In total, there are 117 Deluxe King and Deluxe Twin rooms plus exclusive Journal suites. All rooms feature inspiring black and white portraits of KL street life and architecture, specially commissioned by the hotel. In an effort to help hotel guests discover KL in an authentic way, The KL Journal has also curated its own insider guide to the city with handpicked suggestions on how to experience the surrounding neighbourhood and KL city like a local. The intention is to encourage guests to create their own personal travelogue of special experiences in KL that they’ll want to bookmark.

Workers Union is an escape from the confines of the office. This unique work, social cum dining space combines industrial chic with eclectic details. Workers Union is a communal area designed for work and play with a flexible open plan layout. Here guests can set up their mobile work stations or opt for one of the breakout meeting rooms that feature quirky graphoc wall art and installation pieces. There are three Studios designed for intimate meetings, The Gallery, a flexible space designed for small corporate events, private parties or social gatherings and Workers’ Union Bar and Grill, a beer garden with a relaxed chill vibe.

The rooftop has a saltwater infinity pool with a fantastic view of the city. This is a nice area for holding events and parties in the evening.