Else Kuala Lumpur

A design-forward boutique hotel in the heart of Chinatown, blending heritage with modern luxury.

Else Kuala Lumpur opened in September 2022 inside the former Lee Rubber Building on Jalan Tun H S Lee, a 1930s Art Deco landmark designed by the English architect Arthur Oakley Coltman. The original four-storey building has been rebuilt to seven levels behind its restored facade, and now holds 49 rooms. It is the first hotel from the Singapore-based Else Retreats, is a member of Design Hotels (so Marriott Bonvoy points can be earned on eligible bookings) and holds a MICHELIN Key.

Inside, the Malaysian studios Studio Bikin and Faizah Architect have gone for a calm, pared-back look that plays raw finishes and natural tropical textures against retro touches such as banquette seating and Roman columns in the lobby, with art curated by Gilded Lion. The effect is a quiet buffer from the noise and crowds of Chinatown just outside the door.

Room categories run from the 25 sqm Mantra Room and 33 sqm Urban Room to the 41 sqm Sanctuary Suite with its own balcony, then to the larger Sutera, Terrace and Else suites. All have king beds, Aesop bath products, Lulla bathrobes and a Dyson hairdryer. The Mantra Room is compact, so couples staying more than a couple of nights will appreciate the extra space and seating of the Urban Room or a Sanctuary Suite.

Dining is a genuine reason to stay. Raw Kitchen Hall, an offshoot of Singapore's Raw Kitchen Bar, is the all-day restaurant, serving Asian and Latin-leaning sharing plates built on local produce, and it is where the cooked-to-order breakfast is served. On the fourth floor, Yellow Fin Horse is chef Jun Wong's seafood-led restaurant built around open-fire cooking; it serves dinner only and not every night, so check the days and book ahead.

Facilities include an outdoor infinity pool lined with cabanas, a gym, floatation pods for 60- or 90-minute sessions, a drawing room and library, and meeting and event spaces. Parking, including valet, is available.

The location puts Petaling Street, the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, the Guan Di Temple and Central Market within a few minutes' walk, and Pasar Seni station, served by both the LRT and MRT, is close by for Bukit Bintang and KLCC. KL Sentral is one stop away for trains to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which is roughly an hour by road.

Else suits design-minded couples and solo travellers who want character, good food and Chinatown on the doorstep. It is less suited to those who want a big resort pool, a full-service spa or quiet streets at night, as the neighbourhood stays busy late. Ask for a higher floor if street noise concerns you, and book Yellow Fin Horse when you book the room.