• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » Reviews » Hotel Reviews » Review: Alila Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
AlilaHotel ReviewsHyattMalaysia

Review: Alila Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

Matthew Klint Posted onMarch 2, 2024March 2, 2024 12 Comments

a building with a sign on the side

I spent my first night in Kuala Lumpur at the Alila Bangsar, an attractive Hyatt property that was inexpensive and located in the Brickfields neighborhood near KL Sentral station.

Alila Bangsar Review – Kuala Lumpur

At $57/night (tonight, for example, the cost is still a very reasonable $80), this had to be one of the best deals ever for a four-star Hyatt. The Grand Hyatt is also quite reasonable considering the amenities, but about double the cost.

I made the mistake of taking the KLIA Express from the airport to the hotel. I thought it was right next door to KL Sentral, but it was not. I either got lost or totally missed it, but I ended up taking Bolt from the central station to the hotel (was about five minutes). It’s easier just to take a car from the airport and skip the train altogether…

a sign with a car parked in the background

a tall building with solar panels

a building with plants in pots

a sign on a wall

The hotel really reminded me of the crop of luxury high-rises springing up all over Los Angeles and other metropolitan cities in the USA. Most of the high rise was for residents, but the hotel occupied the 35th-40th floor.

As you enter, there’s a lobby with elevators to take you up to the hotel.

a plant on a table

a building with plants in the middle

a building with plants in a square area

a close up of a elevator panel

From the street level, I took an elevator up to the 41st floor, where I checked in and was assigned room 3623 on the 36th floor.

a large lobby with a large tree and a large bench

a large indoor planter with trees in a building

a room with white furniture and a tree

a room with white couches and chairs

Premier Room

While not a suite, my 592-square foot “Premier Room” still felt quite large and was tastefully decorated with wood floors and paneling plus light-colored accents.

a hallway with wood panels and a window

a wooden door with a light in the middle

a sign on a door

a hallway with a mirror and a couch

a bedroom with a bed and a television

a bed with white sheets and a wood floor

a room with a bed and a television

It looked even better during the day:

a room with a bed and a desk

a room with a television and a table

a room with a table and chairs

The bathroom had a shower large enough for 10 people…it reminded me of one our rentals while I was out of my house. I’ve never quite understood why people need showers that big…but I did not host any parties during my stay…

a bathroom with a glass shower door

a bathroom with a mirror and sink

a toilet in a bathroom

a shower with glass doors

a shower with glass doors

Great views from the room. You are certainly high up:

a city with many tall buildings

a tall building with many windows

The room included a refrigerator (empty) and bottled water that looked like it had been bottled by the hotel. There was also instant coffee and a water kettle.

a small refrigerator with a light in it

a group of glass bottles and towels on a tray

a drawer with cups and spoons

Common Areas – Coffee

Speaking of coffee, on each floor next to the elevators was a seating area with a self-serve coffee machine and some snacks. A rather nice amenity.

a couches and tables in a room

a room with a mirror and a counter

a group of glass jars with food in them

Pool + Fitness

The hotel pool and fitness center were under construction during my stay (now complete), but guests were granted access to the resident’s gym and pool during my stay.

a letter on a table

I was quite excited about that since the residents also had a sauna, but (and here I had to chuckle, like so many of the luxury apartment buildings in LA), it was broken:

a hallway with lockers and mirrors

a wooden door with a window and a bench

a paper on a wall

a wooden bench in a sauna

In LA, these beautiful new buildings are built and nicely decorated, but then they fall apart or are poorly maintained. I wonder if that is the case here…?

In any case, I did have a nice workout:

a large room with exercise equipment

a large room with exercise equipment

a gym with weights and weights

a room with treadmills and a wood floor

I appreciated having access to the larger fitness center and wide assortment of equipment.

Followed by a nice swim:

a large room with a large couch and chairs

a pool with a potted plant in it

a pool with a city in the background

Dining

The hotel has two restaurants, Botanica + Co and Entire.

Botanica + Co

Breakfast is served at Botanica + Co, located on the ground floor. It’s open daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, with breakfast available until 11:00 am. The restaurant describes itself as a place to “dine on hearty, unpretentious Asian and international dishes in a garden-like atmosphere.”

a large white potted plant on a table in a building

a room with tables and chairs and plants

a restaurant with plants in the front

a room with a coffee shop and tables and chairs

I quite liked the concept. There was a small buffet with fruit, pastries, and self-serve coffee (skip the coffee though and ask for the barista behind the counter to use his far superior machine).

a coffee machine and a counter

a table with a lamp and flowers

a plastic container with food in it

a drink dispenser with a glass lid and a vase of flowers

Then you can order one of four dishes:

a menu on a table

You know me…I ordered the Western breakfast, which included eggs, toast, and pancakes. It was a hearty breakfast and a good one.

a tray of food on a table

a plate of pancakes with sauces and a glass of juice

a plate of food on a table

a tray of food on a table

a table with food and drinks on it

a cup of coffee with a flower design in the foam

Entier

The hotel’s French restaurant is located on the 41st floor, with soaring views of the KL skyline. It is open for lunch (12:00 pm to 3:00 pm) and dinner (6:00 pm to 10:00 pm). The kitchen closes at 9:00 pm don’t show up late at night.

a long hallway with white pillars and wood floor

a hallway with a door

a room with a table and chairs and a window

a glass door with a sign on it

a room with a chandelier and plants

Location

Brickfields is known as KL’s Little India and indeed there were a lot of Indians or those of Indian descent in the area.

KL has always centered around the Petronas Towers and Bukit Bintang for me, so this was a different neighborhood. I probably would have preferred it if I was working here, but going out for coffee or shopping or food I preferred the “tourist” area.

CONCLUSION

The Alila Bangsar was a very pleasant surprise. Rooms were spacious and comfortable and I quite liked the luxury apartment feel of the facilities. For Hyatt folks, I do prefer the Grand Hyatt, but then again the Alila Bangsar was half the price and I definitely plan to return.

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article Combative Couple Force Diversion Of United Airlines Transatlantic Flight
Next Article As Haiti Collapses, American Airlines Faces Down Gunfire

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • a room with a large window overlooking a body of water

    Review: Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong

    June 5, 2025
  • Thompson Miami Beach courtesy of Hyatt Hotels-Two-Queen-Beds-With-Balcony

    Sneak Peek At The Thompson Miami Beach (Opens Fall 2025)

    May 25, 2025
  • Hyatt gifted awards restriction

    Hyatt’s New Award Gifting Rule Just Made My Life Harder…

    May 9, 2025

12 Comments

  1. Stuart Reply
    March 2, 2024 at 11:12 am

    For $80 a night given the amenities…breakfast, gym, lounge, beautiful room…why get a residence? I’d just pay to live in one of the rooms. Now that’s quite a value.

  2. Maryland Reply
    March 2, 2024 at 11:52 am

    Very nice for the price. The elevator snack area is something I have encountered before and found it to be thoughtful touch.

  3. Pete Reply
    March 2, 2024 at 11:55 am

    You did not have a nice workout?
    Sounds like you did.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      March 2, 2024 at 12:05 pm

      I had a nice one.

  4. Santastico Reply
    March 2, 2024 at 12:18 pm

    KL is surprisingly a steal for great hotels. I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental there for less than what a Courtyard charges in the US.

    • Sam Reply
      March 10, 2024 at 11:14 am

      Same. It’s also an Amex FHR.

  5. PM Reply
    March 2, 2024 at 1:26 pm

    Looks very nice, it’s been a long time since I last visited Malaysia, but I do recall hotels being pretty good value. I would probably stick to the express train though, as, not unlike Jakarta, KL is notorious for its traffic jams.

  6. Christian Reply
    March 2, 2024 at 2:38 pm

    Thanks for the review. I’ve looked at this hotel a number of times but always chose the Grand Hyatt instead.

  7. Love KL Reply
    March 2, 2024 at 5:16 pm

    Not the Best Location, Next to a Grave yard and do not like going through 3 Different elevators to get to the Hotel.

  8. Hal Reply
    March 2, 2024 at 11:37 pm

    Man.. The Malaysian currency has gotten so much weaker since I last visited. Things were better when Najib was stealing from the country. I was paying $200 for the GH KL back in 2016. Amazing deal for the price you paid..

  9. monopod Reply
    March 3, 2024 at 9:15 am

    The KLIA express is just too expensive. But if you’re taking it, you can get to the hotel from KL Sentral by riding one stop on the LRT.

  10. Jonnie Reply
    March 5, 2024 at 3:37 am

    What a dump…and the glass “walls” are a classy touch.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for May

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • 2025 Trump travel ban countries list
    Trump Announces New Travel Ban Targeting 19 Nations (Full List) June 5, 2025
  • a bowl of food with a fork and a wooden spoon
    Delicious Superfood On British Airways June 5, 2025
  • United Airlines Spotify
    United Airlines + Spotify: A Mile-High Streaming Upgrade With Music, Podcasts, And Audiobooks June 5, 2025
  • a room with a large window overlooking a body of water
    Review: Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong June 5, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Aegean Airlines Feast
    A Feast Fit For A King On Aegean Airlines May 23, 2025
  • Israel Flight Cancellations
    Major Carriers Extend Flight Cancellations To Israel: Here’s The List May 14, 2025
  • Chase Sapphire Lounge LGA
    Crazy Chase Sapphire Reserve Changes Floated May 11, 2025
  • Southwest Airlines Checked Bags
    Suicide: Southwest Airlines Eliminates Free Checked Baggage May 27, 2025

Archives

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.