After exploring KL’s iconic Chow Kit area for the day, rest and recharge in comfort and style by booking a stay at the newly opened Hilton Garden Inn. Taking over the building that was once the Cititel Express, this 265-room hotel – the first Garden Inn in Malaysia – doesn’t have all the frills of a full-service Hilton hotel (there’s no swimming pool, for one thing), but the rooms have all the comforts you’d expect of a Hilton-brand hotel, including a plush bed, complimentary WiFi and bath products from Crabtree & Evelyn.
The prices are surprisingly affordable for a hotel bearing the Hilton name, with a 26-sqm standard room costing just RM160++ per night, while the 32-sqm deluxe room is RM190++ per night. Throw in an additional RM15 and you’ll get a slightly larger deluxe room with a clear view of the Twin Towers.
When it comes to dining options, there’s the in-house all-day dining restaurant Garden Grille, but take our advice: don’t fill yourself up as the surrounding area has plenty to offer. Within walking distance is the curry laksa stall at Pasar Raja Bot, Ali Nasi Lemak at the Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman Hawker Centre, wantan noodles at Medan Selera Chow Kit, and Kin Kin Chili Pan Mee on Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman. Be prepared to loosen that belt!
449 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. (03 2778 8888/hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com). Rooms from RM160++ per night.