cDuring the annual 2017 Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week recently, I felt like playing tourist in my own city so I checked myself into a room at Grand Millennium Hotel Kuala Lumpur for a brief, one-night staycation. It was a great coincidence indeed — since #KLFWRTW2017 was hosted in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, which is situated right next to the upscale hotel.
Grand Millennium is a block away from Sephora Starhill and Lot 10, and a quick walk to anywhere within the Bukit Bintang district, also known as the Golden Triangle. By car, it’s as effortless to get to the hotel (bonus points for guests – parking is free of charge!). Meanwhile, a one-minute walk will get you to the closest Bukit Bintang MRT station.
Although the polished beige exterior may not stand out against its surrounding buildings, the interior, on the other hand, holds its own charm — walking into the lobby feels like stepping foot into a lavish ball, with extravagant marble, opulent lighting and even a grand staircase.
The delightful mix of modern architecture and the retro interior, as well as an awe-inspiring diamond chandelier hanging down from in the middle of the lobby easily evokes memories from the days of the late ’90s.
Old worldly elegance, brown leather chesterfields, 19th-century art in gilded frames, gold accents and mirrored-glass furnishings inside the hotel further adds to its exquisiteness. Aside from foreigners, it is a popular destination for meetings and conferences, so expect to see lots of good-looking men in suits throughout the week.
Upon entering my 55-sqm Executive Club room on the 18th floor, I was taken aback by the expanse of the space. Thankfully, the elegant artwork and floor-to-ceiling windows with city skyline views helped to dismiss that.
The refined room was equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi and a flat-screen LCD television, as well as access to the private rooftop lounge serving food and drinks throughout the day. Another great perk is the complimentary pressing/laundry service, which guests are entitled to up to three garments per day.
Speaking of food, aside from the Club Lounge dining area, the property showcases four restaurants serving international, Chinese, Japanese and Asian cuisines – Bistro 160, The Mill Cafe, Hanaya and Lai Ching Yuen.
Shortly after I returned from Adila Long’s slot at KLFW happening next door, I swiftly made my way up to the Club Lounge for tea and canapés. The view is certainly pleasant, overlooking both the KL Tower and Petronas Twin Tower from the outdoor patio. Guests can also opt to have their breakfast here or at The Mill which has the complete buffet.
I ate at The Mill Cafe the following morning. The restaurant has international and regional classics including an omelette station, Malay delicacies such as nasi lemak, a cereal bar and more. However, it can get crowded as every hotel guest would be dining there. So if you’re looking to eat in a little serenity, opt to have your morning meal in the Club Lounge instead.
After checking out, I went to the cafe again for the Sunday Brunch which offers an array of sumptuous Asian fusion dishes and fresh seafood including salmon sashimi as well as sushi. To my surprise, the brunch spread was a decadent affair — it was delightfully impressive, so much so that I’m actually now set on bringing my elders there.
I have to say — despite the hotel’s mediocre-sized rooms, the selection and quality of food overall is pretty sick.
Meanwhile, those who have a thing for sweet confectioneries should definitely head over to Bistro 160 to sample Scrumptea Delicious – a chocolate themed afternoon tea — which features with a myriad of chocolate fountains, French pastries, hot cocoa and even fancy martinis, as well as a panoramic view overlooking Sephora Starhill and Pavilion KL.
Additionally, other hotel facilities include the outdoor resort-style swimming pool, along with a state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa. It also features a total of 1,500 square metres as event space, ideal for accommodating any type of special or formal events, from business meetings to social celebrations and weddings.
It’s safe to say that Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur is amongst the prominently central properties within the city’s hottest and busiest shopping district, and while it may not be the most recently developed, my stay here at this mid-range hotel has certainly been a memorable one.
160, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: +603-2117 4888
Check out Grand Millennium KL’s official website or Facebook page to learn more about the property and all of its offerings.
