The Chow Kit

from £45
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Photo of The Chow Kit
The Towkay-Soh Suite
1 / 18
Bathroom with Shower
The Towkay-Soh Suite
“A hip boutique hotel for well-heeled couples, friends or families in KL's former red-light district. Artisan partners have crafted rattan, wood, brass and velvet pieces for chic rooms and suites. With top-notch cocktails, innovative cuisine & guided neighbourhood tours, this is a great-value gem.”

Hotel review

Housed in a restored building in what was once KL’s red-light district, The Chow Kit is a beautifully appointed city hotel promising design-led interiors and fabulous food at very reasonable rates. The smart façade hides a welcoming lounge and trendy bistro-style kitchen and bar, where guests gather for piping hot coffees in the morning, late afternoon craft cocktails and delicious all-day dining. Friendly and efficient, the team coordinate late-night arrivals with ease in Malaysia’s bustling capital — a city which famously never sleeps.

Expect compact yet well-appointed guest rooms with an atmospheric Art Deco feel. Big beds are topped with crisp white duvets, and green velvet sofas await at the foot of double beds or between cosy singles in twin rooms. The colour palette feels moody and atmospheric, with curved tables and warm lighting in nooks framing each bed, whilst dark tiled bathrooms boast rain showers, fragrant shower gels and shampoos, and lovely brass accents. There’s open shelving, but little other storage: this is very much a city base for travellers on the go.

Additional beds can be arranged for little ones, but the hotel feels most suited to solo holidaymakers, couples or groups of friends, who will adore sampling the mud crab specialities, sipping mai tais at the upscale bar or tucking in to mouth-watering brownies on mustard-upholstered rattan sofas. The communal sitting area, showcasing black-and-white photography and batik pieces by KL-based artisans alongside elegant antiques, is very hard to leave.

That said, part of The Chow Kit’s appeal lies in its excellent location. Amble to buzzy brunch spots, or rise early to experience Chow Kit Market — famed for its fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables — in full swing. You’re within walking distance of some hip foodie restaurants — Joloko is a favourite — and a 10-minute cab from KL classics such as Jalan Alor, with its plethora of food stalls, or imposing Merdeka Square and the speakeasies of Chinatown. There’s nowhere else in KL offering the same fusion of style and comfort at such affordable rates. We’ll certainly be back!

Saskia Walker
Saskia Walker Review published: 09/11/2024

Recommended for

  • Local exploring

    • Stay somewhere a little different, experiencing the bustle of historic Chow Kit rather than KL's Golden Triangle

  • Value chic

    • A seriously cool spot for couples, friends or families, offering great food and interiors at affordable rates

  • Local markets

    • Chow Kit Market — the biggest in KL — is just steps away, and absolutely not one to miss!

  • Boutique

    • Rated the best boutique hotel in KL two years in a row

  • Close to nightlife

    • KL's former red light district is bursting with hidden speakeasies and lively late-night eateries, perfect for a big night out

  • Child friendly

    • Children are welcome; rooms can be adapted to add cots for little ones & the restaurant serves kid-friendly meals

  • Eco

    • Expect water refill stations, and the use of eco-friendly bath and cleaning products throughout the hotel

  • Great walks

    • Discover Chow Kit's food, history and culture with the hotel's bespoke 1.5-2 hour walking tours

  • Conference facilities

    • Spaces can be booked for private events such as meetings, photo shoots and celebrations

  • Museums

    • Tour Loke Chow Kit Mansion, built over a century ago, for a sense of KL's past

  • Restaurant

    • Feast on modern Malaysian fare with a twist at the Chow Kit Kitchen and Bar

  • Yoga

    • Sunrise yoga sessions are held three times a week on the rooftop

  • Designer

    • The hotel design was led by renowned New York firm Post Company

  • Lively area

    • In Chow Kit, KL's former red light district

  • Artworks

    • Showcasing work by Kuala Lumpur's artisans

  • Lively

  • Less £

  • Roof terrace

  • Gourmet

  • Organic food

  • Learning

  • Full of character

  • Romantic Break

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Contemporary

  • City Style

  • Cycling

  • Golf

  • Chic

  • Foodies

  • Retro/Vintage

  • Disabled access

  • Charming

  • Birdwatching

  • Romantic

  • Views

Facilities

  • Rooms

    113 rooms in this hotel

  • Child friendly

    Children are welcome; rooms can be adapted to add cots for little ones & the restaurant serves kid-friendly meals

  • Conference facilities

    Spaces can be booked for private events such as meetings, photo shoots and celebrations

  • Restaurant

    Feast on modern Malaysian fare with a twist at the Chow Kit Kitchen and Bar

  • Bar

    Enjoy a Tai Tai Tipple or a Gin Dynasty at the trendy bar

  • Meeting Room

  • Walking distance restaurants

  • In room DVD

  • Airport transfer

  • Roof terrace

  • Cots available

  • No pets

  • Private dining room

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Laundry

  • Sitting Room

  • Disabled access

  • Suites

  • Parking

  • Concierge

  • Satellite / Cable TV

  • In room music system

  • Wifi

  • Views

  • Air conditioning

  • Safe

  • Bath robes

Activities

  • Local markets

    • Chow Kit Market — the biggest in KL — is just steps away, and absolutely not one to miss!

  • Close to nightlife

    • KL's former red light district is bursting with hidden speakeasies and lively late-night eateries, perfect for a big night out

  • Great walks

    • Discover Chow Kit's food, history and culture with the hotel's bespoke 1.5-2 hour walking tours

  • Museums

    • Tour Loke Chow Kit Mansion, built over a century ago, for a sense of KL's past

  • Yoga

    • Sunrise yoga sessions are held three times a week on the rooftop

  • Learning

  • Cycling

  • Golf

  • Birdwatching

Map & Location

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