INTERCONTINENTAL KUALA LUMPUR - Modern Comfort Luxury Staycation

With convenient access to iconic landmarks and major tourist sightseeing hot-spots, this is the kind of location that you are looking at when it comes to hotel booking and the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur (ICKL) sits right in the pulsating heart of at it all for you to enjoy and embrace the perfect blend of urban energy and for a moment of serene modern luxury and elegance. mylifestylenews writes.

Once the city’s prime horse race course, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), where the concrete jungle is now located, is a vibrant precinct with its iconic landmarks, such as the world reknown Petronas Twin Towers; bustling Suria KLCC luxury shopping mall; KLCC Park; a multitude of financial centre and entertainment activities as well as limitless exciting dining scenes thoughtfully curated for modern urban living lifestyle.

With existing and many soon to open international hotel choices to spoil you as well as the latest addition Ombak KLCC, this already cosmopolitan city just keeps on prospering and expanding and the sky is the limit. In addition, thanks to its efficient and inexpensive public transport system that links the city to various historical sightseeing, it has also extended to neighbouring colourful unique suburbs by exploring the unique heritage and culture which has made this modern vibrant city with unlimited offers for tourists and locals alike. When a luxury hotel brand has locations all around the world, they must be doing something right in the guests’ eyes, ICKL with all the convenient access to many of these vibrant tourist destinations could also surprise and delight you like many other InterContinental Hotels have done with urban luxury staycations.

ICKL is an ideal urban retreat best situated in this Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur for both the business and leisure traveller. The beauty of a big format international hotel is that they have all the bells and whistles, meaning you can spend all day in the environs of the hotel with all the food and beverage options, pampering spa, leisure swimming pool and plenty of public spaces to chill and watch the world go by. Should you have the desire to step outside, everything in the city is at your fingertips and easily within walking distance or the city Metro which is just right outside of the hotel.

We arrived at the hotel by taxi, once we had traversed the large sweeping driveway, alighted under the large porte-cochere befitting the brand and a large water fountain. The hotel arrival experience is quite grand with a classic luxury hotel statement lobby featuring a grand white marble staircase; soaring ceilings adorned with a central pendular glass chandelier; a grand piano beside the staircase which is played every afternoon and evening; an eclectic mix of furniture that is very eye-catching; large floral arrangements; designer large floor lamps and more sophisticated details too numerous to admire.

The lobby marble flooring is softened by handmade rugs anchoring the furniture groupings, with four major support columns in the centre of the lobby that have an attractive fluted aluminium treatment sits on a base of green marble.

As a more recent addition digital screens have been installed on the upper walls immediately left and right that showcases images and promotions that adds a colourful display with the already grandeur lobby environs. Concierge is immediately on the left with a back wall of modular shelving units, stuffed with decorative objects with more seating arrangements either side of the desk. Across the lobby on the right is housed the main Front Desk with a dark green marble feature wall as the backdrop.

A large lobby lounge is on the back left and extended to the back of the grand staircase next to the entrance of Serena Brasserie - the all day dining, looking out at the mesmerizing outdoor cascading waterfall and koi pond which adds a calming green aesthetic and soothing atmosphere to the lobby ambience which is a popular spot for afternoon tea. All in all this is a grand arrival experience that sets a scene that is sure to pique the interest of arriving guests that are staying and those attending functions or dining venues.

The warm and professional Iqbal from Concierge who was very well groomed spotted us and immediately assisted us with our luggage and escorted us to the Club Lounge on 26th floor for check-in which gave us a very good first impression by staying in this 15year old hotel since it was rebranded to InterContinental in 2011. We felt very welcome unlike many other luxury hotels that pick and choose to greet their guests in their very own preferences which we had experienced of late.

Booking a Club Lounge room is always that little more special when staying with the eponymous luxury InterContinental hotel brand. Alilol at the Club Lounge reception awaited our arrival and he dealt with the formalities very promptly as we were earlier than the usual 3pm check-in time and the hotel was experiencing full occupancy so the room was not yet ready. Alilol immediately offered us breakfast at the Club Lounge while waiting and ensured us to make ourselves at home which was the perfect level of InterContinental service and made our second impression level up with such delightful attention and service.

The Club Lounge elegant interior design has been beautifully judged with that eye for detail and creating different moods and sections. As the lounge is a duplex, the far end is up a step and delineated by some modular shelving with objet d’art. This section has double height windows and elegant drapes which create a luxury of space and open feeling to the whole lounge ambience.

All the food and beverage action takes place on the main floor with dual central marble counters on a hardwood flooring displaying all the options. This is surrounded by all the marble top dining tables and chairs on plush carpets that are mixed with small sofas that all have elegant cushions and one beautifully handcrafted long wooden high table and leather upholstered bar chairs at the elevated far end next to the staircase.

Gamelan Melayu orchestra pieces around the bottom of the staircase leading to the mezzanine floor were a great cultural touch. Four large traditional WAU kites designed in metal were among one of the many ornamental objects hanging on the floor to ceiling high wood wall along the glass and marble staircase to the mezzanine floor, offering low lounge chairs and table settings for a quiet working environment as well as large meeting room that can be reserved, all tastefully decorated in darker tones to unwind.

Console tables with table lamps were strategically place to immerse you further into a residential ambience. The lighting is superb with a large pendant lighting feature over the two central marble counters and then a mix of down lights and recessed cove lighting which creates just the right balance of mood lighting.

To round everything off, there are special decorative objects on shelves and some well chosen artworks hanging on the walls – a highlight of which is three large female digital image artworks representing the harmony of the three nations in Malaysia of Malay, Chinese and Indian. One extra surprise amenity is a small outdoor balcony area. All in all, top marks for such a comfortable and well laid out ‘residence’. A signature on entry is an built-in aquarium with jelly fish floating around which forms a feature wall visible from inside and outside that adds some special touches.

#Room 2501. It didn’t take too long to organize our room and we were soon checking into our corner Club Premium King room with the Binjai view.  At 42sqm, it was bigger than expected due in part to the simple layout and being able to look into or out of the bathroom with a large window which made the room look even bigger. The room had been given a refresh here and there with colourful plush carpet and some quite new designer looking furniture. The entry area has a small but well-curated selection stocked mini bar items for purchase, a tea and coffee station with Illy coffee capsule machine and Ronnefeldt tea bags. Good quality slippers and plush bathrobes were organized and placed inside the adjacent two-door wardrobe with a large hall mirror.

To the immediate left was a spacious bathroom with a fitted bathtub, walk-in shower, toilet with water jets as well as a large single vanity and a huge wall mirror. The bathroom is all monochrome light brown marble and we loved the luxurious Byredo Bal D’Afrique bathroom amenities, which is a smart move and brand image for InterContinental Hotels chain for a sense of luxury. The large window with Venetian blinds over the bathtub looking into the bed/living area gives you the privacy for an intimate bath experience. The bed/living area is one open space with a super-size king bed and upholstered bedhead wall comes with extra large pillows and quality linens. There are two mounted large column wall lights on either side of the bed above two compact bedside tables, textured wallpaper contrasting the bright colourful plush carpet adds the minimal classy feel that creates a harmonious interior overall to the entire room.

Opposite the bed running along the full length of the wall is marble topped cabinetry and shelving split into a suitcase rack; wall-mounted television and extra storage drawers; a storage shelf and wall mirror; a work desk/ergonomic chair/desk lamp arrangement that is right-angled out into the living area near the window. There are plentiful shelving and drawer space and gives you lots of options for unpacking, placing and storing your personal items. The comfy room also features a Eames-style leather, wood upholstered chair and ottoman complemented by the marble coffee table and upholstered circular-style chair. The elegant standing lamp at the corner illuminated the entire room at night and the bright down lighting that can be muted to suit your mood. The technology has been updated with a finger touch panel that controls all the privacy functions, air-conditioning, day and night lighting options and also the motion controlled curtains. Upgrading your stay to the Club Floor not only includes the Club Lounge access to enjoy some exclusive wine and dine experience where it is also another level of service and potentially peace and quiet, as it is mostly frequented by couples and business travellers. Our club room also afforded us complimentary laundry which is a bonus when on an extended trip, so we took advantage of this facility and the delivery service was excellent. The turndown service in each evening was neat and precisely done in an orderly format, ensuring that our belongings left askew – shoes and clothes - were arranged and folded just so, as well as placing thoughtful amenities on the bed and on the desk.

If wellness is a gravitational pull for you each day, the 5th floor can meet the needs of any fitness freak with an incredibly spacious Lifefitness gym that is well laid out with plenty of mirrors, so it looks bigger than it is, but well proportioned. There is also an outsourced spa if you crave some treatments to soothe the body and soul.

The outdoor swimming pool deck has been refurbished with a newly tiled pool only opened a few months ago. It is not large, but perfectly serviceable and when quiet, you could do some lap swimming.

There is a shallow children’s section partitioned off and a Jacuzzi nook with some nice landscaping but surrounded by high rise buildings.

Tatsu Japanese Cuisine 

The hotel well caters to guests on the culinary excellence front, with the award-winning Tatsu Japanese Cuisine and Tao Chinese Cuisine, local delights at Serena Brasserie, and draft beer, live matches and comfort food at Bentley’s Pub. Afternoon high tea and live piano music can be enjoyed at OneSixFive in the main hotel lobby overlooking the lush garden.

Tao Chinese Cuisine

Breakfast is served in Serena Brasserie and it was packed and rather chaotic at 9:30am which is undeniably the busiest time for breakfast that offers a bountiful buffet spread of local delicacies and international favourites from the multi-ethnic culture of Malaysia.

The bright and well-designed brasserie creates a spacious yet bustling ambience, surrounding the restaurant with floor to ceiling glass windows and a lush, calming garden with cascading waterfall dining experience. Everyone seems to take advantage of the seating closest to the garden and water features while enjoying their delightful first meal of the day.

The food replenishment was done efficiently for this massive spread and we were in no hurry to beat the long queue but to take our time to pick some of our favorites mainly from the Asian and local sections: Nasi Lemak; Chicken Rendang; stir-fried noodles on daily rotation; Chicken Curry; Spicy Chilli Chicken; Congee; Fried-rice; Sambal Eggplants; among a few pastries and then some.

Roti Jala is delightful to go with the home-made yellow curry and Roti Canai are made fresh to a light crispiness and the assorted colourful Malay Kuih selection is a must try, as they are a quintessential staple in the region and gives you a real good opportunity to savor the Malaysian legacy. Sanusi offered some dedicated service and looked after us and ensured our tea and coffee were done in an orderly fashion.

Colourful Malay Kuih

We adjourned back to the Club Lounge for a more sophisticated and tranquil breakfast experience to appreciate what they have done for the Club Floor guests.

Breakfast in the Club Lounge is a micro version of Serena Brasserie and the set up is not as loud as Serena Brasserie but offers a carefully crafted breakfast for smaller groups and delivers with a more premium spread for what is on offer. Hot and savories items can be ordered from the menu that are delivered with proper table service. You have eggs cooked to order and a combination of freshly made juices, the food on display looked more artisanal and presentation is everything.

While it is absolutely tranquil spending time in this elegant Club Lounge, you may like to enjoy the afternoon tea in a classic three-tier plating with a choice of tea, coffee, fresh juices as well as the evening cocktail hour is also worth maxing out.

A good selection of hors d’oeuvres on daily rotation were rather tasty and a few good selection of food and the wine selection was quite a pleasant way to please while enjoying an alternative urban sunset alongside with some quality and personalized service from from its service team Jojo, Farhan, and Gwynneth that was well delivered. Overall the service was pretty seamless and so many team members remembered our names and preferences which was a nice touch. Guest names were greeted with every telephone call for service which was spot on. We were usually greeted by name in the Club Lounge and welcomed back each time we made an appearance, but on our last night we asked the supervisory staff on duty to settle our outstanding bills before checkout and while identifying our room number, our name was not called which was a short fall for the entire Club Floor experience that was nearly immaculate.

Our stay seemed to fly by and apart from a few small excursions surrounding the hotel, we spent a lot of time enjoying what the hotel had to offer, including our daily swim; memorable dinners in Tatsu Japanese Cusine and Tao Chinese Cuisine; a delicious afternoon coffee break in OneSixFive; lunch in Serena on arrival and then most of our spare time in the Club Lounge enjoying the daily offerings and tranquility.

We could not fault the restaurants we had the pleasure of dining at and loved the comfort of our well-maintained Club room. The position of the hotel is well facilitated for many different kind of guest aspects with the amenities on offer and the shuttle service to the neighbouring KLCC is helpful when the weather is inclement but there is so much you can do on foot with this prime location which has a lot to offer. InterContinental Kuala Lumpur practices what they preach and strives to deliver a memorable luxury urban staycation for their guests by living the InterContinental life blends classic luxury and modern comfort lifestyle experience to bring home and share.

Tried & Tested:
Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 4/5

Housekeeping: 4.5/5
Food & Beverage: 5/5
Service: 4/5
Value For Money: 4.5/5
Experience: 4.5/5
 
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
 165, Jalan Ampang,
Wilayah Persekutuan,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +6 03 2782 6000

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated. 

YEN W KUALA LUMPUR - Alluring Imperial DIM SUM & Champagne Brunch

There isn’t many good quality weekend bubbly champagne Dim Sum brunch in Kuala Lumpur, even so, they may have just earned your merit once and then never fancy your return. YEN, the accomplished Cantonese Restaurant at W Kuala Lumpur can sate the appetite of even the pickiest of palates, together with unlimited serving of French champagne. mylifestylenews writes.

Cantonese food is one of our favourite cuisines and with so much to enjoy, you can be extremely choosy when it comes to deciding where you want to book in order not ruining your craving quota for a real good quality meal, not to mention by indulging yourself in an inspiring vivacious arty ambience with prompt and focused service. As The W hotel brand is renowned for its vibrant and creative dining experience, the recently refurbished YEN Chinese restaurant at W Kuala Lumpur has put in a lot of effort in elevating their already then popular Cantonese cuisine which redefines Cantonese dining by blending rich Chinese culinary heritage with modern sophistication, and this was our second and much anticipated visit since a major interior refresh and grand relaunch in mid-2025. 

 When you are on a good thing you definitely don’t mess with it, but to improve the experience is certainly the way to go and this is just what YEN at W Kuala Lumpur has done in our estimation. YEN means vibrant and sexy and this seems to have been the playbook with the new interior. This upscale restaurant reopened with reimagined, refreshed interiors featuring intricate dark marble flooring and woodwork with contemporary lighting that features an enticing Oriental charm of antique elements.

Red leather banquettes, designer wall sconce lights and two large paper box lantern lighting structures hanging from the ceiling, a low-rise marble bar with dark marble counter dining seats and velvet upholstered walls, to name a few of the major changes, the new alluring interior adding to that sassy mood for an intimate dining experience.

All of this has created a modern sophisticated vibe that befits the W brand and we were enthralled with the new interior. Spot-lit chic black marble dining tables set with a jazzy red and white branded show plate along with a set of red and black chopsticks, colourful lively Koi fish prints on lazy Susan, all of which with the inclusion of modern oriental elements. There are also four spacious private dining rooms tastefully decorated with royal elements and combining modern furnishing with delicate Chinese details.

With the Executive Chinese Chef Tan Kim Weng helming this refreshed restaurant, he fuses time-honoured flavours, innovative techniques and locally sourced ingredients to elevate classic Cantonese food with modern twists. Just bear in mind that it is halal which is always a big challenge when it comes to Chinese cuisine. Chef Weng had our worries free as his pork free halal menu not only delighted our palate but keeping the authentic Cantonese flavours no less. With the recent launch of the new Imperial Champagne Brunch, they are featuring a weekend and public holiday all-you-can-eat Yum-Cha experience from its delightful crafted menu paired including a hand full of signature dishes with a two hours free-flow of Moët & Chandon French champagne.

This 120-minute bubbly feast delivers value on all fronts and you may also elevate your dining bliss to the next level, an upgrade to Veuve Clicquot is truly a further indulgence while an enjoying the leisurely brunch at your own pace with quality Dim Sum dishes one at a time and it worked a gem. Let the bubbles flow in bliss as the crafted Dim Sum menu is quite extensive and would have been impossible to try one of everything without running out of room. Pace your cravings diligently by savoring some signature and must-have dishes and there was so much to enjoy.

We started with the Daily Chef’s Choice signature Double Boiled Chicken Soup and a Braised Sichuan Hot & Sour Soup, Shredded Chicken, Aged Vinegar and both equally had distinctive flavours to please your palate and consistency in line with expectations, we were instantly relaxed knowing that the start to our brunch was to be enjoyable.

This was followed with a few classic Yum-Cha dishes must-have, from the Steamed Dim Sum Section, we opted for Prawn & Dried Scallop Siu Mai served with Organic Quinoa where the scallop did its justice but not much from the quinoa on the palate which worked more like a garnish instead. Har Gau - the Crystal Prawn Dumpling, Morel Mushrooms is a stand out, with sizable juicy meaty prawns folded and wrapped in light and see-through paste to enjoy in the right bite size and worth the encore.

Mushroom Shape Honey Barbeque Chicken Bun that came in the form and shape of a large Shitake mushroom, but in red veins instead of earthy black tones. Mind the presentation, focus on the taste and the honey glazed chicken works more than just fine with the airy bun. Steam Rice Roll, Barbeque Chicken, Homemade Sambal Paste is another comfort Dim Sum dish for Yum-Cha. The satisfying palate always comes from the savory homemade sauce as every chef has their very own version to make it special to delight your senses.

It can’t go wrong by ordering Braised Phoenix Claws, Peanuts, Abalone Sauce aka Braised Chicken Feet. It is more than just a ritual when you come for a Yum-Cha experience to savour this flavoursome delicacy that is packed with flavours that enlivens your palate. Despite the chicken feet were smaller in size than usual but still won us over with a piquant sauce, lots of collagen and a definite brunch highlight. Absolutely delectable!

Traditional Glutinous Rice with Chicken & Abalone was packed with flavour, sticky and firm rice texture went well with the moist chicken and abalone added that premium flavour. Simply filling and satisfying!

The Steamed Fish Ball, Dried Tangerine Peel, Garlic, Coriander’s presentation may not catch your attention but the firm and springy fish ball texture with a lovely zesty hint of tangerine on the palate will win your heart for its authenticity flavour and another must-order.

We jumped to the Fried & Baked Dim Sum Section and started off with the signature Pan-Fried Bean Curd Roll, Prawn & Water Chestnut that was utterly delicious with chunky prawn meat wrapped and deep-fried with light and flaky bean curd to golden brown. Once you start having the first bite, second is certainly to follow and then you have to remind yourself to pause in order to savour a lot of orders to come. Don’t miss out!

The Crispy Vegetarian Spring Roll abounding in aromatic chive was spot on. With the light and crispy outer shell, moist and fragrant filling that had us craving for more. Sometimes the simple things in life resonate with you the most!

The Crispy Cod Fillet Roll with Cheese has definitely earned the signature dish status. It was perfectly light and crispy and the hand crafted “Dragon Beard Roll” was in a coating of fine wheat vermicelli, shredded spring roll wrappers that was deep-fried to light and fluffy golden brown texture wrapped in moist and juicy cod and cheese inside that really hit more than a spot. Even though the Crispy Yam Dumplings, Cream Mushroom Chicken was not listed as their signature dish, it should be. It was so good and so well executed and sinfully tasty.

Wok Fried Radish Cake, Bean Sprouts, Supreme Chili Sauce, Sakura Shrimps is another delightful craving that sat on a deep-fried edible vermicelli net and topped with the pungent aromatic Sakura shrimp. The colourful fresh ingredients used to made this delectable dish were quite pleasurable.

From the Staple Section, we had the signature Braised Silver Needle Noodle, Kuantan Salted Fish & Minced Chicken Sauce that is one of the local’s all time favorites. It is also known as silver pin noodles or rat tail noodles for its 5cm-ish length and shape as the name suggests that is made from rice flour, soft yet springy and absorbs the entire rich minced chicken sauce and enhanced the palate with the infamous Kuantan salted fish which was simply irresistible. This should not be missed as it was so delicious on every level, and topped with the sinful duck fat crunchy croutons. Simply divine!

The high heat smoky Wok Fried Rice, Diced Chicken, Supreme Chili Sauce is another signature dish that was absolutely on point, so tasty and a delight with every mouthful. Nothing beats a good heart-felt fried rice that is done well.

Every dessert was consistent, extremely tasty and nothing missed a beat in the culinary creation stakes.The Sweet Temptation was offered to end the bubbly feast with Chilled Osmanthus Jelly & Wolf Berries that was soothing and sweet; the flaky custard Baked Portuguese Egg Tart; Milk Pudding, Truffles, Honeycomb & Chilled Aloe Vera giving that creme brulee texture with a touch of truffle; Lemongrass Infused Ai-Yu Jelly, Natural Peach Resin & Yuzu Pearl boasts a unique and somewhat polarizing flavour profile and last but not least the smooth and thick soupy Aged Tangerine Peel Red Bean Soup with Black Sesame Dumpling which is the classic Cantonese dessert retention round up of our sumptuous feast with immense bliss. You certainly need a big appetite to enjoy everything and indulge every moment.

This was an absolute quality and a happy Champagne Dim Sum brunch to remember. Chef Weng created a lot of delicate dishes with delicious flavours and textures that you would expect but nothing is a given and as they say “the proof is in the pudding”. You may be sceptical for halal Dim Sum served in Kuala Lumpur hotels as it is quite common these days to cater for a wider audience and we were not disappointed based on the cross section of menu items we savoured.

Service was very switched on thanks in part to the Assistant Restaurant Manager Andy who looked after us very well. Table clearance was prompt as they attended to every table cautiously to ensure the experience was seamless.The champagne was perfectly chilled and Andy ensured that our glasses did not dry out as well as the cleansing aged Pu-er tea that we required it to be served strong and was delivered orderly. We were not left wanting at just the right moments. Don’t think Dim Sum brunch, but think more like a mini feast with authenticity, this alluring all-you-can-eat Imperial Champagne Brunch is a steal given the quality and the kitchen does not cut corners. YEN at W Kuala Lumpur delivers a delicious array of genuine flavours and great service that will have you booking again.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 4.5/5
Food & Beverage: 5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Value For Money: 5/5
Experience: 5/5

 

YEN W Kuala Lumpur

 121, Jalan Ampang,

Kuala Lumpur,

Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Tel: +6 03 2786 8888

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.