Simplified Luxury at Chowkit in Kuala Lumpur

Simplified Luxury at ORMOND Chowkit in Kuala Lumpur

Original Review by A.Ritenis in September,2023 and refreshed 30 may,2025 on second paid visit

-Described by many travellers as a Stylish hotel it is perhaps the best Boutique hotel in the heart of KL

The Chow Kit rethinks the notion of luxury for the contemporary traveler. They  believe that the greatest luxury is a life lived with comfort, purpose and balance – the sense that you are not bothered with frivolity, but focused on what matters most. Ditching the  unnecessary and just keeping the essentials, is simplified luxury.This is evocative of the now post-covid  wisdom – Less is More!Located in the bustling heart of old Kuala Lumpur, The Chow Kit is a traveler’s sanctuary, but not only just for rest – also for exploration and inspiration.

Not surprisingly this  hotel was one  of the “52 Places to Go in 2020 by The New York Times,”and just this week, was a “Hotel winner at the World Travel Awards Asia.”

Chow Kit sits cheek-by-jowl with the city’s golden triangle of shopping and commerce, Bukit Bintang, and the lively, tourist-worn Petaling Street, Chow Kit is becoming  the first stop KL for smart travellers in search of a quality Boutique Hotel. There are rewards lying behind the Hotels tough, gritty exterior. The Interior design and decor is not only aesthetically pleasing on the eyes but it feels  elegant and cozy and provides guest with a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur.

There are 86 rooms and 27 suites which are all a  modern reflection of Chow Kit’s history. Each room features all the modern essentials a traveller needs – Free high-speed WiFi, Luxury Linen, Bespoke Organic Toiletries by Jeanie Botanicals and Smart TVs.

 

 

“The hotels architecture,design and interior decor was achieved with the collaboration of a select group  of designers, artisans, craftsmen and artists from the neighbourhood and afar, each inspired by the history,cultures and traditions of colonial Kuala Lumpur to develop the style and feel of this unique hotel.”

Whilst the  hotel was formerly part of the a Tune Hotel Group, (with affiliations to Air Asia), it has now been rebranded as the Chow Kit and is part of the Ormond Group which owns Tune Hotels. This correspondent  had a very pleasant and relaxed 3 day weekend KL experience,  and really had the opportunity to “chill out”,indulge in some great  wine and food from the Hotel Lobby Bar and Restaurant,..and do some shopping at the excellent SOGO Department store, a short distance from the Hotel. It is also close to the monorail station which can take you to other connection points so that you can catch trains all over Kuala Lumpur. It is  only two stops from Bukit Bintang which is regarded as one of the main nightlife areas with numerous restaurants,and Upmarket as well as more  standard level Malaysian shopping malls.

The hotel is very nicely decorated with a vintage or “colonial era oriental feel”and look”.

The staff are  friendly  and deliver an enthusiastic and sincere form of hospitality, and it is a nice relaxing experience to “chill out in the Lobby Bar area and compare travel notes with local Malaysians and fellow guests, who are a civilized and interesting bunch”.

Dining is good with an authentic Malaysian twist. I would definitely recommend this hotel and  definitely stay again as my preferred KL residence, in preference to a big name Hotel. This is the quintessential Boutique Hotel with a more intimate and personal feel about it.The staff were friendly and hospitable and very helpful and they will spend time advising guests about key local Sights and Touring Options. Parking is available for guests just next to the hotel.

 

Exploring the Neighbourhood

“Hotel guests can explore Kuala Lumpur city with a walking tour around the vibrant Chow Kit neighbour hood  with  streets full of character and life and  residents who have been present for generations, it’s KL’s most authentic neighbourhood, untouched by skyscrapers and suits. You can get to know some of Chow Kit’s most famous food stalls, reconnect with its history and landmarks as you unearth the hidden gems along its alleyways.”

 

 

Rooms and Suites designed for comfort

THE HOTEL HAS  86 rooms and 27 suites which are a modern reflection of Chow Kit’s history. They are contemporary spaces, “with subtle details like fringe on a curtain’s edge, relaying traces of late night revels that lurked in the shadows of Chow Kit in the 70s and 80s.” What is important to know is that each room features all the modern essentials a traveller needs – Free high-speed WiFi, Luxury Linen, Bespoke Organic Toiletries by Jeanie Botanicals and Smart TVs.

The Hotel offers the following Rooms

-The Towkay-Soh Suite, meaning ‘The Boss Lady Suite’ in the local Hokkien dialect, is the largest suite, with luxurious king-sized or twin beds and living area, perfect for longer stays. The floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the ever-changing Kuala Lumpur skyline, and the suite boasts a beautiful en-suite bathroom with rain shower and luxury organic toiletries. These suites also feature curated art pieces, a small reading corner and free high-speed WiFi.

This corresp0ndent was lucky enough to stay in The Little Towkay Suite, meaning “The Little Boss Suite” in the local Hokkien dialect, which is great for longer stays,..because it has a luxurious king size bed  (or twin beds) It is complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, timber floors, luxury linens, Smart TV and ensuite bathroom with rain shower and bespoke organic toiletries.The room includes free high-speed WiFi throughout the property. (Approx. 22sqm/240sqft.)

The room’s interior was tastefully decorated and had a relaxing feel about it without being too,luxurious, or modern.I would call it classic Malaysian understated colonial style.Great views over the Kuala Lumpur skyscape and the monorail…but with double insulation for the large glass window panes, there is no intrusive noise from outside, and guests (myself included) get a relaxing sleep.,..a perfect sanctuary style hotel..offering the best quality bedding and pillows. In addition there is a stylish and exquisite understated luxury finish in the the bathroom with brass door handles,taps and  showers etc.

A stylish and exquisite understated luxury finish in the the bathroom with brass door handles, taps and  showers etc.

The King Den 

The King Den

-The King Den, named after Chow Kit’s historically infamous gambling dens, is calm and comfortable, with king-sized or twin beds to match. Complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, timber floors, luxury linens, Smart TV and ensuite bathroom with rain shower and bespoke organic toiletries. Every room includes free high-speed WiFi throughout the property.

Stylish Bathroom 

This hotel is everything and more. The design and decor is not only aesthetically pleasing on the eyes but it feels so elegant and cozy. The room I got was with city view. Cleanliness was top notch, room was quiet, air conditioning  was not uncomfortably cold and the bed was wonderful. The Stylish  bathroom home stood out to  me with me as it was beautiful and the body wash/hand soap provided smelled wonderful and really has a “feel good effect” that shouldn’t be underestimated.

Exclusive use of Jeanie Botanicals

From a young age, Jeanie Ho has been exposed to the powerful healing properties of herbs and alternative therapies – courtesy of her late grandfather – a herbalist, and her late father – a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. With Jeanie Botanicals, she has combined her childhood memories and nutritionist training to create a line of small batch botanical products that nurture & nourish.

For The Chow Kit toiletries, Jeanie created a bespoke in-house formula inspired by South East Asian herbs and scents.

“A travel-perfect hotel…”

No doubt about it –Best bed, bed linens and pillows. Exquisite finishing touches  especially the bathroom -like brass door handle, tap, shower etc. Unfortunately,some small practicalities dont appear to have been addressed,.. and judging by the various reviews,..some guests object to  not having  spray  or air freshener installed in the bathrooms and the absence of any Electric kettle or coffee or Tea making facilities in the rooms.I experienced this first hand, when I had to take the elevator  down to the Hotel Lobby and Bar area in search of a cup of Tea or a coffee. Apart from such minor criticisms, this is  a travel-perfect hotel for locals as well as international tourists – small, compact, comfortable yet classy and the food is excellent.

Reception and Lobby Bar area

Of course  the vibe at the Chow Kit is unique.

“There is a real buzz in the lobby, as this is a busy spot – not only for overnight guests, but people coming to dine or enjoy cocktails. A louder-than-usual volume plays some good jazz.”.

The Chow Kit ORMOND Hotel perfectly suited my needs and exceeded my expectations. The hotel and rooms’ interior is tasteful, modern and invited me to spend much more time there than anticipated.The vintage design theme of the hotel is well executed and staff service was excellent. However the Reception and Lobby Bar/Lounge  provide are a very nice social setting -You can enjoy a Free breakfast which is included in the price.

Perhaps the only downside of this hotel is when you are booking for an ride share service i.e., AirAsia Ride or a Grab car. The entryway is very small and hidden, which makes the  drivers have a hard time finding the location,.. so you’ll sometimes have to cross the nearby junction to reach the Taxi or Hire car. Also be aware that sometimes on the weekend the street is actually blocked by KL Police and closed for Community Fun Runs .Other than that, I definitely recommend this establishment and will definitely look to stay there again in the future!

The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar

The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar is the warm heart of the  hotel – comprising an open space designed to celebrate the spirit of open houses – where strangers become friends and friends become family over a shared meal. Their dishes, crafted from spoken recipes passed down from generations that celebrates the multiculturalism of Malay cuisine, drawing from the north and south of Malaysia. The  food is simple and delicious, celebrating the honest flavours of locally sourced produce, from local artisanal vendors and the nearby Chow Kit market.

The space provides a Cosy environment, good food and friendly staff. Malaysian food served in the traditional way but with a classy twist. This is a  lovely place for a business meal (and I am please to say I had the opportunity to interact with really nice local Malaysians here)  or simply to have a good time with family and friends. The Kitchen staff and the waiters  go over and above the average standards on encounters elsewhere,..to make each day of your stay memorable.

The Restaurant food is top class and serve in a very classy way, 5 star grade. The hotel staff are amazing, the vibes are immaculate and the aesthetic is perfect..

“As for the food and drinks, I can definitely say that after trying many of the best cocktail bars and eateries during my time in Kuala Lumpur ,The Chow Kit is in the top five for sure. Brilliant service and excellent drinks.You can take advantage of  the happy hour cocktail ,but they  have a wide range of cocktails option.”

Smashed avocado with Poached Eggs and a delicious fresh Orange Juice.The Vittoria Coffee was Americano -strong and fragrant

 

Top Breakfast

My first breakfast at the hotel was memorable because after overdosing on Bacon and Eggs in Thailand ,..I was treated to Smashed avocado with Poached Eggs and a delicious fresh Orange Juice.The Coffee Americano was good and how can an Australian complain about being served Vittoria Coffee?

So from what I can gather the Breakfast is generally included. It came as a set of mains + coffee/tea + fruit juice of your choice.

Noteworthy and quite illustrative of the high service level,.. was that on the day of my departure,.because I had an early flight out of KLIA International Airport ,..the staff very kindly prepared a lovely Breakfast Pack for me to take with me, (comprising Tropical fruit Box and Artisan baked Sourdough bread with chicken and coleslaw filling) to consume at the airport after my check in with AirAsia – It was  Delicious!

“The vibe at the Chow Kit is unique. There is a real buzz in the lobby, as this is a busy spot – not only for overnight guests, but people coming to dine or enjoy cocktails. A louder-than-usual volume plays some good jazz-The New York Times wan’t kidding”

 

Walking and Tours

Located in Kuala Lumpur the hotel is only  2 kms from Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC, and you can ride most od the way there on the monorail , The Discovery Center and  Aquaria KLCC. are also around 2 kms away.

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery is 2.2 km .from the accommodations,, while Kuala Lumpur Convention Center is is 2.3 km from the property.

The staff and front desk was really pleasant and efficient – check in and out was quick and easy. It’s a quick walk away from SOGO department store and 15 mins from KL Sentral and there’s a monorail station nearby. There are some affordable food options nearby.

Such a great value for price ratio and one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in. Loved it and I wouldn’t  hesitate to recommend this to our readers!

 

WALKING TOURS

There are two types of tours available:

Walking Tour – Explore the history and landmarks around the neighbourhood.

Available: Wednesday, Thursday

Foodie Tour – Once in a lifetime opportunity to be guided by our local tour-guide, tasting some of the best street-food the neighbourhood has to offer.

Available: Friday

Package includes:

Day 1 – Check-in. 1-night stay at The Den or The Twin Den.

Day 2 – Chow Kit Walking Tour/Foodie Tour for 2 pax. Check-out.

BOOK NOW

The accommodations provides a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property.

Location:

The Chow Kit – an Ormond Hotel

1012, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Chowkit / Putra WTC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50100

*The writer,Axel Ritenis was a guest of AirAsia and the Ormond Hotel Group on the first visit and was a paying customer on the second visit May 2025