Introduction
The heat hit instantly, a thick, rolling humidity that felt almost surreal after so many hours in the air. Stepping out of the airport was like stepping onto a different planet. As we drove into the city, KL rose up through green hills, life growing into the fabric of the buildings, eaten by the jungle. and high-rises emerged from pockets of trees. The whole place felt alive before we had even fully arrived.
On the first night, before moving to the Park Royal Collection, we stayed somewhere with a view that set the mood for what was to come. From the balcony, the Petronas Towers stood in the distance, their light piercing up through the clouds casting a glow across the city. The beams framed the skyline in a way that felt almost otherworldly, a grounding moment after hours in the air and a first glimpse of how KL comes alive at night.
When we moved to the Park Royal in Bukit Bintang, the rhythm of the stay found its shape. Bukit Bintang has its own energy, It is the kind of place you step into and immediately feel the rhythm of the city. Lively without being too much, a crossroads of shopping streets, late-night food, older storefronts and newer developments with a monorail passing overhead. Just be careful when you cross the road, because some of the curbs feel high enough to require a small leap of faith. There was a wild feel to the place, a mix of influences clashing along the crossroads, an east-meets-west melting pot.
Inside, the hotel moved at a different speed. The noise and movement dissolved when the doors closed, replaced by a quieter rhythm. A soft, steady melody from the grand piano floated across the lobby each evening. The bar sat just off one side, carrying that same steady mood and the Negronis were the kind you hope for but rarely get, big, cold and confidently mixed.
One evening took us to Bar Ver at the Four Seasons, it carried a familiar Malaysian influence in its design. Dark woods, warm lighting and touches of craft gave it a sense of place without needing to declare it. It held that balance of elegance and ease that only comes from venues that understand themselves.
The welcome matched the room, shaped by a mixologist, Naz, who genuinely loved what he was doing. He walked us through a menu inspired by traditional board games, each cocktail tied to a small story or memory, giving the evening a playful thread. At one point, Sinatra’s My Way played over the speakers, settling into the atmosphere like it belonged there.
Stepping outside afterwards, the Petronas Towers rose above, bright and bold against the night sky. A small crowd was gathered at its feet, creating a late-night hum as the city began to wind down. We caught a grab back to the hotel, the car joined the roundabout, I stared out the window watching the towers spin, dancing as we moved around them. For a moment it felt like the world was revolving with us.( maybe that was down to the countless cocktails).
Another night took us to Damansara Heights, a leafy neighbourhood just outside the centre. Up a narrow concrete staircase was JungleBird, a rum bar with rattan chairs, warm lighting and a backbar that looked like a haul of treasure had been tipped out and arranged just enough to make sense. Bottles from everywhere, stacked and glowing, a collection that invited curiosity.
Easy conversation, genuine enthusiasm and an evening of stories about rum and molasses that left me knowing more than I ever expected to. The knowledge was deep but, shared with care, pride and a desire for guests to understand what was in their glass. And the Cubano (sandwich) was rich, tender and memorable, one of those dishes you immediately file under “must have again.”
And then there was Asador V, a standout Steakhouse. Set inside the Mercedes building, the space unfolded with grandeur. Gold and black details lined the room, and a long bar swept upward in an arch overhead while ornate chandeliers cast warm light across every surface. It felt considered and confident without tipping into excess. The team matched the atmosphere effortlessly. Attentive, intuitive and poised, they carried the experience with a professionalism that felt personal. They understood us straight away and made the whole evening glide.
KL revealed itself through these moments, through the warmth, the generosity and the instinctive hospitality. A city where people are happy to share their knowledge, their food and their time. A place that blends modernity and tradition .
There is a long list of places I want to visit next year when we return for Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week 2026. But what stayed with me was not just the venues. It was the feeling of being welcomed, guided and looked after with sincerity.
If you care about the details, the small gestures, the neighbourhood gems and the dishes that stay with you, KL opens up quickly. You can wander, explore, follow your curiosity, and the city meets you halfway every time.
Once you tune into that, the whole place becomes something special.
And I cannot wait to go back.
… Look at this massive Pikachu
