ELEMENT BY WESTIN KUALA LUMPUR
It’s been quite a while since I did a review of a brand new hotel and I am truly honoured to be presented with this opportunity to not only review a hotel but to have an overall experience of the tallest Eco-Friendly hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
Officially launched in May 2017, Element Kuala Lumpur stands proudly at 275 meter high in Ilham Tower (Menara Ilham). The mix-use tower itself consists of 64 floors and and Element Hotel begins at Level 39 with a spectacular infinity pool whereas the main reception lobby and all day dining at Level 40. The spectacular 252 rooms which ranges from a studio to a three bedroom suite are situated on Levels 41 to 53. Which means, the rest of the tower belongs to the owner where his super rad penthouse is located.
Element Kuala Lumpur, which is the first of its kind in South East Asia was built green from the ground up with eco-friendly practices, natural light and open spaces. Despite its eco-friendly details, it is nothing short of luxurious. The tower was built in line with the owner’s passion for art. Every corner of this tower is an experience from the free access Ilham gallery on the lower floors, paintings and wall arts on every lobby to multiple pieces of sculptures from the lawn to the highest floors of the tower. The tower itself is believed to be a living gallery on its own with every stay being a new experience.
Located approximately 7 minutes away from KLCC by foot and a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur, you seriously can’t get enough of this tower and its facilities. Let’s start with the first floor space of the hotel (Level 39) is where the 24 hour access fitness center is located. Despite being small, it is complete with all the equipments from the basic cardiovascular machineries to a full set of weights to build your strength. With the sweeping views of the hills in Kuala Lumpur, you might even spot Genting Highlands as you run on the treadmill. And if working out does not you kind of jazz, perhaps finding you inner chi with yoga can help. The hotel offers free yoga classes and you are free to join them during any of their classes.
But the star of the entire floor is of course the salt water (saline) infinity pool. The best part of this indoor pool other that being 39 floors up into the sky facing the Twin Towers, it is actually mildly heated! Perfect for people like me who is extremely sensitive to cold water pools where I can’t really enjoy the pool as it is too cold for me. The focal point which is also worth mentioning is the fact that the tiles in this pool is also organised by a local artist into a piece of art named “Ombak” which also means “Waves” in English. Pretty hard to view through the water itself when there are people using it, but you can view the entire piece just by looking up on the mirrored ceiling and you can just let it sink into you.
The main reception lobby located on Level 40 of the tower is where every guests will start their stay at officially. Of course that does not include the receiving lobby through the porte cochere down on the first floor. Guest will be greeted by a huge hanging art made out out sheet metal which symbolises and made up of the many different exotic flowers such as the rafflesia and bunga raya you are able to find in Malaysia. The same floor also houses the multiple meeting and function rooms and also the ever-green Trace restaurant. Trace Restaurant, the All Day Dining of the hotel practices the green aspect of the hotels and tower philosophy. The word Trace which also means to trace back the source of food practices ‘farm to table’ concept dining where most, if not all the ingredients are all freshly picked for the days use. The restaurant only does morning buffet and ala carte for the rest of the meals to reduce food wastage.
Now to the most important part of the hotel, where you will spend most of your time in. The rooms, which includes the studio room are huge! Although every room layout differs due to the layout of the tower, there is definitely enough space for extended stays. Clean and slick look with floor to ceiling windows keep the room light and airy throughout the day. With super large wardrobe and bathrooms with spa inspire showers and deep soaking tubs (tubs only available in the suites), the Heavenly beds and super lush pillows by Westin, it is one place you do not wanna leave. Even the television connects easily to your phone so that you can screen mirror any movies from your phone.
Lets be clear that this hotel is an eco-friendly hotel. With all the extra facilities you get with this rooms which includes the basic microwave and fridge in the studio rooms to the multiple electric hobs, dishwasher, espresso machine and even a washing machine with dryer in you suites, this hotel does not provide bottled water and shampoos. To keep the carbon footprint down and of course trash down, the hotel uses dispensers for their organic soaps and shampoos (which are those cheap types if you were wondering) and they have a separate tap used for drinking. So fret not, they do have everything you need in a hotel, just that they have to do things a little differently.
So that’s all folks, I must say I am excited to stay there again probably on my next trip! Do give Green a shot! They won’t disappoint! I Promise!
PS. There are a whole lot of corners I did not snap photos of, those are for you to discover! I am not gonna spoil it all for you! Do drop by whenever you are near by in the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur!
Last but not least, I would like to thank Kellyn On (Manager, Digital & Marketing Communications) who have been coordinating with me way before this trip began till the moment I touchdown back in Singapore making sure everything goes smoothly throughout the trip.
Element by Westin, Kuala Lumpur Ilham Tower, 8 Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia 50450
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