From the jewel-box bathrooms to the skyline views, this one is hard to leave.

When I was living in the suburbs, it took a whole mental load to brace myself to drive into the city, especially in the middle of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle. These days, one can ditch the car and choose the efficient rail transportation that cuts downtime effectively. But do you know what is another beauty of being in the city? When a hotel is built right next to The Exchange TRX Mall, you'll never have to leave the city! Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur, which is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, is right smack in the middle of Kuala Lumpur’s fast-emerging lifestyle and cultural quarter, and is close to fun dining and drinking spots. The hotel takes inspiration from Kuala Lumpur’s dynamic effervescence, from interior design to culinary, right down to its name. ‘Naluria’ derives from two Malay words, ‘Naluri’, meaning ‘instinct’, and ‘Ria’, meaning ‘joy’, which captures the essence of following one’s instinctive inner voice towards the pursuit of joy and happiness. 

Checking in to Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur

As my ride pulled up to the lobby, the hotel’s bell staff were quick to assist me with my luggage and accompanied me straight up to the reception area, also known as The Living Room, where I was greeted with friendly faces and cold welcome drinks. Checking in was seamless: a few signatures, a brief sharing of facilities and we were sent off to dinner at the hotel’s restaurant called Tuai + Till, a dual dining venue where guests can enjoy farm-to-table, fermentation-driven menus.

Interestingly, one-half of the restaurant is themed cosy Malaysian-style (Tuai), while the other is more of a Western brasserie (Till), which was reflected in the menu, where you get popular Malaysian dishes with a spin.

We ordered the wagyu satay, beef ribs rendang, laksa and otak-otak, and when I tell you the food hits the spot, I really mean they do. You could really taste the richness of the ingredients and the playful fusion of both culinary worlds. For me, it feels like home and that says a lot. The meat fell off the bones, and in a blink of an eye, the plate was wiped clean. My laksa, simmered and cooked with coconut milk for hours, arrived at the table rich, fragrant, and deeply satisfying – the kind of bowl that makes you slow down and savour every spoonful.

For a nightcap, you would not want to miss Four Siblings, located on the top of the 26th floor. It’s a four spice-themed bar where cinnamon, clove, cardamom and star anise take the spotlight. These are ingredients that are used in every day Malaysian cooking and it really does take a magician to finesse the aromatic flavours. With cardamon as its starring ingredient, I ordered the Bees Sneeze which was surprisingly a palate pleaser. It comes with a flavourful bubble, which makes it such a FUN experience. Another drink that deserves a shoutout is Sip Happens, made of spiced rum sous vide with pandan, espresso, milo, coffee liquor and star anise. It tastes like a strong malty, morning drink that you’ll want to drink over and over again. My best is a placement on Asia’s Best Bars list.

The Studio Suite at Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur

Once you go Suite, you'll know it's the sweetest life you can have. Honestly, if you’re going to treat yourself to a staycation, you’ll definitely enjoy the Studio Suite that’s about 462 sq ft in size. The room’s configuration is something that I truly appreciate: the bathroom, which features a large bathtub, shower room and his and her sinks felt like twice the size of the bedroom itself. For someone who enjoys long baths and bingeing on her Netflix reality shows, this was hands down the best experience ever.

The gold brass finishing matched the striking red tiles in the shower room, giving it an opulent warmth that felt both bold and indulgent. To top it off, British perfume house Penhaligon’s supplemented hotel guests with their Quercus range – liquid soap and hand and body lotion – which smelled like a luxurious zesty citrus and jasmine concoction.The only thing that could pull me away from long soaks is a large king-sized bed with fluffy pillows with a promise of deep sleep and sweet dreams. It was one of the few best sleeps I ever had in a hotel room.

For breakfast, we headed back to Tuai + Till for the breakfast buffet, a nice generous spread of hot and cold foods that could appease even the fussiest ah mas. 

Of course I had dim sum, congee, cold cuts and nasi lemak. And repeated my faves all over again the next day.

But I instantly regretted overeating and decided to skip lunch and opted for a workout with a Personal Trainer in the Pulse gym that’s equipped with all the latest Technogym machines. Just remember to make a booking with the hotel receptionist to lock in your time if you’re interested in guided pilates, personal training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or early-morning sunrise yoga.

By the time I felt like I was done with lifting weights, it’s time to hit the pool. Located on the same floor as Four Siblings, the restaurant offers a mesmerising skyline view, by day and by night (spot the Merdeka 118 Tower and KL Tower). It’s a long lap pool and if you’re up for another calorie-burning exercise, be my guest. Pool services are also available if you’re feeling peckish.

If you’re in need for a caffeine boost, Rise & Grind, which is located at the lobby, happens to be a contemporary grab-&-go espresso bar that embraces third-wave coffee artistry while honouring locally-loved essence of Malaysia and its Kopitiam culture, featuring homegrown Liberica coffee beans. As someone who likes her coffee strong, this one hits the spot. Must-not miss.

Should you book a stay at the Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur?

I believe in splurging on experiences over material things — although I have been known to swerve into both lanes — Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur has quickly earned a spot near the top of my best city hotels list. The hotel's location is a bonus for shopping enthusiasts, with easy access to some of the city's major international fashion and streetwear boutiques. For culture buffs, head to my favourite places in Kuala Lumpur like UR-MU, REX KL, Zhongshan Building, Ilham Gallery and the newly renovated The Sultan Abdul Samad Building.