Journey through the forest: inside the vibrant Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur by Hassell Studio

Located within The Exchange TRX, Kuala Lumpur’s new financial and lifestyle district, Kimpton Naluria unfolds like a journey through a forest as guests ascend the 26-storey property–a conceptual extension of the neighbouring TRX City Park just beyond its doors.

Balanced with Kimpton’s renowned boldness and playfulness, the overarching design narrative–described as “Botanics Beyond Aesthetics”–draws from Malaysia’s layered natural landscapes, from rainforest canopies and riverbanks to mineral-rich soils.

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The Kimpton DNA emerges through moments of surprise, social energy and confident hues, while Malaysian identity is expressed through materiality, craftsmanship, spatial generosity and carefully considered emotional pacing.

Rather than literal references, the interiors rely on sensory cues: warm timbers, textured stone, handcrafted finishes and soft metals chosen to patina gracefully over time. 

Meanwhile, earthy hues and forest greens anchor the palette, while woven surfaces, ribbed detailing and matte finishes place as much emphasis on touch and atmosphere as on visual expression.

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“We would like Kimpton Naluria to be the place where people come to decompress from the surrounding hustle and bustle of the city,” Salam explains. “While there is still energy in the social spaces, a subtle transition takes place in these toned-down spaces, where guests can begin winding down.”

The journey begins at the arrival hall on the ground level, where the hotel’s contemporary grab-and-go espresso bar, Rise & Grind, welcomes both guests and the public with a modern interpretation of local kopitiam culture, serving coffee brewed from locally grown Liberica beans.

Dappled light recalls sunlight filtering through foliage, shimmering reflections suggest water at rest, and textured surfaces echo the ancient scarring of tree trunks–“akin to passing through a threshold into a forest,” as Salam elaborates.

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On the first floor, the open-plan lobby subtly shifts between energetic and social and enclosed and calm. 

Beneath soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glazed windows overlooking the verdant TRX City Park, informal seating pockets are carefully choreographed to support transitional spaces for working, socialising or resting.

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Here, as with all Kimpton hotels, guests encounter the brand’s signature rituals: Kimpton Kickstart, a hosted morning energiser featuring Liberica cold brew, teh tarik and detox shots; and Kimpton Social, the daily evening “social hour” offering complimentary drinks, snacks and playful password perks at check-in.

While retaining an urban rhythm, these spaces gently signal the start of emotional decompression before guests move deeper into the hotel.

Unfurling across the 266 guest rooms and suites on the upper floors, each with its own framing views of Merdeka 118 and KL Tower, a series of conceptual design drivers guide the atmosphere into something quieter and more personal; encouraging guests to feel grounded, protected and at ease, as if the city has gradually faded into the background.

The Essential and Premium Rooms are enveloped in deeper blues and greens, with fluted millwork referencing the rhythmic scarring of rubber tapping trees. Monolithic surfaces and sinuous forms are paired with abstract artworks depicting Malaysian rainforests, while bold-hued tiles, leaf-shaped mirrors and gilded bathroom fittings introduce moments of visual contrast.

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In the larger One Bedroom, Studio and Celebrity Suites on higher levels, the palette lightens and becomes more expressive, culminating in the Presidential Suite–the crowning jewel of the hotel–where colour and texture unfold in a richer, more expansive interplay. 

Hints of blush pink and rouge magenta draw inspiration from tropical fruits and floral blooms, while softer blues and brighter light suggest a thinning forest canopy overhead.

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Throughout, small design gestures quietly enhance comfort, echoing the philosophy behind the hotel’s name: Naluria, a portmanteau of the Malay words naluri (instinct) and ria (joy).

“Finding quirky and considered design elements–like a park bench with a designated cup holder on the armrest–those kinds of moments bring me joy,” Salam shares, citing examples such as the discreet cup rest integrated into an arm settee in the Presidential Suite.

Additionally, luxury bath amenities from ARgENTUM and Penhaligon’s, alongside a minibar stocked with Malaysia-exclusive treats–including pandan gula melaka granola and salted egg yolk potato crisps–further root the experience in place. 

Not to mention, Kimpton’s “Forgot It? We’ve Got It!” programme, which offers thoughtfully curated essentials guests may have forgotten in the packing list–from mobile phone chargers, makeup remover, hair spray or personal care items.

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A time-honoured cornerstone of the Kimpton brand, food and beverage experiences form the final chapters of Kimpton Naluria–each distinct in character, yet bound by the hotel’s overarching design narrative.

Beyond Rise & Grind and the upcoming Sabato’s–Malaysia’s first retro-inspired Italian-American restaurant set to revive 1970s disco nights and the Red Sauce Joint era–Tuai + Till anchors the hotel’s culinary identity on the third floor.

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The dual dining concept offers fermentation-driven, farm-to-table menus, with Tuai serving cosy Malaysian café favourites (its name derived from the Malay word for “harvest”), while Till presents refined Western brasserie fare.

Cultural references are embedded with restraint throughout the interiors. Tilted, jalousie-inspired wooden slats–referencing the handcrafted moulds of mooncakes and ang ku kueh–define the front-of-house, while screens inspired by woven baskets and food wrappings line the windows, filtering light through geometric patterns that animate the wood-panelled walls.

At the pinnacle of the hotel, beside the rooftop infinity pool and fitness terrace, sits Four Siblings–Malaysia’s first spice-themed bar and the only rooftop bar in TRX. 

Inspired by the historic spice trade and named after cinnamon, clove, cardamom and star anise, the space bridges Malaysian and South American influences in both design and menu.

Batik-inspired flooring weaves across the venue, peppercorn motifs appear in lighting details, and eclectic furnishings foster an intimate counterpoint to the vibrant skyline beyond.

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“It’s not like the typical rooftop bar, where it’s just bright lights and sounds,” Salam concludes of her favourite spot in Kimpton Naluria. “You have pockets of calm and cosy spaces where you can enjoy the city views–which I love, especially at night, and in the evening when you get to see the sunset.”

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