Why The Chow Kit - an Ormond Hotel is one of the best in Kuala Lumpur

Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary design firm Post Company (formerly Studio Tack) was responsible for reimagining the old building into a design-driven space for the contemporary traveller. "We were inspired by a richer, more romanticised time—a bit of film noir and the sixties and seventies decades," says Jou-Yie Chou, partner at Post Company. "We wanted to introduce a timelessness that’s rooted in history, whether it be directly by Chow Kit the person, the neighbourhood, Kuala Lumpur or Malaysia as a whole.’

See also: 7 chic hotels in Melaka for a nostalgic getaway

The spacious ground floor, which consists of the hotel reception and award-winning restaurant The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar, provides a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. Guests will be taken by the hotel’s art collection curated by Liza Ho, founder of KL’s Back Room gallery and the Zhongshan building, and the various objets d’art  that reflect Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage. Expect to find large-scale commissioned works by Chong Siew Ying, Ahmad Zakii Anwar and Khalil Ibrahim, alongside younger Malaysian visual artists such as Ang Xia Yi. There is artistry in every detail, from the staff uniforms designed by textile and fashion designer Shan Shan Lim to the in-room ceramics by Bendang Artisan, which breathes considerable warmth, soul and life into the property and the 86 guest rooms and 27 suites, each with sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar champions the best of Malay cuisine and draws inspiration from heritage recipes, familiar flavours and fresh local ingredients. From Kambing Kuzi to Ikan Assam Pedas, the menu is executed with elegant simplicity, showcasing the diversity of food from all four regions in Malaysia. Rediscover a Malaysian favourite, chilli crab, served with fried mantao and spaghetti aglio olio and take home the restaurant’s all-star, fresh and homemade green and red sambal.

The restaurant features special holiday menus—for Chinese New Year, Valentine’s, Ramadan and Christmas—and a monthly Sunday Roast with Australian Grain-Fed Ribeye steaks, Kerisik infused Yorkshire pudding, sambal kentang and a refreshing Brussels sprouts slaw.

Private @ The Chow Kit allows guests to have full autonomy to design their night in the hotel’s private dining rooms—from the decor and music to the cocktails created by Shawn Chong, one of Malaysia’s top mixologists—for a romantic dinner for two or a birthday celebration amongst friends.

One of the biggest charms of the hotel is its unbeatable location that straddles the old and the new, perfect for a culture-rich weekend. Embark on a guided walking tour of the neighbourhood—arguably Kuala Lumpur’s most eclectic—learning about its history as the city’s commercial centre and about the landmarks in its vicinity, from Malaysia’s largest wet market to the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the city’s oldest Hindu temple founded in 1873. Food highlights include Nasi Kandar Kudu, one of Kuala Lumpur's oldest nasi kandar restaurants, Yut Kee, a kopitiam established in 1928, and Sin Hwa Bee Bakery for traditional Chinese pastries and biscuits. 

Those seeking a lively nightlife scene will be pleased to know that the city’s best watering holes are just around the corner, from Joloko with its world-class selection of mezcal and tequila to Penrose, the newest cocktail bar in Chinatown. MoMo’s KL, The Chow Kit’s sister hotel and adjoining neighbour also hosts regular weekly DJ nights on Fridays and Saturdays for those looking to continue the party late into the night. 

There’s something special about The Chow Kit - an Ormond Hotel and we’re excited to see what the future has in store for them!

NOW READ

Inside Tatler Dining’s first street food festival, In The Mood For Food

7 new luxury hotels with stunning design

4 luxury resorts in Unesco World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia