Hilton Kuala Lumpur

With lots of the on-brand perks that many Hilton brand loyalists have come to expect, this large hotel has a good bit of style that puts it a step above KL's many upscale properties. The look here is modern -- with a dash of drama -- and interiors all have an almost glitzy appeal with artsy flourishes. The expansive lobby is decorated in tones of gold and silver, with long black light fixtures hanging over the reception desks and polished travertine floors leading off in every direction. Tree and plant-inspired silhouettes in black and tan hues make a bold statement and help partition the massive common areas into more intimate settings. The restaurants, bars, and other common areas have similarly sophisticated decor. For those with a little more money to spend, the 33rd-floor Executive Lounge is a standout, with views of the city skyline from floor-to-ceiling windows. The pool area also has city and park views. While the hotel is in a relatively quiet part of the city -- we stress relative, here -- it is bustling with tourists and business travelers around the clock.

The hotel sits across from the KL Sentral railway station, which has connections to local and long-distance trains as well as the monorail. The hotel is quite convenient for those arriving from the airport, as it's about a half-hour to 45 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport via a high-speed train. There’s also a mall across the street. The area is less busy than the Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC), though roads in the area will still strike most visitors as congested, busy, and not exactly walkable -- welcome to Kuala Lumpur!

Most central areas of the city can be reached by public transport from here. It's 15 to 20 minutes to Chinatown and the city's central market, 25 minutes to Merdaka Square (with a bit of walking), and about an hour to KLCC -- home to the Petronas Twin Towers, lots of shopping malls, and KL City Centre Park. Alternatively KLCC can be reached in about 20 minutes by car depending on traffic. The Perdana Botanical Gardens and the Kualu Lumpur Bird Park are both a half-hour away via train, and it’s a five-minute drive to the National Museum of Malaysia.

The Hilton Kuala  Lumpur has 503 rooms and suites, with some overlooking the skyline or the nearby Lake Gardens. Rooms are contemporary, with hardwood floors and built-ins all creating a sleek space. As with many Hilton's, it's a sophisticated look, but don't expect a ton of local style -- there's a decidedly corporate ambience here (oversized business desks in the Executive Rooms, etc.). A few pieces of minimalist art or abstract prints add a little life to the gray palette that dominates most rooms.

These are spacious rooms, with the smallest -- King Deluxe Rooms -- starting at 38 square meters (409 square feet). Bathrooms, equipped with stall showers and separate tubs, have sliding glass doors, which might limit privacy for some guests. They are done in marble in a range of colors, and have generous vanity space plus Peter Thomas Roth toiletries. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and air-conditioning. Executive Rooms and Suites include free Wi-Fi and access to the Executive Lounge. Wi-Fi is also free for HHonors members.

The Hilton Kuala Lumpur has 10 restaurants, including Chambers Bar & Grill, which serves aged meats and grilled seafood, and Chynna, which serves Cantonese cuisine. Along with lunch and dinner, Vasco’s has a breakfast buffet with a large selection of international cuisines and fruit, though it's not included in standard rates. The Oro Cafe serves coffee and desserts, while Zeta bar is open late and hosts a live band. Guests in Executive Rooms have access to the Executive Lounge, which has outstanding city views plus free breakfast and free cocktails.

There is a large lazy river-like swimming pool, a children’s pool with a waterslide, and a hot tub that's shared with the adjacent Le Meridien hotel. The hotel’s gym is massive, with plenty of modern cardio and weight machines, and the on-site spa offers massages and various treatments. The spa also has a sauna, steam room, hot tub, and cold pool, and interiors combine rustic accents with warm wood tones -- it's a nice contrast to the bustling city outside.

Wi-Fi is free in all public areas of the hotel, while free Wi-Fi in the non-Executive Rooms is available to HHonors members. There are 14 meeting rooms and a proper business center, including two ballrooms and a stylish event space called leveL7even. It's a major step up from many of the business facilities at competing hotels, and the chic space has all of the shimmer and dark-hued style of the hotel's common areas. The hotel also has a dedicated concierge for anyone needing help navigating Kuala Lumpur's sprawling landscape.