Pros

  • Convenient location, a short walk to Pavilion mall and Bukit Bintang
  • Modern rooms with separate rainfall showers and soaking tubs
  • On-site dining options include Malaysian, French, and Chinese cuisine
  • Large outdoor pool area with pool bar and children's pool
  • Club and cigar lounge with live music and dancing
  • Fitness center with treadmills, weight machines, and hand weights plus yoga space
  • Tasty breakfast buffet with impressive variety (for a fee)
  • Free parking and free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Room decor is plain and minimal
  • Property looks a bit old school and dated
  • Breakfast buffet is not included in room rates
  • Minibars don't offer much
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Bottom Line

The 402-room Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur is an upscale chain property that's a 10-minute walk from the glitzy Pavilion shopping center. There's a distinct old-school vibe throughout, from the elegant lobby to the ornate headboards and parlor chairs in handsome (but austere) guest rooms. There are several restaurants on-site, including Malaysian, French, and Chinese spots, plus an excellent breakfast buffet with a wide selection. A big outdoor pool area has a pool bar and a children's pool, and there's also a fitness center and spa. Both parking and Wi-Fi are free. For more stylish, contemporary rooms, check out Traders Hotel, another luxury option in the KLCC area.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur

Scene

Old school chain hotel popular with business and leisure travelers

Palm trees and fountains decorate the entrance to the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, a hotel that claims to be a luxury property, but isn't quite up to five-pearl levels. Inside, large marble staircases and leather couches give the spacious lobby a grand, old school feeling. The slightly dated look is enhanced by an abundance of oak paneling and overstuff furniture, though there are attractive, ornate antique pieces and wood carvings throughout as well. On one floor, shops behind glass windows line a hallway with blue carpeting creating a mall-like atmosphere. Bunga Emas, the hotel’s upscale Malaysian restaurant, has an elegant appeal, with formal chairs and heavy linens, while the buffet restaurant, Warisan Cafe, is a vivid space in a huge atrium with bright table linens and gold chairs. There is live music in The Heritage Club on many nights, and high tea is served daily in the Lanai Lounge. Outside, blue lounge chairs and umbrellas surround the pool, and a poolside bar offers a spot for guests to enjoy a drink. This is a larger property that attracts both leisure and business travelers for its mix of features and convenient location. 

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Location

KLCC area near the glitzy Pavilion mall and Petronas Towers

This hotel is situated in what many travelers consider the center of Kuala Lumpur, between Bukit Bintang and the KLCC area. There are a few sights within an easy walk, including the glitzy Pavilion mall, 10 minutes from the hotel on foot. There are several major shopping centers in the area with plenty of stores, bars, and restaurants. Lot 10, Sungei Wang Plaza, and Starhill Gallery are all within a 15-minute walk, and Berjaya Times Square, a shopping center with a theme park, is just a little further. KLCC is less than a 15-minute walk away, though KLCC area destinations like the Petronas Towers will require a car or taxi to reach (the trip takes about five minutes). The airport takes about 50 minutes to reach, though this depends on traffic.

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Rooms

Austere, with elegant accents, plus modern bathrooms and some furnished balconies

Rooms at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur have elegant accents, including carved wood and pin-tucked leather headboards plus white parlor chairs, but overall the rooms are bland and offer little in the way of style, especially given the hotel's luxury claims. Most standard level rooms are decorated in an abundance of white and beige, from carpets to light wood veneer furniture, bedding, and walls. There's little in the way of wall art, and fabrics throughout are almost uniformly neutral. Higher level bookings, like the Premier Suite and apartments we saw, are more attractive, and have features like hardwood floors and ornately carved wooden panels. These rooms also feature more interesting textiles. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea facilities, and (limited) minibars. Bathrooms are pretty, with light marble walls with attractive trim details, walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, and separate tubs. Makeup mirrors and glass weight scales are thoughtful touches. Rooms with kitchenettes, dining areas, and extra living space are available, and furnished balconies are a nice extra in some rooms.  

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Features

Outdoor pool with children’s pool, variety of restaurants, spa, and fitness center

This hotel has plenty of space to relax, including an outdoor pool, children’s pool, and whirlpool, as well as a poolside bar. There are several restaurants on-site serving a variety of cuisines -- from Malaysian to French to Chinese -- and a breakfast buffet is offered that earns good reviews for the impressive variety and tasty dishes. Unfortunately, breakfast is not included with room rates. On-site lounges offer high tea as well live music on some evenings. The property has several shops, a spa, and a fitness center with treadmills, weight machines, free weights, and an area for yoga. There’s an elegant business center with one computer, and 10 meeting rooms and a ballroom are available for private events. Parking is free, and airport transfers can be arranged for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur

Scene

Old school chain hotel popular with business and leisure travelers

Palm trees and fountains decorate the entrance to the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, a hotel that claims to be a luxury property, but isn't quite up to five-pearl levels. Inside, large marble staircases and leather couches give the spacious lobby a grand, old school feeling. The slightly dated look is enhanced by an abundance of oak paneling and overstuff furniture, though there are attractive, ornate antique pieces and wood carvings throughout as well. On one floor, shops behind glass windows line a hallway with blue carpeting creating a mall-like atmosphere. Bunga Emas, the hotel’s upscale Malaysian restaurant, has an elegant appeal, with formal chairs and heavy linens, while the buffet restaurant, Warisan Cafe, is a vivid space in a huge atrium with bright table linens and gold chairs. There is live music in The Heritage Club on many nights, and high tea is served daily in the Lanai Lounge. Outside, blue lounge chairs and umbrellas surround the pool, and a poolside bar offers a spot for guests to enjoy a drink. This is a larger property that attracts both leisure and business travelers for its mix of features and convenient location. 

See More Scene

Location

KLCC area near the glitzy Pavilion mall and Petronas Towers

This hotel is situated in what many travelers consider the center of Kuala Lumpur, between Bukit Bintang and the KLCC area. There are a few sights within an easy walk, including the glitzy Pavilion mall, 10 minutes from the hotel on foot. There are several major shopping centers in the area with plenty of stores, bars, and restaurants. Lot 10, Sungei Wang Plaza, and Starhill Gallery are all within a 15-minute walk, and Berjaya Times Square, a shopping center with a theme park, is just a little further. KLCC is less than a 15-minute walk away, though KLCC area destinations like the Petronas Towers will require a car or taxi to reach (the trip takes about five minutes). The airport takes about 50 minutes to reach, though this depends on traffic.

See More Location

Rooms

Austere, with elegant accents, plus modern bathrooms and some furnished balconies

Rooms at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur have elegant accents, including carved wood and pin-tucked leather headboards plus white parlor chairs, but overall the rooms are bland and offer little in the way of style, especially given the hotel's luxury claims. Most standard level rooms are decorated in an abundance of white and beige, from carpets to light wood veneer furniture, bedding, and walls. There's little in the way of wall art, and fabrics throughout are almost uniformly neutral. Higher level bookings, like the Premier Suite and apartments we saw, are more attractive, and have features like hardwood floors and ornately carved wooden panels. These rooms also feature more interesting textiles. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea facilities, and (limited) minibars. Bathrooms are pretty, with light marble walls with attractive trim details, walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, and separate tubs. Makeup mirrors and glass weight scales are thoughtful touches. Rooms with kitchenettes, dining areas, and extra living space are available, and furnished balconies are a nice extra in some rooms.  

See More Rooms

Features

Outdoor pool with children’s pool, variety of restaurants, spa, and fitness center

This hotel has plenty of space to relax, including an outdoor pool, children’s pool, and whirlpool, as well as a poolside bar. There are several restaurants on-site serving a variety of cuisines -- from Malaysian to French to Chinese -- and a breakfast buffet is offered that earns good reviews for the impressive variety and tasty dishes. Unfortunately, breakfast is not included with room rates. On-site lounges offer high tea as well live music on some evenings. The property has several shops, a spa, and a fitness center with treadmills, weight machines, free weights, and an area for yoga. There’s an elegant business center with one computer, and 10 meeting rooms and a ballroom are available for private events. Parking is free, and airport transfers can be arranged for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.