As a traveler who geeks out on hotels, I’m always excited to try out new brands and concepts. Recently debuting in Southeast Asia is Element Hotels, which is Marriott International’s offering for long-staying guests whose main concerns are well-being and environmental sustainability. Its first opening here in the region happens to be in the city I most frequent—Kuala Lumpur. On my recent trip there, I made sure I did not pass up an opportunity to stay at Element Kuala Lumpur.
The hotel is ideally located along Jalan Binjai in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Those who’ve gone a number of times to the city might recognize that Jalan Binjai enjoys close proximity—a five to ten minute leisurely stroll—to KL City Center or KLCC, which, aside from being a business district, is a landmark where icons such as the Petronas Towers and the KL Tower are found.
The tallest hotel in Malaysia right now, Element Kuala Lumpur sits atop Ilham Tower, a 902-foot-tall architectural masterpiece by Foster+Partners. The said tower is built with a Green Building Index certification from the ground up, in line with the Element brand’s thrust of eco-consciousness.
Inspired by renowned hotel chain Westin and part of the Marriott International portfolio, Element Hotels is a stylish extended stay brand that focuses on eco-consciousness and sustainability, as well as the wellness of its guests. It’s a fairly new concept, at least here in Asia, where there are only five hotels that are up and running (three of which are in China and two in Southeast Asia).
As my Uber pulled up into the hotel’s driveway, I was led up to the hotel’s sky lobby. I was in awe how attractively drenched it was in natural light and how modern and clean it looked. Check-in was quick, and I was up to my room in no time.
I stayed in a Skyline Studio, which as the name implies, had a magnificent view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Like the lobby, its design was clean and attractive altogether—and its look was enhanced by the large window that let copious amounts of natural light in.
A noteworthy feature of the room was the Heavenly Bed, which they also have in Westin Hotels and Resorts, and I loved it because it had a soft pillow top. The bed was complemented by a slew of amenities, including a full-sized fridge and a microwave, making the studio suitable for long-staying guests. By the way, the hotel does not provide complimentary bottled water, as it equipped every room and suite with a water filtration system.
In the bathroom, the hotel also doesn’t provide toiletries in small plastic bottles, for there are dispensers in place.
Unlike other Element hotels elsewhere, Element Kuala Lumpur provides a full breakfast at its all-day dining restaurant called Trace. When I was there, the selection consisted of Western, Asian, and Malaysian dishes, which were all good. Trace also offers a complimentary nightly cocktail session for all staying guests. I tried it both nights of my stay, and there was a nice selection of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and juices, complemented by canapés. All in all, it was a great free perk.
In terms of facilities, the hotel boasts of an indoor swimming pool that uses saline instead of chlorine, a well-equipped fitness center, and a yoga studio with complimentary lessons. Rather uniquely, it also offers bicycle rentals and an electric vehicle charging station.
WHY STAY THERE
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The hotel’s eco-conscious and wellness mantra is admirable.
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Its location is right smack in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, making it perfect for business and leisure.
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Rates are surprisingly affordable for a Marriott chain property.
ELEMENT KUALA LUMPUR
Ilham Tower, Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 3 2771 3388
Email: element.kualalumpur@elementhotels.com
Website: www.elementkualalumpur.com
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
