One of the latest 5-star hotels to grace the Kuala Lumpur skyline, W Hotel  is a cool and edgy establishment, designed for those with a rebellious streak and creative individuals who thrive on non-conformity. Don’t expect to find chandeliers or dated-looking leather couches here!

I was visiting for a food review at their Cantonese restaurant, Yen, recently – and couldn’t resist going on a tour of the other parts of the hotel. The pool deck was my favourite, the cabana/bar area with its high ceilings giving it a lofty sense of space.

W Hotel KL probably has one of the best pool views in town: you can swim with a full view of the magnificent Petronas Twin Towers! 

True to their edgy concept, the lobby is called the “Living Room”, and the Concierge, the “Whatever/Whenever” counter. Dangling from the ceiling are rows of colourful neon threads, reminiscent of a cascading waterfall.

The ‘waterfall’ booths make for cosy meeting spaces

Flock, W Hotel KL’s all-day dining restaurant, is a warm and inviting space with quirky bird-themed touches, including seats shaped like bird cages.

Breaking once more from tradition, the restaurant boasts an open kitchen concept where you can watch the chefs in action. It almost feels like being in someone’s home!

Tiffin carriers – a staple in many households – are the Malaysian equivalent of Japanese bento boxes. At Flock, the colourful containers are used to serve freshly baked bread.

Next, we adjourned to Woo Bar on the Living Room level, where friendly mixologists whipped up several cocktails. Rows of liquor and ingredients line the shelves, as well as unique cups and glasses for serving.

• (From left) Nut This Time – Dark Rum, Nuts insued Camparini, Blood Orange, Lime and Simple Syrup
• High Five – gin, lime, mint, Tualang Honey and pomegranate
• Bouquet – Gin, macadamia bourbon, Tualang Royal Black Honey, mint and Floral Spray

Not a big fan of alcohol because I get migraines whenever I have them, even in small amounts, but taste wise, these were not bad at all. I especially liked the High Five as it only had a faint taste of gin, with a stronger hint of honey.

WOO BAR 

W Kuala Lumpur, 121, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.

Tel: 03-2786-8888