This vibrant, urban escape delivers design-led luxury, standout suite spaces, and a wonderfully personalised touch
Location
The hotel is set right in the heart of the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Kuala Lumpur’s business and financial district. It spans 26 storeys, and the name actually comes from two Malay words: Naluri (instinct) and Ria (joy), which is meant to represent following your inner voice to find happiness.
Accommodation
The property features 466 rooms designed with a lifestyle focus, with entry-level rooms starting at a comfortable 30m² all the way up to the massive 195m² Presidential Suite.
I checked in for a two-night stay in the Studio Suite, and walking into the room was an absolute “wow” moment, starting with the standalone walk-in closet. While the room itself was beautiful – complete with a working desk and cosy chaise neatly arranged in front of the plush king-sized bed – what made our jaws drop was the massive bathroom. There was a standalone marble tub, a separate shower, two sinks, a vanity, and a toilet, all stocked with high-end products from Penhaligon’s. Given that bathtubs are a rarity in space-starved Singapore, my travelling companion was delighted to soak in it every evening.
As for me, I preferred to sink into luxurious bliss on the bed. It was wonderful, and the pillow had just enough structure that my neck was perfectly supported. Having had my fair share of bad pillows in hotels, I am always incredibly grateful when I find a great one.
For the interiors, the hotel partnered with Hassell Studio, using a rainforest-inspired theme called Botanic Beyond Aesthetics. It actually works well – the spaces mix a lot of natural textures, earthy stone, and tons of greenery with high ceilings and local artwork to keep things feeling calm despite being right in the city centre.
F&B
I really enjoyed the halal breakfast spread at Tuai & Till. The restaurant offered a great selection of pastries, breads, juices, and Western options, alongside a dim sum station with steamed dumplings and buns. There was even a build-your-own nasi lemak corner the morning I was there. Eggs are made à la minute, and bonus points go to the chefs for graciously making me an off-menu Eggs Benedict.
While I did not get a chance to try the hotel’s full dining line-up, the property also features Rise & Grind, a contemporary lobby espresso bar; Four Siblings Rooftop Bar & Lounge for craft cocktails and small bites; and Sabato’s, a retro-inspired 1970s Italian-American restaurant.
When we arrived, it was just in time for the Kimpton Social, a signature offering across all Kimpton properties worldwide. At sundown (usually 17.00 to 18.00), the property hosts a complimentary daily happy hour where guests can mingle with fellow travellers and locals over house wines, signature cocktails, and seasonal chef’s bites.
Facilities
I spent an evening by the rooftop pool at sunset, and it was incredible because it faced the dramatic city skyline and rolling hills in the distance. The fully-equipped gym is conveniently located on the same floor, letting me work out with a view.
For business, networking, or social gatherings, the hotel also features five flexible meeting and event spaces. They also offer a complimentary bicycle rental service on-site, though Kuala Lumpur does not exactly seem like a suitable or safe place to ride a bicycle, at least for me. I can imagine utilising a perk like this in more bike-friendly cities under the same chain, but here, I passed.
Service
As the hotel is still relatively new and situated within the sprawling TRX complex, which features multiple overlapping road levels, finding the property can be challenging for ride-hailing drivers. To help address this, the hotel has installed dedicated way-finding signage to make arrivals more straightforward.
Despite the slight navigation hiccups outside, the welcome inside was seamless. The front desk staff were absolutely lovely and made checking in on the second floor a breeze.
Verdict
Between the custom breakfast orders, the sunset pool views, and the evening happy hour, I reckon that Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur is a great addition to the city, and would love to stay again.
Contact details
Website: https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/hotels/us/en/kuala-lumpur/kulte/hoteldetail/
