InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, an IHG Hotel

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur carries a five star rating on Jalan Ampang, a few steps from the Twin Towers and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with shopping and entertainment along the same stretch. The hotel runs to 473 rooms over thirty floors and works equally well for business and for leisure, with nine event venues and two pillarless ballrooms behind the guest floors. Reception speaks English, Malay and Chinese, check in is from three in the afternoon, and late check out can be arranged. The building is smoke free and single use plastic free.

Rooms and Premium Rooms both measure 42 square metres, and the suites climb from the 127 square metre Ambassador through the Presidential at 160 to the 202 square metre Royal Suite. Each takes a Super King bed or two super single beds, a large marble bathroom with separate shower and bathtub, and a generous working space with a multi media hub. Premium Rooms and the suites open access to the Club InterContinental lounge, where a smart casual dress code applies. Connecting rooms and prayer mats come on request.

Children's activities run on site, and the pool deck carries the daylight hours with sun loungers and poolside service. Evenings divide between OneSixFive Lounge, where smooth instrumental music plays under low lighting, and Bentley's Pub, an English styled room with live sport on screen, a dart area and Cuban and Davidoff cigars. Golfers play off site at the Royal Selangor Golf Club.

The outdoor pool sits on level five, landscaped in greenery so the city drops away, and opens from seven in the morning until nine at night. Sun loungers and umbrellas line the deck, and a pool bar handles the cold drinks. Jade Heritage Spa opens from eleven until eleven for massages, facials, foot baths and foot reflexology, with treatments also available in the room. The fitness centre stays open around the clock with treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bicycles and free weights.

Five restaurants and bars cover the day. Tatsu Japanese Cuisine sets a sushi bar, a teppanyaki counter and five private dining rooms around omakase built on air flown seafood and Wagyu beef. Tao Chinese Cuisine works Cantonese, from dim sum to Hong Kong style roast duck, across six private rooms. Serena Brasserie lays its Malay, Chinese and Indian buffet beside a koi garden and cascading waterfall. OneSixFive Lounge pours Royal High Tea and cocktails, Bentley's Pub keeps beers on tap, and room service runs around the clock.

The Twin Towers stand within walking distance, with the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre beside them and shopping and entertainment spread along Jalan Ampang. An area shuttle covers the wider city, and the hotel keeps parking on site along with electric vehicle chargers if you are driving. Business services, printing, a doctor on call and a shoe shine fill in the practical gaps.