Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur Is A Hub Of Urban Creatives

A hub of KL’s urban creatives, hipsters and foodies.

The Neighborhood:

Jalan Kamunting is the charming up-and-coming neighborhood which Hotel Stripes proudly represents. The hotel encourages every guest to explore the historic area, which was once a mining settlement back in the colonial era. With an eclectic mix of old and new businesses, it is now the preferred hub of KL’s urban creatives, hipsters and foodies.

All around the hotel guests will find a plethora of authentic food stalls and eateries that serve the full range of Malaysian cuisine. Down the road you will find noodles, soups, curries, chapatis and all forms of Malay hawker fare. One neighborhood institution is Yut Kee, one of KL’s most classic diners. It would be more fitting to call Yut Kee more of a city institution, as a buzzing kopitiam (coffee shop) that’s been crowded with locals since 1928. Popping in for breakfast is a must, where you can expect to find good old Hainanese dishes like chicken and char siu rice as well as some local twists like roti babi and pork chops with gravy.

The Asian Heritage Row, located around the corner, is a collection of pretty shophouses from the 1940s. Each shophouse has been revamped as a design-conscious contemporary venue with something for everyone. The Row offers funky cafes, bistros, beer gardens, galleries and coworking spaces.

Any trendy urbanite would inevitably end up in this neighborhood, so it makes sense to stay at the hotel that serves as the main social hub in the area. Hotel Stripes strives to be the gateway to this diverse neighborhood, for visitors who want a taste of KL’s most current urban culture.

The Experience:

The design at Hotel Stripes is bold, polished and modern. But not bold in an in-your-face, over-the-top way. The hotel keeps it classy and minimalist as much as possible. As you approach the hotel’s tall brick exterior, it’s hard not to be impressed by the striking color and texture. Especially at night when the protruding window slats are illuminated with gold.

Guests will appreciate the open contemporary design of the rooms. Clean blonde wood walls are populated by sleek black furnishings with pops of bright yellow and cerulean. An enlarged black and white photo of Jalan Kamunting from back in the day grounds every room with a solid sense of place. Each room comes with a space and sofa to lounge and a king bed. A glass globe holding Malaysian candies plus the free mini-bar is a nice touch. Very few rooms have bathtubs but all the rooms have a sleek hanging vanity mirror which lights up the entire room.

The hotel may not have a plush lobby, but everyone knows that the infinity pool on the rooftop is what you really came to see. From the top of Hotel Stripes, you get a gorgeous eye-full of KL’s soaring skyscrapers, a clear view of Menara KL (KL Tower), the surrounding greenery and even a peak of the Petronas Twin Towers. The fabulous cocktails and tunes at Man Tao Bar next to the pool don’t hurt either.

Overall, Hotel Stripes is the perfect place to come back to after a day of exploring Kuala Lumpur. KL can be a bustling monster of a city, and it’s nice to come back to rest in a cool comfortable haven that’s easy on the eyes. The central location makes it extremely convenient to go out at any time of the day, whether you’re looking to eat, explore or party. Big landmarks like Masjid Jamek and the Petronas Twin Towers are within walking distance, as is Bukit Bintang if you’re looking to hit the bars and have a night on the town.

The Restaurants:

Despite the many social and dining options in the area, guests may find it difficult to step out, thanks to the food and beverage outlets located inside the hotel.

The talk to the town is Man Tao Bar on the hotel’s rooftop. Man Tao serves up tropical chic cocktails, nibbles and vibes. As a popular meetup spots for locals, you’ll find that the party often comes to you and not the other way around. What’s interesting is that the signature cocktails have a Tsingtao beer theme, which is what each cocktail is topped up with. An example is the Tsing Tini, made of elderflower, watermelon and basil leaves topped up with Tsingtao. Although the unique cocktails are refreshing and frothy, those who don’t do beer can order wine and any other handcrafted cocktail they fancy. Man Tao is also known for their tasty mantao buns with eclectic fillings and supplies other bar bites to accompany your poolside session. Thursday is Ladies Night while Friday and Saturday offer free flows of gin cocktails and sangria respectively for 88 ringgit.

Brasserie 25 is the hotel’s main dining venue, serving French cuisine inspired by Hotel Stripes’ sister hotel, Muse in St. Tropez. It’s a stylish and convenient place to dine if you feel like taking a break from local Malay cuisine having fine-dining Western food. In the warm, rustic brick space you’ll find French and British classics such as duck confit, braised lamb leg and nicoise salad, along with a solid wine list and special cocktails. You can also indulge in afternoon tea with a French twist at Brasserie 25 on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Amenities:

• 24 Hour Room Service
• Daily access to rooftop infinity pool
• Complimentary mini-bar