Experiencing Bangsar from Alila’s Garden in the Sky
Designed by Neri&Hu, the Alila Bangsar overlooks Kuala Lumpur from its home on the uppermost floors of The Establishment, offering sweeping views of the city and a five-star base from which to explore the surrounding Bangsar area
As the only Alila outpost in Malaysia, the Alila Bangsar makes for a memorable experience in one of Kuala Lumpur’s most modish neighbourhoods. Alila takes its name from the Sanskrit word for ‘surprise’, and this filters through the property. The dark facade of the monolithic Establishment gives way to a voluminous 41st-floor lobby outfitted in soothing shades of white, an abundance of greenery and plenty of natural light. Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu of Shanghai-based Neri&Hu are behind the hotel’s design, and throughout the hotel they’ve kept the emphasis on the striking views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. In guest rooms, tones are kept natural and lines clean to allow the uninterrupted city views through floor-to-ceiling windows to be the showstopper.
Out of the hotel’s communal areas, the highlights are undoubtedly the open-air swimming pool and bar on the 40th floor, complete with landscaping, loungers and enough natural light that you’d be forgiven for thinking you were completely outdoors, and the Pacific Standard bar, where mid-century design meets mixology.
The Alila also offers a series of curated experiences that include a food walk, cooking class, Segway garden tour and pewter-crafting workshop, though for those who prefer independent exploration, there’s much to be found around the hotel (mostly within walking distance too). Here are just a few of our favourite finds discovered over a weekend at the Alila.
Explore
Walk ten minutes from the Alila and you’ll find yourself in Brickfields, Malaysia's official Little India. Spend an evening wandering the colourful and bright streets, stopping in at shops purveying everything from textiles to spices as well as restaurants and cafes serving up local delicacies and traditional Indian dishes.
Eat
On the ground floor of Establishment is Botanica & Co, a verdant and produce-driven all-day dining restaurant offering healthy fare, cocktails and wine, along with a deli selling snacks, meals and drinks.
There’s also Restoran Devi's Corner, where you can sit upstairs for one of the best banana leaf meals in the city, as recommended by locals.
Drink
Coley Cocktail Bar
A cool yet cosy streetside bar where you can try out a number of local and more traditional cocktails
PS150
A bit further from the Alila (about 3 kilometres), PS150 is worth the trip. The ‘secret’ cocktail bar makes its home in a pre-war shop lot under the popular Merchant’s Lane cafe
Shop
Situated in a cluster of shops, bars and restaurants is Bangsar Village 2, where you can find TriBeCa Artisan and Fern. The former offers decor, homeware and accessories, much of it by local designers, while the latter stocks beautiful contemporary batik resort wear in a bright Deco-inspired store.
Text / Simone Schultz
Images / Courtesy of Alila Hotels and Resorts
