When citing gentrification success stories, the neighborhood of Chow Kit in Kuala Lumpur always came to mind. Even though it had a history that walked a fine line between exhilarating and dark, the once-infamous red-light district had seen a tremendous transformation in recent years.
The Renaissance of Chow Kit: Mid-Century Noir and Modern Luxury at the Ormond Hotel
Since the Chow Kit neighborhood's streets and alleyways were inseparably linked to a vibrant canon of past anecdotes, these tales had been preserved in the district's stunning renaissance, which was replete with art and eccentric new architecture.
Counted among many quirky cafés, hip bars, and trendy hangout places was the boutique-looking The Chow Kit by Ormond Hotel.
The Chow Kit was conceptualized by Ormond Hotel to bridge the city's past into the present. Drawing inspiration from its heritage-laden surroundings, guests were reintroduced to Kuala Lumpur’s colorful character through its one hundred thirteen rooms that blended tradition with contemporary designs.
I had the good fortune of staying at The Chow Kit by Ormond Hotel for a few nights during the latter half of our almost weeklong trip to Kuala Lumpur with Cebu Pacific Air and fellow travel writers.
A Colonial and Noir Vibe Persists
It was already nighttime when we arrived at the hotel. After a full day of exploring the city of Kuala Lumpur, all I wanted was to crawl into a soft bed. That plan was nixed when we walked inside the lobby, which appeared like a setting from a 1950s film noir movie.
Artworks, framed photographs, vermilion to red crimson layered rugs and tiles, richly patterned fabrics, and artisan lounge chairs and sofas glowed golden in the low-key lighting of the entrance hall and the bar, creating a striking contrast between shadows and light.
Suddenly, I felt like spending more time in the lobby with a glass of rum in hand, or any other drink.
I thought about this as the bartender at the hotel’s bar—The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar—shook a cocktail drink to serve to a lady in a long black gown. I figured I could be Humphrey Bogart and have a drink with her. But I needed to shower first. Most of all, I was badly in need of sleep.
I proceeded to my room, which opened to a modestly sized layout. What it lacked in roomy space, it surely made up for with its aesthetics.
A hint of colonial style with some European décor touches, brass accents, and a floor-to-ceiling glass window had me drooling over its interior design in a jiffy.
A little alteration to the bathroom had me perplexed at times. Since the bathroom basin was located near the bed and outside the shower room, I always found myself bringing my toothbrush inside, wondering briefly where the sink was.
Michelin-approved Stay and Eats
When an establishment was featured in the MICHELIN Guide's "Best Hotels in Malaysia," it had better be an amazing hotel and one that also offered excellent culinary delights.
The Chow Kit by Ormond Hotel was not only highly recommended by MICHELIN but also named by Travel + Leisure and the World Travel Awards as among the best new hotels in the world.
I had my first taste of The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar the next morning for breakfast. While they did not offer a buffet, the à la carte menu seemed well-curated with lots of interesting food items to try.
Of course, I ignored everything but the Nasi Lemak, which arrived artfully plated with a quarter of fried chicken and the standard fare of toasted peanuts, crispy anchovies, cucumber, and a boiled egg, all of which were enhanced by the oozing redness of sambal sauce.
On our final evening, we dined here, where we sampled a variety of their offerings, including their signature platter of sambal merah, hijau, and nasi ulam. The aromas, spices, and flavors that wafted from the kitchen and onto our table were indescribable.
As far as architecture, comfort, and culinary quality went—factors one always looked for in choosing a hotel—The Chow Kit by Ormond Hotel ticked all the boxes and then added some more. There was a sense that local history, arts, and culture were given significance in this property, and as a guest, one was inclined not only to enjoy a convenient stay but also to learn a thing or two about this colorful part of Kuala Lumpur.
Hotel Fact Box
Room & Suite Categories
The Den / The Den (Limited Rooms) Fifteen square meters | Maximum two guests. Compact, housing a layout named after the neighborhood's historic gambling dens. Fully air-conditioned and beautifully appointed with a plush queen bed, high-quality luxury linens, timber flooring, open clothes storage, a flat-screen smart TV, soundproofing, a minibar refrigerator, and a private industrial bathroom with a rainfall shower.The Twin Den / The King Den Nineteen square meters | Maximum two guests. Thoughtfully optimized boutique quarters featuring either two single twin beds or one premium king bed layout, dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass windows, custom brass accents, and a smart desktop workspace area. City view options are available.
The Little Towkay Suite Twenty-two square meters | A highly functional junior suite setup configuration featuring twin single beds, curated regional art displays, distinct colonial-style upholstery fabrics, and luxury organic bathroom bath provisions by Jasmine Botanica.
The Towkay Suite Twenty-two square meters | A beautifully engineered boutique suite boasting a plush king bed arrangement, large windows overlooking the local neighborhood streets, signature dark timber trims, and automated home conveniences.
The Towkay Soh Suite Thirty-eight square meters | The hotel's largest luxury suite accommodation. Features a completely separate, expansive living room lounge seating layout with mid-century bespoke furniture, premium bed linens dressing a king bed setup, and prime panoramic vistas of the Kuala Lumpur city center skyline.
Dining Outlets & Gastronomy
The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar The open-plan social nexus of the hotel, proudly featured in the MICHELIN Guide's selection. Celebrates a masterfully curated pan-Malaysian menu utilizing fresh local ingredients. Renowned for its gourmet à la carte breakfast spreads (like the signature chicken Nasi Lemak), bestselling local platters (sambal merah, hijau, and nasi ulam), custom craft burgers from next-door MoMo's Kuala Lumpur, and artisanal cocktail mixology.PRIVATE at The Chow Kit An innovative and secure private hotel room dining experience. Accommodates up to four guests for intimate four-course Western menu date nights, signature platters, and custom anniversary gatherings inside safely managed spaces.
