Tucked away in the iconic Ilham Tower, the 252-room Element Kuala Lumpur, a Marriott Bonvoy property, feels like a true hidden gem in the heart of Malaysia’s bustling capital. Launched in 2017 as the first Element Hotel in Southeast Asia, this eco-conscious hotel offers a refreshing take on urban accommodation, with spacious apartment-style rooms boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and impressive city views. My recent stay here offered a chance to experience their unique blend of modern design, sustainable practices, and convenient access to Kuala Lumpur’s many attractions.
Property Location
Located on Jalan Binjai in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, Element Kuala Lumpur offers an exceptionally convenient base for exploring the city. The hotel is within minutes from iconic landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers and the upscale Suria KLCC shopping mall. It’s close proximity to the Ampang Park LRT and Persiaran KLCC MRT stations, provides easy access to business hubs, shopping malls and popular tourist attractions around the city.
Check-In Experience
Element Kuala Lumpur’s hotel lobby on Level 40 expands to a 360 degree panoramic view of the KL city skyline. Arriving around 9:00 PM on a Wednesday, we stepped into a spacious lobby featuring four counters, though only two front desk staff were on duty.
With just one guest ahead of us, the check-in process was quick and efficient. My suite upgrade request was confirmed prior to arrival, and upon check-in, I was delighted to be assigned a Skyline View suite with gorgeous views of the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower and Merdeka 118.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I was thanked for my loyalty and presented with two welcome gift options: two MYR 15 dining vouchers or 500 points. Given the hotel’s limited selection of vegan food, which they had confirmed beforehand, I opted for the points.
The hotel’s generous use of space is evident throughout, including the lobbies on the 40th and ground floors. The photos below showcase the contemporary design and inviting atmosphere of these spaces.
Room Quality and Comfort
Our one-bedroom suite on the 46th floor, truly impressed us with its spaciousness. Upon entering, we were greeted by an expansive foyer that immediately conveyed a sense of comfort and space.
The suite’s living area includes a 3-seater sofa, coffee table, ottoman, Smart TV and a small window offering a glimpse of the outside.
A particularly interesting feature of the 1-bedroom suite is the storage room located right beside the entrance (partially shown in the next photo). This would be convenient for longer stays, allowing guests to keep their belongings organized and out of sight.
The separate bedroom provided excellent privacy and further enhanced the feeling of having ample space to relax.
As a Westin brand, Element Kuala Lumpur features the renowned Heavenly Bed, which certainly lived up to its name. Guests can choose either the softer or harder side of the mattress for a perfect night’s sleep.
The suite’s living room and bedroom windows provided impressive views of the KL skyline, including the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower, and Merdeka 118.
Echoing the rest of the suite, the bathroom is equally spacious and features modern Kohler fittings. However, its location in the foyer, rather than en-suite, felt a bit odd.
Guests will enjoy Pharmacopia’s naturally derived and eco-conscious toiletries, formulated with plant-based ingredients and packaged sustainably.
The suite also features a fully equipped kitchenette for guests who wish to prepare meals.
We appreciated the in-room 3M water filter, providing easy access to clean, filtered drinking water and supporting the hotel’s sustainability efforts by eliminating the need for bottled water.
1-bedroom suites at Element Kuala Lumpur do not include a dining table as standard, but one can be provided by housekeeping upon request. This is a nice option, though having a table readily available would have been more convenient. I also learned that the 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom suites do include a dining table by default, which is something to take note of when booking.
Internet Access and Mobile Key
When it comes to connectivity, Element Kuala Lumpur offers decent Wi-Fi with speeds up to 25 Mbps, easily handling HD video streaming.
While some Marriott properties offer Mobile Key access on the Marriott Bonvoy app, this was not available at the Element Kuala Lumpur.
Dining Options
TRACE Restaurant & Bar
Situated on Level 40 near the hotel’s lobby, TRACE Restaurant & Bar is an all-day dining venue that boasts stunning skyline views of the city, with floor-to-ceiling windows all around the restaurant.
Buffet breakfast is served daily from 6.30am to 10.30am (weekdays) and 11.00am (weekends). TRACE offers a wide variety of choices for their breakfast buffet, ranging from local favorites like nasi lemak and roti canai to a selection of continental fare. Buffet breakfast is MYR 70 per person, or MYR 60 for Marriott Bonvoy members.
There was certainly no shortage of options to satisfy any appetite. That said, there was very limited vegan options available and the lack of ingredient labeling made it challenging to identify suitable dishes for guests with dietary restrictions.
TRACE’s breakfast buffet offers a variety of beverages, including coffee, tea, juices, smoothies, and local favorites like teh tarik. In-house guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and tea 24/7 at the coffee machine.
In-Room Dining
Guests at Element Kuala Lumpur can enjoy the flexibility of 24/7 in-room dining, perfect for those late arrivals, early departures, or anytime they prefer to dine privately. For those in Kuala Lumpur looking to enjoy Element’s culinary offerings at home or the office, delivery is also available. View the delivery menu.
Onsite Facilities
For relaxation and well-being, Element Kuala Lumpur offers a “live well” experience on Level 39, featuring an indoor saline pool, fitness center, and spa. For added convenience, on-site laundry services are also available. In addition, the Ilham Ballroom on Level 38 provides a venue to host weddings and corporate events.
OMBAK Swimming Pool
Element Kuala Lumpur features an all-natural indoor saline pool which is gentler on the skin and eyes than traditional chlorinated pools. Bask in scenic city views, whether you’re taking a dip or simply relaxing poolside.
MOTION Fitness Center
Guests can work out anytime at MOTION, the hotel’s 24-hour fitness center, equipped with state-of-the-art Life Fitness cardio machines and strength training equipment.
Serenity by POSH Spa
Serenity Spa by POSH at Element Kuala Lumpur, provides a tranquil escape with stunning city skyline views. The spa features six spacious treatment rooms, each equipped with a relaxation area, shower, and personal changing area. The spa offers a variety of massages, facials, and body treatments, with personalized sessions tailored to individual wellness needs.
Visitors can enjoy a calming herbal foot bath and a signature aromatic drink to begin their experience. The spa’s setting boasts towering ceilings, neutral tones, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls that offer expansive views of the city. In-house guests enjoy a 20% discount on all treatments.
On-site Laundry
Element Kuala Lumpur provides in-house self-service laundry facilities for guests. This is a valuable amenity especially for longer stays, allowing guests the freedom to travel light and avoid the hassle of finding a laundromat. Guests can purchase laundry tokens at the hotel lobby for RM12 apiece. Using both the washer and dryer requires two tokens.
Bikes to Borrow
Stay active and explore sustainably with Element Kuala Lumpur’s Bikes to Borrow program. Enjoy an invigorating bike ride through the city, reducing your carbon footprint while discovering Kuala Lumpur’s attractions and hidden corners.
Ilham Ballroom
Ilham Ballroom at Element Kuala Lumpur provides a sophisticated and versatile setting for a range of events, from grand weddings to corporate conferences. The ballroom’s flexible layout accommodates various capacities, while its high ceilings and abundant natural light create an inviting atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning city views, enhanced by a unique starry night lighting feature for added ambiance.
Customer Service
I was consistently impressed by the friendly and helpful customer service at Element Kuala Lumpur. From the front desk staff to housekeeping, everyone we encountered was welcoming and eager to assist. The hotel also offers a convenient chat service for quick inquiries, and I found the responses to be prompt and helpful.
Upon checkout, a staff at the front desk took the time to ask about my stay, which was a nice personal touch. I also appreciated the complimentary printing service for black and white documents at the front desk, and the staff even went above and beyond by helping me photocopy some documents at no charge.
There was a slight miscommunication at check-in regarding the welcome amenity. I initially chose points over the F&B credit. However, upon inquiring about breakfast costs later in my stay, I was informed that I could have opted for a complimentary breakfast buffet instead of points. The hotel graciously honored both, providing me with complimentary breakfast and allowing me to keep the 500 points. This gesture truly exemplified their commitment to excellent customer service.
Loyalty Benefits
Element Kuala Lumpur demonstrated strong recognition of Marriott Bonvoy loyalty. As a Platinum Elite member, I was warmly welcomed and thanked for my loyalty. Platinum Elite members can choose a welcome amenity of either MYR 15 F&B credit, 500 points, or complimentary breakfast. Additionally, my request for a suite upgrade was confirmed pre-arrival, and I was assigned a Skyline View suite at check-in, enhancing my stay and reinforcing the value of the Marriott Bonvoy status. The 4:00 PM late checkout was another valuable perk, allowing us extra time to unwind before departure.
Value for Money
At MYR 322 per night, our 3-night stay at Element Kuala Lumpur offered excellent value. The spacious rooms, prime location in the Golden Triangle and well-rounded amenities, such as the indoor saline pool, fitness center and spa, made it a compelling choice. Compared to similar hotels in the area, Element Kuala Lumpur provides competitive pricing without compromising comfort or convenience. The inclusion of complimentary breakfast further enhanced the overall value, offering both convenience and cost savings. Given the quality of accommodations, service, and facilities at this price point, Element Kuala Lumpur delivers outstanding value for money.
Overall Experience
We regret not discovering Element Kuala Lumpur sooner. This hidden gem exceeded our expectations in many ways. The suite upgrade afforded us panoramic views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, a truly memorable experience. While the complimentary breakfast fell short in terms of vegan variety, it was still a nice touch. The hotel’s prime location, close to attractions, public transport, shopping, and grocery stores, was a major plus, making it easy to get around and stock up on essentials. Element Kuala Lumpur’s commitment to eco-friendly practices is commendable and will certainly appeal to travelers seeking a more sustainable way to travel.
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