Strategically located at Kuala Lumpur’s main transportation hub, Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral offers a lively and vibrant blend of modern design and urban convenience, making it an ideal base for both leisure and business travelers. Just steps from Nu Sentral Shopping Mall and a short distance from iconic city attractions like Petronas Twin Towers, Bintang Walk, Aquaria KLCC, the National Museum, and Lake Gardens, this 4-star hotel puts you right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Opened in 2013 as the world’s largest Aloft, it boasts 482 urban-inspired rooms and suites with sweeping views of the bustling KL Sentral area, two on-site restaurants, a rooftop bar and swimming pool with panoramic city views, and a 24-hour fitness center. In this review, I’ll be sharing my experience from a recent two-night stay at the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral Breezy Suite, from the accommodation to amenities and everything in between.
Location
Aloft KL Sentral boasts a prime location in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s central transportation hub, KL Sentral, making it incredibly convenient for both local and international travelers. If you’re arriving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), I highly recommend taking the KLIA Eksres for a smooth, traffic-free journey. The direct train service takes you from KLIA Terminal 1 to KL Sentral in just 28 minutes (33 minutes from KLIA Terminal 2), bypassing the city’s often congested roads.
Related: Read our review on the KLIA Ekspres and discover tips to enhance your travel experience and save money on tickets.
How to walk from KL Sentral to Aloft Hotel
Once you arrive at KL Sentral, the hotel is a short indoor walk from the KLIA Ekspres station. After exiting the KLIA Ekspres station, walk towards KL Sentral concourse and take the escalators to Nu Sentral Mall.
Once you reach the top of the escalators, you will see the entrance of Nu Sentral Mall directly in front of you. Look out for wayfinding signage to Aloft just before the mall entrance.
KL Sentral Transportation Options
KL Sentral also offers convenient access to various transportation options, including the LRT, KTM Komuter and ETS lines for travel across Kuala Lumpur and other states in Malaysia. Additionally, the Muzium Negara MRT and KL Sentral Monorail stations are just a short walk away, giving you even more flexibility to easily navigate the city.
Related: Malaysia has expanded the use of their immigration autogate to 63 countries from 1st June 2024. Read our guide on how to use the autogate to fast-track your immigration clearance upon arrival.
Check-In
Upon arriving at the hotel, you’ll find the check-in counter conveniently located in the center of the ground floor, ready to welcome guests as they enter. If you’re walking from KL Sentral/Nu Sentral Mall, take the elevator or escalators down to the lobby located one floor below.
For Marriott Bonvoy Elite members, Aloft KL Sentral recently introduced the Elite Check-In counter at the left-hand side of the lobby from the main entrance, just before the escalators.
If you have kids in tow, they can entertain themselves with a life-size game of snakes and ladders while you check in.
The check-in process was a breeze and the addition of an Elite Check-In counter is a convenient addition for Marriott Bonvoy Elite members to bypass the regular check-in counter.
Room
As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I requested and received an upgrade to the Breezy Suite on the 29th floor, one level below the rooftop pool and bar. The Breezy Suite is the largest room at Aloft KL Sentral (measuring 656 sq ft or 61 sq m), featuring a separate bedroom, living area, and dining space for added comfort and privacy. Tucked away in a corner with its own entrance hall, the room offers an additional layer of seclusion for a more private stay.
Upon entering the Breezy Suite, we were welcomed by a spacious layout, starting with the dining area and kitchenette leading into the living area.
The windows by the living area offer views of the surrounding buildings in KL Sentral and the Kuala Lumpur city skyline.
The living area is furnished with a four-seater sofa, a coffee table, a side table, and two Doof bean bags for added comfort.
Completing the living room amenities is a 55-inch TV mounted on the wall that separates the living area from the bedroom. The TV offered a range of programs, including local Malaysian channels, news, sports, cartoons, and local radio stations. Additionally, there were dedicated Marriott Bonvoy and Aloft channels showcasing hotel highlights, along with a lively tune from Marriott‘s collaboration with local artistes Alif Satar & The Locos. The song was incredibly catchy and kept playing on repeat in my head!
One more look at the expansive living and dining areas before moving on to the bedroom.
Upon entering the bedroom, I couldn’t help but notice that even with a king sized bed in the room, there was just so much space to move about.
The bedroom features a single seater lounge chair, working desk and chair, along with a second 55-inch TV. A wide side table runs the length of the room, offering plenty of space to keep loose items within easy reach.
The king sized bed is adorned with a caricature depicting Malaysian food culture. The bed is incredibly comfortable, and Aloft thoughtfully provides two pillows (one firm, one soft) and two bolsters for a restful night’s sleep.
Views overlooking the surrounding KL Sentral area and the Kuala Lumpur city skyline from the desk.
The bathroom is quite spacious, featuring separate areas for the shower and toilet. It also includes a walk-in wardrobe and a wall cabinet with multiple compartments for storage.
The vanity area features dual sinks and provides ample space for multiple people to move around comfortably.
The storage cabinet has two separate wardrobe compartments and multiple storage shelves and drawers, providing plenty of space for belongings. I found it interesting that Aloft opted for hanger rails in a front to back orientation.
Aloft provides Drybar shampoo, conditioner and body products in each room. I personally like the shower gel which has a refreshing fragrance.
The kitchenette features a large countertop with built-in sink, coffee machine, kettle, cups and utensils.
Coffee, tea and minibar drinks are complimentary and refilled daily.
Complimentary drinking water and assortment of snacks are also refilled daily.
A second washroom is located right next to the kitchenette, providing added convenience for guests or for those sharing the room.
The Wi-Fi in the room is fast enough for streaming videos, checking emails, and browsing the internet and social media.
You can access the room using the Mobile Key feature in the Marriott Bonvoy app, which is incredibly convenient if you happen to leave the room without your key card.
Another handy feature of the Mobile Key on an iPhone is the “Add to Siri” option. By selecting this, you can create a Siri Shortcut that allows you to unlock your room door simply by saying, “Hey Siri, unlock door.” This functionality is incredibly convenient, as it saves you a few taps to access the Mobile Key.
The welcome gift and note of appreciation from Aloft’s General Manager added a personal touch of hospitality to our stay.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral Breezy Suite. The room was spacious, comfortable and well-equipped with all the amenities we needed. We did observe a few issues with the room: some roller blinds appeared worn and required maintenance, we could hear wheezing sounds from the bathroom plumbing when the shower was in use, and a couple of towels started to shed fibers after use. That said, these minor issues did not significantly impact our overall positive experience at the Breezy Suite.
Dining Options
Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral offers a diverse range of dining options to satisfy every craving, no matter the time of day. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a leisurely meal, or a refreshing drink, you’ll find something to match your preferences at their onsite restaurants, bars, pantry and 24-hour in-room dining.
Re:fuel by Aloft
Re:fuel by Aloft, located next to the check-in counter in the lobby, is a self-serve gourmet pantry available 24 hours a day. A convenient option to grab snacks and drinks at any time of the day.
Nook
Nook is Aloft’s onsite restaurant located on the first floor which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I could enjoy complimentary breakfast for myself and a guest or the choice of bonus points.
Their buffet breakfast offers a wide range of options, from continental favorites to local dishes like nasi lemak, Sarawak laksa noodles, and roti canai. Perfect for sampling a variety of flavors.
Diverse selection of continental and local dishes.
Nasi lemak, the quintessential Malaysian breakfast.
Sarawak laksa station and a cool tiffin carrier used as decor. They don’t go together, but they’re both nice to look at.
A delightful selection of desserts from pudding, pastries and muffins.
Donuts are proof that happiness comes in circles.
Spotted this Jalan Aloft street sign decor at Nook. A clever play on Jalan Alor (translation: Alor Street), the famous food street located near Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur.
Breakfast can get crowded at certain times of the day. Follow Nook’s timetable to skip the jam.
W XYZ Bar
W XYZ Bar is open from 9am to midnight. Located at the end of the lobby if you want a drink early in the day.
MaiBar
MaiBar, situated on the rooftop, offers panoramic views of the KL skyline while you enjoy their wide selection of food and beverages. Opened from 4 PM to midnight.
MaiBar’s outdoor seating area offers great views of Kuala Lumpur.
MaiBar’s Tiki theme is evident in the elevator doors and signage.
MaiBar’s selection of food and beverages.
Re:fuel On Wheels
Aloft’s very own food truck serves local street food, comfort food or salads. Available from Mondays to Fridays for those who need a quick bite.
Onsite Facilities
The rooftop at Aloft KL Sentral features an infinity pool that offers magnificent views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline.
The rectangular pool is ideal for those looking to swim laps during their stay. However, the pool isn’t particularly large and I can imagine it getting crowded during peak occupancy.
I highly recommend heading to the pool after sunset to enjoy illuminated views of Kuala Lumpur.
Re:charge is Aloft’s spacious and well-equipped 24-hour fitness center, located on the 4th floor.
Cardio machines with views of KL Sentral.
A variety of strength training machines and free weights are available.
Re:mix lounge, located in the hotel lobby, offers ample seating and a relaxed space to unwind.
Enjoy a game of pool in the Re:mix lounge.
Workstation at Re:mix lounge.
Children’s play area at Re:mix lounge.
Kids will love playing in the tent. Grab some popcorn while you watch over them.
Behind the Re:fuel pantry, there is a second lounge area with reading chairs, desks and a high table.
Enjoy some fun and games with the Microsoft XBOX Kinect game console located beside the lounge area.
It’s not everyday that you get to visit a funky loo (unless you work at Aloft).
Aloft merchandise display cabinet and Express Checkout box.
Service Quality
During our two-night stay at Aloft, I frequently communicated with the hotel staff via the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app’s chat feature and received prompt responses every time. My request for additional toiletries was delivered to the room quickly and both check-in and check-out were smooth and efficient (or shall I say breezy). Housekeeping was attentive, arriving in the morning to tidy the room, make the beds, and restock the pantry and minibar. The staff were friendly and welcoming, adding to the overall pleasant experience.
Elite Membership Benefits
As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, my stay at Aloft included several exclusive perks that enhanced the experience. The dedicated Elite check-in counter provided an option to fast-track the check-in process. One of the standout benefits was a complimentary room upgrade to a more spacious and comfortable suite, adding extra luxury to my stay.
In addition to the room upgrade, I was offered the choice of free daily breakfast for two or bonus points. The room also came with complimentary minibar and snacks which were replenished daily. 4 PM late checkout was another invaluable benefit, allowing us the flexibility to relax and enjoy our final day without any rush.
Value for Money
Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral offers excellent value for money, especially when considering its prime location next to KL Sentral station. Booking a standard room and receiving an upgrade to the hotel’s top suite is an exceptional bonus.
Compared to other hotels in the area, such as Hilton Kuala Lumpur and Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, Aloft provides modern amenities and a convenient location at a more affordable rate. While The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur and Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur are nearby options, they don’t offer the same direct access to KL Sentral station.
Overall Experience
Overall, we had a great stay at Aloft KL Sentral. The Breezy Suite was spacious and comfortable, the hotel location offered excellent transportation options, and the service was commendable. The room upgrade provided excellent value for money and the added perks of being a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member made for an enjoyable experience.
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