Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur Review After My 4-Night Stay
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Disclosure: Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur hosted my stay. I wasn’t paid to write this review, and all opinions are my own.
If you’re considering a stay at Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, this review is for you. I spent four nights here experiencing everything from the Signature Banyan Retreat room and the hotel’s restaurants to the facilities, and I’m sharing exactly how it was.
As someone with multiple food allergies, I was especially interested in how well the hotel handled dietary requirements. Many luxury hotels claim they can accommodate allergies, but very few do it professionally.
I have to say Banyan Tree genuinely impressed me in this regard, and this it’s one of the reasons why I really enjoyed my stay.
In this review, I’ll share what the rooms are really like, whether the location is worth paying for, my experience at each restaurant, the facilities, current room prices, and the one small downside I noticed during my stay.
Thinking of staying here? π Check the latest Banyan Tree rates and see whether your travel dates have any special offers.
Arrival And First Impressions
As soon as my taxi arrived, members of staff came over to help with my suitcase and took it straight to my room while I headed inside to check in.
While the receptionist was going through my passport, I was welcomed with a traditional Malaysian hibiscus drink together with a local dessert. After a long flight, it was a lovely introduction to both the hotel and Malaysian hospitality.
Check-in was quick and straightforward, but what impressed me most was how helpful everyone was. The team answered all my questions about the hotel and also helped me organise my time in Kuala Lumpur.
I’d already visited Kuala Lumpur before, so this time I wanted to explore the city independently instead of booking tours. They helped me with buses, walking routes and the easiest ways to get around the city on my own.
Like many luxury hotels in Kuala Lumpur, I was also asked to leave a security deposit during check-in. I’d experienced the same thing before in the city, so it wasn’t something that surprised me. The deposit was 900 MYR and it was charged on my credit card (all returned at check-out).
My room was on the 56th floor, and a member of staff personally showed me upstairs. There were a few things to know, such as electric curtains, extra pillows and so on. A few moments later my suitcases made it to my room too.
Like many hotels in South East Asia, reception has a WhatsApp number too. This is a good perk and I did use it to plan my itinerary, it was good to have all the information I needed right on my phone.
The receptionist also reassured me that everyone has been made aware of the allergy list I’ve sent before my arrival.
If exceptional service is at the top of your hotel wishlist, Banyan Tree won’t disappoint. π Check current availability before your travel dates fill up.
Location Of The Hotel
One of the biggest reasons I’d recommend staying at Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur is its location. The hotel is right in the heart of Bukit Bintang, surrounded by shopping malls, cafΓ©s, restaurants and public transport.
I expected the location to be convenient, but I didn’t expect to walk almost everywhere. By my second day, I realised I barely needed to order a Grab.
From the hotel lobby, you simply walk beyond Bake by Banyan Tree (right at the entrance of the hotel) and take a lift to the second floor. Guess what? You’re already inside the Pavilion Mall.
I ended up using the lift every single day because it made getting around the city so easy. From the mall, you can access Kuala Lumpur’s covered pedestrian walkway, which takes you all the way to KLCC Park and the Petronas Twin Towers.
The walkway is air-conditioned, well signposted and very easy to follow. As someone travelling alone, I also felt completely comfortable using it.
It took me around 10 to 15 minutes to walk from the hotel to KLCC Park. From there, you get one of the best views of the Petronas Twin Towers and you’ll also find the famous Symphony Lake water and light show.
I also walked to Grumpy Bagels during my stay, which only took around 12 minutes from the hotel. This is a really cool bagel cafe that literally went viral on Instagram, so I wanted to check it out in person. I have to say the bagels are really good!
Love staying somewhere you can explore on foot? π See the latest Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur prices and find the perfect room in the heart of Bukit Bintang.
My Signature Banyan Retreat Room
I stayed in the Signature Banyan Retreat room on the 56th floor and this is probably the highest floor I’ve ever slept in my life. My ears clicked in the lift when we passed the 40th floor!
The room was incredibly spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows that filled the space with natural light throughout the day.
The first thing I did was walk straight over to the windows. My room wasn’t facing the Petronas Twin Towers, but I honestly didn’t mind because I still had beautiful views across Kuala Lumpur and the skyline looked even better once all the city lights came on in the evening.
Right next to the windows there’s a comfortable sofa and a small table. I found myself sitting there before heading out every day and read a lovely travel magazine available in the room.
Near the entrance, you’ll find a coffee machine, tea-making facilities, complimentary bottled water, a minibar, a safe, a large wardrobe and a full-sized iron with an ironing board.
I was actually really happy to find a proper iron because I always need one before taking photos, and it’s much more powerful than the little travel iron I normally carry.
One feature I’d never seen before was the pillow menu. Instead of giving every guest the same pillows, Banyan Tree lets you choose the type of pillow you’d like during your stay.
The bed had already been prepared before I arrived, and one detail that immediately caught my attention was the slippers. Instead of leaving them inside the wardrobe like most hotels do, they had been placed neatly on a small rug beside the bed.
It sounds like such a small thing, but I’d genuinely never seen that before. The slippers themselves were also incredibly soft and fluffy, not the thin disposable ones you usually get in hotels.
Another thing I absolutely loved was the essential oil burner near the entrance. I believe you can also purchase the set near the lobby. Next to it, an incense too.
I’m normally very sensitive to strong smells, but this one never gave me a headache. Every time I walked back into my room after a busy day exploring Kuala Lumpur, it instantly helped me switch off and relax.
I noticed the same scent used for the essential oil burner is also used throughout the corridors, so every time I stepped out of the lift, it was like I was walking into a spa.
The curtains are electronic, so you simply press a button to open and close them. I have to admit, I probably played with them more times than I’d like to admit because I thought they were the light switch!
The bathroom had the same lengths as the bedroom and was divided into three separate areas.
The toilet had its own private room, the middle section featured double sinks and a dressing area with excellent lighting, while the third section had a deep soaking bathtub overlooking the city alongside a spacious rainfall shower.
One feature I was really happy to see was the Japanese-style smart toilet. It’s one of those little luxuries I always appreciate when travelling, and it made the bathroom feel even more premium.
I loved relaxing in the bath after a full day of walking around Kuala Lumpur while looking out over the skyline. The rainfall shower was built into the ceiling, but there was also a handheld shower, which I always find useful.
The hotel provides shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, cotton pads, cotton buds, a toothbrush, grooming essentials and even a complimentary loofah. Everything I needed was already waiting for me, so I didn’t have to think about a thing.
Imagine ending your day with a skyline-view bath and a room that smells like your own private spa. π Check today’s room rates and availability.
If you want to have a clearer idea on what the room looks like, watch this YouTube video I filmed at the property π
Room Cleaning And Turndown Service
Housekeeping cleaned my room every morning while I was having breakfast. Every time I came back, everything was spotless and all the amenities had been replenished. My own skincare was also lined up like I’ve never done before too!
What I wasn’t expecting was the evening turndown service. Every evening, just before 7 pm, a member of staff came back to prepare the room for the night.
The bed was opened, the pillows were arranged, the slippers were placed neatly back on the rug and the candle underneath the essential oil burner was lit again. I absolutely loved that!
It’s these thoughtful little touches that made my stay so memorable. π Check the latest prices and see if Banyan Tree is the right fit for your trip.
Dining At Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
During my stay, I had breakfast at Horizon Grill, cocktails at Vertigo Rooftop Bar, dinner at Torito and lunch at Jade Pavilion.
There’s also Bake by Banyan Tree if you’re looking for coffee, pastries or something lighter during the day.
Breakfast At Horizon Grill
The restaurant is on the 58th floor, so you can enjoy breakfast with views across Kuala Lumpur.
The way it works is that hot food needs to be ordered from the menu, while cold food such as fruits and pastries was displayed on the buffet.
I really liked that all the hot food is cooked to order. Instead of having scrambled eggs, sausages and other hot dishes sitting on a buffet, so that everything is fresh.
The menu includes both Western and Asian breakfast options. I ordered the avocado toast with scrambled eggs, and both were delicious.
In terms of bread, they offer white or rye bread with your hot breakfast but no sourdough, which I normally prefer, but that’s just my personal taste.
After finishing my hot breakfast, I had a look around the buffet. There was a good selection of fresh fruit, pastries, bread rolls, cereals, yoghurt, cheeses, juices and hot drinks.
The cheese selection was fantastic, and I couldn’t resist having some blue cheese with bread after breakfast. I also tried one of the blueberry muffins, which I really enjoyed.
From an allergy point of view, breakfast went well overall. The staff was attentive and fully briefed on my allergies.
Cocktails At Vertigo Rooftop Bar
I visited Vertigo Rooftop Bar on my first evening at the hotel. I definitely recommend coming here around sunset, and for a good seat you should reserve at least 1 week in advance.
The rooftop is spread across two levels. Once you reach the main bar, you can walk upstairs for even better views across Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Twin Towers.
I don’t drink alcohol and have plenty of allergies, Rather than asking me to choose something from the menu, the mixologist came over to speak to me and asked what flavours I liked.
He prepared a mocktail just for me using lemongrass, honey, sparkling soda and fresh juice, with a stalk of lemongrass inside the glass. It was refreshing, beautifully presented and one of the nicest mocktails I’ve had.
I also asked a member of staff if they could take a few photos of me. Like many solo travellers, I travel with a tripod, but it’s always nice to have someone take a couple of proper pictures.
They were more than happy to help, and I was genuinely impressed with how good the photos turned out.
Dinner At Torito
Dinner at Torito was one of my favourite experiences during my stay.
The restaurant serves Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine, and before I even ordered, Chef Sergio came over to introduce himself and discuss my allergies. He wanted to make sure I could enjoy the meal without compromising on flavour.
Usually, when I tell a restaurant about my allergies, I expect the food to be quite plain. This wasn’t the case at all.
I started with guacamole served with crispy plantain instead of tortilla chips. The plantain wasn’t sweet, and it worked surprisingly well with the guacamole.
For my main course, I had steak with steamed rice and vegetables, followed by panna cotta for dessert. Every dish was super tasty, even though several ingredients had been changed to make everything safe for me.
The restaurant also overlooks the Petronas Twin Towers, so it’s a lovely place for dinner once the city lights come on.
If I came back to Kuala Lumpur, I’d happily eat at Torito again. The food was excellent, but what I’ll remember most is how seriously Chef Sergio took my allergies while still creating dishes that tasted incredible. I left with a smile on my face and a full belly!
Lunch At Jade Pavilion
Before checking out, I also had lunch at Jade Pavilion, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant.
One thing that’s worth knowing is that the restaurant isn’t located inside Banyan Tree itself. To get there, you’ll need to walk through the mall and continue to Pavilion Hotel, where Jade Pavilion is located. It took me around 10 minutes to get there, and once you know the route, it’s very straightforward.
The restaurant itself is beautiful, with elegant Chinese-inspired dΓ©cor, decorative wooden screens and floral displays that make the dining room feel calm and inviting.
By this point, I wasn’t even surprised that the team already knew about my allergies before I arrived. Once again, everything had been communicated in advance, so I didn’t have to explain everything all over again.
I tried the chicken dim sum followed by the mushroom noodles, and both dishes were excellent. The team adapted the dishes where needed this way I could enjoy them safely. It was my first time having dim sum, as I’m always allergic to them, so it felt quite special and exciting!
If you’re anything like me and love great food as much as a beautiful hotel, π check the latest rates and start planning your stay.
Hotel Facilities
Swimming Pool
I didn’t spend much time by the swimming pool, but I checked it out and it looked really nice. The pool is a decent size and I loved the view. It’s actually on the same floor as the Torito restaurant.
There were very few people when I went; there were plenty of sunbeds available as well as towels.
Gym
The gym isn’t particularly large, but it has everything you need for a good workout. There are treadmills, free weights and enough strength equipment for most people.
One thing I really liked was how quiet it was. Every time I went, I almost had the whole gym to myself, which was very appreciated.
Looking for a luxury hotel where you can completely switch off? π Check today’s prices and availability.
Downside Of Staying At Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
Overall, I had a fantastic stay at Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur. If I had to mention one downside, it would be this.
When I arrived in my room, I was welcomed with a beautiful fruit platter and a selection of handcrafted chocolates. It looked lovely and was a really thoughtful gesture.
The member of staff who showed me around the room already knew about my allergies and carefully pointed out which chocolates I shouldn’t eat. I really appreciated that because it showed my allergy information had already been communicated.
At the same time, I couldn’t help wondering why the chocolates had been left in the room if they already knew I couldn’t eat any of them. I love chocolate, so after walking into such a beautiful room, it was a little disappointing not to be able to enjoy that part of the welcome.
If Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur sounds like the right fit for your trip, π you can check the latest prices and availability here.
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur Prices
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur is one of the city’s luxury hotels, and room rates reflect that.
When I checked prices, the Signature Sky Retreat King started from around $375 USD per night. Larger suites started from around $725 USD per night, while the Sanctuary Suite started from around $980 USD per night.
Prices vary depending on your travel dates, room type and whether breakfast is included, so I’d always recommend checking the latest rates before booking.
Ready to compare prices for your travel dates? π See the latest Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur rates.
Is Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur Worth It?
For me, the answer is yes. I’ve stayed in several hotels in Kuala Lumpur over the years, many of them in a similar price range, and Banyan Tree has been my favourite so far.
As someone travelling solo, I appreciated being greeted so nicely by everyone and being cared for 24/7. Every staff member knew my name; I don’t even know how it’s possible, but they did!
Would I pay to stay here myself? Yes, I would.
It’s certainly not a budget hotel, but I don’t think you’re only paying for a beautiful room.
You’re paying for exceptional service, location, genuine attention to detail and a team of experts that really wants you to have the best possible experience from start to finish.
Ready to experience Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur for yourself? π Check today’s prices and availability.
Ciao for now,
Silvia
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βοΈΒ Solo Travel Planning GuideΒ π΄
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My go-to for hotels or hostels is Booking.com. For hostels, I normally go for Hostelworld (you can also filter by private rooms if you want!). If you love pets you should consider Trusted Housesitters, you would get free accommodation in exchange for looking after amazing pets β€οΈ
βοΈ Where can I book my flight?
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Booksurfcamps.com is the best for surf camps all over the world. Bookyogaretreats.com is my go-to for the best yoga retreats worldwide.
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