It’s all about staying green and living well in Element Kuala Lumpur! The hotel promises a welcoming space for guests, no matter how long you’re staying there for.
Nestled within downtown Kuala Lumpur, Element Kuala Lumpur is the tallest eco-conscious building in the city. This Green Building Index (GBI) certified building even harvests its own rainwater; how cool is that?
I was fortunate enough to drop by for a 3D2N stay, and there are just so many features that I love about the place.
One of the things I found very refreshing and admirable about the hotel is their commitment to sustainability. They even manage to reduce plastic waste by fitting a water filtration system in the rooms, instead of providing plastic mineral bottles.
Skyline Studio
Element Kuala Lumpur also caters to different types of travellers. As I was there for a rather short stay, I spent the nights in the Skyline Studio.
With floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a gorgeous view of the city skyline, I woke up to cheery sunshine every morning. The bed was super comfy; on both mornings, I slept past my alarm and woke an hour later than I usually do.
The room also came with a spacious, spa-inspired, en-suite bathroom. Perfect for my morning shower and make-up routine!
For travellers staying at the hotel for longer periods, they can opt for the suites. They can choose from 1-Bedroom, 1-Bedroom Skyline, 2-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom Skyline, 2-Bedroom Executive or 3-Bedroom.
I have to say, I was very impressed with the suite rooms.
Tailored for longer stays of over 14 days, these rooms have an open space concept and come with a fully-furnished kitchenette. The large windows allow lots of natural light to stream in, which makes the spacious living room feel more welcoming.
The 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom suites have fully-equipped kitchenettes and separate living areas. The 2-Bedroom suites even come with a washing machine and dryer, which makes long stays even more convenient.
The bedrooms also have en-suite bathrooms attached, and the beds are super comfy too! The 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom suites also come with a separate bathtub and shower.
They’re great for family trips, and for business travellers who need to stay for extended periods.
Keep Fit On The Go
With all the facilities available in Element Kuala Lumpur, you might not even want to leave the hotel.
At MOTION, fitness junkies can keep in tip-top shape even away from home. For a heart-thumping cardio workout, make use of the treadmills and ellipticals, or hop on the cycle machine.
Otherwise, pump that iron to get some #gainz. The neatly arranged weights rack was conveniently located in front of the wall-length mirror, so you can check your form (or check yourself out).
My favourite was actually the Lateral Pull-Down machine, simply because I’ve been meaning to tone my arms and work my core. The gym is open 24/7, which makes it much more convenient for hotel guests.
If you’re not that into lifting weights, Element Kuala Lumpur offers other ways of keeping fit.
All hotel guests are entitled to complimentary classes of Yoga In The Sky (RM45 for non-guests, approx. S$15.30). Yes, you can join the yoga classes conducted by professional instructors for free!
Of course, my favourite feature had to be the Indoor Saline Pool. Located on the 39th floor, this indoor infinity pool has a stunning view of the PETRONAS Twin Towers. The mosaic tiles on the pool floor were also very lovely in the sunlight.
I was happy to note that the pool uses saline water instead of chlorine. This means that it’s much better for the environment and also kinder to my skin and hair. No more itchy skin after swimming!
You can even rent a bicycle to explore the city or just get some outdoor exercise. Head down to the concierge for a sturdy bike and a helmet, and you’re good to go!
Rise & Shine At Trace Restaurant & Bar
Even though there were amazing fitness facilities at Element Kuala Lumpur, I still ended the staycation feeling like I’ve put on weight. You would too if you got to sample the food at Trace Restaurant & Bar.
This elegant restaurant is dominated by marble surfaces. What I really liked about the design was the green streaks in the marbling. This was the first time I’ve seen green-streaked marble, and it really added to the “green” feel of this environmentally-friendly hotel.
Start your day right, with the Rise Breakfast (RM70 per pax, approx. S$23.70). This breakfast buffet spread will definitely fill you up, and energise you for the day ahead.
In line with their motto of ‘Eat Well, Live Well’, the buffet spread includes fresh fruits and healthy muesli. The selection changes daily, so you’ll get to choose different fruits every day.
My favourite part was the live eggs station, where the chef whips up an egg dish on the spot. I loved the fluffy scrambled eggs, which was creamy and smooth. You can also get your eggs fried, as a sunny-side-up, or as an omelette.
For bread and pastry lovers, there’s a decent selection of muffins, toast and Danishes. I tried not to overload on the carbs, so I only sneaked one or two Danishes during my stay.
Artistic High Tea Experience
You will definitely not want to miss ARTEASTRY at Trace Restaurant & Bar, because this high tea experience will blow you away.
Available only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (1pm – 5pm) at (RM128 for 2 pax, approx. S$43.30), it’s chockful of both savoury and sweet delights.
One of the more unique savoury snacks was the Red Pepper Tomato Macaroon. With distinct sweet and savoury flavours, this was an interesting twist on the usual sweet treat.
I also really enjoyed the Salmon Apple Avocado in Basil Cone. The savoury and smoky salmon flavour went well with the subtle hint of apple fragrance.
You definitely need to try the Homebaked Scones. Warm and fluffy, the chocolate chip scones were served with light cream and chocolate ganache. Chocolate lovers will be delighted by this part of the high tea.
I was very impressed with how the dessert portion was prepared. It’s both dessert and art, and you get to see it being prepared right in front of you on sheets of baking paper.
The centrepiece of the dessert platter is the dark chocolate sphere. I got to break the sphere using a small hammer, and it was full of goodies. The toasted marshmallows were fluffy and sweet, with just the right amount of caramelised smokiness. There were also decadent chocolate brownies inside, which were actually not overly sweet nor dense.
I recommend getting the pot of tea as well because it helps to undercut the richness of the dessert section. I tried the White Crystal, which was white tea with cranberries. This refreshing drink was relatively light on the palate, with a fruity fragrance.
The ARTEASTRY experience is open to the public as well, so you can pop by just for a spot of tea and beautiful desserts.
Feast In Elegant Comfort
If you don’t want to brave the blazing sun and head out for a meal, why not just stay in Element Kuala Lumpur and feast in air-conditioned comfort? Lunch is served from 11am – 5pm, and dinner from 5pm – 11pm.
From local dishes to more Westernised ones, Trace Restaurant & Bar has it all. Each meal comes with complimentary Keropok Ikan. I loved the crunch of this fishy Malaysian snack, and it was super addictive.
The Mee Bandung Muo (RM38, approx. S$12.90) was one of my favourites from the menu. This popular Johor Bahru dish had a spicy broth made from beef and prawns, with beef chunks and springy yellow noodles.
Slightly sweet and a whole lot spicier than expected, this dish was a lovely blend of flavours.
The Alaskan Black Cod (RM105, approx. S$35.60) was a healthy yet delicious dish. Tender and flaky codfish was served with a green sauce made with spinach and cheese. I thought that the sweet and crunchy carrot sticks were a nice touch!
For steak lovers, feel free to share the Certified Angus Sirloin 120 Days Grain Fed, 400g (RM168, approx. S$56.90). At 400g, that’s definitely too much meat for one person to handle.
The medium-rare meat was lean and at times a little too chewy for my liking, but I appreciated the subtle charring. This was served with potato cheese sticks, which were delightfully starchy.
For desserts, the Earl Grey Chocolate Sphere (RM28, approx. S$9.50) was my favourite. The chocolate sphere was topped with gold powder, and served with crunchy green chlorophyll.
The lemon cream sauce was drizzled over the dark chocolate ball right in front of us! I really loved how rich the chocolate was, with a hint of fragrant Earl Grey.
The Exotic Fruit Lava Carrot Cake (RM26, approx. S$8.80) was quite a unique take on the usual chocolate lava cake. Tangy mango passionfruit lava oozed out from the carrot cake upon cutting. The carrot cake was crispy around the edges, with walnuts embedded in the cake.
Evening Drinks & Chill
Hotel guests also get to enjoy the Relax: Evening Reception (Mon – Thu, 5.30pm – 7pm) at the restaurant.
Enjoy light refreshments and drinks at the bar, and mingle with other hotel guests at this complimentary get-together. With the chill vibes and drinks, it’s easy to let your worries fall away.
Drink in the magnificent sight of the evening city-scape, as you wind down for the day.
Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, Element Kuala Lumpur provides you with a home away from home.
Expected Damage: From RM350 (approx. S$118.20) per night (more room rates)
