St. Regis Kuala Lumpur’s polo-themed lobby.

The second St. Regis to open in Malaysia this year neighbors Kuala Lumpur’s transport hub, the Sentral railway station. Extravagant and grandiose, with 208 guest rooms, four dining outlets, a 1,100-square-meter Iridium spa, and tight security, it’s no secret the hotel was built to house dignitaries and heads of state. The decor follows a polo theme, with life-size leather etchings of the game greeting guests in the lobby, a stout black horse sculpture by Fernando Botero in the adjacent Drawing Room, and bit and stirrup motifs throughout. Starting at 63 square meters, guest rooms are the biggest for a branded hotel in the city. Each has a walk-in dressing room and custom-made furniture designed by the owners, including a leather trunk minibar, swivel chair, and snazzy desk-cum-dining table. The silver service afternoon tea with its dainty truffle sandwiches, buttery scones with clotted cream, and bird’s-eye view of Botero’s horse is the pick of the dining outlets, which include the Brasserie and its proudly all-imported menu, poolside bar Crystal, and Taka by Sushi Saito and Ginza Tenkuni. This dual concept Japanese restaurant is the first satellite outpost by three-Michelin-starred Sushi Saito together with 130-year-old tempura diner Ginza Tenkuni, both from Tokyo. (60-3/2727-1111; stregiskualalumpur.com;
 doubles from US$242).

This article originally appeared in the December 2016/January 2017 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“The Luxe List 2016: St. Regis Kuala Lumpur”).

Taka by Sushi Saito.

The Astor Bar and Decanter.