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”).