When you manage to get a huge room for $30 during Chinese New Year that has a balcony that overlooks the Petronas Twin Towers then you really do not have much to complain about, but me being me I will at least try to find something.
Said gem was actually found accidentally and falls under the “apartment” rather than hotel genre, as per my recent trips to Dalian and Shanwei.
So, its not a hotel?
The Colony Skyline Suites are not a hotel, but rather apartments that people have purchased and then rent out AirBnB (AirBnB.com) style, but also via mediums like trip.com and booking.com. These are often indistinguishable from hotels, particularly when booking, but not after you book.
After you book and as there is no reception you either get met by a poorly paid member of staff (as in the Colony Skyline Suites), or get sent a code you need to navigate, as happened in Shanwei. This is OK if you are in an English speaking place, but less so if you are not. I had actually booked two rooms next to each other, but had to wait two hours for them to move the people from the other room (who might have been refugees). This is the only downside compared to a hotel, well one of the only downsides.
Getting to the room here really needed assistance too as when I got to the 25th floor I essentially had to go through a fire escape like it was platform 9 3/4 in Harry Potter. Once here though it was all good, well mostly.
A 150 Malaysian money deposit was asked for, which is 250 RMB, I offered RMB, but it was not taken. People really need to grow up about pointless deposits these days, I mean $30 wont fly much if I smash the TV. I digress, but long story short it pisses me off.
And the rooms at Colony Skyline Suites?
They are actually studios rather than rooms with a real kitchen a decent enough bathroom, as well as a nice big bed. There is also a fine desk, which is how I am able to sit and write this masterpiece now.
For $10 less I could have gotten a windowless room, but I am truly glad I did not as basically everything, or almost everything that makes this place special is the views. From my balcony not only could I smoke, but it offers a sublime view of the Petronas Twin Towers and the whole Kuala Lumpur skyline. Really quite epic.
And the facilities?
There is not a lot restaurant wise around here, but there is a 7-11 on the ground floor. Now I know I have previously written about how shit 7-11 is in Malaysia, but I was wrong, at least for KL, so much so that I might even have to give it its own article. Yes it is not Thailand, nor even Shenzhen, but it kept us fed.
The real highlight of he facilities comes on the 35th of the 45 floors and this is where the infinity pool that wraps around the building is. Open until 10 pm again this offers just amazing views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, as well as offering workspaces a gym (I did not use) and even a well priced cafe. Honestly I could quite happily live here.
Colony Skyline Suites Address
The Colony Skyline Suites KLCC is A-23A-09,
Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman,
Chow Kit,
50300
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
This puts it one hour, or so from KLIA, right next to the Twin Towers and in spitting distance of Chinatown and all of the other fabulous street food markets.