Spot Stays: This Malaysian Boutique Hotel Gives Off Wes Anderson Vibes
Plus, it gives you a glimpse of Chow Kit culture and history.
The Chow Kit – An Ormond Hotel
1012 Jaltan Sultan Ismail, Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rates start at RM335 (P4,225)
At a Glance
Rooms: 113 compact but cozy rooms with charming interiors and a view
Food and Drink: The Chow Kit Kitchen and Bar’s all-day dining, plus a secret entrance to their sister spot
Staff: Can rival our trademark Filipino hospitality
Why you should stay: More than a hotel stay, it’s an immersion in culture and history
(SPOT.ph) If there’s one thing boutique hotels have that upscale chain hotels don’t, it’s a standout personality. The Chow Kit, named after the Kuala Lumpur neighborhood it’s located in, gives you just that. It starts when you spot the building from afar, especially on a rainy night where the brown rustic building gives off an old New York vibe.
Upon entering the ground floor, you’re greeted by an assortment of scenes—the little concierge, the lobby with shelves of books and artifacts, a bar, a dining area, and an open kitchen. Look further and you’ll see the staircase leading to the function rooms on the second level.
When you enter the private dining room called "The Library" in the corner, it will finally hit you: This feels like a Wes Anderson movie. From the matching purple couches and walls to the hand-painted wallpaper and old-worldly fixtures, this Kuala Lumpur hotel may remind you of the eccentric filmmaker’s taste in vibrant and rustic colors.
Also read: The Best Things to See and Do in Kuala Lumpur in 24 Hours
Free Lessons in Chow Kit’s Culture and History
Your key card comes with a vintage-looking cardholder that unfolds into a hand-drawn map of the suburb. It has intricate sketches of what the area once looked like and an introduction to the Chow Kit history for light reading.
At the back of the map, you’ll read more about their history and culture through the decades with accompanying sketches. We won’t blame you if you get an exciting urge to solve a mystery, or once you’ve snapped out of the movie daydreaming, just explore the neighborhood on foot.
There are three types of rooms—The Den, The King Den, and The Twin Den; and three types of suites—The Little Towkay Suite (a.k.a. The Little Boss Suite), The Towkay Suite, and The Towkay Sow Suite (a.k.a. The Boss Lady Suite). Whichever you book, you’re guaranteed the same vibrant interiors, rustic fixtures, and floor-to-ceiling curtained windows that unveil a view of the neighborhood.
If you ask the staff about their rooms’ names, you’ll get more tidbits of history. The Den was named after Chow Kit’s historically infamous gambling dens, while towkay is a nod to the local Hokkien dialect. The district has a tough, gritty exterior, so it’s not always the first stop of tourists. And that’s what makes The Chow Kit so appealing to travelers looking for something different in Kuala Lumpur.
What To Do at This Kuala Lumpur Hotel
If you’ve decided to tuck the paper map into your pocket of travel keepsakes, head over to the hotel website’s digital map section, where you’ll find pins to their recommended spots and shops around the neighborhood.
When lingering in the hotel lobby, have a look at the art pieces. You’ll soon realize that the hotel is also—surprise!—some sort of art gallery. Liza Ho, the owner of The Back Room, a famous art gallery in KL, curated the hotel’s art collection. You’ll find pieces on loan from the private collections of some of the great Malaysian masters, as well as works commissioned from up-and-coming Malaysian artists. Need help locating and studying the works of art? Just download the free e-brochure from their website.
Don’t forget to check out the rooftop’s 500-square feet deck that gives you a great view of the city. As of writing, they temporarily stopped offering free yoga classes and discounted walking tours.
Where To Eat
If you booked a room or suite that comes with complimentary breakfast, head to The Chow Kit Kitchen and Bar in the lobby between 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on weekends. Plus points for giving leeway to late wakers.
There’s no breakfast buffet, but their plated breakfast choices are hefty. For contemporary fare, try the bowl of granola with greek yogurt, avocado sourdough toast, thick-cut banana French toast, and the classic full English breakfast. There’s also the Chow Kit French Toast, a twist on the breakfast staple. For something Malaysian, you can’t go wrong with the nasi lemak or kaya toast with half-boiled eggs. All complimentary breakfast sets come with coffee, tea, or fresh juice.
Beyond breakfast, The Chow Kit Kitchen and Bar is a dining destination, as you’ll see with the non-guests who reserve tables for their birthdays and special occasions. Regulars come for their full-course set meals and to-share platters that feature heritage recipes with a modern twist.
For a side trip, ask the hotel staff to direct you to the secret entrance to Momo’s, the other boutique hotel next door. Think of Momo’s as The Chow Kit’s hip little sister, with its budget rooms, artsy interiors, and fun weekly events. Their Instagrammable lobby is the café, resto, and bar in one, where you can get burgers, beers, and beyond.
Where To Shop
The Chow Kit neighborhood is best known for two main things—its bustling wet market (the largest in KL) that it was named after; and its red-light district. Malaysia’s famous mix of cultures is evident in this suburb, with several dialects and languages spoken on the streets.
Click on the "neighborhood" tab of Chow Kit’s website. You’ll see a digital map where they pinned their top places to shop, eat, play, and get your dose of art. Go on that adventure you’ve been itching to do since you first unfolded the hotel’s free map—whether on foot, by taxi, bus, or train.
How To Get There
Cebu Pacific Air, a partner of Tourism Malaysia, flies daily between Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Travel time is two and a half hours.
Vaccinated Filipinos can travel to Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days without the need for quarantine or a swab test. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers need to comply with a longer list of guidelines.
To get to The Chow Kit – An Ormond Hotel from the airport, book a taxi or ride-hailing service. You may also arrange a private airport transfer for a fee through the hotel. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the Sultan Ismail LRT station and Medan Tuanku Monorail station.
Check out our Tiktok video of this Kuala Lumpur hotel:
@spot.ph This boutique hotel in Malaysia is giving us Wes Anderson vibes. #SpotPH #SpotStays #TheChowKitOrmondHotel #thechowkit #KualaLumpur #Malaysia ♬ Wes Anderson-esque Cute Acoustic - Kenji Ueda
The Chow Kit – An Ormond Hotel is at 1012 Jaltan Sultan Ismail, Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Rates start at RM335 (P4,225) per night with complimentary breakfast for two and flexible booking. Solo traveler deals and discount non-refundable rates are also available. For more information, visit The Chow Kit - An Ormond Hotel's website.