Your Key To Kuala Lumpur, The Spirit of Culture

Selamat Datang to my city, Kuala Lumpur!  A city that was discovered through tin mining, its name, Kuala Lumpur actually means ‘muddy confluence’ – where in the mid-1800s tin was discovered at a confluence where two rivers, Gombak and Klang rivers, met.  This brought in an exodus of tin miners from China, hence encouraging development from a small settlement to become the biggest city in Malaysia in the 20th century! 

Today, Kuala Lumpur is one of the fastest growing cities in Asia and has a population of nearly 3 million people!

Being born and bred in Kuala Lumpur, I am proud of what Kuala Lumpur is and has become. I see it as a city that has almost everything to offer our visitors. If you are interested in history, head on down to Dataran Merdeka or  Independence Square where you will get to immerse yourself in the old colonial days of Kuala Lumpur, being surrounded by grand architectural beauties, such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building; the St Mary’s Church, etc, all remnants of our colonial past. 

If it is nature that you are seeking, take stroll or jog around the lake located in the Perdana Botanical Gardens, or locally known as Lake Gardens, a near century year-old botanical gardens that has been well preserved and maintained. A visit here makes you forget you are in the heart of a megacity. There are also other attractions within the park, namely the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, the Islamic Arts Museum and the National Planetarium

Kuala Lumpur is also melting pot of various cultures and beliefs. It is common to see a mosque  located just beside a Buddhist temple or a church here as KL-folks are multiracial and live in harmony. A 20 minutes taxi ride from central area of the city will take you the breathtaking Batu Caves where Hindu devotees of Lord Muruga annually converges to make their offerings during the festivities of Thaipusam. 

If you are looking for souvenirs, head on down to Central Market, or the KL Craft Complex where you will find an abundance of traditional handicrafts that you can bring home to your loved ones.  If it is contemporary items that you seek, then pay a visit to the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre to witness the making of world-class Malaysian made pewter items, or the quirky items available at Peter Hoe’s Beyond Boutique.

Talking about shopping    We have Jalan Bukit Bintang, the shopping district of the city, housing up to 6 shopping malls along the street, with offerings ranging from luxury branded goods, in the luxurious StarHill Gallery, right up to malls selling almost anything under the sun! Where there is shopping, there is also food! And don’t get me started with food – Kuala Lumpur offers a wide range of delicacies from the high end international cuisines, right up to yummy street food from the road side stalls! 

Lastly, a visit to Kuala Lumpur will not be complete unless you have visited the Petronas Twin Towers!  Day or night, the twin towers will offer a breath-taking view and a great back drop to your photo in Kuala Lumpur! To enjoy an unobstructed view of the towers, pay a visit to Sky Bar, a cool bar with an excellent view located on the 33rd floor of  Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur, opposite the towers. 

There is so many more to share about the city, and it’s only best to experience it first hand.  So I welcome you to my vibrant city Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia!

Meet the Author
Sharezal Abdul Wahid

Upon graduation with a Bachelor in Hotel Management from the Universiti Teknologi MARA, I started my journey in a 5-star hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur, getting my first taste in the hotel life – and better still, as a junior Concierge. I was fortunate to have served under two Les Clefs d’Or Chef Concierges, and even mentored under a prominent Les Clefs d’Or member from Hong Kong. These early experiences behind the coveted desk sealed my desire to serve and built my passion towards the profession, and even though throughout the later years I had climbed the ladder taking up other roles and responsibilities including as a Duty Manager, Assistant Front Office Manager and even as a Rooms Division Trainer, I found that my heart still lay behind the Concierge Desk. Thus, after several years of exploring the industry, I was given the opportunity to lead my own Concierge team at the Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur as its first Chief Concierge. That same year I was accepted as a Les Clefs d’Or member, and later on was selected to represent Malaysia as one of the 12 finalists, vying for the prestigious Andy Pongco Award during the 59th UICH Congress in London, 2012. Today, I am the Director of Concierge at the Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, a heritage hotel that saw its origins in 1932, during the colonial days of Kuala Lumpur. A father of 2 beautiful girls, I am an active member of Les Clefs d’Or who believes that a Concierge is an ambassador not only to his hotel, but also to the city or country he or she works in.

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur opened its doors in December 2012 and includes the meticulously restored iconic Hotel Majestic building, documented as a national heritage site under the Antiquities Act. Built in 1932, the original hotel became one of the great landmarks of Kuala Lumpur in its time. The hotel was the place for glamorous social events, government receptions and the residence for prominent international visitors. The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur is positioned to share the glamour, heritage and success of its predecessor. Set on 3.2 acres on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, this key location is the historical mile of Kuala Lumpur, opposite the old Moorish style railway station, another famous landmark for the city. Located minutes away from KL Sentral, the Hotel features 300 luxurious rooms and suites. The Majestic Wing houses the Majestic Club Suites with Butler Service, The Colonial Cafe, The Bar and The Tea Lounge while a new 15-storey Tower Wing houses the Deluxe Rooms and Suites, Contango Restaurant, 13 meeting rooms, a pillar less ballroom seating 1,200 people, a gym and a swimming pool. Other facilities include The Majestic Spa and The Smoke House.

www.majestickl.com

+603 2785 8000

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