Hotel Review: Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur

It was my third trip to Malaysia, and I've grown from an out-of-pocket backpacker to a slightly more sophisticated business traveller. I knew Kuala Lumpur well, so I could easily have stayed anywhere on the monorail lines. This time, I did not want to stay somewhere that isn't completely budget nor did I want to spend a fortune on my hotel room.

So, I chose to stay at Hotel Capitol.

Situated right in the busy area of Bukit Bingtan, Hotel Capitol is right where several shopping complexes are joined by convenient walk ways and foot bridges, where rows of street food hawkers meet the more upmarket, well decorated restaurants, and where I could really get into the local way of life. To use a common phrase, Hotel Capitol is right in the heart of the action.

The hotel is modern, but isn't fancy. There is no swimming pool and there is no gym. You have the standard bar and cafe, and there is however, friendly staff and comfortable rooms and a great price tag. The standard room average at US120 per night, and a Deluxe room average at around US130 per night. I stayed in a Deluxe room, and was lucky enough to have a room facing the city and a distant view of the famous Kuala Lumpur landmark - the Petronas Twin Towers. I buy a bottle of red and sat near the window after dinner, and enjoyed the view of brightly lit buildings of the city; it was the perfect end of day wind down.

What I love about hotels in Asia, are their breakfast selections. Hotel Capitol was no exception. With my room rate I was treated to a buffet breakfast serving fried rice, green pandan cakes and western style pancakes and eggs. I wash my meal down with fresh tropical fruit juices and a good cup of Malay coffee, making it the best start of any day.

For those looking for a place with a swimming pool and a gym, perhaps look into it's sister hotel The Federal Hotel, which is right next door. Similar in price and layout, The Federal provides that little bit of extra service to travellers who would like to spend a bit more time in their rooms than be out and about in the city.

Getting to Hotel Capitol is easy. From the airport, catch the Air Ekspress train to KL Sentral (the main train station) and change over to a Monorail. Get off at the stop Imbi or Bukit Bingtan, and Hotel Capitol is just behind the alleys from the main road. Of course, taxies will also get you there too, for triple the price.

Hotel Capitol
Jalan Bulan, off Jalan Bukit Bingtan
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(603) 2143 0000
reservations@capitol.com.my