Kuala Lumpur Hotels

The earliest recorded Kuala Lumpur hotels started in 1915, when a country home situated along the banks of the Klang River outside Kuala Lumpur was refurbished to create the first Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. This Hotel was known as the Eastern Hotel located at 26, Jalan Ampang.

The development of hotels in Kuala Lumpur was very slow during the time, mostly only to cater to the British officers who made their official visits to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore or Perak.

Then in 1932, Majestic Hotel was built near Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, with its 51 room the Majestic Hotel was the first modern hotel to be constructed in Kuala Lumpur. It has been used by the German Consulate during World War 1. Its location which was very near to Kuala Lumpur Railway station, has made the Majestic Hotel immediately became a major hit with both the colonial elite and local notables.

In 1957 Federal Hotel situated at 34 Jalan Bukit Bintang was built. Unfortunately, the hotel that was planned to be developed as early as 1955 by Low Yat Construction Company Berhad had to be put temporarily on hold due lack of financial revenue. But Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the first Malaysia Prime Minister helped to revive this project because Kuala Lumpur was seen badly in needed of an international class hotel. Hence, Federal Hotel officially opened three days before 31 August 1957.

After Malaysia received independence from the British in 1957 and Kuala Lumpur was declared as Malaysia’s capital city in 1972, the number of hotels started to increase to meet the demand from local and foreign businessman.

1959 - Merlin Hotel – 2, Jalan Sultan Ismail, now known as Concorde Hotel.

1972 – Kuala Lumpur Hilton – Jalan Sultan Ismail – this 36 storey Hotel located at a hill top was the tallest building and Hotel in Kuala Lumpur after its completion. The hotel is now known as Mutiara Hotel.

1973 – Holiday Inn – Jalan Pinang.

1973 – Hotel Equatorial – Jalan Sultan Ismail.

1974 - Regent of Kuala Lumpur – Jalan Imbi

After 95 years, the number of hotels in Kuala Lumpur has rapidly increased, the historic shop lots and private buildings were also seen being converted to become budget hotels and guest houses.  It was landscaped to cater to the demand in the tourism industry, to give tourist choices of stay from the ultra modern 5 star hotels to very clean and convenient budget hotels.

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