The Merdeka 118 tower in Kuala Lumpur is, at 678.9m (2,227ft), the world’s second-tallest building in the world, after Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. At that height, it towers over the city’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers (452m) and stands as a beacon on the city’s skyline. As I regularly visit Kuala Lumpur, I got to see its progress with every trip, right until its completion in 2024. Its design, a slender tower that changes appearance from different angles, and crowned by a 160m spire, symbolises the historic moment when Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, raised his arm and proclaimed “Merdeka” (“Independence”) on 31st August 1957. Geared to become one of Kuala Lumpur’s top attractions, I couldn’t wait to visit Merdeka 118 and see the view from the observation deck. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that the five-star Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur had opened on the tower’s uppermost floors!
I didn’t hesitate and booked a one-night stay for an opportunity to sleep in the sky! The hotel rooms occupy the 100th to 114th floors, making the hotel one of the highest in the world. With rates starting at around EUR350/USD400 per night, it certainly wasn’t cheap, but I felt the experience would be worth it. And… was it? Well, keep reading. 🙂
My stay at the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
One thing you should know about me: I’m scared of heights. Yet somehow, that fear hasn’t stopped me from doing things that would make most fellow acrophobes cringe; like skydiving in Catalonia, hot-air ballooning in Jordan or zip-lining in the Andes. As my stay at the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur approached, I found myself dreaming of tumbling out of bed into a vast abyss. It seems my subconscious had a lot to say about sleeping high above the city!
Despite my anxiety, I was very excited about this stay and I soon found myself standing at the foot of the Merdeka 118. The ground floor entrance is a cavernous space covered in marble, with escalators that transport guests to the elevator lobby.
The lobby
The main lobby is located on the 75th floor. From the ground level, elevators whisk guests up to the lobby in under a minute, accompanied by about three ear pops. I stepped out of the lift and was greeted with big smiles before being guided to the lobby area. A large space with floor-to-ceiling windows, the lobby is thoughtfully broken up into sections by elegant patterned screens, giving it an intimate feel. Behind the reception desks rose the upper reaches of Kuala Lumpur’s skyscraper-studded skyline, a view so surreal that it left me oddly unruffled.
The check-in process was quick and amicable. The friendly receptionist confirmed my dinner reservation, and suggested I check out the swimming pool on the 99th floor. He then showed me to my room on the 103rd floor – a 24-second ride in the high-speed elevator.
My room
I’d booked a Corner King Room and requested a view of the Petronas Twin Towers. The room itself is a whopping 57 square meters (614 square feet) and I couldn’t wait to see it. With great anticipation, I entered the room. An L-shaped corridor led me past the coffee and minibar station, lavatory and walk-in closet before opening into the bedroom and bathroom. I loved the generous use of wood and other natural materials throughout the interior, which gave the room a warm, homely feel.
A chaise longue ran along the windows – a thoughtful design detail I particularly appreciated, as it conveniently blocked the vertigo-inducing downward view. The view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, with the mountains in the distance, was simply breathtaking! I think my gasp was audible. The receptionist, clearly no stranger to such reactions, smiled and continued the room orientation.
The large king size bed dominated the bedroom, that was further furnished with a table and chair, and that chaise longue with the amazing view. The bed proved delightfully springy yet supportive, while the sumptuous duvet and sheets felt unmistakably luxurious.
I appreciated the control panel next to the bed which allowed me to adjust the light mode in the room as well as the shades.
The bathroom
Screen doors divided the bathroom from the bedroom, revealing a space that was elegant, inviting and functional. It featured dual sinks, a beautifully designed cubicle with a rain shower, and, my personal favourite, a fabulous oval bathtub set dramatically beside the window.
I didn’t have to think twice – I filled up the tub and indulged in a hot soak with a fantastic view!
The lavatory
I’m a big fan of Japanese toilets, so I was delighted to find one in the lavatory. For the uninitiated, Japanese toilets are marvels of technology, packed with features that elevate an everyday necessity into a surprisingly luxurious experience.
This particular model came with an automatic lid that opened the moment you stepped into the lavatory, and a heated seat. Mounted on the side was a control panel offering an impressive array of functions, from cleansing sprays to warm-air drying.
The view
As my excitement gradually subsided, I realised, rather unexpectedly, that I hadn’t felt even the faintest pang of fear. I’m not quite sure why – perhaps the panorama was simply too surreal to process, or perhaps the chaise longue softening the downward view made all the difference. Whatever the reason, I was grateful I felt no fear because that view was just too spectacular to shy away from. It’s not every day that you get to see the Petronas Twin Towers at eye level!
I was also thankful for the clear weather. A friend who stayed there a month earlier wasn’t so lucky. Rainy, foggy weather meant his room overlooked little more than drifting masses of white cloud throughout his stay.
The 99th floor
Before dinner, I went down to the 99th floor to check out the pool, spa and gym. The Sky Infinity pool looked very inviting whilst the large gym was well-equipped. If I had a longer stay, I would most certainly have made use of these facilities, and considered a spa treatment.
Dinner at Park Lounge
The Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur has two restaurants, Park Lounge (for all-day dining) and Merdeka Grill, and the city’s highest bar, Cacao Mixology & Chocolate. These are all located on the 75th floor.
I had dinner at the Park Lounge, which serves a good assortment of local, Asian and Western dishes. The restaurant staff were personable and friendly, but the service lacked the polish and attentiveness one might expect at a five-star property. In Kuala Lumpur’s highly competitive luxury hospitality segment, it’s the finer details that truly set a hotel apart. The Park Hyatt’s distinctive location and stunning rooms may give it an edge, but the food and beverage service still has some ground to cover.
That said, the food was great! For my main course, I ordered the Ayam Percik (grilled chicken in a rich, spicy gravy) and it was delicious.
Night views
After dinner, I embarked on the journey to the ground floor to see the Merdeka 118 by night. The tower features a state-of-the-art dynamic LED façade and laser illumination system which lights up at night. I’ve been told that the light shows are especially dazzling during special events and holidays.
It truly is an awe-inspiring experience to stand at the foot of the tower. Seen from the side, the diamond-shaped façade zig-zags upwards towards the sky. From the front, the tower looks like a giant rocket.
I returned to my room, stretched out on the chaise longue with a glass of wine and simply took in the sparkling night view.
The next morning
After a blissful night’s sleep in that luxurious bed, I woke just after sunrise. I had closed the blinds before going to bed, so opening them felt like unveiling a surprise. As they lifted, I was greeted by an enchanting panorama of the city wrapped in soft morning mist. I put on the fluffy bathrobe, made myself a coffee and watched the sun climb while the veil of mist slowly dissolved into the morning light.
Breakfast at Park Lounge
After a quick shower – Gosh, I adored that bathroom! – I headed downstairs to the Park Lounge for breakfast. I was welcomed with a lovely smile and a cheery “Good morning” before being shown to my table. Along the way, I passed the impressive breakfast buffet laid out across several long counters.
I was welcome to enjoy anything from the buffet as well as order freely from the à la carte menu, all included in the breakfast rate. There was a huge variety of Malaysian, Asian and Western dishes, from Egg Royale and Waffles to Black Truffle Dumplings and Indian Roti Canai. The food was plentiful and simply wonderful.
Conclusion
Despite the less than perfect restaurant staff service, I had an absolutely terrific stay at the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. The hotel interior is elegant and refined, my room was stunning and the view is simply majestic. In addition, one of my favourite parts of Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown, is only a short stroll away. So, yes, in my opinion, a stay at the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is absolutely worthwhile. If you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur and looking for a unique and luxurious stay in the sky, look no further than the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
