Where to find glitz and glamour in Kuala Lumpur

Thursday, 20 October 2011 9:16 AM

If you looking for a chic holiday where you can spoil and pamper yourself without breaking the bank, there are few better places to visit than Kuala Lumpur.

As you emerge from Kuala Lumpur airport and start making your way further into the capital, you will be staggered by the sight that greets you - huge skyscrapers tower above the streets, with modern architecture sitting side-by-side traditional buildings.

The Malaysian city is known for having some of the cheapest five-star hotels on the planet, meaning that you will be able to choose luxurious accommodation without worrying about having no spending money leftover. Indeed, you may even wish to treat yourself to a chauffeur-driven limousine to your hotel so that you can go on a tour of the metropolis as soon as you arrive.

Once you have enjoyed the glamour of your hotel, you might like to make your way into the city and start exploring. If you want to continue the theme of living the high-life, head to the Golden Triangle.

This is the commercial, retail and entertainment district and is bordered by three main roads - Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Raja Chulan.

It is likely that your hotel may be situated within this area, which is also packed with dozens of shopping malls, lively bars and nightclubs, and cafes serving up mouth-watering fare - perfect if you have only just disembarked from your cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur.

The city is widely renowned as being the fashion capital of Malaysia, so if you are keen to come home armed with a few more bags than you left with you're in luck.

There are dozens of vast retail malls here and one of the first you will want to visit is Suria KLCC, situated beneath the Petronas Twin Towers - once the tallest buildings in the world and still the tallest twinned structures on the planet.

At night, they are lit up to dazzling effect, but during the day you may not wish to spend too long admiring them before heading beneath the buildings to spend a few hours getting stuck into a spot of retail therapy.

You will find everything from electronics, food, interior decor, gifts and jewellery stores to florists, fast-food outlets and restaurants here.

Perhaps the biggest draw is the designer goods you could pick up from brands including Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs and Emilio Pucci, which all have branches here.

Don't be surprised if a whole day goes by without you emerging from this mall, as you can even go and get your hair done while you're there if you're really after a bit of pampering.

However, if you do feel like a change, make your way to the Bukit Bintang district of the city, where the concentration of stores and shopping centres is incredibly high. Indeed, you will feel as though you are on New York's Fifth Avenue as you wander along the streets, stopping off to grab a bite to eat at one of the open-air restaurants.

The Berjaya Times Square mall is one of the biggest in the world and consists of 3.5 million sq ft of space - so don't be surprised if you build up a sweat or even tone your legs as you make your way around.

Another retail centre that's sure to catch your eye is the Starhill Gallery, which is instantly recognisable thanks to its striking glass facade at the entrance, which takes on something of a concertina effect.

Inside, the mall is divided up into different zones - Feast, Adorn (where you can browse watches and jewellery), Explore (for more luxury goods), and Relish (which is home to restaurants and lounges). The top floor - Muse - consists mainly of fine art galleries, while the third - Pamper - is packed with treatment rooms and boasts 50,000 sq ft of spa facilities.

However, perhaps the floor you will be most drawn to is Indulge, where you can visit the luxury fashion house stores of Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Dior, Valentino and Chopard.

Don't worry if you splash too much cash here early into your stay, as there also plenty of places to pick up something more affordable. The streets of Chinatown are packed with market stalls if you want to rummage for a bargain and you will be able to find everything from textiles to antiques here.

When evening falls, make your way to Asian Heritage Row, located close to Jalan Sultan Ismail. These colonial houses have been transformed into trendy restaurants and bars, so if you're looking for something to eat don't miss out.

The CoChine Lounge & Restaurant serves dishes inspired by a range of cuisines, including Vietnamese and Cambodian, while afterwards you can head to Bisou Bake Shop for a cupcake.

You are sure to agree that Kuala Lumpur certainly packs a punch when it comes to glitz and glamour.