Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur: Bukit Bintang, KLCC or Chinatown?

Bukit Bintang, KLCC or Chinatown? Before you compare hotels in Kuala Lumpur, pick your neighbourhood. These three areas account for most tourist stays in the Malaysian capital. They sit close to one another, yet the atmosphere, the budget and the pace of a stay differ a great deal between them. Here is how to choose.

Bukit Bintang: shopping, food and nightlife

Bukit Bintang is the city's shopping and entertainment district, built around Jalan Bukit Bintang. The malls follow one after another: Pavilion Kuala Lumpur at the upper end, Berjaya Times Square with its indoor theme park, plus Lot 10 and Fahrenheit 88. In the evening, Jalan Alor fills with open-air tables and street food stalls.

Getting around is easy: the KL Monorail stops at Bukit Bintang, Imbi and Raja Chulan, and the MRT also serves the district. For a first visit it is the simplest base, as most things are within walking distance of your hotel.

Pros: the buzz, the choice of restaurants, air-conditioned malls in the heat of the day. Cons: noise and crowds, especially at night and at weekends. Light sleepers should ask for a high floor or a room away from the street.

Hotels in the area include the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur on Jalan Bukit Bintang, the Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur, right next to the mall of the same name, and The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel, on a quieter street a few minutes' walk from the shopping centres.

KLCC: at the foot of the Petronas Towers

KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) is the business district and the city's postcard. It is home to the Petronas Twin Towers and their observation decks, KLCC Park with its evening fountain show, the Aquaria KLCC aquarium and the Suria KLCC mall at the base of the towers.

It works very well for families: the park gives children room to run, and many hotels look out over the towers. A covered, air-conditioned walkway links Suria KLCC with Pavilion in Bukit Bintang, a walk of about fifteen minutes, sheltered from heat and rain.

Pros: quieter evenings, the views, the park. Cons: usually pricier than Chinatown, with fewer small street-food spots.

A well-known address: Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur, facing KLCC Park and connected to Suria KLCC. If the view matters, ask for a "twin towers view" room when you book.

Chinatown (Petaling Street): the budget choice

Chinatown centres on Petaling Street, a busy pedestrian market street where haggling is part of the fun, lined with restaurants and food stalls. A short walk away are the Central Market (Pasar Seni), for crafts and souvenirs, and the Sri Mahamariamman Hindu temple, one of the oldest in the city.

This is one of the cheapest areas to stay, with more small hotels than big ones, so book early. Several stations serve it: Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek, Plaza Rakyat and Maharajalela.

Pros: price, atmosphere, closeness to the old centre. Cons: rooms are often smaller and the streets stay lively late.

Which area for which trip?

• First visit, shopping: Bukit Bintang.
• Family trip: KLCC for the park and the aquarium, or Bukit Bintang for the indoor theme park at Berjaya Times Square.
• Honeymoon: KLCC, with a towers-view room.
• Tight budget: Chinatown.
• Late arrival or very early flight: one night at a hotel at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), such as the Sama-Sama Hotel, before heading into town or flying on.

How many nights in Kuala Lumpur?

Three or four nights are usually enough for the Petronas Towers, Bukit Bintang and Chinatown. Many itineraries then continue to an island to end on the beach: see our comparison Langkawi or Penang.

Entry rules and payment

Entry requirements depend on your nationality. Check them with the Malaysian immigration department or your nearest Malaysian embassy before you travel. Malaysia's embassy in Algiers also asks visitors to fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before the trip. We do not handle visa applications.

You can book your Kuala Lumpur hotel with us and pay online by bank card if you live abroad: your voucher is sent once payment is received. Travellers based in Algeria can pay in Algerian dinars (BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office in Algiers), without a bank card.

Pick your dates on our hotels in Malaysia page to see live prices and availability.