The hype
Travelers are obsessed with the moody Wes Anderson-esque design and the food, but often shocked by how small the base rooms are.
The Chow Kit - An Ormond Hotel
$45-110/ night
Book this if You want New York Times-approved design and legendary food in a gritty, authentic neighborhood for the price of a Motel 6.
Why People Love It
- Stunning 'industrial chic' interiors inspired by 1970s gambling dens
- The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar serves some of the best elevated Malay food in the city
- Incredible value—luxury aesthetics for under $60/night
Quick Take: It's a gorgeous boutique hotel dropped in the middle of a red-light-district-turned-market-hub, so expect 5-star design inside and raw street life outside.
Reviewed by @travelcroats: I checked into The Chow Kit and it felt like stepping onto a movie set. The moody lighting, the spiral staircase in my suite, and the incredible dinner downstairs made this my favorite stay in KL. It’s the perfect spot if you want luxury with a bit of edge.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'Towkay Suite' is just a larger room with a sofa, not a true suite, and the lack of a bidet is a frequent complaint for local travelers.
- You are a solo traveler or couple who values aesthetics over square footage
- You are a foodie wanting walking access to Kin Kin Pan Mee and the wet market
- You want a luxury boutique feel on a backpacker budget
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Daily service is reliable, though dust under the bed is a common oversight.
- Bathroom hygiene: Generally clean, but watch for 'dripping toilets' and wet floors due to poor drainage design.
- Maintenance: The property is relatively new but shows signs of wear in high-traffic areas; AC units can be finicky.
- Linens & towels: Plush, high-quality linens that feel more expensive than the room rate.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells of signature herbs; rooms can feel 'stuffy' if the AC has been off.
Sleepability™
7.5SILENT
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Hallway doors slamming
- Neighbors in adjacent rooms (thin internal walls)
Before you book
Good to know
- A Tourism Tax of RM10 ($2.30) per room/night applies to all foreign guests
- A security deposit of RM100 ($23) per night is required at check-in
- Grab (Uber equivalent) is the best way to get around; the monorail is close but can be crowded
What to pack
- Earplugs (for the hallway noise)
- Portable steamer (no iron in standard rooms)
- Slip-on shoes (for navigating the wet market nearby)
Room Genie
Best picks
- The Towkay Soh Suite (corner room with dual-aspect windows)
- King Den City View (essential upgrade from standard Den to avoid staring at a wall)
Rooms to avoid
- The Den (Standard) – 15sqm is claustrophobic for two people
- Any room on a low floor facing the back alley (dark, poor view)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would love a room on a high floor facing the city/monorail side for the best light. Please ensure I am not assigned a room facing the internal wall.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the neighborhood safe?
Generally yes, but it's gritty. Stick to main roads at night and use Grab. It's an old red-light district transitioning into a hipster hub.
Is there a pool?
No. Guests often head to the nearby KL Journal or public pools, but there is no on-site facility.
Does the hotel serve alcohol?
Yes, the bar is excellent and serves craft cocktails, unlike some halal-certified hotels in KL.
Is breakfast included?
Depends on your rate, but it's à la carte (not a buffet) and highly rated—worth paying for.
Are the rooms really that small?
Yes. The 'Den' is 161 sq ft (15 sqm). If you have two large suitcases, you will struggle to open them.
Is there a gym?
No. The hotel recommends nearby gyms like FitClub or yoga at The Flow Studio.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'Essentials Closet' in the hallway has extra water and towels you can grab yourself.
- ✨
Ask for a room *away* from the elevator to minimize the door-slamming noise.
- ✨
The hotel offers a walking tour of Chow Kit market—book it to see the hidden sides of the neighborhood safely.
5 things to know before you go
💡The shower design is flawed; water often floods the entire bathroom floor.
💡There is no bidet or 'bum gun' in the toilets, which is shocking for Malaysia.
💡The air conditioning can be aggressive and sometimes hard to adjust.
💡You can hear the monorail passing by from some rooms (a pro for trainspotters, con for light sleepers).
💡The 'suite' upgrade is often just a slightly larger room with a sofa, not a separate living area.
Local Playbook
Map
See where The Chow Kit - An Ormond Hotel is located and what's nearby.