The perfect layover hotel in Kuala Lumpur: aloft Sentral

If you are looking for a stylish, yet inexpensive hotel for a stopover in Kuala Lumpur, the springboard to Asia, the aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral is a great choice. The aloft KL is right next to the Sentral airport and metro station, has lots of shops and restaurants nearby and offers modern design typical for this brand. I enjoyed my stay and wouldn’t hesitate to stay again!

Location: The aloft KL is connected to the Sentral train station, giving you access to the fast airport train (only 30 minutes to KUL), three of the light-trains criss-crossing the metropolitan area getting you quickly to the tourist sights and business areas. With the NuSentral mall also connected to the the hotel, you have plenty of shopping and dining options right on your door step! If you are in KL just for a weekend or short stay, that makes it the perfect location for your hotel!

 

Service & Rewards: The team at the front desk is young, cool AND friendly – not the snobby, too-cool-to-be-friendly one I’ve found at trendy hotels in Europe and the US. I was checked in quickly and sent on my way. A request for a late check-out to match my afternoon flight was approved in the same easy and friendly manner, despite not having any SPG status at the time. 
The aloft Sentral is an SPG category 2 hotel, with a free night available for 3,000 points on weekends or 4,000 points during the week! 

aloft KL BathRoom: The room is good size and the same layout as other aloft hotels: You find an open bathroom next to the entrance, with glass-enclosed shower and toilet stalls. I like the separate stalls – makes it easy for two people to get ready in parallel. The closet and safe are in the wall separating the bathroom from the bedroom. The bed is facing the (small) window and on the window-wall you have a single seat, a work desk and a shelf for your luggage (not practical, because it is far from the closet). The decor is in modern colors, simple and straightforward. I’d wish they’d limit the advertising slogans in the room – I paid for it, so I don’t want to see that!

aloft KL4Amenities/Restaurant: The aloft has a beautiful, infinity-edge rooftop pool with enough loungers to hang out! You get a great view over the skyline of Kuala Lumpur and I wouldn’t mind spending a relaxing afternoon here. There is a bar right next to it, so you can enjoy a drink or some food with a view of the night sky. The gym is of decent size with new equipment and good for a quick cardio or light weight workout. Not a full gym, but better than most hotel options. I did not try their main restaurant  – there are a lot of options in the mall next door!

Bottomline: Overall, the aloft Sentral is a great option for a short stop-over in KL. You can’t really beat the location with easy access to the airport, the city and shopping and food at the mall next door. I like their modern decor and focus on the room and essential services. I’d recommend it and would stay again myself. The price with Starwood points was reasonable, although the cash price during my stay was surprisingly higher than the more upscale Le Merdien nearby – you can find the current prices here!. I might check that the next time.


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