Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Hotels in Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang is a popular destination in Kuala Lumpur for both Malaysian and foreign visitors, primarily for the shopping. Along with it are the numerous hotels and budget stays. Expect to pay from RM200 (USD62) to RM600 (USD187) at a 4 to 5-star hotel. Then then there are the 3-star hotels ranging from RM80 (USD25) to RM300 (USD93).

Though an upscale district of Kuala Lumpur there doesn't seem to be any shortage of budget-priced accommodation and seem to outnumber the other star-rated hotels. However, they tend to be located along the backstreets rather than on the main streets. Rates for a 1 to 2-star accommodation are from as low as RM40 (USD12) to RM170 (USD53).

5-star Grand Millennium by Andy Mitchell

5-star Parkroyal

4-star Berjaya Times Square

4-star Melia

2-star Hotel Agora

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Eating Out in Bukit Bintang

There are plenty of places for eating out in Bukit Bintang. Though an upscale area of Kuala Lumpur, there are no shortages of medium priced restaurants and cafes as well as eateries offering cheap eats. McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut have also invaded Bukit Bintang. There is just about a place to eat every few steps that you take including inside the shopping malls.

Many of the fine dining restaurants here are in the 5-star hotels including the JW Marriot, Ritz Carlton, Parkroyal and Westin. Then there are the sidewalk cafes and a number of small local eateries including Malay, Chinese and Indian establishments serving inexpensive meals. Along one corner are several Middle Eastern and Turkish restaurants popular with visitors from the region.

Open air cafe in Bukit Bintang

Cheap eats serving Middle Eastern dishes

Middle Eastern and Turkish restaurants

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Shopping at Plaza IMBI

Located just across the street from Berjaya Times Square is Plaza Imbi. This shopping mall in Bukit Bintang is not a classy or even a large shopping mall. In fact this 3-floor mall looks rather rundown and has seen better days - it was one of the earlier shopping malls in the Bukit Bintang area. Then why bother go to Plaza Imbi? Main reason is it remains a popular spot for purchasing computers, hardware, software, accessories and getting your computer repaired.

It used to be the largest computer mall or one-stop centre in Malaysia, but has been overshadowed by others a long time ago. The only reason Plaza Imbi remains popular is because you can haggle the prices for a good bargain. Shops involved in computers and the likes occupy the whole 3-floors of Plaza Imbi. It was once famous for openly selling illegally copied software, games and movies. Not anymore, though some shops still sell illegal copies but discretely.

Plaza Imbi in Bukit Bintang

Inside Plaza Imbi

Computer shops inside Plaza Imbi

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Sungai Wang and Bukit Bintang Plaza Shopping Malls

Sungai Wang and Bukit Bintang Plaza are two popular shopping malls in Bukit Bintang. These two shopping malls are side-by-side and connected to each other that many do not realise it when they cross between the malls. These malls are one of the earlier shopping malls in Bukit Bintang and therefore look a little 'out of date' and 'old fashion' compared to the newer malls.

While Lot 10 and the Pavilion in Bukit Bintang cater to the upmarket, Sungai Wang and Bukit Bintang Plaza the the mid-end of the market. In fact the two malls are the among the more popular shopping malls in the area especially with the younger generation. Similar brands and models of electronic items are much cheaper at the two plazas than at the upmarket malls.

Sungai Wang Plaza by Terence

Inside Sungai Wang Plaza

Items on sale

Outdoor cafe beside the mall

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Berjaya Times Square in Bukit Bintang

The huge Berjaya Times Square building in Bukit Bintang includes a large shopping mall, the 4-star Berjaya Times Square Hotel and the 4-star KL Apartments @ Berjaya Times Square. There is a large indoor theme park and the multi-screen Golden Screen Cinema. There are also plenty of restaurants including fast foods and cafes here.

The Berjaya Times Square shopping mall is another huge mall in Kuala Lumpur with close to 1,000 retailers, offering both Malaysian and international brands including Bonita, Bossini, Samsonite, Crocs and Byford. Considered a middle class shopping mall with prices in the mid to upper range. So don't expect any cheap bargains or knock off prices here.

Berjaya Times Square complex

Inside the Berjaya Times Square shopping mall

On the ground floor

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Pavilion shopping mall in Bukit Bintang

Opened in 2007, the Pavilion is an upscale shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur's Bukit Bintang - probably the cream of the cream of the shopping malls in Malaysia. The the 7-floor Pavilion is a large and impressive shopping mall and the prices here are just as impressive. I have yet to visit a similar shopping mall of its kind in other parts of Asia. Probably Singapore comes close, but the Pavilion is huge in comparison.

There are more than 500 retailers at the Pavilion and anchor tenants include Parkson, Harvey Norman and Padini. Plenty of internationals brands here offering high fashion, leather goods, jewellery and lots more. Plenty of options for dining as well ranging from fast foods to fine dining. I guess this is where Malaysia's high society shop and seems to be popular with foreign visitors, especially from the Middle East.

Main entrance to the Pavilion

Inside the Pavilion

Stores at the Pavilion

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Bukit Bintang

Within Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle is Bukit Bintang, home to many landmark shopping malls. This wasn't always the case and Bukit Bintang was a prominent red light district until the mid-1980s. Those days are gone, Bukit Bintang cleaned up its act when property tycoons invaded and developed the area into a prime commercial district. I wonder where the ladies of the night went to do their trade!

Bukit Bintang has lost its sleaze and today home to several 3 to 5-star hotels, medium-end to upscale shopping malls, restaurants of all kinds and a nightlife but nothing sleazy, at least in the open. Shoppers searching for fashionable brands, then Bukit Bintang is the place to be in Kuala Lumpur - shop and shop till you drop! The area is especially popular with visitors from the Western and Middle Eastern countries.

Centre of Bukit Bintang

Centre of Bukit Bintang from another angle

Street in Bukit Bintang

Monorail station in Bukit Bintang