My Staycation at The W Kuala Lumpur — Posh, Broke, & Bored

When it comes to small living, I would always prefer a large living room and tiny bedroom. After all, a bedroom’s primary function is sleeping; so all one really needs it enough room for a bed, a wardrobe, and a dresser. But with the Studio Suite no such compromises were neccessary. The bedroom (above) was just as spacious as the living room. Taking centre stage was a king-size W Signature Bed, the famously comfortable likes of which one can buy from the mattress and base to the bedding sets. A walk-in-closet and dressing table flanked one side, while on the other side of the bed an armchair perched by yet another floor-to-ceiling window made for a reading nook.

Happily, these generous proportions extended to the bathroom (below). The bathroom – itself already larger than some apartment living rooms – boasted dual sinks (the key to a harmonious marriage, I always say), a toilet area with a door for privacy (again, another key to a happy marriage), a shower booth with a glorious rain shower, and most impressive of all; a large free-standing bathrub facing a 24-inch LED HDTV. The amenities, naturally, were as bountiful; plush bathrobes and slippers, and full-sized bottles of Bliss® shampoos, conditioners, shower gel, hand and body cream, and face wash.

The gastronomical offerings at the W KL span a large part of the globe, with 6 delectable venues encompassing Australian to French. You’d know from my previous story about the epic monthly brunches, Retox, (above) at the hotel’s modern Australian all-day-dining restaurant, Flock. Which incidentally, is where I reacquainted myself with the beloved eggs with foie gras and kaya jam for breakfast (below). Then there is the WET® Deck (more on that later). Followed by YEN, a Cantonese restaurant where imperial ambience meets avant garde concept to present redefined Chinese classics redefined. There are 2 privately-managed dining and entertainment venues: SAINT PIERRE, a French fine dining restaurant that has already earned a Michelin star at its Singapore location, and WICKED Club for the party animal guest who is loathe to stray from the comfort of the W KL  WOOBAR is the other place to see and be seen (the top award goes to WET® Deck  I’ll explain later). By day it is a relatively unassuming (but not really) and charming rendezvous spot for afternoon tea, but by night it transforms into a seductive nightspot where Kuala Lumpur’s trendiest congregrate for cocktails and tapas. Never show up to WOOBAR looking anything but your best. I had to avoid being spotted by a few familiar faces because I arrived with no makeup on, a messy hair bun, carrying a shamefully battered Birkin (mishapened from a decade of abusing it by carrying too many art supplies and text books), and wearing…Birkenstocks. *cue horrified gasps*