If you are staying in the beautiful city Kuala Lumpur for a few days, it is convenient to search for a hotel in the centre of town. You will be among all the city’s attractions, sites and other highlights. Bukit Bintang is the most popular area to stay, there are dozens of shopping malls, innumerable restaurants, food streets and several enjoyable attractions. If you are staying in a hotel in this area, all of these are within walking distance.
Perfect location
We had passed WOLO Bukit Bintang Hotel several times before we eventually stayed there. Each time we walked by, we thought it was the perfect location in the center of town. In the past, we stayed at Capitol Hotel several times for the exact same reason; this hotel is located across the street from the shopping mall Plaza Low Yat also at a great location and for an affordable price.
WOLO Bukit Bintang lies directly opposite Lot10, one of the most popular malls in KL. Within 5 minutes you have walked to other popular shopping malls like Pavilion KL, Fahrenheit88 and Starhill. Directly opposite the hotel is a GOKL bus departure point, an easy way to go to Suria KLCC or Chinatown. Also opposite the hotel is the monorail station Bukit Bintang, an easy way to KL Sentral (and shopping mall Nu Sentral). Then there is the Hop-on, Hop-off bus departure point across the street from the hotel. This luxury touring bus takes you on a drive to all attractions Kuala Lumpur has to offer, at a fixed rate.
Boutique Hotel
At the end of 2014, we stayed at WOLO Bukit Bintang for one night. When arriving at the hotel, you immediately take the elevator to the lobby. This is a magnificent space; beautifully decorated and offering a view from the balcony on Jalan Bukit Bintang en Jalan Sultan Ismail (intersection), and Lot10 opposite. Looking down, you will see the bread rolls from Tous Les Jours bakery, located below the hotel. Checking in is quick and efficient. It will not take more than a minute before you find yourself in front of your ‘Boutique room’ holding the key. A lot of hotels use the name ‘Boutique Hotel’ wrongly and it kind of applies to The Wolo hotel too. I would rather call it a mix of modern, artsy and boutique. The atmosphere is very pleasant and everything is beautifully decorated (from the lobby, the elevator, the hallways to the rooms).
Rooms
The rooms are not very big but very practically and efficiently decorated. Some big mirrors have been used making the rooms look much bigger. They are fully equipped (A/C, TV, safe, empty minibar, Wi-Fi). The bed is on the floor, making getting in unpractical (low). However, the mattress was very comfortable. Noise wise, the room was pleasant to stay in. You could hear the other guests walking in the hallway better than you could hear the busy city traffic below. We stayed on a lower floor (5th) and we did not hear much noise pollution there either (an often heard criticism when staying in the heart of a major metropolis). The shower was spacious and pleasant. The room had a small desk to work at. Rooms on the street side have a nice view on one of the busiest crossroads of KL, very nice to look at the ongoing traffic. You can also see the shoppers at Bukit Bintang.
Bakery
Directly below the hotel (where you would expect the lobby) is the popular bakery Tous Les Jours. It is a small bakery chain with several franchises in Kuala Lumpur. Prices are low and the bread rolls and snacks are very tasty. We have not come across such fresh and delicious croissants in town before. Then, they have a small menu for a lovely lunch (or breakfast). You can book a stay at WOLO Bukit Bintang without breakfast, in that case, you can always go to Tous Les Jours for your breakfast. If you do reserve your stay including breakfast, you will be having it in Tous Les Jours, before the store opens to other visitors.
Cigar lounge
WOLO Bukit Bintang has a cigar lounge, a beautiful and stylish place to smoke cigars while enjoying a lovely glass of wine or whisky. Enthusiastics will absolutely love it.
Our final verdict
WOLO Bukit Bintang Hotel is an absolute must-visit. An overnight stay can be booked from €45 onwards, which is very cheap for a good centrally located hotel. From the hotel you can walk to all attractions within the Bukit Bintang area. The monorail or GOKL bus stops right in front of the hotel, or you walk five minutes to the underpass heading for Suria KLCC (Petronas Twin Towers). The atmosphere is pleasant and the bread rolls at Tous Les Jours are yummie. Rooms are nicely decorated and have everything you need. Free Wi-Fi is a welcome amenity. As far as we are concerned, WOLO Bukit Bintang is our favorite downtown KL hotel from now on.
