The KL Journal, Boutique Hotel - Come rest your bones with me

With a twist of fate, visits to Kuala Lumpur are all but becoming regular events for me. With that, the Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs comes to mind. The KL Journal conveniently located in the heart of Bukit Bintang satisfies that physiological needs to the maximum of its capabilities, providing affordable luxuries with the added benefits of convenience where traversing the city is concerned.

Located on the periphery of Kuala Lumpur's hustle and bustle, shopping and makan district, the hotel has the charms of a hidden find but plays a strong game in accessibility. Shopaholics or movie go-ers (of which I am the latter), embark on a short 5 minutes walk and you'll find yourself at the Pavilion shopping mall. Also in the vicinity is Lot 10, which basement food court touts an extensive selection of hawker food migrated from their original street stalls, so foodies take heed! If you're on to favour the night runs, you'll be delighted to know that the hotel is a mere stone's throw away from Changkat, the neighbourhood renowned for its vibrant nightlife, live music and restaurants conveying a riotous spirit.  Spill over to Jalan Alor, KL's famous food street, after the party to satiate the drunken munchies.

The hotel's prime location is just the tip of the iceberg. Let's focus on the aesthetics and comfort levels shall we? Escape the scorching heat of the afternoon and retreat into the shady pines of The KL Journal's foyer. One foot through the door and you'll wonder if you've inadvertently stepped into a fashionista's playground. Inspirational quotes in blue neon lighting splashed across the reception evokes a sense of wanderlust, the vibrant color palette of flashy red and blue chairs against black walls really tickles my fancy. "Welcome to The KL Journal" chimes the beaming stall. "How may I help you?" The genuine warmth exuded in that instant, far surpasses any hospitality standards I've experienced in Singapore (by light years). At this juncture, the modest trade (as compared to the powerhouse hotel chains such as The Ritz Carlton Grand Hyatt) raises hopes of a rather promising stay.

The 11 storey hotel boasts 77 deluxe king rooms (28sqm), 32 deluxe twin rooms (28sqm) and 7 Superior Deluxe and 1 Journal Suite. Despite the constrained space, the rooms are well conceived and mapped out to resonate spaciousness. Decked out in soothing palette of soft natural tones with earthy beige accents, the soft linen and muted photography features depicting scenes on the streets of Kuala Lumpur invokes a sense nostalgia. If one observes closely, a small map next to the bed reveals the specific location, yet again instilling a sense of adventure in the traveller.

After a night out of town, return back to the plush comforts of a firm posturepedic royal mattress and high thread count linen. Guaranteed to coax your revved up engines to a gentle slumber in minutes.

I'm a sucker for rain showers. Although the KL Journal's bathrooms may be basic, it's outfitted with a high pressure rain shower that makes cleaning up a rather therapeutic process. You'll stumble in and out of that warm bath (complete with a little ledge which you can prop yourself up on if you've had one too many drinks the night before) feeling utterly refreshed.

Other facilities include the rooftop infinity pool, fitness centre (opens 24 hours) which makes it perfect for the gym rats hoping to squeeze in a little more sinful street grub later in the day, complimentary high speed WiFi and laundry services amongst many.

As you would know, food forms an integral part of any staycation experience. The better accessibility  to good food I have, the higher the appeal of the hotel.The flawless simplicity of the this equation proven simply when my accidental discovery of the banging' Fish Head Curry in the hotel lobby's restaurant- Kedai Kopi Journal - made me really happy. A bistro inspired eatery that sees a smooth transition from hotel's regular breakfast place to classic bistro throughout the day, the menu is an extensive collection of international fare to gourmet sandwiches and traditional mains to the highly sought after local delights such as fish head curry and nasi lemak. The chef is a local boy, hence you're in safe hands.

Check out the Al-fresco Bar - Terrace Bar and Grill - for refreshing tipples and chill vibes

Adjourn upstairs to the al-fresco bar - Terrace Bar and Grill, a beer garden touting a food menu that is big on flavours to match. Painted in vibrant of yellow and sea green, the space is successful in portraying an oasis feel. Unwind and relax with the air of a comprehensive list of alcoholic tipples to abet you in letting your hair loose. Un-fussed food accompanied with a pint of craft beer from the tap (and hopefully good company) may just be the perfect way to destress as you watch the bustle of the day slowly give way to the awakening of the nearby Changkat region.

Free flow eggs at Breakfast time!

Pancakes for breakfast? Yes please!

Also worth a trip is the food court of Hutong Lot 10, which unveils a treasure trove of hawker stalls that dispenses major authentic vibes. The Moonlight Hor fun from 金蓮记 Hokkien Mee is a lardaceous  affair filled with fresh crisp bites of pork lawd stowed between smoky noodles coated judiciously in a sweet soy sauce. The extra egg adding an over-the-top luscious quality to the dish. Unnecessary but quintessential at the same time.

All in all, there's no doubting the lofty aims of this endearing boutique hotel in the heat of KL. It ranks highly in most categories of comfort, accessibility and affordability in my books and it might just work for you too!

The KL Journal

30 Jalan Beremi

Bukit Bintang

Wilayah Persekutuan

t: +60 3-2110 2211

w: http://www.kljournalhotel.com

Fundamentally Flawed stayed as a guest of The KL Journal, but reserves the right to her personal comments made in this entry.