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Oct 30, 2024

Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection [Review]

Ehsan Haque Content Contributor 91 Published Articles Countries Visited: 100U.S. States Visited: 24 Jessica Merritt Senior Editor & Content Contributor 114 Published Articles 573 Edited Articles

Ehsan Haque

Content Contributor

91 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 100U.S. States Visited: 24

Jessica Merritt

Senior Editor & Content Contributor

114 Published Articles 573 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 4U.S. States Visited: 23

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

49 Published Articles 3422 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 50U.S. States Visited: 28

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, is a vibrant and dynamic metropolis. Known for its modern skyline, cultural diversity, world-class shopping and nightlife, incredible street food, and rich history, the city has something to offer everyone.

Having not visited Kuala Lumpur in over 8 years, I still regard it as one of the most underrated cities in the world. Although I had spent the first few nights in the city at a local, budget-friendly hotel, I wanted to splurge for a night and booked a stay at a more upscale property.

I opted for the Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection, a contemporary boutique hotel near the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Opened in 2017, the hotel is relatively new and has exceptional reviews, so it seemed like an excellent choice. Best of all, the cash rates were surprisingly affordable.

I am a huge fan of Autograph Collection hotels, as each property features a unique design, bold originality, and rich character. The Autograph Collection brand features unique and quirky properties that don’t fit into Marriott’s traditional hotels. I’ve had the pleasure of staying at over 15 Autograph Collection hotels around the world and have always had a good experience.

Read on for an in-depth review and why you should consider this property the next time you are in Kuala Lumpur.

Since my main goal was to book a hotel for a relaxing getaway, the specific location of the hotel wasn’t my top priority. However, I wanted to stay at a Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt property to make the most of my elite status with each hotel chain.

I headed to Marriott’s website and was surprised to see more than 20 Marriott-branded hotels in the greater Kuala Lumpur area. This provided me with plenty of options. I stumbled upon the Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection, which could be booked for around 301 Malaysian ringgit (~$63).

Despite the remarkable cash rates, I was curious to see how they compared to paying using Marriott Bonvoy points. To my surprise, I found that this 4-star luxury hotel could be reserved for just 10,000 points per night.

According to our valuations, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.7 cents per point, making 10,000 Bonvoy points worth $70.

Even though the hotel’s cash price was slightly higher at around $78 total, I decided paying with cash for this stay would be better. I typically reserve my Marriott Bonvoy points for longer stays to take advantage of Marriott’s Stay for 5, Pay for 4 benefit.

I booked the cheapest room available, a standard Deluxe King Room. Since I am a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I was confident I would get upgraded to a nicer room since the hotel has 184 guestrooms.

The room for this 1-night stay in April 2024 was RM345 (~$78), including taxes and fees.

For payment, I opted to use the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which earns 6x Marriott Bonvoy points for Marriott stays and allowed me to maximize the rewards I earned on this booking.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

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So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Marriott Bonvoy

For this 1-night stay, I earned 924 Marriott Bonvoy points.

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The Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection, is in the Jalan Kamunting district of the Chow Kit neighborhood. The property is close to Medan Tuanku monorail station, which offers easy access to Kuala Lumpur’s attractions, shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations.

Additionally, the property is about a 15-minute taxi ride from KL Sentral and a 50-minute ride to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).

Although the hotel may not be as close to many of Kuala Lumpur’s main tourist attractions as other more well-known hotels, what you lose in location you make up for in price, as it is one of the cheapest Marriott options in the city.

Upon entering Hotel Stripes, I was welcomed by a cozy and intimate lobby space. The check-in desks were conveniently situated directly across the hall from the hotel entrance,

I arrived at the hotel shortly before 10:30 a.m. and found it bustling. Some guests were checking out from their stays the prior night, while others were moving back and forth between the lobby and the restaurant, where breakfast was being served.

As I approached the check-in desk, a warm and friendly front desk representative greeted me and welcomed me to the hotel. He engaged in some small talk, asking if this was my first time in Kuala Lumpur. After our brief conversation, he requested my passport to look up my reservation.

The front desk agent quickly located my hotel reservation and thanked me for being a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member. He informed me that the hotel was awaiting my arrival and that they had upgraded me to a 1 King Executive Deluxe Room on the hotel’s highest floor.

However, the front desk representative kindly informed me that the room was not yet ready for check-in. Although I wanted to freshen up with a shower after enduring the intense Kuala Lumpur heat, I understood the situation, considering I checked in several hours before the hotel’s official check-in time.

The front desk agent told me my room would be ready around noon. He suggested that I could enjoy breakfast at a nearby café while waiting. However, I was more interested in exploring the hotel’s various amenities.

I could securely store my bag in the hotel’s baggage storage area, which would be sent to my room when it was ready. After retrieving a few essentials from my bag, I handed it to the front desk agent.

As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, I was eligible for several enhanced benefits, including:

As mentioned, the hotel lobby exuded a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Upon entering the hotel, the check-in desk was directly across the hall from the entrance. A notable feature was the intriguing light fixture above the check-in desk, adding a touch of uniqueness to the space.

The hotel elevators were around the corner behind the check-in desk. Adjacent to the elevators, to the left of the check-in desk, were escalators leading up to the second floor.

Across from the check-in desk were 2 lounging sofas. Although the seating options were limited, these sofas offered a comfortable spot for guests to relax and unwind while waiting.

The Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur offered several amenities for hotel guests, including Wi-Fi, a pool, a multifunction lounge, and parking.

The hotel offered complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi to all guests throughout the hotel. The public Wi-Fi network was undergoing some maintenance and had some stability issues. However, it was good enough for some light internet browsing.

I called the front desk to inquire about alternative Wi-Fi networks due to frequent disconnections. The front desk agent let me know that he had arranged for a private router network to be sent up to my room.

The Wi-Fi speeds on the private network were exceptionally fast, which made sense as I was the only person connected to that specific network.

The Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection, featured an incredible rooftop swimming pool overlooking the city’s skyline. The pool was open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The infinity pool was only 1.2 meters (about 4 feet) deep at its deepest point. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the pool experience is swimming with a breathtaking view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, including the KL Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur).

If anything else, with its stunning backdrop, the pool is undeniably Instagram-worthy.

Despite the intense heat outside, I enjoyed sitting near the pool, looking at the panoramic views of the city skyline.

The property also featured a spacious 24-hour fitness center with a wide array of state-of-the-art workout machines.

Several treadmills were available for guests seeking a cardio workout.

Additionally, the fitness center featured 4 exercise bikes, offering guests another option for cardio workouts.

A bench was available for those using the free weights for strength training.

While a good selection of free weights was available, the heaviest weights were only up to 14 kilograms (~31 pounds).

In addition to the free weights and bench, the fitness center featured several strength training machines with various options for targeting specific muscle groups.

The property also boasted a multifunctional space called The SNUG, located on the hotel’s second floor. Accessible directly from the escalators in the lobby, The SNUG provided guests with an inviting area to relax, socialize, or work during their stay.

Several seating areas were divided by massive area rugs. I found the diverse seating options and overall minimalist design particularly appealing.

The SNUG also had some intriguing light fixtures, adding character to the space. Several stylish yet comfortable armchairs and sofas were also available.

The SNUG also boasted stripped-back walls with exposed brick, lending the area an industrial aesthetic. This design element contributed to the overall ambiance, creating a trendy and modern atmosphere.

A spacious 14-person workstation table provided ample space for guests to work in a relaxing and inviting setting.

The property featured on-site parking at a daily rate of RM15 (~$3). Valet parking was also available for RM10 (~$2) per stay.

After thoroughly exploring the hotel’s amenities for an hour and a half, I returned to the front desk. The front desk agent had my room keys prepared and informed me that my room was now ready for check-in. He also informed me that my bag had already been sent to my room.

As I departed the hotel lobby, I thanked the incredible front desk representative and made my way directly to the elevators. Upon reaching the 20th floor, I stepped out of the elevator and proceeded directly to my room.

As I entered my hotel room, I was greeted by a traditional, open-concept room floor plan. The 1 King Executive Deluxe Room measured 323 square feet in all.

Directly to the left of the entrance was a spacious closet with robes, an iron, and an ironing board. Additionally, the hotel provided some disposable complimentary slippers.

To the right of the closet was a large padded bench. I used this bench to store my bag for the duration of my stay.

To the right of the bench was a corner unit featuring mirrors on both sides. The mirror on the right could be opened, revealing an entire storage unit.

The room’s safe was conveniently located on one of the shelves within the storage unit.

The room’s fee-based minibar was located below the safe and had a small selection of beverages, including beer, sparkling water, and soft drinks.

As I entered the living quarters of the room, my attention was immediately drawn to the focal point: a large king-size bed positioned directly in the center against the back wall. The bed boasted 4 incredibly comfortable pillows and thick bedding that provided a cooling sensation.

Above the bed was a massive art piece depicting the area of Jalan Kamunting from years past.

A small bed bench was positioned at the foot of the bed. This provided a convenient spot to sit when I put on or took off my shoes.

Each side of the bed had a nightstand. On the nightstand to the left was a small desk lamp with a swinging lamp mounted above it.

Directly across from the bed was a wall-mounted TV and a storage cabinet with drawers positioned directly below it.

The TV in the room was relatively small and quite far from the bed.

A coffee capsule machine with instructions on using it was on the countertop. Some coffee capsules and tea bags were also in the mini-drawer. Glassware was also provided for guests’ convenience.

The hotel thoughtfully provided 2 complimentary water bottles.

Next to the storage unit was a spacious and comfortable sleeper sectional lounging couch. Its large glass coffee table could also serve as a small dining table if needed.

The room’s spacious workstation was to the right of the sofa and could comfortably accommodate 2 people working simultaneously.

However, only 1 chair was available at the workstation. While the seat had an interesting design and was relatively comfortable, it lacked armrests, typically necessary for extended periods of sitting.

The room also boasted massive floor-to-ceiling windows that provided incredible views. I could see the iconic KL Tower directly from my room.

Overall, I was highly impressed with the room. Although it was not too large, the layout and furniture effectively divided each area, creating distinctive spaces. I particularly appreciated the cozy and intimate ambiance of the room and the choice of minimalist, high-quality furniture and design elements. Every piece of furniture served a specific purpose, which contributed to the overall functionality and comfort of the room.

The room also boasted a spacious bathroom. Notably, the vanity was situated outside the bathroom, which I found to be an intriguing design choice.

The hotel provided complimentary amenities, including a vanity kit, a sanitary bag, a shower cap, and 2 sets of dental kits. There was also some luxurious pomegranate-scented Mangosteen-branded body lotion.

Inside the bathroom was a simple toilet equipped with a bidet hose for added convenience. A large mirror was on the back wall, along with a conveniently placed ceiling-mounted towel holder.

The bathroom also had a sizable walk-in shower, equipped with an overhead waterfall showerhead and a handheld showerhead.

The Mangosteen shower toiletries included cucumber and mint-scented shampoo, watermelon-scented conditioner, and pomelo-scented shower gel.

While the shower toiletries felt luxurious, I found the scents of these products overwhelming.

Hotel Stripes had several on-site dining options available. Here’s a look at what’s available.

The hotel featured an on-site restaurant, Brasserie 25, conveniently located next to the lobby.

Brasserie 25 exuded a rustic charm with exposed red brick support beams, dark wood floors, and mid-century copper chandeliers.

The restaurant was large and could accommodate up to 100 people at any given time. Several seating options were available, with the most common being simple dining tables that could be combined to accommodate larger groups.

Several dining tables with rounded couches were against the front walls of the hotel. These seating arrangements offered a more intimate dining experience.

Towards the back of the restaurant was a large dining table capable of seating up to 10 people. Behind the table was a large display that showcased a variety of wines.

Hotel guests can have breakfast at Brasserie 25 daily between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. Breakfast is complimentary for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members.

The breakfast at Brasserie 25 was presented as a self-serve buffet spread with a good variety of food options, including hot dishes, cold cuts, fruits, cereals, porridge, bread, pastries, and a salad bar.

First, a small section featured chicken sausage and chicken ham strips.

A separate station offered fried samosas and vegetable spring rolls, which were the highlight of the breakfast options.

There was also a Malaysian sambal, a hot relish made with vegetables, fruit, and spices. Next to it was chicken rendang, a rich slow-cooked dish, braised in coconut milk, and seasoned with herbs and spices.

A small selection of assorted pastries included chocolate muffins, butter croissants, and chocolate croissants.

Additionally, French toast and pancakes were available.

There was a small selection of cereal options for those wanting a more traditional breakfast choice.

The beverage selection included green guava juice, pink guava juice, mango juice, and detox water.

After selecting a few plates of food from the buffet spread, I made my way to my seat to enjoy breakfast.

Despite the variety offered, I found the breakfast experience to be underwhelming. Apart from the fried samosas and vegetable spring rolls, nothing was particularly tasty.

The pastries were disappointingly cold and hard, similar to day-old supermarket bakery items. Additionally, the chicken sausage was dry.

Given how busy the breakfast area was, I had expected higher-quality food, making the subpar breakfast experience all the more surprising.

Across from the rooftop swimming pool was the hotel’s rooftop bar, Man Tao Bar, which served cocktails and light bites from 3 p.m. onwards. The space offered seating for about 50 people and unobstructed views of downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Man Tao Bar offers a daily evening cocktail event between 5 and 7 p.m. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members receive complimentary snacks, wine, beer, and soft drinks. Although this sounded wonderful, the menu was incredibly limited.

However, I wanted to make the most of the experience, so I looked through the menu and selected something from the yakitori menu.

I decided to order 2 different sets: the grilled chicken with shiitake mushrooms and the yaki yamanegi, featuring juicy chicken with sweet onions.

After a wait of about 30 minutes, my selected dishes had finally arrived at my table. The bar also provided complimentary edamame. Unfortunately, the food did not meet my expectations and was not worth the wait.

The yakitori offerings were rather cold, and the bread was extremely soggy. I’m not sure if they had been sitting out for a while before being brought to my table.

I found the service at Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection, exceptional, largely due to the outstanding efforts of a particular front desk worker (whose name I am not disclosing for privacy reasons). From the moment of my arrival, he warmly welcomed me and consistently went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of my stay was enjoyable.

Shortly after I checked into my room, the front desk agent called to ask if everything was to my liking.

He also mentioned that he would be stopping by with a small welcome snack of individual pieces of chocolate. This thoughtful gesture added a personalized touch to my welcome experience at the hotel.

Later, the front desk agent stopped by once more, this time bearing a complimentary piece of chocolate cake. I found the cake delicious, further enhancing the exceptional service experience.

The rest of my interactions with the hotel staff were also positive. I was thoroughly impressed by the exceptional level of service provided. The hotel staff seemed to enjoy their jobs and took pride in providing excellent hospitality to hotel guests.

The Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection, is an excellent Marriott property worth considering for those visiting Kuala Lumpur. I would go as far as to say that Hotel Stripes is the best-value Marriott hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

The modern rooms feature a cozy and intimate ambiance with minimalist, high-quality furniture and design elements. The rooftop infinity pool was incredible and offered incredible views overlooking Kuala Lumpur.

The service was top-notch. The staff was proactive and consistently strived to meet and exceed my expectations. I appreciated the regular follow-ups to ensure everything was up to standard.

Breakfast could use some improvement. Although a good selection of food was available, I found most of the options underwhelming.

Regardless, I recommend this hotel and would consider staying here again the next time I come to Kuala Lumpur. However, with how many reasonably priced luxury hotels there are in Kuala Lumpur, I’m sure I’d want to consider a different property to see what else is out there.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.

The on-site restaurants at Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection, include Brasserie 25 and Man Tao Bar.

Hotel guests can have breakfast at Brasserie 25 located next to the hotel lobby.

Hotel Stripes has 184 guestrooms.

Marriott Bonvoy points are worth around 0.7 cents per point. However, the value depends on your redemption.

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Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and miles annually, primarily using them for luxury hotels and long-haul premium cabins.

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