Texting in the Window

As the KL Tower stands illuminated in the background, a lady in an illuminated hotel room at Vistana Hotel KL sends a text message.

Kuala Lumpur Orchid Garden

The Kuala Lumpur Orchid Garden has an entrance that could easily be missed, a small pathway leading up a hill that blends in with the landscape, but once inside, you should prepare yourself for an orchid explosion!

The KL Orchid Garden is located in the Lake Gardens area of Kuala Lumpur, immediately opposite the KL Bird Park and just around the corner from the KL Butterfly Park. Entrance Fees are just RM1/person on weekends, and it is FREE on weekdays and public holidays.

A cascade of colour decorates the Orchid Garden in KL. Every turn is greeted by various species of orchids. It was really difficult to make a selection of photos for this post - I wanted to just use them all!

I was drawn to these individual petite orchids. . .

Then there were the larger versions . . .

We spent our time at the Orchid Garden with our really nice friends from Kuantan. We had a very pleasant time admiring the beauty of nature together. . .

Amidst all the beauty, I even managed to get one shot of myself!

And here are more photos of these gorgeous orchids . . .

I just can't help but feel happy while I'm around such wonderful creations . . .

We finish with a flurry of red. I could have spent hours upon hours at the Orchid Garden. With two camera batteries. It's my kind of paradise . . .

Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park

The Kuala Lumpur (KL) Butterfly Park is located on Jalan Cenderasari in the green Lake Gardens area, in the same vicinity as the KL Bird Park and the Orchid Garden. It can be reached via the KL Hop-on Hop-off bus, but we opted for a much less expensive taxi ride there (From Vistana Hotel by the Titiwangsa monorail station, we paid just RM15).

A view of KL Butterfly Park from the starting point

We paid RM10 for adults (Malaysian, or married to a Malaysian and working here - me!) and RM5 for the children.  If you wish to take videos, you will be charged an extra RM4.

The moment we arrived there, we were pleasantly surprised to see our friends from Kuantan! It was such a coincidence but we enjoyed spending time together around the Butterfly Park and afterwards, the orchid garden.

With our Kuantan friends at KL Butterfly Park

There were butterflies everywhere at KL Butterfly Park. Surprisingly it wasn't too difficult to catch the butterflies sitting still on a branch or leaf! As you'll see from the following photos, butterflies were just one of the many attractions at KL Butterfly Park:

I'm sure the butterflies enjoyed seeing this little visitor!

I wonder what kind of butterfly he'll become?

Spotted a little grasshopper

This butterfly was chilling out upside-down!

A dragonfly perched on a leaf

A little frog keeps watch in its pond

There is lots to see and do at the KL Butterfly Park. We really enjoyed ourselves there. There are other weird and wonderful insects inside along with many examples of other butterfly species in a museum setting. You finally end up exiting through the KL Butterfly Park shop. We had a great time there!

Hotel Majestic Kuala Lumpur - A Tour with Hotel Manager, Wayne Lee

The main lobby at Hotel Majestic Kuala Lumpur

Hotel Majestic Kuala Lumpur is where history and heritage meet head-on with modernity and luxury. Located on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Hotel Majestic sits opposite the equally historical and moorish Kuala Lumpur railway station.

The 1930's Hotel Majestic was one of the great landmarks of Kuala Lumpur in its time. The Majestic Wing (pictured), which comprises the hotel of old, has been fully restored, and includes the Suites with Butler service, The Colonial Cafe, The Bar and The Tea Lounge

Since 1998, after a long and illustrious lifespan, YTL Hotels have been working on the full restoration of Hotel Majestic, bringing it back to its former glory and establishing it as a listed Leading Hotel of the World, making a 5-star rating entirely inadequate.

Welcome to Hotel Majestic Kuala Lumpur

Title Page of: "The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur - A Second Renaissance"

We entered Hotel Majestic through the original Majestic Wing and were greeted by one of the hotel guards, dressed in traditional garb from bygone years, looking absolutely fantastic. (A picture with a guard will be shown at the end of the post).

Beautiful foyer and stairs at the Majestic Wing old entrance at Hotel Majestic Kuala Lumpur

The swimming pool located at the Majestic Wing

Walking along the corridors, gasping in awe at the wonder of Hotel Majestic!

I honestly wasn't prepared for the majesty of this stunning hotel. It took me back and I soon realised that we were in some place quite special. I hope these photos will do it justice and that you'll feel that sense of awe as well!

The Tea Lounge in the Majestic Wing at Hotel Majestic Kuala Lumpur

It was like walking through a palace. This isn't just another hotel - it's a grand palace! Luxury can be smelt in every corner. 

We met our good friend and the Hotel Manager, Wayne Lee in the reception of the new building, known as the Tower Wing.

The main lobby of The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Wayne took us for a buffet lunch, accompanied by Anna, who hails from Albanian and Greek origins and who deals with the VIP guests at the hotel. The food was plentiful and of the highest quality, and there was just about anything you could wish for.

The Dining Room

Watching our classic Italian pizza being made

Our pizza cooking in the oven

Seating arrangement in the dining room at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Lauren and Leah's favourite part of the buffet lunch was obviously the dessert, with home-made ice-cream and a pot of jelly beans!

Following the lunch, Wayne took us on a much-anticipated tour of The Majestic Hotel, starting with exclusive access to a variety of rooms in the new Tower Wing:

The rooms of the Tower Wing

Bathtub with TV

One of the features of rooms in the Tower Wing is completely transparent bathrooms like this! Fidelia is posing beside the bathtub while Lauren is having a seat on the toilet bowl! It is sure to be an unforgettable experience at The Majestic Hotel!

Fresh orchids are in every room, replaced monthly

Lauren trying out an inviting bed. Leah meanwhile, goes straight to the phone!

Wayne and Anna pose for a photo in one of the splendid rooms at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

The room rates start from RM600 and go up to between RM10,000 - RM12,000 per night. To browse more of the rooms and see prices and features, and even book your stay here, you can visit The Majestic Hotel on the internet right here:

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

I hope you're keeping up . . . this was a hotel tour like we'd never had before! Moving on . . .

The Swimming Pool and Rooftop Garden

The swimming pool on the 4th floor of The Majestic Hotel, Tower Wing

Just around the corner from the swimming pool is a lovely rooftop garden complete with shelter and flowers:

The Rooftop Garden at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Flower at the Rooftop Garden , Tower Wing, The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

The Tower Wing of The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur boasts 15 floors of quality rooms and function rooms

It was a typically burning hot Malaysian afternoon, and I was left behind to snap away while the rest of the company made a quiet but hasty retreat back to the shade by the pool and then inside to the air-conditioning of the hotel.

The Petronas Twin Towers are visible from the 4th floor swimming pool deck

As Wayne led the tour inside again, it was a relief to escape the searing heat and be able to rest my eyes once more.

We then ventured on to the Ballroom, which is entirely pillar-less, can seat up to 1,200 people, and is just . . . H U G E!

The next part of the tour was one of my favourites. We gained privileged access to a private orchid room in the Majestic Wing. This room remains locked and can only be rented out for an afternoon for RM2,000!

As you'll see in the photos, it is full of orchids and colour and is a very pleasant place to sit and enjoy the afternoon:

The Orchid Room

The locked doors of the orchid room

Taking a few moments to absorb the peace of the orchid room

I thought that this orchid room was absolutely terrific, a wonderful addition to the hotel, and we continued to be amazed at every turn of the tour of The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. 

The final part of the tour took us back to where we started, and indeed where Hotel Majestic began in the 1930's - the fully restored Majestic Wing.

View of the atrium in the Majestic Wing

Full butler service is available for the rooms in the Majestic Wing.

A classic bathroom in a room in the Majestic Wing

Leah sits on a cushion-filled sofa in a room in the Majestic Wing

Piano by The Bar and The Tea Lounge in the Majestic Wing of Hotel Majestic Kuala Lumpur

It was a privilege to be guided around The Majestic Hotel by Wayne Lee, the Hotel Manager. He's a top man. I've known him since we first met while he was the Hotel Manager at Vistana Hotel in Kuantan. This wonderful hotel which is full of history and nostalgia has an equally apt man in charge today.

I highly recommend you to save up your ringgits and spend a night at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. I'm looking forward to our stay there the next time we go to KL!

We took a couple of lovely photos, firstly with the hotel guard, and secondly with Wayne, to finish the tour: