Hi Pete
we only had a short time in KL as well - stopovers on the way and back from Bali. Have a look and see what we did here. Hopefully that gives you a bit of a start. Take the Express from the airport to the city. Its a lot quicker than a taxi.

Thanks Fiona, read your post with interest.

What is your budget (good hotels are much cheaper here than in alot of countries). I always use trip advisor reviews as well to help my choice.

We have stayed at the Royal Bintang. A comfortable budget hotel on Bukit Bintang.
I'd agree about the express train from the airport which is quite a distance from the city. It's cheap, quick and frequent. Plus they'll load your luggage on for you too.

I have just booked the Dorsett regency direct on the website . They have a special promotion of 188 MYR plus tax for 2 people in a deluxe with buffet breakfast, late check out and welcome drink and jumbo muffin for 2!! worth a look but finishes tomorrow.

I stayed at the Dorsett Regency about 5 years ago (I think the rate was about £15 a night then) I was a perfectly reasonable budget hotel. It was clean and in a good location (should be even better now Pavillion shopping centre has been built close by).
It can get really busy at the weekends because it is within the price range of most Malaysians it seems to be used for their weekends away in KL shopping (It only really becomes a problem at breakfast as their restaurant is not massive also there pool is not the biggest and was warned there health club/spa was slightly dodgy (as are most of the spas in the budget hotels). I am usually reasonably selective in my choice of hotels and I enjoyed a stay of 2 weeks (actually the worst hotel I stayed in in KL was Quality inn city centre). I am hopeing to try traders next time I am in KL.

My personal experience with KL has been if you want to shop in relative peace go shopping monday to thursday (as the locals hit the shops from friday lunchtime through sunday (take KLCC for example there might be about 150 people wandering around the mall during the week but on the weekend its madness) we have tended to go on trips on the weekend or using the time for relaxing at the hotel.

Thanks Rickt for the info, don't expect the Ritz , but rooms look great and we are only there for 1 night so won't be using the facilities, couldn't resist the bargain

The Ritz (Carlton) is next door so so you can always pop in for a look

Thanks for the info. Apparently we are now booked into the Grand Continental for two nights.
If we get the express from the airport where does it drop and how easy is it to get taxis from there to the hotel? Whats a good guideline for prices in taxis?
Also thought of Batu Caves to visit, any thoughts on that? We have to go careful how much activity we do because my good lady has osteoarthritis in her lower back and finds sitting for long periods painful and walking up and down hills painful, we need a compromise, :think, so any ideas would be welcome. We do like wildlife, not in zoos though.
3 weeks to go.......

If your wife has trouble walking the Batu Caves won't suit her. It's a steep climb up lots of steps.
The Petronias Towers are worth a visit though you have to get there early in the morning for a ticket. The Menara Tower is also very interesting and although it's an uphill slog if you walk to the tower I would advise taking a taxi.
check out http://www.Kualalumpur.gov.my/

re the Menara- it is also in the tour bus schedule.
There are loads of taxis at the express stop so no need to worry. http://www.kliaekspres.com/

Stayed in the Shangri- la - very central for the towers. Have stayed here twice and have been impressed.

The Batu Caves have painted caves at the bottom - we decided to stay down there instead of going up the stairs, was worth it.

Is changing currency a problem? Is it ok to use ATM's? Not sure if I want to carry loads a money around with me.

No problem with using ATM's

Hi
I am looking for recommendations for a decent hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
We are going back on holiday later this year and were going to stay at traders but it to be perpetually busy/full whatever dates we look at. We have previously stayed at MO and Shangri La (both too expensive this year), Istana (has gone down hill since being sold a few years ago). Park Royal (good but expensive for what is is (as is only slightly cheaper than Traders). There are alot of hotels in that price bracket such as Grand Millenium (was Regency/Regent), Crowne Plaza, Imperial etc.
So if any one can help with their KL hotel experiences it would be greatly appreciated

Getting a wee bit excited...5 days to go! Will let you know how we get on.

Pete
have a great holiday
Rick
have only been to KL once and that was the Shangri la. Wonderful hotel, as you know.

Have chosen to stay at Parkroyal (as traders was not available and the other good hotels are out of the price range now). Have stayed there a few times over the years have found it to be reasonable the only negatives are a bland menu (but lots of restaurants close by) and it proximity to Sungai Wang shopping centre (and all of the shopping temptations it holds LOL!).

Thre is a chain called Tune Hotels that have a hotel in KL. It looks pretty budget in what it offers but is cheap. I have not stayed there but would like feedback from others who have if possible. Not the addittional extra prices for towels etc, but it's usually still very cheap.

tunehotels. com

Need to take the spaces out of the address and add www at the front because it won't let me post the full address.