With the tourism industry bouncing back, more new hotels are launched and introduced in Kuala Lumpur city. This also includes a boutique hotel that repurposed the historical Lee Rubber Building. Using back an old, historical building with values is a great way to rejuvenate a city while maintaining the character of the city. And that is what the newest boutique hotel, Else, is doing in Kuala Lumpur city.
Else Hotel, the latest hospitality brand founded by Justin Chen, deputy CEO of Singapore-based investment holding company Arcc Holdings Pte Ltd, and Javier Perez, F&B entrepreneur and founder of the Kilo and Grain Traders brands is opening its doors by refurbishing the former Lee Rubber Building in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
This building was the former headquarters of the Lee Rubber Group, and is one of the pre-war buildings in the city which is preserved under the National Heritage Act, which requires its entire façade to be maintained.
The building was constructed in 1930 with a grey colour façade and upon its completion, it was the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur at that time. It was designed by Arthur Oakley Coltman of the Booty Edwards & partners. Despite being dwarfed by many massive skyscrapers surrounding it, the Lee Rubber Building will maintain its uniqueness in the city.
Located at 145, Jalan Tun H S Lee, the new Else Kuala Lumpur will have 49 rooms and suites, a 25m plunge pool, floating meditation pods, a drawing room and library, a state-of-the-art gym and workout studio, a boardroom as well as two new-to-market F&B projects.
“Looking at many other cities, we recognise that there is a tendency to revitalise old city cores, the old towns. For KL, I think Chinatown represents that location — right by the Klang River, where KL really started, and so I think there couldn’t be a better place to tell a story about KL and what makes it great,” says Chen.
The rooms in Else is categorised into four types, including Mantra (Standard), Urban Room (Deluxe; with seating area), Sanctuary (on the upper floors with a private balcony), and Sutera (suite with private living area). And if want to enjoy an even more luxurious room, you can ask for the Else Suite, the largest room in the boutique hotel.
Guests will be treated to views of the city skyline and a private balcony that stretches from the living area to the bedroom. Every room comes equipped with sustainable personal care products by Omno, Lulla bathroom robes, and Dyson hairdryers.
Else will also introduce two F&B venues, The Raw Kitchen Hall, an extension of its sister brand in Singapore, is a casual-chic gathering place that stays true to the luxury of comfort food done well. The kitchen is headed by Malaysian Chefs Leong Chee Mun and Wah Yin Xing which serves Asian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisines.
There is also The Yellow Fin Horse, a wood-fire restaurant that blends International and Malaysian flavours with contemporary authenticity, which will be launched by end of 2022.
Else opens on 10 September 2022 with opening rates from RM398 until 31 October 2022. For more information, visit this website.
ICYMI: Discover Amazing Boutique Hotels for a Good Stay in Kuala Lumpur
