Sultan Ismail

Snaking through Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle and lined with numerous luxurious hotels, office towers and glittering shopping malls, Jalan Sultan Ismail, is without a doubt, one of the busiest areas in the city. It is truly a place that doesn’t sleep with people coming and going 24-7. This is the place to be if you are in search of non-stop excitement, all night and day entertainment, and for most workers, their workplaces. Most banking giants such as the HSBC, Alliance Bank and Standard Chartered have their headquarters here, as well as numerous other corporations from other industries. This is definitely the heart of corporate KL. On weekdays, people from all walks of life can be seen hurrying to their next appointments or workplace. Rush hours are of course a nightmare with thousands of vehicles inching in towards their destinations.

Sharing this small tight area in the middle of city are numerous international and local hotel brands, providing thousands of rooms for business travellers and tourists alike. If you have a business appointment in the city, book a room at any of the hotels dotting the area because it saves you the headache of travelling during rush hours. And for tourists, it is also a choice location because Jalan Sultan Ismail is close to major shopping malls such as the KLCC Suria at Petronas Twin Towers, Bukit Bintang and Maju Junction. With time on your hand, you can easily escape the rush hours and take a leisurely ride on the monorail or LRT that would take you to other places of interest outside the city centre.

Food? Entertainment? No worries. From fine dining establishments in five-star hotels to restaurants and chain food outlets that lined the road, you can easily try something new every day. If you’re looking for something simple and cheaper, visit the food courts in Bukit Bintang or Lot 10, or even KLCC Suria. There is a variety of choices at really reasonable prices. You can also have a filling Nasi Kandar at many of the ‘mamak’ restaurants that can be found in the lanes branching off Jalan Sultan Ismail. A good place to go would be the restaurant next to Istana Hotel. For the party animals, Jalan Sultan Ismail is definitely the place where they can groove until the wee hours of the morning. One of the more established entertainment spots would be the Hard Rock Café which had just completed their renovation. Aside from the great American dishes, you can feast your ears on great music from international bands playing there on most nights. For a spot of dancing, head on to the Thai Club where the party lasts until late. For a quieter sort of entertainment, there are the hotel lounges that would normally offer a 3-piece band to entertain you as you sit and chat with y our friends and guests.

For the shopaholics, this area is practically a paradise. From the upscale, international brands outlets in KLCC Suria, to the cheaper local products at Sungei Wang Plaze, you can practically shop till you drop. Further down the road and just a few minutes walk from the centre of Jalan Sultan Ismail, you can find pre-war shophouses that have been converted to hundreds of shops selling clothing, jewellery, shoes and wedding paraphernalia. Name of the place? Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, of course. During festivals such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali, the area would be clogged with the locals in search of bargains.

As mentioned earlier, Jalan Sultan Ismail is one of the best places to stay while you’re visiting the city due to its location and convenience in terms of food, entertainment and shopping. For those who are watching their budget, head on to Prescott Inn Kuala Lumpur. This 3-star property offers basic but comfortable accommodation in a great location. Offering rooms starting from RM130 (USD37), Prescott Inn Kuala Lumpur is near to the many places of interest in the city, including the entertainment district of Jalan Sultan Ismail. For a fuss-free, no frills stay in the heart of the city, you cannot go wrong with Prescott Inn Kuala Lumpur.

Some travellers can be quite adamant about what type of accommodation they’re looking for and they don’t mind paying a bit more. Some would seek luxury at an affordable price, location that is near to most amenities, warm hospitality and privacy. And they would find all these at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur at Jalan Sultan Ismail. This 5-star hotel is the veritable oasis of calm and luxury that cleverly combines modern amenities and cherished traditions to create an ambience that travellers crave for. From the moment they step into its cocoon, they will be greeted by a magnificent four-storey high lobby atrium that creates an airy and spacious environment. And they would be further enchanted by the luxurious furnishing of the rooms that are especially inviting after a busy day at the office or walking out and about in the city. With rates from RM290 (USD82), Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur is certainly a great place to be.

Next on the list is the grand Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur. One of the more popular hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Shangri-La KL has certainly earned its reputation, earning a place even as one of the top 10 hotels in the world way back in the late 80s. Its tall, imposing structure towers over most of Jalan Sultan Ismail, with each room afforded a panoramic vista of the city. Step into its interior and you will immediately be brought to an era of opulent luxury and the best money can buy. The rooms are furnished in soft tones and come complete with top of the range amenities, exclusive toiletries and of course, a commanding view. The starting rate of RM504 (USD143) is definitely value for money. With its fantastic central location, a newly renovated interior, legendary hospitality and fantastic culinary offerings in all its restaurants, Shangri-la KL is the choice for many discerning business and leisure travellers.