Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur Review: Rooftop Pool and Urban Style

Kuala Lumpur has two very different Autograph Collection hotels under YTL Hotels. The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur is the grand colonial lady; Hotel Stripes is her younger, less formal counterbalance. We found a hotel with a comfortable room, courteous service, good food, a rooftop infinity pool and, most importantly, a personality of its own.

We have always liked hotels with what we simply call “the vibe,” and Stripes had it. The design was urban without becoming cold, the team was easy to talk to, and the rooftop became part of our daily rhythm. To find out more, please continue with our Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur review.

First Impressions and Check-In

Hotel Stripes makes its connection with Jalan Kamunting clear from the beginning. Its brick facade recalls a neighborhood rebuilt in brick and tile after fire and flooding destroyed many of its wooden buildings, while the interior carries that history in a cleaner, contemporary direction. The result felt authentic and unforced. Old photographs, warm lighting, brick and dark metal simply gave the building a sense of place.

The open lobby continued the same visual language. Check-in took very little time, the formalities never became cumbersome, and the team made our arrival easy. That first interaction set the standard for service throughout the stay: polished enough for an Autograph Collection hotel, but never stiff.

Our Room and Its Unusual Bathroom Layout

The hotel has 184 rooms and suites. Our room mixed marble, glass, warm textiles and black-and-white photography in a space that was modest in size but visually interesting. We used it as a temporary office as well as a bedroom, and it handled both roles comfortably. A few decorative pieces even came in handy when we photographed our Trigona honey.

The detail most people notice is the washbasin positioned in the bedroom rather than inside the main bathroom. It created a more dynamic floor plan and proved convenient for washing our hands or filling the kettle without occupying the shower room. The bathroom itself was not especially spacious, but it was bright and functional, while frosted glass offered a playful compromise between openness and privacy. Couples may find the arrangement efficient; travelers who prefer a fully enclosed bathroom may be less convinced.

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Cleanliness at Hotel Stripes

Hotel Stripes was neat everywhere we looked. Vivi, who has a talent for noticing neglected corners, did her usual inspection and came up empty-handed. The room and public spaces were properly maintained, with no forgotten corners or careless details undermining the otherwise polished impression.

Rooftop Pool, Gym and Man Tao Bar

The rooftop was the hotel’s strongest facility and the place where we began and ended many of our days. The infinity pool looked across the city toward KL Forest Eco Park and the surrounding skyline. Early mornings were especially peaceful, before the terrace became more social.

The Gym

During our stay, the airy gym on the rooftop level was accessible 24 hours a day and supplied with towels, water and fresh fruit. It was well equipped for a city hotel, although the overall range of facilities was limited compared with a larger resort or a more pampering property. Stripes covered the essentials well; it simply was not designed as a hotel in which guests spend every hour of the day.

Man Tao Rooftop Bar

Man Tao, beside the pool, drew us back for drinks, snacks and unhurried time above the city. It remains one of the hotel’s two dining outlets and is now listed by Marriott as open daily, although opening hours and promotions can change.

The Snug and Meeting Studios

The second floor contained The Snug and the hotel’s meeting studios. We understood their purpose, but during our stay we could not help imagining The Snug as a permanent fine-dining room. The hotel now presents it as a flexible venue for meetings, private dinners and celebrations, allowing the room to change character according to the event.

Breakfast and Dining at Brasserie 25

Brasserie 25 was the hotel’s main dining room and the setting for breakfast. It suited Stripes well: approachable, informal and connected to the surrounding neighborhood. The food was good, although we still wished the hotel had one more ambitious restaurant for an occasion dinner. Brasserie 25 and Man Tao remain the two outlets listed by Marriott.

Dinner at Brasserie 25

At ground level, Brasserie 25 offered familiar Western dishes in a casual setting. Our dinner moved from roasted cauliflower soup and a substantial chicken pie to fish and chips and crème brûlée with vanilla ice cream. The food stayed unpretentious, and we enjoyed both the meal and the restaurant’s neighborhood-brasserie character. You can read our separate Brasserie 25 review for the full experience.

Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur Breakfast

Breakfast was self-service, with Western and Malaysian dishes balanced sensibly for a buffet of this size. We particularly liked the sandwiches and braised chickpeas in tomato coulis, as well as the freshly made “Man of Steel” juice. Some local dishes came from nearby restaurants, which tasted good and supported businesses in the neighborhood. That connection added more to the buffet than simply another anonymous tray would have.

Our Sizzling Sundays Experience

On Sunday, Man Tao hosted Sizzling Sundays, a rooftop barbecue built around grilled dishes and beer-based cocktails. We especially remember the lamb shoulder with Hasselback potato, peri-peri garlic and chimichurri sauces. This was part of our 2019 stay and should not be read as a promise that the promotion is still running. Our separate Sizzling Sundays review preserves the full meal.

Service at Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur

Service was exactly what this style of hotel needed. The team welcomed us warmly, handled check-in efficiently and remained friendly throughout the stay. People were always ready to help or stop for a short conversation, so the design-led hotel never came across as overly self-conscious. Their natural approach was one of the strongest parts of our stay.

The Kind of City Hotel We Would Return To

Hotel Stripes understood what it wanted to be and, for the most part, delivered it very well. Its appeal rested on a strong connection with Jalan Kamunting, thoughtful contemporary design and a team that made the hotel easy to settle into. That confidence gave Stripes more personality than many larger city hotels.

There were limitations, but none changed the character of the stay. The bathroom was small and its open washbasin arrangement will not suit everyone. The hotel also offered fewer facilities than a full-scale luxury property, while the dining was enjoyable rather than destination-worthy. Travelers looking for spacious suites, ceremony and a greater sense of pampering may still prefer The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Stripes serves a different guest and is better for it.

What stayed with us was how naturally the pieces came together. We could work comfortably in the room, begin the morning beside the rooftop pool, return for a drink at Man Tao and still feel connected to the streets beyond the entrance. Hotel Stripes was not the most elaborate hotel we experienced in Kuala Lumpur, but it was one of the easiest to enjoy. For a short city stay with good service, a memorable rooftop and a genuine sense of place, we would happily return.

Our Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur Ratings

• 9.3/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.3/10
• 9.5/10
  CLEANLINESS – 9.5/10
• 8.8/10
  ROOM – 8.8/10
• 7/10
  FACILITIES AND AMENITIES – 7/10
• 8.8/10
  FOOD AND BEVERAGE – 8.8/10
• 9.6/10
  SERVICE – 9.6/10
• 9.1/10
  VALUE – 9.1/10

Hotel Details, Location and Price

Hotel Stripes sits at the corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and 25 Jalan Kamunting, close to The Row and within the wider city-center area. The location suited us because the hotel opened onto a real neighborhood rather than being sealed inside a shopping complex. Room rates vary by date and package, so the historical price from our stay should not be treated as today’s rate.

Check the official Hotel Stripes page for current rates, opening hours and facilities.

Other YTL Hotels We Have Stayed At

Hotel Stripes was one of several YTL Hotels we visited in Malaysia. Each had a very different personality, and that contrast made comparing them worthwhile.