Nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang is the most popular location to stay and explore. Bukit Bintang is the heart of tourist activities with many shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and nightlife venues. Kuala Lumpur is a very popular destination for Middle-Eastern tourists who prefer Malaysia for its Muslim culture and easy availability of Halal food in most restaurants. Bukit Bintang has a strong presence of Arab, Iranian and Middle-Eastern food outlets and a wide range of international food chains.
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As night picks up the neighbourhood is filled with crowds of shoppers and merry-makers. I love the hustle and bustle of this amazing part of Kuala Lumpur City. When travelling with family or by myself, I prefer to book hotel in Bukit Bintang to save time on the commute and enjoy easy access to most places of interest during my stay in Bukit Bintang.
Two main streets in Bukit Bintang, Changkat and Jalan Alor are lined with restaurants, bars, budget hotels and massage places. Massage parlours or reflexology centres occupy the main stage on the bend around Jalan Alor and Changkat. Several salesmen try to capture your attention with several massage services from foot reflexology sessions for RM 45/hour or a full body massage.
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The masseurs are well-trained and venues are lined with comfortable reclining massage chairs. This treat is not to be missed in Bukit Bintang.
Useful information for travellers to Malaysia
Bukit Bintang is very popular with honeymooners from the Middle East and large tour groups from Iran. The main streets of Bukit Bintang are lined with Middle-Eastern Restaurants and Persian Cafes. Tarboush, Al-Amar and Sahara Tent are popular Middle Eastern joints that attract large crowds. You can virtually find a wide range of Middle Eastern and Arabian cuisine throughout the day.
Tip: If you plan to travel with a large group or family, check rates for Ambassador Row Hotel & Suites by Lanson Place offering 2-3-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes and laundry. Two of my favourite Middle Eastern Restaurants, Sahara Tent and Hadramawt are located very close to this establishment.
With such a massive tourist activity in one part of the town, sex tourism has also found its way into Bukit Bintang. Transexuals and sex workers walk the back alleys and are occasionally seen engaging single men. Even though prostitution is illegal in Malaysia, this hidden economy still plays are role in the tourism sector of the country.
There are plenty of budget hotels above the massage parlours in Changkat providing rooms for short term under RM 80. Make sure to check with the management if the hotel is girl-friendly if you plan to take a girl with you.
Concorde Hotel ( a 4-star Hotel) near Menara KL has a massage parlour and a brothel inside the hotel on the first floor. The girls can be sent to your room as well. This was an interesting find in a very reputable hotel with excellent service.
Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang - Food Street of Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Alor is the heart of street-styled foodies and gastronomic adventures in the heart of Bukit Bintang. Stop by 1 Jalan Alor to enjoy a mix of satay cooked on a coal fire at Restoran Wang Ah Wah (9 Jalan Alor). The service is quick and efficient and the food arrives immediately. The restaurants are experienced in dealing with large crowds on this street. I tried steamed tilapia, handmade noodles and a small serving of eggplant cooked in oyster sauce.
If you are a seafood lover, Jalan Alor is a place to keep on your list. Restoran Beh Brothers specializes in making a large array of seafood dishes in Malay-Thai-Chinese cooking styles with sauces and the cooking styles of your choice.
During the Durian season, you must try this fruit. Remember not to take it to your hotel as most hotels will impose a fine on eating durian in the hotel room. Some other interesting tropical fruits include mangosteen, jackfruit, papaya, mangoes, guava and star fruit. Make sure to start your day with a good serving of fresh tropical fruit to beat the summer heat and humidity in Kuala Lumpur. Cut and packed fruit can be purchased at supermarkets in Kuala Lumpur.
Interesting Read on the Website: Visiting Bukit Bintang in Pictures
Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang - Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur
Changkat is a more hyped and western side of Bukit Bintang, with trendy Westernized bars, Irish pubs and cafes playing loud music. Changkat stays busy till the early hours of the morning. Movida, Frangipani, The Whisky Bar, Rabbit Hole, Healy Mac's Irish Pub & Havana Bar and Grill are some of the most popular joints on this street.
Towards the end of the street are trendy restaurants like Bijan, El Cedro, Bottega Middeteranea and Havana Bar and Grill. These venues are ideal for a date or a romantic night out in Bukit Bintang.
HOTEL SOLIEL is located in Changkat Bukit Bintang and is a great place to stay to enjoy the best of Bukit Bintang. Two other places where I have stayed frequently are Hotel Istana and Parkroyal Serviced Apartments which are centrally located within 200m of Changkat.
Here are some of the pictures from my recent visit to Changkat Bukit Bintang:
Our Selected Cheap Hotels in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Bukit Bintang caters to a diverse range of tourists, offering a variety of accommodations from budget hostels to luxurious 5-star hotels along the same street. Budget-conscious solo travellers often opt for hostels, where a shared dorm can be secured for less than $10.
I stayed in "Stay with Bintang" in May 2024 and enjoyed the central location with easy access to most places of interest in Bukit Bintang. The deluxe room is reasonably priced and the hotel has excellent facilities including an outdoor pool and a free car park on 2-3 floors. I highly recommend this hotel for solo travellers.
Stay with Bintang Hotel is centrally located in Bukit Bintang
For those seeking budget hotels, comfortable air-conditioned ensuite rooms can be found for under RM 80 per night. If you prefer not to book online, numerous hotels in Bukit Bintang offer quality accommodation for under RM 100 per night, making it easy to find a suitable option in every block of the area.
Stay with Bintang Hotel in Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang Hotels
Enjoy great Shopping in Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur
Some of the top Shopping Malls in Kuala Lumpur are in Bukit Bintang. Once you leave Bukit Bintang LRT, the exit takes you into the H&M store. The building has large international and national brands of clothing and accessories.
Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall and Low Yat Plaza are located in close range to each other and offer a great shopping experience. These Malls can be reached on foot or by catching the LRT to Imbi Station.
If you are looking for centrally located hotels in Bukit Bintang with easy access to shopping malls and restaurants include:
- Ansa Kuala Lumpur
- The Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur - 5 Star Luxury Hotel
- Parkroyal COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur
Pavilion Shopping Mall is a luxury mall with high-end stores and several popular international food chains, bars and restaurants. Sephora, Farenheit88, Star Hill Gallery and Sungei Wang are located next to each other making it very easy for the shopper to walk from one shopping mall to another.
A word of advice
Pickpockets walk the street in Bukit Bintang and are very mindful of your belonging while shopping in the shopping malls. I have seen a number of people losing their shopping bags and hand bags while busy shopping in the malls.
Shopping at Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall in Bukit Bintang
Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall holds a special place in my heart as one of the top malls in the area. With its impressive five-story structure housing over 1000 specialty stores, it's the perfect destination for those looking for mid-range shopping options.
Berjaya Times Sqaure Shopping Mall
The highlight of the mall is the indoor theme park, open from 9 am to 5 pm, featuring thrilling attractions like an indoor roller coaster and a fun gaming arcade suitable for kids of all ages. Additionally, visitors can enjoy activities such as archery, and bowling, and catch a movie on the massive wide-screen cinema.
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Where to find cheap food outlets in Bukit Bintang?
Most shopping malls in Bukit Bintang have a variety of restaurants catering to local and Western tastes. The basement of Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall has a food court with many local restaurants and buffet-styled restaurants. The food is very reasonably priced.
Foodcourt at Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall
A food court in the basement offers a wide range of buffet-style dinners in a very affordable price range. The ground floor of the malls has Starbucks and pizza joints. The shopping mall is accessible from Bukit Bintang Train Station and KL Sentral by light rail.
Tokyo Street is located on the top floor of the Pavilion Mall
Tokyo Street located on the top floor of the Pavilion Mall in Bukit Bintang offers a unique cultural experience with a wide range of Japanese shopping outlets, cafes and restaurants.
Al-Amar the Middle Eastern Restaurant is also located on the same floor. The restaurant is popular for Middle Eastern cuisine. For food lovers, I suggest planning a lunch in the massive food court located in the ground floor of the Pavilion Mall.
Foodcourt in the Pavilion Mall
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The popular electronics shopping mall Low Yat Plaza is located opposite Berjaya Times Square. Two of my favourite hotels Furama Bukit Bintang Bintang and Melia are located opposite Berjaya Times Square. If you are travelling with families, these hotels offer quality 4-star accommodation at reasonable prices.
Low Yat Plaza
Pudu is another interesting suburb located next to Bukit Bintang and is easily accessible from the Furama Hotel. I explored the area on foot and enjoyed exploring many local restaurants including Sek Yuen.
Sungei Wang Plaza is located across from H&M Store. This is a must-visit if you are keen on budget shopping and buying local artefacts, items of clothing, gifts, and toys. Most Malls are multi-story buildings and you need to walk a lot. Therefore, plan your trip, budget and the places you want to visit.
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