Taste Sensation
One of Malaysia's culinary staples is nasi lemak, a rice dish cooked in coconut milk and generally accompanied by spicy anchovies, hard-boiled egg, cucumber slices and peanuts.
Kuala Lumpur
The Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur opened in August. All 412 guest rooms offer panoramic views of the city, six meeting and event spaces can host up to 1,300 guests, a 24-hour fitness center features personalized LCD screens with Internet access, and the Essa Spa offers 11 treatment rooms and a sauna.
Ultra-sleek Asian design distinguishes the 513-room Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar, set to open in 2013. What promises to be a high-tech haven for business travelers will include 11 meeting rooms able to host up to 2,000 people, plus video and teleconferencing facilities.
To debut on Jan. 1, 2013, the Seri Chenang Resort and Spa is set on tropical Langkawi Island, one of UNESCO's designated World Geoparks. The boutique resort is a one-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur and features six luxury villas built with local hardwoods to reflect traditional Malaysian architectural style. The Kayangan Spa emphasizes the use of natural ingredients and traditional Malaysian therapies.
Meeting Hotels
In Kuala Lumpur, major hotels include the 662-room Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur; 643-room Mandarin Oriental; 503-room Hilton Kuala Lumpur; 473-room InterContinental Kuala Lampur; 385-room Sheraton Imperial; 365-room Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur; and 335-room Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa.
In Putrajaya, about 15 miles from Kuala Lumpur, are the 380-room Marriott Putrajaya and 118-room Putrajaya Shangri-La.
Convention Center
Kuala Lumpur Convention Center; more than 30 separate meeting venues, including a theater capable of seating up to 3,000 attendees. (011) 60-3-2333-2888
Taxes
Hotels add a 5 percent government tax to all rates, plus an additional 10 percent service charge. (Many restaurants add a 5 percent tax to your bill as well, plus a 10 percent service charge; such eateries are designated as "plus plus" or "++.")
Currency
The Malaysian ringgit (MYR or RM). At press time, 3.29MYR was equal to US$1.
Fun Facts
• The Petronas Towers, designed by architect César Pelli, held the title of world's tallest buildings until Taipei 101 opened in 2004.
• Al Gore and Margaret Thatcher are among the dignitaries who have dined at Restaurant Lafite in Kuala Lumpur's Shangri-La Hotel.
• A 140-foot golden statue of Lord Murugan, the Tamil god of war, guards the 400 million-year-old Batu Caves, a major Hindu shrine.
• Langkawi is a group of 104 tropical islands off Malaysia's northeastern coast, but during high tide the number drops to 99.
Group Venues
Colonial opulence abounds at Kuala Lumpur's Carcosa Seri Negara, a luxury hotel built in 1896 as a mansion for the British High Commissioners. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea on the veranda overlooking 40 acres of manicured gardens. Two stately event spaces seat up to 140. (011) 60-3-2295-0888
Indigo lighting and a Jetsons-like ambience await at Atmosphere 360, a swank eatery at the top of KL Tower. The space accommodates up to 250 guests, who can nosh on fare such as wok-fried Wagyu beef with mashed pumpkin and baked cod fish. The room slowly rotates, offering a novel perspective of Kuala Lumpur. (011) 60-3-2020-2020
Architectural marvel Thean Hou Temple is one of the largest holy sites in Southeast Asia. For an immersive cultural experience, the temple's main ceremonial hall seats up to 1,000 guests and can be rented for conferences. (011) 60-3-2274-7088
The 210-room Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur lies just outside the city limits and juxtaposes a minimalist design aesthetic against a lush tropical backdrop. A large ballroom accommodates up to 700, while nine conference rooms can host between 10 and 250 guests. The adjacent resort has two 18-hole golf courses. (011) 60-3-7843-1234
Contact
Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, (011) 60-3-2034-2090
Click here: Get practical travel information at tourismmalaysiany.com