The RuMa Hotel & Residences (‘house’), in Kuala Lumpur, is Urban Resorts’ first hotel outside China. It came about because Malaysian developer, Datuk Lai Siew Wah, stayed at Urban Resorts’ The PuLi in Shanghai and, like so many who visit the resort, he loved it; he wanted a luxury hotel just like it. RuMa is a celebration of Malaysia past and present. Entering the hotel, guests walk past six antique wood columns. The ante-lobby is reminiscent of entering a mine. Go further into the main lobby and enter the Grand Salon, which has a copper ceiling wrapped down to the walls. A highlight appears on the 27 curved stairs from the Salon up to the restaurant, where a full-size kebaya dress, by local artist Bernard Chandran catches the eye. The kebaya is formed entirely of real-gold butterfly shapes, each three centimetres long.

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, Inc., today announced the opening of W Kuala Lumpur, marking the iconic brand’s first-ever hotel in Malaysia. Owned by Tropicana Corporation Berhad, W Kuala Lumpur opens its doors in the heart of the capital, steps from the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers. Through bold, innovative design, W Kuala Lumpur immerses guests in the city’s wildly lush greenery, globally renowned cuisine, centuries-old history and growing appetite for playful luxury.