When the Kuala Lumpur Petronas Twin Towers are painted, printed, sketched, shown on billboards, TVs, posters… the world knows it’s the capital of Malaysia. It is iconic. But then, you’re only seeing the towers. To see the surrounding, is to feel the development of the country, from previously a horse racing course, to today’s miniature of what a kilometre represents the geographical inclusion of a country.
The 100-acre estate, referred to as a “city within a city”, surrounds the towers in a carefully orchestrated landscape. Within a kilometre radius of the twin towers is a park with greens that allow walks, jogs, exercise and a paddling pool. There’s also a mosque, a convention centre, an aquarium and hotels. One of them owns an exclusive front seat view of the towers – the Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
A Hotel Built for the Towers
Traders was built in 2005 as a suited accommodation for business executives. Targeting the convention centre next door, its image is business plus leisure, premium with accessibility to the most prestigious dining and shopping nearby. It marks one of the capital’s most recognisable addresses.
The hotel underwent refurbishment before the ASEAN Summit in May 2025. Directly connected to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the hotel is often the first introduction to the city for international business travellers. Its biggest role is obvious: to remind you of the grand glamour of Kuala Lumpur, with the Petronas Twin Towers right in your face.
From many of the rooms, the towers dominate the skyline like two steel sentinels. The view is not simply of architecture, but of the entire KLCC precinct, the lake reflecting the towers, the greenery of KLCC Park, and the nearby mosque that quietly signals Malaysia’s Islamic identity within a modern financial district.
It feels almost theatrical. Everything in this part of Kuala Lumpur seems positioned to frame the towers.
The Petronas Twin Towers can be viewed from the room, Blub Lounge, Bara on Six and SkyBar within the hotel. [Photos: Kim Choong]
Rooms with a View
For this stay, I was given a Deluxe Room facing the Twin Towers. The room itself is newly refurbished, with neutral tones and modern fittings that favour comfort over theatrics, imagine the executive of Shangri-la signature hospitality with practicality. But the real design element is the window.
Wake up early enough and you see the towers before the city wakes. Later in the evening, the same view becomes a stage of lights and reflections, with the park below slowly filling with evening walkers and tourists taking photographs.
Garden-view rooms face the greenery of KLCC Park instead, which offers a calmer perspective of the area. But if you’re staying here for the first time, the Twin Towers view is the one worth choosing.
It is, after all, the entire point of the hotel.
SkyBar: Drinks Above the City
For social and to impress, the centrepiece of Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur is SkyBar on Level 33.
It is the hotel’s most recognisable venue, and one that has appeared in countless photographs of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Positioned directly opposite the Petronas Twin Towers, SkyBar offers an unobstructed view that feels almost unreal, as if the towers were placed there deliberately for the bar’s guests.
During the day, the rooftop space functions partly as a pool area for hotel guests. After 7pm, it transforms into a lounge bar. Cabanas line the windows, each one angled towards the towers. These are the seats everyone wants, and they should be reserved ahead of time if possible.
From these booths, it’s easy to spot tourists with cameras and long lenses, waiting patiently for the towers to glow at night.
The drinks menu takes inspiration from Kuala Lumpur’s neighbourhoods and history, weaving small stories of the city into its cocktails. The concept is explained in the opening pages of the menu as an ode to Kuala Lumpur’s streets, cultures and skyline.
Cocktails served in SkyBar at Level 33 of Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur are made for the gram. From left: SkyBar Superstars, The Last Lockdown and Jazzy Boozy Boogie. [Photos: Kim Choong]
One of the most prominent drinks is SkyBar Superstars (RM188), presented as two cocktails representing the Petronas Twin Towers themselves, one pink and sparkling, the other purple and citrus-forward. The drinks combine gin, elderflower liqueur and lemon elements, designed as a visual tribute to the twin structures that dominate the skyline outside the window.
Another cocktail, The Beauty & The Beast (RM55), mixes gin, pink guava juice, grapefruit liqueur and fresh lemon juice. The drink leans towards bright fruit notes, making it approachable for those who prefer lighter, refreshing cocktails.
The drink that stood out the most for me was Jazzy Boozy Boogie (RM55), a richer combination of whisky, Martini Rosso, amaretto and hazelnut syrup. Beyond its flavour, the cocktail comes with a surprising historical reference. The menu notes that the district of Chow Kit, now better known for its markets and busy streets, was once home to jazz clubs and cabaret bars in the 1960s and 70s. It is one of those lesser-known details about Kuala Lumpur that adds an unexpected layer to the drink.
Two other cocktails, The Last Lockdown (RM50) and The South (RM50), draw on different influences from the city.
The Last Lockdown combines bourbon, tequila, amaretto, honey, ginger syrup and lime, while The South brings together rum, hibiscus syrup and calamansi juice for a citrus-forward profile.
Alongside the drinks, SkyBar offers a menu of snacks and light dishes designed to accompany the cocktails throughout the evening. The selection ranges from bar bites to small plates suitable for sharing, reflecting the relaxed lounge atmosphere of the venue.
Ultimately, SkyBar’s appeal lies in the complete experience: the skyline, the music, the poolside setting and the unmistakable silhouette of the Petronas Twin Towers just across the park. The drinks and food become part of that moment, enjoyed alongside one of Kuala Lumpur’s most recognisable views.
(Left) Coconut Crème Brûlée with Crystallised Candied Ginger; (Right) Grilled Pear Salad [Photos: Kim Choong]
Bara On Six: A Proper Dinner
A far stronger dining experience comes from Bara On Six, the hotel’s contemporary grill and oyster bar located on Level 6.
Unlike SkyBar, which thrives on atmosphere, Bara On Six places its attention squarely on the food.
We began with a tray of Irish Premium Oysters (RM188 for half a dozen). The oysters arrived chilled and clean, their natural brine balanced with a gentle sweetness. A squeeze of lemon and a touch of mignonette were enough to bring them to life.
The Grilled Pear Salad (RM45) followed, combining arugula, feta cheese and pecan nuts with a balsamic reduction. The pear’s natural sweetness softened the sharpness of the greens, while the pecans added a pleasant crunch.
For mains, we ordered two dishes. The Braised Angus Beef Cheek (RM98) arrived deeply flavoured, the meat tender enough to yield effortlessly with a fork. Served with truffle mashed potato and glazed baby carrot, the dish balanced richness with comfort.
The Almond Crumble Seabass Fillet à la Plancha (RM62) offered a lighter contrast.
The seabass, sourced from Pulau Pangkor waters, was delicately cooked, with the almond crumble adding texture without overwhelming the fish.
One small detail I appreciated was the selection of steak knives presented to us before the mains arrived. With the server’s suggestion, we picked the knives best suited for the dishes we ordered. It’s a small gesture, but it reflects a level of attentiveness that good restaurants should aim for.
(Left) Almond Crumble Seabass Fillet à la Plancha; (Right) Braised Angus Beef Cheek [Photos: Kim Choong]
Dessert completed the meal. The Coconut Crème Brûlée with Crystallised Candied Ginger (RM32) was fragrant and smooth, with the ginger providing a gentle warmth beneath the caramelised sugar crust. The Apple Crumble (RM32) leaned towards the comforting side, served warm with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream. It was the kind of dessert that quietly concludes a meal without unnecessary drama.
Overall, the food at Bara On Six was first-class. It felt like a restaurant confident in its craft, rather than relying on spectacle.
Breakfast That Represents Malaysia
If SkyBar delivers the skyline and Bara On Six delivers dinner, the breakfast spread might be the hotel’s most impressive offering.
Breakfast is served buffet-style, with a selection that feels like a miniature representation of Malaysian cuisine. There are stations dedicated to freshly prepared noodles, where diners can assemble their preferred combinations of fish cake, chicken and local toppings. There is a roti canai station with curries, a nasi lemak corner, and even a teh tarik station pulling the national tea in theatrical arcs.
Nasi lemak station at Gobo Chit Chat, one of the breakfast spread stations featuring Malaysian cuisine. [Photo: Kim Choong]
Elsewhere, sushi and seafood counters sit alongside Western pastries and breads. There are carving stations for roast meats, satay station serving freshly grilled meats and peanut sauce, and platters of tropical fruits and dairy selections.
It’s the kind of breakfast where every table seems to hold a different story of Malaysia, and perhaps that’s the point.
The Club Experience
Guests who book the executive rooms or suites gain access to the Traders Club Lounge on Level 32. The lounge serves breakfast in the morning with a smaller selection but offers a quieter, more tended service, but its highlight is the evening cocktail hour.
For two hours, guests can enjoy sunset drinks overlooking the towers, with unlimited snacks, wine, beer, spirits and cocktails. It is one of the quieter vantage points to watch the skyline shift from daylight to night.
There is also a 24-hour gym, sauna, steam room and a saltwater rooftop pool available to guests, adding to the hotel’s sense of convenience for travellers balancing work and leisure.
Unblocked view of the Petronas Twin Towers and its surroundings from Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur. [Photo:Kim Choong]
The Verdict
Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur understands exactly what it is. It is not trying to compete with the city’s most luxurious hotels. Instead, it offers a front-row seat to Kuala Lumpur’s most recognisable landmark.
For visitors who want to wake up facing the Petronas Twin Towers, stroll through KLCC Park, and enjoy one of the city’s most photographed rooftop bars, this hotel delivers precisely that.
If you are planning to stay here, my suggestion is simple: choose the Deluxe Room with the Twin Towers view. For the price, it is one of the best vantage points in the city.
The writer was hosted for the stay and experiences written above.
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