BY CAITLYN NG LI YUIN
liyuin@ocision.com

Hotel experiences for intrepid travelers have evolved from the usual opulent establishments or shady little inns; nowadays, concept boutique hotels are all the rage, catering to those who are looking for quality, comfort, and value-for-money (with that little quirky touch of character).

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page," so quipped Saint Augustine, and this sage adage calls to mind the image of a traveller who has travelled great distances and picked up plenty of priceless experiences along the way. Some travelers will keep their memories in the form of keepsakes, while others need only listen to a particular song or smell a particular scent to be able to recall joyous moments.

And then there are those who diligently pen their thoughts and adventures down in order to relive them whenever they like. This is where a journal comes in handy, for those quick daily records of events, whether on the go or during one's spare time.

The Kuala Lumpur Journal (The KL Journal) is a new boutique hotel nestled in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur city centre. The partners consist of Colin Chung, a F&B consultant providing his expertise on concept and operations; Kenny Tai, an experienced management consultant with considerable project management and property development experience; Logan Lopez, who helms the kitchen with his years of culinary experience, including stints in Europe and Malaysia; and CK Kho, who joins with more than 12 years of experience in the bartending industry.

It was conceptualized to be a haven for travelers who are defined by a particular mindset, with five key elements to note. They are independent and driven to search for what they want; they are this day and age's mobile warriors, connected to the rest of the world and tech-savvy; they are design conscious and have their own individual styles, wanting to stand out from everyone else; they are value driven, since they would prefer to choose quality over quantity; and finally, these travelers are culturally curious, willingly immersing themselves in unchartered territories.

With these in mind, The KL Journal is purpose-built to cater for a new generation of independent travelers looking for an alternative to escape the brand-name boredom that comes from the standard fare of hotel chains. The city centre is already crowded with many of these types; The KL Journal is set to change all that by delivering on all the essential modern day amenities, but with a stamp of personal style and identity that sets it apart.

"We wanted to create a hotel that fills a gap in the local market for travelers who are not looking for a cookie-cutter experience found in most of the international chain hotels. The launching of The KL Journal is timely as it is targeted at those who would like to stay in a place with a unique character, but at the same time, does not want to compromise on the quality standards that they already accustomed to," said Beremi Holdings director Kenny Tai.

"Our aim has been to create a space with a distinct identity but without losing sight of the important essentials – a balance of individual style, good design, wonderful comfort, convenience and value for money. We would like to describe The KL Journal as 'affordable luxury', a category that has been increasing in appeal for millennial travelers of today," he further explained.

There is a total of 112 well-appointed rooms that are relatively spacious for a hotel in the heart of the city. There are king and twin deluxe rooms plus eight designer corner suites, all of which are kept simple with an understated elegance. Other amenities at the hotel include a rooftop saltwater infinity pool and a small gym.

The hotel also boasts a unique work and social-cum-dining space, called Workers' Union, that combines industrial chic with eclectic details. It features multiple areas that can be used for a variety of reasons:

1) Studios that are designed for intimate meetings and workshops, ideal for that off-the-grid business meeting or creative workshop. There are three in total, and each studio has its own distinct character and imaginative amenities to spark ideas and dialogue.

2) The Gallery is a versatile functions and events space, filled with plenty of natural light from floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out on to lush green views of The Terrace. It is perfect for small to mid-sized events. Depending on the room set-up, it can also be divided into two smaller rooms by a soundproof divider for greater flexibility.

3) The Hub is a relaxed communal area with shared work stations and comfy lounge chairs with good plugged-in connectivity and hi-speed WiFi. It can serve as a mobile workstation, for informal meetings and breakout sessions. It also features a barista bar if one were to need a caffeine fix or quick bite.

4)  The Terrace is a lush alfresco oasis that opens out from The Hub, designed for relaxation with a mixture of intimate lounge seating and communal sharing tables. It features an open bar and The Shack, which is a beer garden with a menu that is big on flavours served up from a cool custom-built container kitchen. This area is also accessible via a separate spiral staircase located at street level.

In an effort to help hotel guests discover KL in a more authentic way, The KL Journal has also curated its own insider guide to the city complete with handpicked suggestions on how to experience the surrounding neighbourhood and KL city like a true local. The intention is to encourage guests to create their own personal travelogue of special experiences in KL that they'll want to bookmark this as a milestone.

In line with keeping things simple, the hotel has one main dining restaurant, Bounty, a casual bistro with a daily breakfast offering which includes freshly baked breads and pastries churned out daily from its pastry studio. It also offers a tantalizing culinary experience for local diners and gourmands with a classic European menu inspired by fresh quality produce with a focus on authentic flavours.

The KL Journal is well located in the Bukit Bintang area, right in the hub of the city, where luxury retail, high street brands, restaurants, and commercial offices jostle for attention. It is also within walking distance of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and Jalan Alor, KL's most famous food street.

For a night out, the hotel is just minutes away from the vibrant Changkat neighbourhood with its specialty bars, live music experiences and restaurants. With the monorail station located a hop, skip and jump away, guests at The KL Journal enjoy excellent and hassle-free access to other hotspots through the public transportation system.