Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection

Hotel Stripes is a stylish, mid-sized design hotel on Jalan Kamunting, on the northern edge of the city centre close to Chow Kit and Jalan Doraisamy. Part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, it has 184 rooms and a youthful, lively atmosphere, and it is a good alternative to the big international towers of KLCC for travellers who want character and a neighbourhood feel without giving up comfort.

The design is the hotel's calling card. Interiors are minimalist, with warm tones and archival photographs that nod to the street's past. Jalan Kamunting and the surrounding area were shaped by the tin-mining boom that created Kuala Lumpur, by colonial-era town planning and, more recently, by a quiet reinvention, with old shophouses turning into cafes, bars and restaurants. Staying here puts you in the middle of that change.

The standout facility is the rooftop outdoor pool, which is the hotel's main place to relax after a day of sightseeing in the heat. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar and room service, and the front desk is staffed around the clock. It is a fully non-smoking hotel, and pets are not allowed. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is at noon. Valet and self-parking are available, with charges for self-parking.

Hotel Stripes suits couples, solo travellers and design-conscious visitors, as well as business travellers who want somewhere with more personality than a standard chain hotel. Book directly or through Marriott Bonvoy for loyalty benefits, and ask about room types when you reserve, as layouts and views vary across the building. Because the area has plenty of independent cafes and restaurants, it is easy to eat out every night without needing a taxi, which keeps costs down on a longer stay. Families who need connecting rooms or extra beds should ask the hotel directly before booking.

The neighbourhood is one of the hotel's assets. The Row, a restored strip of shophouses on Jalan Doraisamy with cafes and bars, is close by, and the Michelin Guide's hotel listing highlights nearby restaurants such as Limapulo and Dominic. Chow Kit, with its market and long-established local eateries, is also within reach on foot. Several monorail and LRT stations are within walking distance, and KLCC and Bukit Bintang are a short taxi ride away.