What to do in KL: Your ultimate wellness city guide
Get your wellness hangouts in check and prep what to do in KL when the borders reopen again
Text: Leila Louise Fitton
Singapore – Malaysia is one of the busiest air travel routes in the region, and we can't wait for it to be safe enough to form a travel bubble with our neighbour. As something to look forward to, we've compiled the ultimate wellness city guide to Kuala Lumpur with some help from our KL friends Oxygen Cycle spin instructor Honey Khanum and ex-Miss Universe Malaysia and Miss Malaysia World Deborah Henry. When the time comes to dust off those passports, here’s what to do in KL, your ultimate wellness city guide.
Top wellness hotels in KL
Along with a 24-hour state of the art gym, UR SPA at The RuMa Hotel is an exclusive wellness destination with treatments that work around your schedule. The tailor-made treatments embrace indigenous techniques from the tribes of Northern Borneo to Urut healing traditions.
In this boutique hotel for the creative and curious nestles B.est Mind & Body. With a holistic approach to fitness and mindfulness, B.est Mind & Body offers yoga, mindfulness meditation, and other fitness sessions. Hang out at the courtyard pool for some Vitamin D amidst the greenery.
Time to take it easy. From yoga and mindfulness meditation, to a digital wellness escape, MO's tailor-made spa treatments offer complete relaxation in a beautifully designed setting. A true sanctuary for the senses, the spa's soothing harmonious decor helps in exercising the mind, body and spirit.
From sensory sound baths to Chinese Peranakan spa treatments, the spa at Ritz-Carlton pays tribute to the cultural diversity and rich healing heritage of the area. This stylish escape blends ancient practices with the modern, using natural local ingredients to provide a blissful relaxation and recovery.
Favourite nature trails and hikes in KL
Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve
Time: Depending on route 30 mins –120 mins
Carefully designed and constructed by volunteers, Temuan Orang Asli and the Selangor Forestry Department, Kota Damansara Forest Reserve consists of lookout trails of beautiful views, a Temuan ethnobotanical garden, and various trail networks to suit hikers of differing fitness levels.
Time: 45 mins
The perfect way to start the day, this 40–acre forest reserve is under the canopy of critically endangered trees such as Keruing, Meranti and Mersawa species. Taman Tugu consists of more than 230 indigenous Malaysian rainforest species and more than 4,000 impressive trees averaging 8–10 years old.
Time: 60 mins
Located at the edge of the Titiwangsa Range, Broga Hills offer a serene view of the lush city of Broga. A popular picnic spot, the hike to the bel'vue is relatively simple for hikers of all skill levels.
Time: 110 mins
On this trail you won't only have the canopy and a stunning view of Bandar Utama to absorb. Nature lovers will have a few animals keeping them company too, including squirrels, birds, monitor lizards, macaques and, if you're lucky, dusky-leaf monkeys.
Beautiful bars and excellent views
Bar Trigona at Four Seasons KL
Trigona is ranked at number 14 in the "Best 50" best bars in Asia. Beyond the lavish interior and drinks concocted with locally grown ingredients, Trigona is the best place in the city to enjoy a sunset tipple, while the golden rays refract around your opulent surroundings.
Jann Bar KL at Four Points by Sheraton
The heart of Chinatown is captured at Jann through a classy and eclectic range of drinks, with a story behind every one of her concoctions. Enjoy the cool evening air with stunning views over KL's skyline on Jann's balcony before diving into a colourful night in this iconic neighbourhood.
Blue Rooftop Bar on Sky51 EQ Hotel
With a luxurious interior and unobstructed view of the KL twin towers, Blue Rooftop Bar is a super-cool speakeasy located on level 51 (Sky51) at EQ. At this height even the mocktails will make you tipsy.
Work up a sweat
Oxygen is the first outdoor rooftop spin class in KL with breathtaking views to boot. Small classes of only nine riders at a time builds more confidence in the current climate and allows for a more intimate group dynamic.
Get fired up and choose your combo of strength training, HIIT sessions, Pilates, yoga, boxing, and spin classes. From high energy cardio workouts to firing that metabolic boost, Fire Station has got you covered, no matter your fitness level.
Something will surely take your fancy at Babel thanks to the variety of classes available. There’s high-intensity cardio in the HIITabata class; strength training with bodybuilding at Beast; or cooling off with yoga and Pilates on water.
The slow burn of Pilates helps with toning, mobilising and strengthening and the Sculpt Club brings a modern take to this form of exercise.
Best plant-based restaurants
Hungry Tapir's fame escalated very quickly and has is fully booked when not in lockdown. Instafamous with its beautiful decor, the plant-based menu keeps you coming back, as the chef turns even the most ardent meat eaters into herbivores with every dish that comes out of the kitchen.
Drink your burrito down with delicious smoothies at this Latin-inspired, tex-mex, vegan restaurant. Or enjoy the bagel burger, try not to fall in love with the falafel salad, and go loco with some local dishes.
Modest, inviting and relaxed, this family run cafe serves deliciously-cooked vegetarian South and North Indian dishes which are forgiving on your waistline.
How about a guilt-free take away? Rubberduck's highly recommended colourful and healthy smoothie bowls are available to be devoured for dine-in too, plus you might even catch a few celebrity regulars if you're lucky.
Now you know where to go and what to do in KL, all we need is that travel bubble to be implemented. Malaysia, we’ll be coming for you …
L-R: Deborah Henry and Honey Khanum
Image Credit: Shikeen Halibullah
