Recently in Kuala Lumpur Category

It's time once again to take a fall break, and this year, why not think big? There's nothing wrong with a few days of leaf-peeping and apple-picking, but a weekend in Malaysia might be nice too. It's not as crazy as it sounds, thanks to Starpicks. That's because the Westin Kuala Lumpur is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends. The weather in "KL" is balmy and comfortable this time of year, and there's plenty to do around town. Art lovers, for example, will want to drop by the National Museum, which holds the country's most impressive collection of Malaysian art and artifacts, while fans of classical music might appreciate a performance by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, which plays in the elegant Petronas Philharmonic Hall. But for those who just want some rest and relaxation, it's hard to top the Westin Kuala Lumpur, which features the Splash outdoor pool, the WestinWORKOUT gym, and six innovative dining options. Whether you're into the traditional Italian cuisine of Prego or the modern Zen delights of EEST Asian restaurant, you'll find an explosion of flavors served up in a dynamic yet relaxing atmosphere. It's a nice way to usher in the new season. Of course, the Westin Kuala Lumpur is just one of dozens of Starpicks properties this week, so check the list to find the destination of your dreams.

Kuala Lumpur is one of Asia's most dynamic cities, with cutting-edge modern architecture and a pervading sense of history and tradition. Visitors to this Malaysian gem are at once awed by the ambition of the Petronas Twin Towers - which were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 - and humbled by the serenity of ancient places like the Batu Caves, where early Hindu settlers created their own houses of worship. If you've ever wanted to visit Kuala Lumpur, here's a golden opportunity: the Sheraton Subang Hotel and Towers is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends. This exquisite five-star property has luxury at every turn, from a beautifully-landscaped swimming pool - with a separate Jacuzzi and children's pool - to a full-service spa, whose selection of pampering treatments includes the 90-minute Tanjung Signature Treatment and therapeutic foot reflexology. Fitness buffs will appreciate the hotel's Clark Hatch Fitness Center, which features all the latest equipment in a modern facility, as well as the lakeside jogging track and green nature trail, which winds through Subang Ria Park and has beautiful views of the lake. You'll find excellent food in abundance at the hotel's six different eateries. Whether you're in the mood for international/Mediterranean cuisine at Terazza Brasserie or sushi at Miyako Japanese Restaurant, you'll be able to savor tasty morsels in a relaxing atmosphere that's sure to inspire you. And as you toast the sunset with a cocktail at the Piano Lounge, enjoy the moment and then start thinking about your next spontaneous Starpicks getaway.

Peter Foreman is the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Sheraton Haikou Resort in China and thelobby.com's expert on the region.

A stay at The Westin should always have you leaving the hotel feeling better than you arrived, an experience of renewal. A visit to Kuala Lumpur must involve some serious time dedicated to its many shopping malls. The newest shopping mall in KL, The Pavilion, has opened directly across the street from The Westin Kuala Lumpur and there is no better way to rest your tired feet after a day of shopping than at the Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa. But this is no ordinary spa .. the fish will eat your feet to health! You read it right .. soak your feet in an enormous fish tank and allow your many new friends to go to work. Thousands of Garra Rufa fish, known as 'Doctor Fish' will surround your feet and give the best beauty treatment your feet can ever ask for. They hold the secret to smooth and glowing skin! The Garra Rufa's natural habitat is the water of a hot spring near Kangal, Turkey and it was there that the fish's unique healing power was first discovered decades ago.

While Kuala Lumpur has all the action and excitement of the biggest Asian cities, it also boasts a sleek and sophisticated side where travelers can enjoy classical music and cultural treasures in an environment that is utterly removed from the chaos of the streets. With institutions such as the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Malaysian National Museum, and the Malaysian National Theater, visitors to Kuala Lumpur are never far from a meaningful cultural experience. As it happens, Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, so you can enjoy a whirlwind tour of the best of Malaysian culture and have plenty left over to bring home a few frivolous souvenirs. Located in the Kuala Lumpur Sentral precinct, Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur is just steps from some of the city's greatest attractions, such as the Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens, but you'll find plenty of fun and relaxing options without leaving the hotel. A free-form pool with water slide is a great way to stay cool on a hot Malaysian day, while the Clark Hatch gymnasium and a luxurious spa will have you feeling relaxed and refreshed in no time. When it's time for dinner, the hotel's five restaurants have just about every option covered, including the intriguing Al Nafourah restaurant, where diners enjoy private silken dinner tents, delectable Middle Eastern cuisine, and performances by belly dancers following the meal. It's a perfect way to spend an evening in this jewel of a southeast Asian city. Of course, Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur is just one of many Starpicks properties this week, so check the list to find the destination that's right for you.

To get a good sense of the new Asia, pay a visit to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. With cutting-edge technology at every turn and glimmering skyscrapers sprouting up like daisies, it's a city that's racing into the future, but it always keeps one foot firmly planted in its ancient past. Since the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, you might just consider a spur-of-the-moment weekend jaunt to this fascinating Far East metropolis. With Starpicks, impulsive travelers can enjoy last-minute rates of at least 20% - 30% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends.

To learn about Malaysia's multi-cultural past, drop by the Kuala Lumpur National Museum or the National Art Gallery Malaysia, with its unrivaled collection of classic and contemporary south Asian art. And to get a glimpse of the country''s future, visit the Petronas Twin Towers, which were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004, when they were overtaken by Taiwan's Taipei 101, and then enjoy some shopping, dining, and cocktails in Kuala Lumpur's pulsating nightlife districts. At the end of the day, you'll appreciate the many fine amenities in the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur (pictured), a member of Starwood's Luxury Collection. Last-minute travel ideas can really come to life with Starpicks, so check the list every week and think about where in the world you'd like to go next.