By Alex Low 
Kimpton makes its long-awaited Malaysian debut with Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur, a striking addition to the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), the capital’s emerging international financial and lifestyle district. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, the opening marks a milestone for the San Francisco–founded brand, celebrated globally for design-led hotels that function as social and cultural hubs.
Founded in 1981, Kimpton has built its reputation on creating spaces that feel deeply connected to their surroundings. In Kuala Lumpur, that philosophy is expressed through interiors inspired by the city’s lush landscapes and rich cultural heritage, balancing global luxury with a strong sense of place.
Botanics, Reimagined
Arina Salam, one of the designers at Hassell, helped shape the interiors guided by “Botanics Beyond Aesthetics”, a concept that moves beyond decorative greenery to explore how nature, craft and culture influence spatial experience. “The idea was to bridge not just the essence of the forest, which is the overarching idea of the hotel, but also the food and harvest traditions of Malaysia,” says Salam, highlighting the layering of local narratives throughout the property.
Guests are welcomed into a spacious, high-ceiling lobby where lush greenery, tactile materials and curated furnishings create an immediate sense of bespoke refinement, setting the tone for a distinctly local yet cosmopolitan experience. Forest greens and organic textures ground the interiors in their context, creating calm while retaining the bold, expressive quality associated with Kimpton.
Harvest as Architecture
The botanical narrative continues in Tuai + Till, the hotel’s signature restaurant, where architecture, light and design reflect Malaysia’s culinary and agricultural heritage. Tuai celebrates Peranakan fusion cuisine, while Till offers a Western menu. The space draws on the tools and rituals of harvest, with folding and weaving motifs inspired by ketupat, banana leaves and baskets translated into screens, flooring and architectural details. “The folding isn’t just exclusive to ketupat; it appears across different cultures and dishes, and we translated that into woven elements throughout the space,” explains Salam.
Custom screens take the shape of familiar food forms, such as angku kuih and mooncakes, into geometric patterns that filter light and create a dappled, reflective atmosphere. “When the light filters through, it creates that shimmering quality,” she notes. Flooring mirrors this narrative, subtle at ground level before evolving into woven motifs above, reflecting harvest, craft and tradition. Every meal here becomes a sensory journey, connecting guests to local heritage.
Quiet Expressions of Craft
The design language continues into guestrooms and suites. Headboards feature carvings inspired by Malaysia’s rubber tapping, while executive suites elevate tradition with metal inlays and artisanal finishes, offering intimate, sensory encounters with craft heritage. Even the rooftop bar, Four Siblings, carries narrative weight, with peppercorn-inspired lighting referencing the historic spice trade, allowing guests to experience Malaysia’s cultural story from multiple vantage points.
Together, these gestures form a cohesive story that translates landscapes, traditions and cuisine into a contemporary luxury setting. Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur exemplifies how considered design and artisanal detail can anchor a global brand in its local context, crafting immersive, sophisticated environments where every touchpoint — from public spaces to private suites — offers a distinct and personalised luxury experience.
