During our recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, we developed an appreciation for art hotels. This is because we stayed in The Hulo Hotel + Gallery where we were welcomed by an exhibition of various artworks in the lobby, in the corridors, and even inside the room. It is the kind of place where you'll enjoy wandering around taking pictures and the kind of accommodation where you'll have unique arts experience every time you stay.
Here's a review of this small boutique property.
Location
Here's a review of this small boutique property.
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| Art transformed the overall look of the property |
The Hulo Hotel + Gallery's location is very strategic and is one of its main advantages. It is within the Golden Triangle, Kuala Lumpur's commercial, shopping, and entertainment center. It is approximately 450 meters to Berjaya Times Square or Imbi Station and 630 meters to Sung Wei Plaza. Numerous other shopping malls can be reached from the hotel within a walk of 15 minutes or less. Prominent landmarks such as the Royal Selangor Golf Club is only 10 minutes away by car while the Petronas Twin Towers is 20 minutes away.
Although the hotel is close to happening places, it is already at the edge of the Golden Triangle making its neighborhood still reasonably quiet. To reach the hotel you can take the KL Monorail Line to Imbi Station and walk to Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah.
Reservation
The Hulo Hotel + Gallery doesn't have its own website for reservation of rooms. It can only be booked through online travel agencies such as Agoda, Wotif, and Hotels.com.
Agoda offered the best deal for our stay dates. Since it also has a partnership with BPI, we got to enjoy an additional 7% discount on top of the online deal. We booked a Standard Room for only PHP646.30 per room per night. That's total savings of at least 80% from the room's full price.
To book through Agoda using your BPI credit card, visit the microsite here.
Check-in
We arrived at the hotel at around 1:00PM. As we were earlier than the peak hours of the day, we were able to check-in immediately. Check-in was very straightforward and contrary to what is published online, no security deposit was asked from us.
A tourist tax of 10MYR per room is required to be paid by all foreign guests staying in any hotel in Malaysia. This tax is not included in the room rate and must be paid upon arrival. The hotel is unable to charge the tourist tax via credit card because they do not have the facility. Since we only had enough local currency for our transportation from the airport to the hotel, the front desk allowed us to pay in the evening so we'll have time to exchange our money to MYR.
Layout and Ambience
The Hulo Hotel + Gallery is a 5-storey hotel with 63 moderately sized rooms. It was conceived not just as an art hotel but also to serve a higher purpose of making art works accessible to the masses.
The unique feature of Hulo is that each room features the works of one creative personality. The artists were given free rein to design the room. As such it showcases works from diverse disciplines like paintings, sculptures, custom toys, and furniture. You will definitely enjoy being surrounded in the luxury of beautiful works worth thousands of dollars while staying in the hotel.
The room can accommodate maximum of 2 adults. There is no option for an extra bed due to space limitation. The room amenities and furnishings are basic such as air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, hot and cold shower, hair dryer, tea/coffee amenities and bottled water.
There are no closet, working desk, and safe inside the room. Instead, there is an open space with hooks on the wall, a folding table under the TV, and safety deposit service at the 24-hour front desk. Another thing to note is that the plugs and sockets in the room are the UK-type three-square pin socket and plug. Be sure to bring an adapter. Unfortunately, the hotel is not able to provide adapters should you ask for one.
Activities
Although the hotel is close to happening places, it is already at the edge of the Golden Triangle making its neighborhood still reasonably quiet. To reach the hotel you can take the KL Monorail Line to Imbi Station and walk to Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah.
Reservation
The Hulo Hotel + Gallery doesn't have its own website for reservation of rooms. It can only be booked through online travel agencies such as Agoda, Wotif, and Hotels.com.
Agoda offered the best deal for our stay dates. Since it also has a partnership with BPI, we got to enjoy an additional 7% discount on top of the online deal. We booked a Standard Room for only PHP646.30 per room per night. That's total savings of at least 80% from the room's full price.
To book through Agoda using your BPI credit card, visit the microsite here.
Check-in
We arrived at the hotel at around 1:00PM. As we were earlier than the peak hours of the day, we were able to check-in immediately. Check-in was very straightforward and contrary to what is published online, no security deposit was asked from us.
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| The hotels' exquisite front desk |
Layout and Ambience
The Hulo Hotel + Gallery is a 5-storey hotel with 63 moderately sized rooms. It was conceived not just as an art hotel but also to serve a higher purpose of making art works accessible to the masses.
The unique feature of Hulo is that each room features the works of one creative personality. The artists were given free rein to design the room. As such it showcases works from diverse disciplines like paintings, sculptures, custom toys, and furniture. You will definitely enjoy being surrounded in the luxury of beautiful works worth thousands of dollars while staying in the hotel.
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| Art in the corridors |
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| Art right outside the rooms |
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| An Avengers inspired room? Yes! |
Our Room
We stayed in a Standard Room with Twin Beds. Our room was designed by Zack Tay, a graphic designer, character designer, and illustrator. He designed the room with the theme based on his first character design project - Brody The Blackheart. Brody, who debuted in the Taipei International Toy Festival in 2014, brings the message that love and time is the best antidote to changing stereotypes and prejudice. Here's how the room looked like. |
| A photo of Zack Tay and Brody welcome guests |
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| Brody and his friends are showcased inside our room |
There are no closet, working desk, and safe inside the room. Instead, there is an open space with hooks on the wall, a folding table under the TV, and safety deposit service at the 24-hour front desk. Another thing to note is that the plugs and sockets in the room are the UK-type three-square pin socket and plug. Be sure to bring an adapter. Unfortunately, the hotel is not able to provide adapters should you ask for one.
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| The TV, folding table, and coffee facilities |
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| The wall-mounted phone |
The hotel itself is photogenic. With its concept of infusing artworks in its interiors, you'll have an abundance of stunning subjects to photograph.
There's also always something new to see at the Hulo. The lobby cum gallery houses a dynamic program of changing exhibitions featuring exclusive artworks from Malaysian and Southeast Asian artisans, designers, artists, and other creative talents. You'll surely be treated to an inspiring and informative experience. But more than that, you'll get a chance to own these works as they are for sale.
If you're up for some food trip, head to Jalan Alor which just a 900 meters away from the hotel. For shopping, it is a few minutes walk to several shopping malls where you can find world famous brands and shops. For fun and excitement, step in to Malaysia's largest indoor theme park, the Berjaya Times Square Theme Park, located 460 meters from the hotel.
Service and Experience
Overall, our experience at the hotel was great. We didn't expect that for the price we paid, we'll get to wake up next to beautiful art works. Moreover, the service was good and efficient. We sure felt like we got more for our money as compared to staying in a different property.
If you have questions about The Hulo Hotel + Gallery, please leave a comment in the box below.
Want to read more about our trip to KL? Click on the below links.
1. Kuala Lumpur: A Budget Travel Guide for Juans
2. Kuala Lumpur: A Travel Guide For First Timers
3. City Sightseeing Onboard the KL Hop On Hop Off Bus
4. In Photos: Muzium Negara's Prehistory and the Malay Kingdoms Galleries (Part I)
5. In Photos: Muzium Negara's Colonial Era and Malaysia Today Galleries (Part II)
6. A Starlit Afternoon at Malaysia's Planetarium Negara
There's also always something new to see at the Hulo. The lobby cum gallery houses a dynamic program of changing exhibitions featuring exclusive artworks from Malaysian and Southeast Asian artisans, designers, artists, and other creative talents. You'll surely be treated to an inspiring and informative experience. But more than that, you'll get a chance to own these works as they are for sale.
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| Paintings exhibited in the lobby of the hotel |
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| Every corner of the hotel has a featured work |
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| Manny Pacquiao in one of the character designs |
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| Sculptures are also featured in the hotel |
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| Painted work influenced by anime art style |
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| Art made from the scraps of a bike |
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| R2-D2 inspired work |
Service and Experience
Overall, our experience at the hotel was great. We didn't expect that for the price we paid, we'll get to wake up next to beautiful art works. Moreover, the service was good and efficient. We sure felt like we got more for our money as compared to staying in a different property.
If you have questions about The Hulo Hotel + Gallery, please leave a comment in the box below.
Want to read more about our trip to KL? Click on the below links.
1. Kuala Lumpur: A Budget Travel Guide for Juans
2. Kuala Lumpur: A Travel Guide For First Timers
3. City Sightseeing Onboard the KL Hop On Hop Off Bus
4. In Photos: Muzium Negara's Prehistory and the Malay Kingdoms Galleries (Part I)
5. In Photos: Muzium Negara's Colonial Era and Malaysia Today Galleries (Part II)
6. A Starlit Afternoon at Malaysia's Planetarium Negara
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