Hello all-after quite a long time I'll be back in KL next week for 2 days. Ive been looking on sites lke hostelz and hostelworld for some idea-and the lst is just too long. As I am also approaching the older age category-and some hostels warn about not being fit for 60+ (Ive mainly used all types of hostels the last years in many parts of this world)- just a try here for some advice. The best=5 star rated are Equator and Wheelers on/near Pudu and Bedz (dorm only) and Serai Inn in Bukit Bintang.
Also: in the past it was just walk around and see whats there-has that changed a lot then with the internet? If its called losmen, ashram or whatever is also OK for me-it just seems that hostel is taking over as word.
Also: the area around the NEW Sentral train sattion (south of the old ''mosque like'') where also the air-rail-link ends-does that have positve things? I merely remember it as empty-so long ago it was. Thanks for any help.
I spent a night in KL a couple of years ago - found my hostel (actually a 2-star hotel) on the HI website. It was more than ok. Can't remember the name but it wasn't far from a train station, in a quiet street, I remember.
I didn't have any problems in KL and found it quite interesting wandering round on my day there between flights. Found time to go to the new mosque (I asked directions downstairs at the gate, telling them I was a muslim, and when I got to the door there was a beaming 'welcoming committee') and also went up the Petronus Towers. The train station nearest the mosque was almost deserted, but the one I came into from the airport seemed quite busy.
Check your bed carefully in KL as it maybe the bedbug capitol of Asia.I have stayed in the places near Chinatown and the bus terminal probably 6-7 times and the bugs got me on at least 3 occasions
Near Sentral is an an Indian neighborhood, it's around the monorail terminus. There's some hotels here, and the seediness will vary. Unaccompanied females may get more notice than they're comfortable with. The Hotel Mexico is ok, around 70-80RM, search for it in the SEA branch. The Hotel Florida was once a 'standard answer' on TT, but now is being complained of as bedbug-ridden.
I like staying in this area if I'm flying because the airport bus is just a short walk away. Also good food. Pudu bus station can be reached via a train from Sentral. I also like that I am not solicited for stuff in this area, whereas in Bukit Bintang it is constant. These hotels are more for out-of-towners and transient workers from other countries, no touts preying on foreigners.
Some of the hostels in KL have gone from backpackers to long-term accommodation for Indian workers, but still call themselves 'hostels.' The one I used to stay in near Pudu has done this.
If you want to follow the bp crowd they'll probably be in Chinatown. The Red Dragon hostel is pretty popular.
Generally one of the reasons hostels will say "not for older travellers" is the number of stairs that must be negotiated. Often bedrooms are up one or two floors; if you can negotiate this with your luggage you would probably have no problem.
The HI hotel mentioned above is Wira Hotel. I have not stayed in this particular hotel but I have stayed around the corner and it seems very good value. It's near lots of interesting eating places (eating being one of the highlights of KL). In my opinion, hotel accommodation in KL is some of the best value you will find anywhere, and it is
Sentral is an interesting area to wander around and once agin has good places to eat. However many of the hotels in this area have had bed bugs recently.
worth considering staying in a more luxurious place at a still reasonble price. Check out wotif.com, for example.
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