Smart new digs with lots of nearby eating
There is something about hitting a hotel at that perfect sweet spot and Ahyu Hotel had been open less than six months when we stayed here in late 2017 and we loved it.
Set along Leboh Ampang, our third floor room looked out over the street and during the day we’d turn the air-con off and open the two glass windows to let the sounds of the South Asian district flood in—as would the ringing bells of St John’s just to the northeast (which we could clearly see) and the call to prayer from Jamek Mosque from the southwest—thankfully not all at the same time though.
For the money, our rooms was well sized and spotless. The already mentioned fair-sized glass windows let the light flood in while heavy curtains kept the evening noise and lights at bay. The bed was good and firm, with comfortable bedding, pillows and bedside tables. There is also a desk and stool for those who need to check email (free WiFi is available throughout the property) and a large TV along with a kettle, complimentary coffee and tea and a small safe.
The compact bathroom, as with the rest of the room was in a very good state of cleanliness. It has an odd mist-spray style shower we’d never seen before, where the water came out at such high pressure it seemed to create wind around it—was certainly very effective at removing KL’s grime!
Downstairs there is some seating by the lobby, but we wouldn’t describe it as a common room, and we found the staff to be very helpful and knowledgable in giving us advice and answering our questions.
The location, especially for those who like South Asian food, is excellent. The hotel is pretty much directly opposite Betel Leaf (one of our favourite Indian restaurants), while Bakti Woodlands and Sangeetha, two excellent vegetarian Indian restaurants are on the same street. One block south, on Jalan Tun H.S. Lee you have Lokl Cafe, for your fancy pants cafe set and Restoran Santa which does some of the best chapatti in all of Kuala Lumpur.
If you’re after comfortable and unassuming digs and want to stay in this part of Kuala Lumpur, Ahyu is a solid bet. If you’d prefer a hostel scene, you’ll find the ever popular BackHome over on Jalan Tun H.S. Lee beside Lokl cafe, and opposite both, the excellent 1,000 Miles Hotel.
The location puts you a five minute walk from Masjid Jamek LRT station and Jamek Mosque and a fifteen minute walk to both Chinatown and the historic Merdeka Square area of Kuala Lumpur.
Address: 34 Leboh Ampang, Little India
T: (03) 2022 2040;
Email: imran@ahyukl.com
Web: https://www.facebook.com/ahyuhotel/
Coordinates (for GPS): 101º41'51.62" E, 3º8'58.19" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: 120 to 250 ringgit
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
Standard double room No window | 100 ringgit | 100 ringgit |
Superior double room With window | 120 ringgit | 120 ringgit |
Family room | 200 ringgit | 200 ringgit |
Reviewed by
Stuart McDonald
Stuart McDonald co-founded Travelfish.org with Samantha Brown in 2004. He has lived in Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia, where he worked as an under-paid, under-skilled language teacher, an embassy staffer, a newspaper web-site developer, freelancing and various other stuff. His favourite read is The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton.
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