Lloyd’s Inn Kuala Lumpur — A Vertical Garden of Calm Above the City
Industrial minimalism and sky-high greenery reimagined through FARM’s signature tropical lens
A Sky-High Interpretation of a Beloved Brand
Unlike its low-rise sister properties in Singapore and Bali, Lloyd’s Inn Kuala Lumpur unfolds across a soaring high-rise near Bukit Bintang—over 15 stories of concrete calm wrapped in tropical green. The challenge, as FARM Associate Guan Sin Teo explains, was translating the brand’s grounded, nature-first intimacy into a vertical environment. The result is a hotel that feels like a leafy oasis suspended in the sky: raw materials, cascading plants, and the quiet, contemplative DNA that defines Lloyd’s Inn.
Industrial Minimalism, Elevated
Lloyd’s Inn KL adopts the same honest material language as its predecessors—off-form concrete walls, cement screed floors, timber-look finishes—and threads it through 110 rooms that range from compact studios to generous lofts and private-terrace suites. Outdoors-in signature moments from the Bali property reappear here: outdoor showers, open-air bathtubs, and textured raw finishes that place nature front and center. Retro swings add a new playful flourish, while private verandas, planter boxes, and small balconies infuse every room with greenery. Even on double-digit floors, guests find a quiet pocket of calm to reconnect with the elements.
Design by FARM: Bottom-Up, Human-First
FARM approached the project as a “bottom-up” design exercise: instead of letting the high-rise structure dictate the experience, the team shaped each room as a personal patch of earth—then let the architecture adapt around it. The result is a building where individual guest experiences define the larger form. Galvanized expanded metal mesh wraps the façade, acting as sun-shading, privacy screens, and vertical garden trellises. From afar, plants appear to cascade down the tower, turning the hotel into a living green landmark in Kuala Lumpur’s dense skyline.
Skyline Social Spaces & City Rhythm
While rooms prioritize solitude, communal zones are crafted for gentle interaction. A compact dipping pool at lobby level offers a refreshing pause on arrival. Higher up, the Social Pod on the 15th floor becomes a co-working and event space with panoramic city views—a perch for both business travelers and creative nomads. On level five, Opeum Bistro by Sharon Gonzago and chef Izzat crafts thoughtful dishes, blending local flavors with international comfort in a bright, modern setting.
Sustainability as Craft and Practice
Lloyd’s Inn KL builds sustainability directly into its design and operations. Open-air corridors reduce energy use, while mesh screens function as passive sun-shading devices. Rooms feature refillable dispensers instead of single-use amenities; paper replaces plastic across the board. The ethos is simple: design should harmonize with nature, not fight it. This commitment—small steps repeated across all Lloyd’s properties—creates a hospitality experience intertwined with environmental consideration.
A High-Rise with a Heart of Green
Nature softens every corner of this concrete sanctuary. Layered textures, tactile finishes, and the steady presence of plants ground the hotel in a sense of calm. Even amid the city’s rush, Lloyd’s Inn KL offers a slower rhythm: verandas with leafy screens, outdoor soaking tubs open to the sky, and rooms that feel more like minimalist garden studios than city hotel boxes.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Lloyd’s Inn Kuala Lumpur is a masterclass in translating grounded, tropical simplicity into a vertical setting. With its cascading green façade, raw minimalism, and thoughtfully crafted sky-high retreats, it delivers an urban oasis that feels both intimate and elevated. A serene, design-smart alternative to the city’s glass towers—perfect for travelers seeking quiet beauty amid KL’s buzzing energy.
