The RuMa Hotel — Kuala Lumpur’s Heritage-Rich Urban Retreat
A culturally rooted sanctuary redefining modern Malaysian luxury
From The PuLi to Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle
Following the acclaimed success of The PuLi in Shanghai, Urban Resorts Concepts (URC) brought its philosophy of “hostmanship” to Malaysia with The RuMa Hotel—its first opening outside China. Rising through the first 18 floors of a 37-storey mixed-use tower in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, the 253-room hotel presents a sophisticated retreat shaped by Malaysian heritage, urban elegance, and an emphasis on deeply personal hospitality.
Design by MQ-Studio: Six Years of Cultural Study, Made Visible
Shanghai-based MQ-Studio, led by architect Andy Hall, undertook six years of research into Malaysia’s history and craft traditions before shaping The RuMa’s interiors. Their findings surface everywhere: chequered latticework nods to traditional sarongs, copper ceilings and wall lamps reference the tin-mining boom, and original timber pillars at the entrance were salvaged from century-old Malaysian homes. Even the grand spiral staircase feels like an homage—an architectural gesture to the nation’s industrious past. Lantern-like lighting, blackened steel, and muted gold accents complete a palette that bridges colonial-era memory and contemporary restraint.
Rooms with Colonial Calm and Kuala Lumpur Views
Guestrooms and suites weave neutral tones with artisanal rattan, pale wood paneling, and screen doors inspired by traditional Malaysian homes—the word rumah itself meaning “house.” Many rooms, particularly the Grand Studios and above, offer sweeping views of the Petronas Towers. Bathrooms are indulgent across all categories, with oval soaking tubs by the windows and separate rain showers. Thoughtful touches—a bonsai crafted from local rubber species, handcrafted décor, automated blackout blinds—root each room in both place and comfort.
Suite Life: Hostmanship at Its Finest
For those booking the elevated categories, The RuMa’s human-centered hospitality truly shines. Selected suites include 24-hour butler service, complimentary in-room minibar access, and the freedom to have breakfast served anywhere in the hotel. Round-the-clock check-in and check-out underline URC’s commitment to creating a stay shaped around the guest, not the clock.
A Sixth-Floor Escape: Pool, Spa, and Grooming Rituals
The cantilevered infinity pool, clad in shimmering gold and black tiles, extends dramatically over the Golden Triangle—a vantage point where swimmers can take in the skyline and glimpse the Petronas Towers. Adjacent, SANTAI Pool Bar offers light bites and sunset cocktails within arm’s reach of your daybed. The UR Spa provides genderless, bespoke treatments using organic products by Comfort Zone, from express massages to full-day restorative rituals. Adding a unique edge, a Truefitt & Hill barbershop—one of the world’s oldest grooming institutions—offers impeccable haircuts and traditional shaves.
ATAS, SEVEN & SANTAI: Modern Malaysian Flavors
Dining at The RuMa begins with ATAS, the hotel’s signature restaurant dedicated to contemporary Malaysian cuisine. Dishes reinterpret local flavors with technical finesse and bold creativity. SEVEN, the lobby bar and lounge, serves crafted cocktails beneath soft copper light, while SANTAI brings relaxed poolside dining with local snacks, refreshing drinks, and skyline ambience. Guests staying in suites can enjoy breakfast anywhere they please—restaurant, room, or terrace.
A True Sense of Home: Warmth, Welcome, and “Hostmanship”
The hotel’s name, derived from the Malay word rumah, captures its ethos: a place where guests feel instinctively at home. URC’s concept of “hostmanship” centers relationships over routines—staff anticipate needs, personalize experiences, and offer service that is intuitive rather than intrusive. Whether arriving at dawn or midnight, guests are welcomed with the same ease, generosity, and Malaysian warmth.
Where Heritage Meets the Modern Metropolis
Though located steps from KLCC Park and the city’s premier shopping district, The RuMa feels worlds away. Its design notes—rattan, copper, salvaged pillars, sarong-inspired latticework—bridge eras, while its skyline views and contemporary comforts anchor it firmly in the present. It’s a rare balance: a hotel that grounds you in Malaysian culture while giving you the freedom and indulgence of a modern urban sanctuary.
DNA Hotels Verdict
The RuMa stands among Kuala Lumpur’s most thoughtfully designed luxury retreats. Its interiors honor Malaysia’s past, its amenities embrace the present, and its human-centered service shapes every moment of the stay. From the infinity pool cantilevered over the Golden Triangle to the rattan-lined suites framing the Petronas Towers, The RuMa is where heritage, comfort, and emotional sophistication converge—an urban refuge with a distinctly Malaysian soul.
