It’s undeniable that The RuMa Hotel and Residences ticks all the boxes for a strategic stay – right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur yet pleasantly tucked away from the hustle & bustle, just a short stroll to the MRT, near to major shopping malls, and ample of dining options, the location alone is a win. Add its recent One Michelin Key Hotel recognition, it stands proudly among the city’s finest.
Still, what truly won us over goes well beyond its convenience and accolades. The RuMa Hotel and Residences has a way of celebrating Malaysian luxury that feels both modern and deeply rooted – from its design language to the warmth of its service and flavours in its cuisine, and you can feel it.
Being part of Urban Resort Concepts – the same family behind the renowned PuXuan in Beijing and PuLi in Shanghai – The RuMa carries the brand’s philosophy of Hostmanship. And you can feel it.
You don’t just check in; you’re welcomed into an experience that feels authentically Malaysian while offering a small glimpse into the city’s origins, cultural evolution, and colonial past – in a contemporary and luxurious setting that exudes the soothing qualities of a true urban retreat.
One of the first things that caught our attention is the 6 massive pillars at the entrance. Salvaged from an old home in Malacca, these pillars pay homage to traditional Malaysian houses and symbolically tie back to the name “RuMa”.
Walk a little further and you’ll enter the antechamber, designed like a bird cage – inspired by the canary cages once used to detect the toxicity of the air in the mines, also a quiet tribute to the city’s tin mining heritage.
The storytelling continues in the lobby. The grand staircase draws from the stately designs of colonial residences built by the British in Malaysia, with elements that mimic a drill that drills from the mezzanine floor to the lobby – tying back to KL’s early tin mining era.
Above it all, a copper ceiling casts a warm glow, adding charm to the space.
As we wander around the hotel, there are more details worth pausing for, such as the 6-foot tall Kebayaku golden structure by Malaysia’s top fashion designer Bernard Chandran; antique balusters once adorning the courtyards of the houses, mostly found in Penang; wooden Peranakan cabinets; batik print blocks from a factory in Kuala Lumpur that once produced batik cloths of various designs and colours; rubber tree Bonsai that represents Kuala Lumpur’s rubber industry in the early 20th century, and more.
Each piece adds texture to The RuMa’s narrative, offering little snapshots of Malaysia’s cultural tapestry.
Two elements that we especially love are the pewter tiles adorning the reception desk and SEVEN Lobby Bar – designed by Royal Selangor, Malaysia’s foremost name in quality pewter products;
And the use of heritage tiles to reflect the arrival of immigrants from China to Kuala Lumpur for the tin mining industry in the 19th century. Interestingly, these tiles are sourced from the same factory that produced flooring for the sleeping chambers of Beijing’s Forbidden Palace.
For our staycation, we checked-in for a 2D1N retreat. The RuMa Hotel and Residences has a total of 253 rooms and suites ranging from Deluxe Room to Grand Room, Corner Studio, Grand Studio, Deluxe Suite, Grand Suite, 2-Bedroom Family Suite, 2-Bedroom Deluxe Suite, RuMa Suite, 2-bedroom RuMa Suite, alongside ATAS Restaurant, The LIBRARI, SANTAI Pool Bar & bar Lounge, SEVEN Lobby Bar, Infinity Pool, UR SPA, Gym as well as conference room and event spaces.
43 m² Deluxe Room, intelligently laid out open space that can be separated from the bathroom area by a sliding floor-to-ceiling partition to create a more private setting.
Our favourite corner is definitely the lounge area by the window with automated blackout roller blind. Took a lot of photos here! Hope to be back again and trying a room with an even better view next time.
King bed fitted with 330-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. Turn down service is available in case you need it. But since we arrived late, everything was still perfectly ready and welcoming when we checked in.
Besides the usual tea bags, instant coffee and Nespresso capsule coffee, our minibar was complimentary too, which was a nice touch. Although full replenishment only applies for longer stays, it was still handy to have drinks ready in the room.
Nice bathroom setup with a custom bathtub for soaking, a separate high-pressure rainforest shower; BALMAIN hair, skincare, bath; and twin copper vanity basins that added a touch of elegance.
Summerkid’s staycay must-have.
Freshen up and headed to ATAS restaurant, where The RuMa’s distinctive historical and cultural details extend into its culinary offerings. We sampled Rasa Malaysia Set Menu, a 4-course dinner that celebrates time-honoured recipes, reimagined to showcase Malaysia’s diverse culinary identity.
Curated by Executive Chef Suhalmi Tasir, we enjoyed everything served – from ATAS Bites with Sambal Merah & Hijab to Teochew Fish Soup, Beef Rib Rending Tok, ATAS Nasi Ulam, Bubur Cha-Cha Parfait.
Rasa Malaysia Set Menu at ATAS
Dinner | Daily | 6PM – 10PM
Price: RM208 ( 4-course ) | RM248 ( 5-course )
If you prefer a chill, laid-back meal with a view, SANTAI Pool Bar and Lounge at Level 6 is another option – to enjoy cocktails, snacks, international refreshment such as Angus Beef Striploin, Crab Meat Fried Rice, Fish & Chips, Homemade Satay, Prawn Spring Rolls, Santa Slider, Fish & Chips, Tiramisu, BBQ Chicken Pizza.
We arrived a little later than planned for a drink, so the bar had already closed by the time we got there. Still, we were lucky enough to catch the beautiful view of KLCC and the surrounding city lights, reflecting beautifully off the pool. Even without a cocktail, the atmosphere alone made it a memorable moment.
Good night, world!
Rise & Shine to Summergirl’s happiest time for every hotel stay.
Nasi Lemak, rendang, deep-fried crullers, hashed browns, sausages, baked beans, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, fruits, danish, cakes – basically, everything delicious. The croissants and baked goods were just as lovely as during our last stay.
We found that The RuMa’s breakfast time is a lot more busier compared to our last stay. Suggest to come earlier before 8AM, if you want to enjoy a slower pace with a cup of coffee and get in the calm vibes before the crowd sets in.
The RuMa Hotel and Residences probably has the longest cooked-to-order egg menu for KL hotel breakfast, more than 10, and uniquely comes with local twist- Sambal Udang Omelette and Potato Masala Omelette. Cheese Omelette, Egg Shakshuka, Vegetable Omelette, Mix Omelette, Vegan Chickpeas Omelette, Plain Omelette, Sunny Side Up, Over Easy, Fried Egg, Poached Egg, Half Boiled Egg, Egg Benedict with Salmon.
Slipped into one of their cozy day beds at Level 6 after brekkie. This level also houses the infinity pool;
and the 24-hour, state-of-the-art gym, equipped with TECHNOGYM machines.
Since we’ve heard quite a bit about the Sunday Brunch Buffet at ATAS recently, especially their exclusive dishes from Mibrasa charcoal oven, we gave it a try for lunch. We have to say, it’s highly recommended!
The brunch menu is awesome on its own – NY Angus Stripling, Fish Curry Tacos, Seasonal Oyster Rockefeller, Dry Age Penang Duck Breast, Bar Bun Lamb Ribs, Ireland Fish & Chips, Foie Gras Egg Cocotte, Wagyu Beef Waffle – all prepared fresh upon order. A serving of River Lobster Pasta or Borneo Lobster Thermidor is served too!
Helped ourselves with more food from the buffet counter – Crab & Lobster Chowder, Asian Marinated Whole Barramundi, Beef Wellington, Seafood Paella, barbecue prawn, scallop, baby lamb rack, artisan Spanish sausages, just to name a few.
The Sunday Brunch Buffet at ATAS
Every Sunday from 12:00 to 15:30
Price: From MYR228+ per adult | MYR114+ per child (5-11 years old)
Overall, we are glad that we returned for second stay. This time, we had the chance to understand so much more about the background, concept and design behind The RuMa – things we didn’t fully notice during our first, casual visit,
It was eye-opening to learn how thoughtfully the hotel weaves together elements that represent the city and the country, blending past and present in such a seamless and elegant way.
Looking forward to coming back again – and discovering even more to appreciate each time.
The RuMa Hotel and Residences
7 Jalan Kia Peng
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://theruma.com/en/
