What was once the site of a prominent business establishment is now a swanky new hotel. We’re talking about Else of course, a brand new restorative urban hideaway situated in what was once known as the Lee Rubber Building in Kuala Lumpur.

Our fair capital city is lucky in that sense. Over the years, gentrification projects have helped revitalised neighbourhoods and buildings in the city. Chinatown is one that comes to mind and now KL will proudly welcome its latest hospitality establishment into the area.

What Once Was Old Is Cool Again

The Former Lee Rubber Building

Set to open in July, Else is a burgeoning cultural hub located in the former Lee Rubber Building. The hotel celebrates its rich history and embraces the culture and community of Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur.

The attention to detail in its wellness facilities and programs provide respite for travellers, offering them the opportunity to disconnect and be present. Else welcomes you to celebrate the past and embrace the future through an “extraordinary transportive journey” that can be felt from the moment you walk through the doors.

Else Kuala Lumpur Exterior

Globally connected and locally rooted – Else is positioning itself as a burgeoning cultural hub in Kuala Lumpur. The retreat will provide the well-travelled entrepreneur and cosmopolitan explorer a place to disconnect and reconnect to differentiated and distinct interpretations of hospitality.

The hotel is the brainchild of founders Javier Perez (owner of Series of Intentions, behind Kilo and Grain Traders brands) and Arcc Spaces, CEO Justin Chen. According to the founders, Else was designed to give travellers the option to connect into the local scene or simply disconnect and recharge.

To see their vision through, Perez and Chen entrusted design firm, Studio Bikin with the task of transforming the former Lee Rubber Building. The results seem to be stunning to say the least.

A Historical Retreat

Else Sanctuary Room

It is perhaps a welcome coincidence that the Lee Rubber Building is now the site of this new swanky establishment. Once the holiday residence site to Yap Kwan Seng, the historical building was constructed in the 1930s and was one of the tallest buildings of its time.

In creating Else, Bikin Studio and the founders ensured that aspects of the building’s historical architecture were preserved. The end result is a highly-imaginative urban and modern hideaway that celebrate its past whilst embracing the future.

Else promises guests an “extraordinary transportive journey” the very moment they walk through its doors. Guests will be given the choice and freedom to make themselves at home with intuitive service alongside intentionally curated spaces to offer a sense of sensible luxury.

Else features 49 rooms and suites ranging from the standard Mantra rooms to the sweeping Else Suite. All rooms and suites are designed with soft palettes and natural tropical textures to create a paired back yet modern escape.

Wellness Focused

Terrace and Pool House

It’s range of facilities include a 25-metre plunge pool, floating meditation pods, a drawing room and library, a state-of-the-art gym and workout studio, a board room, two restaurants and in-room dining.

The F&B offerings include The Raw Kitchen Hall, an extension of its sister brand in Singapore. A casual chic gathering place that stays true to the luxury of comfort food done well, dishes range from Asian to Mediterranean flavours, offering modern and familiar classics. On the fourth floor, The Yellow Fin Horse — a destination wood-fire restaurant — forges International and Malaysian flavours with contemporary authenticity.

Wellness is a key focus of Else, offering an escape of sorts for its guest in Kuala Lumpur. Both the terrace and pool house are decked with cabanas and board games, offering a renewed perspective of the city’s iconic skyline. Else also offers two carefully curated food and beverage concepts that are explicitly designed to make guests feel at home.

Else is located at 145, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur. The hotel is set to open this July.

(Images: Studio Bikin)