If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you might have caught a glimpse of the chaos I’ve been living through recently. For the past two weeks, I’ve been working nearly 15 hours a day—weekends included. It was one of those periods where everything felt urgent, intense, and never-ending. To make matters worse, I was running on only 3–4 hours of sleep a night. Needless to say, I reached my limit both mentally and physically.
Let’s be honest—being an adult can feel like a full-time juggling act with no intermission. So, kids… please don’t rush into growing up too quickly. Take your naps seriously.
After all that hustle, I knew I needed a reset. Something quick, affordable, and close to home. That’s when my best friend Shima and I decided to plan a mini staycation in Kuala Lumpur. We didn’t have the luxury of flying off somewhere at the moment, so a little escape within the city sounded just right.
📍 Why We Chose Regalia Suites & Hotel
Our decision to stay at Regalia Suites & Hotel was largely influenced by one major attraction: its famous rooftop infinity pool, which offers sweeping views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. You’ve probably seen it on social media—it’s a popular spot for Instagrammers and travelers alike.
It sounded perfect on paper: affordable, centrally located, and that view? Absolutely dreamy.
Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. On the day of our staycation, it rained from morning to night. So instead of lounging by the pool under city lights, we ended up spending most of our time indoors. But hey, we made the most of it—cozy pajamas, good food, and an overload of selfies never hurt anyone.
Regalia Suites: My Honest Experience
I’ll be honest—I have mixed feelings about this hotel. While there were a few highlights, the overall experience didn’t quite meet my expectations. Here’s a more detailed look:
✅ What Went Well:
-
Clean and Spacious Room
The room itself was decent—clean, spacious, and comfortable enough for a short stay. We had all the basic amenities we needed, and the air conditioning worked well (always a big plus in humid KL). -
Spectacular Night Views
One of the undeniable perks was the breathtaking city view from our room. Watching the skyline light up at night was truly beautiful, and it gave us a small sense of escape from the everyday routine. -
Friendly Front Desk Staff
The staff at the reception were friendly and tried their best to assist us during check-in. It’s always a relief when the first impression is a good one.
❌ What Fell Short:
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Difficult and Frustrating Check-In Experience
The biggest challenge started with the hotel’s confusing and poorly managed entrance and parking system. We spent over 30 minutes stuck in traffic just trying to enter the property. Once we finally reached the parking lot, we were told we couldn’t park until we had checked in—except there was nowhere to temporarily leave the car.
This resulted in a frustrating loop: I had to run in to check in, while Shima circled the same route multiple times because she couldn’t legally stop the car outside. By the time we were settled, we were more exhausted than when we arrived. -
Elevator Issues
Out of four elevators, only two were operational. With so many guests and such a tall building (we were on the 36th floor!), the wait times were painfully long. To make matters worse, the elevator call button on our floor wasn’t functioning. We had to walk down to the 35th floor just to get an elevator—a small but incredibly annoying detail, especially when you’re tired or carrying luggage. -
Overcrowded and Noisy
The hotel felt overcrowded during our entire stay. From the lobby to the hallways and lifts, everything felt chaotic. It didn’t have the calm, relaxing ambiance you’d hope for in a hotel stay, especially one advertised as a 4-star property. -
Mediocre Breakfast
Breakfast was included in our stay, but it was very basic. It filled the stomach, but not the soul. If food is a big part of your travel experience (as it is for me), you might want to skip the hotel breakfast and explore one of KL’s many local cafés instead.
💡 Practical Tips:
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Deposit Payment:
Be prepared to pay a cash-only deposit upon check-in. Mine was RM100, and they do not accept cards for this. Make sure to have enough cash on hand to avoid inconvenience. -
Book Early if You Want Pool Access:
The rooftop pool is open to all guests, but it can get very crowded—especially during weekends or school holidays. If the weather had been better, we would’ve gone early in the morning to beat the crowd.
You can find more details or book directly through their site here:
👉 Regalia Suites & Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
📍 Dinner at Marini’s on 57
To balance out the stress of the hotel experience, I treated Shima (and myself!) to a lovely dinner at Marini’s on 57, a rooftop Italian restaurant next to KLCC.
The moment we stepped in, the atmosphere completely shifted. Sophisticated, elegant, and calm—the perfect spot to wind down. Whether you’re there for a romantic dinner or a girls’ night out, it’s a place that feels special.
We didn’t go all out with a full-course meal. Instead, we shared a pizza and a couple of drinks at the bar, which cost under MYR100—not bad at all considering the upscale ambiance and iconic view of the Petronas Towers.
Note:
Marini’s does have a dress code, so be sure to check their website before heading there. No flip-flops or shorts allowed, even if you’re just popping in for drinks.
More details: Marini57 Website
Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?
Despite the hiccups with the hotel, I genuinely enjoyed spending quality time with Shima. Sometimes it’s not about the perfect location or the five-star service—it’s about unplugging, reconnecting, and creating memories, even if some of those memories involve broken elevator buttons and traffic chaos.
Would I return to Regalia Suites? Probably not. But the experience reminded me of how much I value these little getaways, and how refreshing it can be to just hit pause—no passport required.
Until next time,
Love, Hani 💗
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