Since opening its doorways within the coronary heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, W Kuala Lumpur has advanced right into a full-sensory way of life vacation spot, the place tradition and creativity collide. From sky-high DJ units at WET Deck to immersive artwork and culinary expressions that honour Malaysia’s native soul, W Kuala Lumpur stands tall among the many metropolis’s architectural icons and high-rise panorama. On this unique dialog, normal supervisor Volker Burth shares how the model continues to set the tempo for experiential luxurious in Asia, and why the way forward for hospitality is much less about ticking containers and extra about tuning into vitality.
Since its launch, W Kuala Lumpur has efficiently established itself as an iconic landmark inside KLCC. Which components contributed to this success?
W Kuala Lumpur isn’t only a lodge — it’s a high-voltage way of life vacation spot that broke the mildew the second it landed within the coronary heart of KLCC. Our daring design narrative fuses Malaysia’s cultural richness with a contemporary, expressive aesthetic, creating areas that ignite curiosity and connection. Each element — from neon-drenched batik patterns to edgy textures and layered visuals — tells a narrative that’s rooted in heritage and elevated with a world, up to date twist.
What units us aside is the immersive vitality that pulses by way of each nook of the lodge. Our eating venues, DJ-fueled occasions, and collaborations with native creatives, style disruptors, and music tastemakers supply experiences which are vibrant, elevated, and consistently evolving. Whether or not it’s WET Deck’s rooftop events, YEN’s refined Cantonese delicacies, or Dwelling Room’s curated cocktail tradition, W is the place locals and world nomads collide in model.
On the coronary heart of all of it is our individuals — passionate, personality-driven expertise who don’t simply serve, however carry out. They’re the soul of the model, delivering moments which are real, unscripted, and unforgettable. We’ve constructed a motion, not only a lodge — one which’s unapologetically daring, deeply rooted within the native spirit, and all the time tuned into what’s subsequent.
How is W Kuala Lumpur adapting to the evolving expectations of luxurious travellers in Asia?
At the moment’s luxurious travellers aren’t simply searching for consolation — they’re searching for that means, for emotion, and for experiences that really feel personally designed, not mass-produced. They need to join with the vibe of a spot, not simply tick off locations. At W Kuala Lumpur, we’re leaning into that shift — shifting from conventional notions of service to one thing extra immersive, expressive, and emotionally resonant.
We’re evolving from service to expertise. Which means creating moments which are curated, not choreographed. From the second our visitors arrive, it’s much less about formalities and extra about vitality. We’ve dialed up our visitor journey to incorporate all the things from high-vibe, zero-pretension eating at our daring venues, to wellness rituals that go manner past the spa — suppose personalised in-room self-care experiences, dawn sound therapeutic, or curated health periods with native influencers.
Our signature No matter/At any time when® service isn’t only a tagline — it’s a philosophy that runs deep in our DNA. It’s about breaking the mildew of conventional hospitality by making the not possible really feel easy, and doing it with model, spontaneity, and a complete lot of coronary heart. Whether or not it’s arranging a last-minute personal chef dinner or discovering that underground artwork occasion solely locals find out about — we make it occur.
Personalisation is on the core of all the things we do. We’re investing in smarter tech, sharper knowledge, and extra intuitive touchpoints to anticipate what our visitors need earlier than they even ask. However extra importantly, we’re tuning into who they’re — their temper, their tempo, their objective — and crafting moments that really feel tailored.
For us, luxurious isn’t about extra — it’s about expression. It’s about letting visitors really feel seen, celebrated, and impressed. And in a area as dynamic and numerous as Asia, which means staying culturally curious, creatively pushed, and all the time a couple of steps forward of the anticipated.
At W Kuala Lumpur, we’re not simply maintaining — we’re setting the tone. Much less transactional, extra transformational. That’s the way forward for luxurious, and we’re residing it on daily basis.
Inform us in regards to the completely different rooms and suites which will be booked at W Kuala Lumpur?
Every room at W Kuala Lumpur is an announcement. Our 150 daring rooms and suites are designed to wow, wrapped in floor-to-ceiling home windows that body the Twin Towers like an artwork piece. From the urban-cool Fantastic Room to the boundary-pushing Excessive WOW Suite, each house fuses edgy design with indulgent W signatures – together with the W MixBar and our signature W mattress. It’s the place consolation meets cool.
You’ve labored all around the world, from Germany to the UK, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Thailand. What are a few of the most attention-grabbing classes every posting has taught you?
Every vacation spot I’ve labored in has been a masterclass — not simply in hospitality, however in human connection, cultural nuance, and the evolving that means of luxurious. From the precision of Germany to the soulful heat of Thailand, each expertise formed how I lead, serve, and design moments that matter. These world postings didn’t simply affect my method — they reworked my philosophy of what fashionable hospitality will be.
Germany instilled self-discipline and element; the UK revealed how heritage can mix with wit and heat; and Saudi Arabia confirmed how creativity can thrive inside cultural boundaries. Australia launched me to the facility of emotional ease, whereas Thailand strengthened the worth of heart-led service. Every place provided its personal rhythm, challenges, and revelations — all of which now inform how I lead groups and craft visitor journeys at W Kuala Lumpur.
However at W, I’ve taken these classes and turned up the quantity. Right here, I remix world perception with daring vitality, fearless creativity, and a deep love for Malaysia’s numerous tradition. We don’t simply replicate what the world has taught us — we reimagine it, making a hospitality expertise that’s vibrant, intuitive, and unmistakably W.
As a Basic Supervisor, what’s the very first thing you discover while you enter a lodge, and which particulars do you pay explicit consideration to?
The very very first thing I discover after I enter a lodge is the vitality — the general vibe. Is it heat? Is it vibrant? Does it really feel alive? That preliminary impression tells me a lot about how the group is functioning and the way visitors are experiencing the house.
I pay shut consideration to the lighting, scent, music, and the way the house is activated. Are the welcome desks visually clear and welcoming? Is the group current and engaged — not simply stationed, however really connecting with visitors? I observe the physique language of each the expertise and the visitors: are there smiles, eye contact, significant exchanges?
However above all, what issues most to me is the individuals. A lovely house means nothing if the human connection is lacking. I search for these unscripted moments — the bellman who remembers a returning visitor’s identify, the bartender who is aware of somebody’s favourite drink with out asking, or the Welcome Desk Expertise who takes the time to have interaction, not simply course of.
It’s these small, seemingly easy gestures that create a way of belonging — that flip a lodge keep right into a memorable expertise. Hospitality, at its core, is about individuals — and as a GM, it’s my function to make sure that each element, each interplay, reinforces that sense of connection.
How do you keep constant service requirements on the property?
At W, consistency doesn’t imply enjoying it protected — it means making a rhythm that feels genuine, assured, and effortlessly daring. We empower our expertise to personal the second, to indicate up totally, and to carry their personalities into each visitor interplay. It’s not about following a script — it’s about being current, studying the room, and delivering the W expertise in a manner that’s actual, not rehearsed.
This begins with immersive coaching that goes past duties and dives deep into mindset, emotional intelligence, and presence. We equip our group to suppose and act like hosts — assured, intuitive, and able to create standout moments. Steady teaching and real-time suggestions hold the vitality alive, serving to our expertise have a good time what works and develop rapidly from what doesn’t.
Most significantly, we foster a tradition of satisfaction and accountability. Everybody, from the Welcome Ambassadors to the No matter/At any time when® group, shares a dedication to delivering service that’s persistently vibrant and unmistakably W. As a result of on the finish of the day, consistency at W isn’t about repetition — it’s about delivering daring, unforgettable experiences each single time.
Inform us extra in regards to the inventive vibes and particular artwork shows at W Kuala Lumpur – a cornerstone of the W model.
W Kuala Lumpur is greater than a lodge — it’s a residing gallery the place daring design, tradition, and creativity collide. From the second visitors step inside, they’re immersed in a vibrant narrative that celebrates Malaysia’s wealthy heritage whereas pushing the boundaries of recent expression. Conventional batik meets digital artwork, native textures are reimagined in neon and chrome, and each nook tells a narrative that’s each deeply Malaysian and distinctly W.
Artwork at W isn’t static — it strikes, provokes, and engages. Kinetic installations mimic the rhythm of metropolis life, lighting options shift with time and vitality, and even the lifts grow to be sensory experiences. The Dwelling Room transforms into an evolving artwork hub, showcasing digital projections, pop-up exhibitions, and collaborations with rising native artists. Each element is designed to shock, delight, and invite interplay.
Greater than ornament, artwork at W Kuala Lumpur is a dialogue. By partnerships with painters, sculptors, DJs, and digital creatives, the lodge turns into a platform for storytelling and cultural connection. Right here, visitors don’t simply witness artwork — they stay it, share it, and carry it with them lengthy after their keep.
What can guests to W Kuala Lumpur anticipate by way of eating experiences?
At W Kuala Lumpur, eating goes far past the plate — it’s a full-sensory expertise that fuses daring flavors, placing design, and immersive storytelling. Every venue is crafted to not solely serve unbelievable meals however to spark emotion, dialog, and connection. With W’s signature edge, each culinary second is elevated into one thing unforgettable.
From Flock’s vibrant, sustainable Pan-Asian delicacies to YEN’s avant-garde tackle Cantonese classics, our eating places redefine the anticipated. Flock brings acutely aware eating to life with ethically sourced components and a theatrical open kitchen, whereas YEN transforms conventional Chinese language dishes into daring, inventive expressions set in opposition to a backdrop of high-fashion interiors and skyline views. At WET Deck, rooftop vibes take middle stage with craft cocktails, world bites, and DJ-led vitality — a social playground that pulses from day to nighttime.
Then there’s The Dwelling Room — greater than only a foyer lounge, it’s the heartbeat of our social scene. A dynamic hub for creatives, tastemakers, and vacationers, it transitions effortlessly from laid-back espresso spot to vibrant nightlife vacation spot. Throughout all our areas, we serve extra than simply meals — we serve moments that matter. At W Kuala Lumpur, eating is a dialog, a vibe, and all the time a bit surprising.
How necessary is sustainability in your culinary method and the way will you replicate this throughout the lodge’s eating venues?
At W Kuala Lumpur, sustainability isn’t a buzzword — it’s our spine. It drives each selection we make, from the components we supply to how we craft every visitor expertise. At Flock, our signature all-day eating venue, we embrace a daring farm-to-fork philosophy by working hand-in-hand with native farmers, fishermen, and artisans. Each dish is a celebration of Malaysia’s wealthy biodiversity, seasonality, and neighborhood, designed to forge a deeper connection between our visitors and the land they’re exploring. It’s not nearly lowering meals miles — it’s about creating significant moments rooted in origin and intention.
In the meantime, at Dwelling Room, sustainability takes a deliciously playful flip. Assume zero-waste cocktails crafted from repurposed kitchen by-products, house-made infusions, and garnishes given a second life. Past what’s on the plate or within the glass, our dedication runs deep — from minimizing single-use plastics and chopping kitchen waste to adopting energy-efficient techniques and composting natural matter. Our cooks aren’t simply culinary skills; they’re storytellers and sustainability advocates, utilizing meals to spark conversations and encourage change. At W Kuala Lumpur, we don’t simply serve — we serve with objective, proving that doing good can style extraordinary.
Inform us about your high three favorite cocktails at W Kuala Lumpur, WET Deck?
It’s arduous to decide on simply three, however right here goes:
Tropic Kulture – A vibrant celebration of island flavour and cultural fusion. Assume unique fruits, infused rum, and spice-laced accents that dance in your palate. It’s summer time, swagger, and storytelling in a glass.
The Golden Hour – Smoky mezcal meets candy passionfruit and edible shimmer. It’s sunshine in a glass – finest paired with golden skies and skyline views.
Kuala Loco – A cheeky homage to the town’s vibrant spirit, this tequila-based creation is spiked with chilli, lime, and a touch of insanity. It’s fiery, zesty, and completely loco – similar to Kuala Lumpur after darkish.
Each cocktail tells a narrative. Each sip is a vibe. At WET Deck, we don’t simply serve drinks – we serve liquid experiences designed to dazzle, disrupt, and delight.
Inform us extra in regards to the spa & wellness amenities at W Kuala Lumpur?
AWAY® Spa is the place stress checks out and swagger checks in. We’re not your typical spa – we’re a sanctuary of sparkle and substance. From glow-inducing facials to muscle-melting massages and radiance-boosting magnificence remedies excellent earlier than an evening out, each expertise is a dose of tailor-made rejuvenation. Assume high-performance merchandise, cutting-edge methods, and simply the correct quantity of sass.
*our spa is presently going by way of a facelift and we might be again higher than ever. In-room spa providers can be found.*
Pair it with our FIT health club for an energizing sweat session and our WET Deck pool for that post-pamper plunge – its wellness, turned all the way in which up.
What makes a lodge keep an unforgettable expertise?
It’s the alchemy of shock, consolation, and emotional connection. At W, it’s that surprising in-room amenity that speaks on to you — possibly it’s your favourite snack, a handwritten be aware, or a playlist that feels prefer it was curated in your soul. It’s the mixologist who not solely remembers your identify but additionally your go-to cocktail and simply the way you prefer it. It’s the lighting, the scent within the air, the beat of the music — all tuned to the fitting frequency, all conspiring to create a vibe that lingers lengthy after checkout.
However above all, unforgettable occurs while you really feel seen, not simply served. When the expertise doesn’t simply meet expectations — it defies them. When the service doesn’t really feel scripted, however intuitive, private, and alive. It’s within the spontaneous dialog that turns right into a connection, the insider tip that leads you to a secret native gem, the vitality that pulses by way of each nook of the lodge prefer it was designed simply in your second.
At W, we don’t simply host stays — we craft tales. Tales you’ll inform your folks, share in your feed, and maintain on to ceaselessly.
W Kuala Lumpur is a part of the Marriott / Bonvoy community. What sort of worth does this carry to the property?
Being a part of Marriott Bonvoy is like having a world backstage go — it opens doorways, breaks boundaries, and connects us to a worldwide stage of subtle vacationers who know precisely what they need. For W Kuala Lumpur, it means tapping into a robust ecosystem of loyalty, belief, and elevated expectations. We entice discerning explorers, daring tastemakers, and cultural connoisseurs who crave one thing completely different — and we’re right here to ship simply that.
By Marriott Bonvoy, we’re in a position to reward our visitors with extra than simply factors — we create entry. Entry to unique experiences, member-only occasions, curated partnerships, and personalised touches that flip stays into tales. Whether or not it’s a spontaneous suite improve, a late checkout after a legendary night time out, or a once-in-a-lifetime Bonvoy Moments package deal, we provide greater than advantages — we provide brag-worthy reminiscences.
And but, whereas we play on a world stage, our voice stays unmistakably W: provocative, playful, and polished. Being a part of Marriott Bonvoy amplifies who we’re — not by mixing in, however by standing out with much more confidence. It provides us the platform to be unapologetically daring whereas providing the reassurance of world-class requirements, seamless know-how, and repair that’s intuitive, not intrusive.
Briefly, Bonvoy brings the world to our doorstep — and we welcome it with a wink, a beat, and a cocktail in hand.
How do you see the hospitality trade evolving within the subsequent few years?
Hospitality is shifting from service to storytelling — from merely offering a spot to remain, to curating a story that visitors grow to be a part of. The fashionable traveler is experience-obsessed, value-conscious, and hyper-connected. They crave that means over materials, authenticity over aesthetics, and personalisation over perfection.
Within the years forward, we’ll see know-how not simply supporting service, however elevating it — AI-driven insights that anticipate wants earlier than they’re spoken, contactless but hyper-personal interactions, and digital touchpoints that improve emotional ones. Assume cell keys, real-time messaging, curated playlists, and good rooms that adapt to your vibe.
Sustainability will transfer from a nice-to-have to a non-negotiable. Company will anticipate manufacturers to take a stand — on the planet, on individuals, and on objective. The whole lot from moral sourcing to zero-waste initiatives and regenerative design will outline how manufacturers are perceived.
And that is the place way of life manufacturers like W will lead — unapologetically. We don’t simply supply beds and minibars; we provide vitality, emotion, and escapism. Our areas are designed to spark one thing — inspiration, connection, curiosity. We’ll proceed to blur the strains between hospitality, style, music, design, and wellness, creating experiences that aren’t simply lived however felt.
The way forward for hospitality will not be transactional — it’s transformational. It’s about crafting locations and moments that visitors carry with them, lengthy after they’ve checked out. Locations the place they don’t simply sleep — they dream, play, uncover, and are available alive.
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