Bandar Utama

In 1991, prior to the development of this well planned residential area, Bandar Utama, along with its neighbouring areas was a wide expanse of palm oil estates. 13 years later, an estimated 59 000 people now reside in this vibrant township. Bandar Utama comprises of 12 sections spanning from BU1 to BU12. It is serviced by 2 expressways, the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP). Access to these 2 expressways provides easy access to the surrounding areas. Travel time to its neighbouring areas on a clear day would only be a mere 5 minutes.

Bandar Utama is surrounded by many other highly populated residential areas such as Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Damansara Utama, Damansara Jaya and SS2 but what sets it apart from all the rest is the presence of the 1 Utama Shopping Centre. Possibly one of the most popular shopping malls in Klang Valley, it is visited by people from as far as Puchong, Shah Alam and many other K.L districts. Centrepoint is a smaller and more modest commercial building that provides its residents with the essentials such as a grocery store, some dining outlets, banks, pharmacies and educational centres. A 24-hour McDonalds drive thru restaurant is located directly next to Centrepoint.

Apart from the hustle and bustle of shopping malls, Bandar Utama also provides many other recreational activities. Central Park is located opposite the 1 Utama Shopping Complex and its well polished greeneries and creative pirate ship playground makes it one of the most visited parks in Petaling Jaya. A community centre was recently erected and it houses a community hall, a football field, badminton courts and other sports facilities. In addition, the sporting experience is completed with the presence of the Tropicana Golf and Country Club nearby as well as a resident driving range located behind 1 Utama.

There is no shortage of educational centres as there are three primary schools and four secondary schools within Bandar Utama itself. The schools in the neighbouring areas service many of the Bandar Utama students as well. To top it off, a private tertiary institution is also present. Kolej Bandar Utama (KBU) is a popular choice for students pursuing degrees in engineering, design, computing and business.

Bandar Utama is fully equipped with all the comforts and convenience of modern technology as well. All the commercial buildings are equipped with wireless internet. With so many different activities available at Bandar Utama, it is no wonder that this vibrant neighbourhood has become a destination for both locals, expatriates and tourists.

Sri Hartamas

Sri Hartamas is one of Kuala Lumpur ’s newest residential neighbourhoods. Its name, which literally means Glowing Estates, is now a prime location because of its growing infrastructure with a country-like feel. Consisting mostly of houses, this neighbourhood is very well taken care of by its residents. The parks and other greeneries are beautifully manicured and the wide streets are kept clean. Such an environment is akin to that of country living. But alas, such beauty and lifestyle comes at a price and the real estate value at Sri Hartamas is considerably higher compared to the other suburbs. It is a magnet for expatriates and upper middle class young professionals who are seeking the status that comes with living in Sri Hartamas.

The city centre is a mere 15 minute drive away and Sri Hartamas has a geographical advantage compared to the many other districts in Kuala Lumpur . It has easy access to three of the major expressways that connect the city to its surrounding areas. The Sprint Expressway, The New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and The Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) are all easily accessible from Sri Hartamas. In addition, the Sprint Expressway enables travellers to access two smaller highways which is the Kerinchi Link and the Penchala Link. With the many options at hand, places such as Damansara Heights , Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Bandar Utama and many other districts are easily accessible by road.

Sri Hartamas also has a vibrant and colourful nightlife scene. Restaurants, shops and bars are strategically located at Desa Sri Hartamas, Plaza Damas and the Hartamas Shopping Centre to cater to the entire neighbourhood. Familiar names such as Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Mcdonald’s, Burger King and Guardian Pharmacy sit amidst the offerings that Sri Hartamas has to offer. Completed with fire and police stations, it offers high living with security.

For the physically active, there are choices of country clubs such as The Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, the Royal Selangor Club and the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club situated nearby. True Fitness Gym and Yoga Zone are also nearby to give fitness more variety. However, if you’re more into mental stimulation, then The National Science Centre, located near the entrance of Sri Hartamas, might just be the answer for you. Across the street from the green dome of the Science Centre is the Securities Commission, a building that is the epitome of modern but modest architecture.

Sri Hartamas provides a healthy balance for its residents and visitors. It is fully equipped with all the conveniences of modern technology such as wireless and broadband internet. It provides an array of activities spanning from shopping to food and sports to nightlife. With such a strategic location and its many facilities, it comes as no surprise that Sri Hartamas has grown to be the hot spot that it is today.

Mutiara Damansara

Mutiara Damansara is undoubtedly one of Klang Valley 's most prosperous townships. It was launched in November 2000 but was facing many problems due to its secluded location as well as the lack of facilities. Since then, it has been blessed with an excellent network of highways that are directly accessible via the towns' slip roads. The Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) and the North-South Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) links Mutiara Damansara with Taman Tun Dr . Ismail, Kepong, Bandar Utama, Kota Damansara and Damansara Perdana. Being situated amongst such established residential and commercial areas makes it an ideal location for housing and commercial development and its recent growth will attest to that.

There are two distinctive buildings that stand proud at the entrance of Mutiara Damansara, The Curve and Ikano Power Centre. The Curve is a relatively new shopping mall that offers an open air concept with its pedestrian street mall and courtyard. It has over 250 dining and retail outlets that are pleasantly diverse. A bridge connects The Curve with Ikano Power Centre, another commercial building that is home to Asia 's largest IKEA store. Unlike The Curve, Ikano Power Centre is more concentrated on home shopping and caters to consumers in search of home appliances, furniture, home décor, fitness equipment and the likes of it. Around the corner from The Curve and Ikano Power Centre is Klang Valley 's very first Cineleisure Complex. It is the ultimate entertainment centre with a state of the art Cineplex, a video arcade, a bowling alley and many other entertainment related outlets. The fourth leg of this ultimate shopping and entertainment hub is Tesco Hypermarket which is located next to The Curve.

In an effort to create a city-like experience within a suburb, a 4-star hotel sits cosily at the centre of The Curve. The RM40 million Royale Bintang Hotel has 150 rooms, two meeting rooms, a lobby café and a banquet room. It is ideal for visitors who prefer to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur 's city centre. Mutiara Damansara also offers a unique opportunity for corporations to create their own signature corporate office on a blank canvas. Large corporations such as Proton, McDonald's, Cycle & Carriage Group, BMW and Lexus have graced this corporate precinct with their own individual and beautifully designed offices.

Mutiara Damansara is the perfect location for those who do not want to get caught up with the traffic congestion and the claustrophobic environment that plagues the city centre. It is furnished with wide roads, ample parking and well kept pedestrian walkways. It is a complete residential and commercial experience.

KL City Centre

KUALA LUMPUR
Area - 244 sq. km.
Population - 1.5mil
Key Products - Hotel and tourism services

During a visit to Kuala Lumpur , one cannot claim to have been there and done that if he or she has not been to the Suria Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). KLCC has been dubbed a city within a city and is truly one of the most recognizable landmarks in Malaysia , if not the world! The 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers stands majestically as a backdrop behind KLCC and it’s the world’s 2 nd tallest building structure. It is a unique blend of Islamic heritage architecture with contemporary designs. An interesting fact about this world-class structure is a sky bridge on the 41 st floor that connects the twin towers; allowing an observation deck to wow visitors with a bird’s view of KL city. However, take note that this exclusive view is only available to visitors during specified visiting hours.

KLCC, Malaysia’s premier shopping destination, offers six levels of the best international and local brands for shoppers far and near. For another eye-popping and delightful experience, one can also choose to go to the live fish feeding viewing session; strictly executed only by divers on duty. For performance arts enthusiasts, a visit to the 864-seater Dewan Fillharmornik Petronas or better known as the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra is an absolute must! This prestigious venue of architectural and acoustic distinction proudly serves its sole purpose by housing the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

For those who fancy a relaxing stroll in the park, the beautiful landscape surrounding KLCC is the masterpiece of talented Brazilian master of gardens, the late Roberto Burle Marx. It offers a relaxing environment amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. You will find it handy to tote a camera wherever you go, lest you forget to capture picturesque scenery. The awesome Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC paints the ultimate backdrop; guaranteeing perfect scenic shots for all your memorable moments.

After hours of leisurely shopping at KLCC, rejuvenate and let your hair down when you’re at the lush hotel rooms in Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur Hotel. You might be a thousand miles away from home, but the wide variety of menu choices ranging from Indian culinary to Western is assured to leave you with a gastronomic experience that will more than satisfy your taste buds.

Apart from shopping, KLCC too rents out their convention floors where corporate and special events are held in grandiose. Restaurants in the shopping mall cover a wide range of tastes; locals and those from afar are warmly welcomed when they are fed with the scrumptious and international spreads under one roof. With everything under the sun that you’ll possibly need, one can only expect the best treatment and hospitality from one of the most important urban spaces in the world… the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre! After visiting it, it would be needless to say that visitors come away awed and determined to revisit KLCC; truly an experience of a lifetime!

Bangsar

Located at the periphery of the city centre, Bangsar has been a popular entertainment district for some 15 odd years now. Initially starting out as a rubber estate, Bangsar was later developed into a residential area and now there is a whole host of houses and condominiums to choose from. The growth of Bangsar can highly be attributed to the hustle and bustle of the Telawi area.

The Telawi area is a potpourri of leisure, entertainment and good food. It is easily accessible and noticeable with its bright lights and the intense energy pulsating from the streets. But alas, there is a price to pay for being one of the most renowned and visited hot spots in town, a shortage in parking spaces. A new multi storey car park is being put in place to prevent the inconsiderate activity of double parking and illegal parking.

Telawi is well known for its pub scene; housing over 40 pubs, cafés and restaurants along its charming streets. From the ubiquitous Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Baskin Robbins and Dome, Bangsar is an extraordinary potpourri of flavours. It peppers visitors with fancy restaurants like La Bodega, Alexis Bistro & Bar, Flam's Restaurant & Wine Bar, and Finnegan's Irish Pub…to just name a few. La Bodega is highly recommended for those who want a delicioso taste of Spain . Let them pamper you with their authentic tapas bar and the smooth sounds of jazz in the backdrop. Mak Koh Seafood Restaurant is noted for its affordable and great tasting local delights. Top it all off with an outstanding dessert choice of Tiramisu at the Alexis Bistro & Bar. For the fast-food fanatics, there is no shortage of eateries for them too; take a quick browse around and you'll soon find McDonald's, KFC and Burger King.

Head over to Telawi Street Bistro (TSB) to sample the array of TSB's signature cocktails and swoon over their infamous Spanking Boards (vodka concoctions) in a cozy yet rugged ambience, complete with hip-swaying tunes for those longing to groove. Another definite must-see is Club 11.15; a pub that resembles a prison inside out. The whole she-bang comes complete with images of the prison walls and mannequins dressed in prison warden uniforms.

Shopping itself is a leisure activity that many enjoy. Shopping in Bangsar is like discovering many hidden treasures from all over the world. Bangsar offers clothing stores that cater to every type of fashion tastes imaginable. The frequented boutiques include Vivid, Euromoda and Fabric Avenue , Shopaholics, Cat's Whiskers, Gossips, Blook and many more. Every Sunday from 5pm , a strip of night market or locally known as Pasar Malam (night market) lights up the already colourful Bangsar. Complete with open-air shopping stalls that sells all kinds; it's another cheaper option for shoppers to pack their shopping bags with. While making your way from one stall to another, be prepared to maneuver in between human traffic. Things on sale vary from vegetables to fresh seafood and children's toys to apparels and these are made available to shoppers till the wee hours of the morning.

The artsy crowd will especially adore Bangsar with its share of local theatrics. Catch plays, dances, mimes, concerts and also choirs only at the Actors' Studio Bangsar at Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC). The performances are guaranteed to tickle your funny bones, inspire and move you to tears. Housed within BSC, the Actors' Studio Bangsar is where you can get acquainted with local performance genres spanning from dance to theatre and drama to comedy. Tickets are affordably priced and their performances usually don't disappoint.

Easily accessible from many major roads of Kuala Lumpur and though only 10 minutes' drive from the city centre, visitors to Bangsar are advised to try the Putra Light Rail Transit (LRT) which stops at Bangsar station. Another option is the feeder bus system; conveniently dropping off passengers at any flourishing corner of Bangsar. With such an affluent neighbourhood and variety of entertainment themes, the culture that characterizes Bangsar is trendy, vibrant and above all… unmatched.

Mont' Kiara

Mont Kiara is a suburb located within Kuala Lumpur . It is conveniently situated next to Sri Hartamas, thus putting it in the heart of Klang Valley . Similarly to its neighbour, Mont Kiara has easy access to the three major expressways that connects the surrounding districts to the city centre. The New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), the Sprint Expressway and the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) are all easily accessible from Mont Kiara and the Sprint Expressway enables road travellers to access the Penchala Link and the Kerinchi Link as well. With the introduction of these two fairly new highways, travel time to Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara, Bangsar and Kuala Lumpur has been cut down to just 10 minutes.

The success of Mont Kiara stems largely from its concept of being a global condominium township. It is the first of its kind in Malaysia . Its strategic location and the wide range of facilities and services nearby attract both the upper class Malaysian and the expatriate community. Its large expatriate population contributes to the growth as well as the quality of the township. With over 30 nationalities gracing the streets of Mont Kiara, visitors and residents will immediately feel the world at their fingertips. The area is known for its large population of Japanese and Korean expatriates and with such numbers it would come as no surprise that there is an abundance of Japanese and Korean restaurants and stores to cater to their needs.

Plaza Mont Kiara is the main business hub in Mont Kiara. The Sunrise offices are home to many offices, dining outlets and other facilities. The draw of this area is its full broadband service that caters to both the surrounding residents and businesses. One can easily access the internet while sipping a cup of coffee at Starbucks or while biting down on a Big Mac. It is at this area that the Mont Kiara Funday is held every Sunday. The weekly flea market exhibits a wide variety of items such as arts and crafts, antiques, apparels and accessories, pets, toys, food and fruits, plants, ornaments, household items and many other fascinating things. Alternatively, the night market is held every Thursday with a similar spread.

With its large population of expatriates, it is only natural for Mont Kiara to be furnished with two international schools, Garden International School and Mont’Kiara International School. There are also other schools nearby such as Sri Hartamas Secondary School , Bukit Damansara Primary School and Sri Cempaka private school. Other amenities within the vicinity includes a police station located in the centre of Mont Kiara and a fire station in the neighbouring area of Sri Hartamas.

Due to its massive expatriate community, Mont Kiara is a place that radiates an aura unlike the Malaysian culture. The area has a very sophisticated feel to it and the residents contribute by bringing a piece of their world to this global condominium township called Mont Kiara in Kuala Lumpur .