Housed within a glittering 65-storey mixed-use skyscraper designed by NRY Architects, the newly-opened Four Season Hotel Kuala Lumpur profits from the bustle of the city’s Golden Triangle district, yet with scenic views over KLCC Park.
Wilson Associates Singapore acted as lead interior design firm for the Four Seasons Hotel, serviced apartments and the Four Seasons Residences.
“Our role, aside from ensuring a luxurious property reflective of its position and locality, was also to ensure a seamless yet subtly defined transition between the three components, which were equally valued,” explains Susan Isaac, design director and principal of Wilson Associates Singapore.
“The design was not staged to reflect a definitive theme; but was inspired purely by the local people, their heritage, the vibrancy of the city, and lushness of the country.”
Alongside this emphasis on locality was a desire to create interiors with a welcoming, residential feel. In keeping with Four Seasons’ reputation for understated luxury, Wilson Associates has focused on balanced volumes, forms, textures and tones throughout the hotel’s interior.
“It’s good to remember that countries are no longer maps of faraway lands, but are destinations within our reach,” affirms Susan. “Within those destinations are the excitement and discoveries we subconsciously seek; the familiar touch that connects us to that land, and that land to our home.”
The finely-tuned colour palette throughout features deep blue greens – reminiscent of deep forests and oceans -as well as pomegranate pinks representing the hues of hibiscus, pink and green tones, mixed with multiple shades of grey, and sunset tones with soft golds.
The property’s 27 ultra-luxurious one and two-bedroom serviced apartments share this same emphasis on the warmth and intimacy of home. Located on the 19th and 21st floors, the apartments offer dramatic views of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic skyline, with contemporary yet comfortable furnishings, marble bathrooms and a powder room.
The hotel’s creative and locally-inspired F&B venues provide the perfect complement to its well-appointed guest accommodation. Ed Ng and Terence Ngan – the acclaimed design duo behind Hong Kong firm, AB Concept, have curated three unique spaces within the hotel – Yun House, The Lounge at Four Seasons and Bar Trigona.
Yun House is the main dining area, and was inspired by legends of past Canton voyagers. “It was important that our designs paid true homage to the young man’s Chinese and Malaysian heritage,” explains Ed Ng, co-founder of AB Concept. “Through the use of pewter, rattan and bright colours we created a warm familiar feeling of family, openness and opulence for guests to enjoy.”
Upon entering Yun House, guests are greeted by a decadent courtyard-style reception, complete with an onyx table and a elaborate pewter back panel. The panel is a bespoke design, adorned with patterns of plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo and chrysanthemum flowers. Together these flowers represent the four seasons known as the “Four Gentlemen” in Chinese artistry.
Complete with a tea vestibule, Yun House remains true to its Chinese heritage with the use of decorative pewter tea canisters residing along the corridor.
The Lounge at Four Seasons, meanwhile, is a lavish veranda-style splace situated on the sixth floor of the hotel. AB Concept have created a calming, opulent ambience here, with pale wooden accents, rattan and marble details.
Floor-to-ceiling windows, which surround the Malay-architecture communal booths, flood the space with light. This seating area is a symbolic adaptation of typical colonial arrangements, which have been thoughtfully combined with customary Malaysian structures.
A discrete entryway in the lounge leads to Bar Trigona – an intimate space filled with deep, luxurious textures. Awash with calming shades of imperial blue and teal, complemented by timeless pendant lamps which grace a monumental ceiling, Bar Trigona creates a soothing retreat from the bustle of the restaurant.
A balance of Eastern culture and Western colonial influence is felt throughout the hotel’s F&B spaces, and displays itself here through the incorporation of materials traditionally used in Malaysian crafts – such as leather, glass and bronze – as well as the use of Western-style shutters on surrounding columns.
