Any updates (ie. food, bar hopping/clubs, tourism) for 2010? I will be in KUL for 3 days later in May (a weekend)

Im also going to be in KL on May 30th - June 2nd......looking for a nice n cheep shopping area for trinkets and a model of Petronas to place on my desk at work.

any ideas?

Try the Chinatown area, specifically Petaling Street. There's a bit of food there (caution: it's Chinatown, not halal!), and as I recall, outdoor street type markets. But be prepared to haggle - hard.

In case I'm wrong, the other place you can try is Sungei Wang Plaza (across from Lot 10 shopping center). It's an enclosed shopping mall (albeit a bit beat up but that's a good thing), but the products sold will be of more reputable provenance. If you buy from these store owners, again, don't be afraid to bargain aggressively.

Taxis have been a problem in KL for years...fare haggling, touts, etc., etc.

The government permitted a modest fare increase a few months ago (flag-fall RM 3 instead of RM 2, and a small per km increase). In the last few weeks all cabs now carry an external sign (basically saying this is a meter taxi...no haggling allowed) and an internal separate sign in the back seat area, with a very comprehensive set of rules, and complaint numbers.

In my recent experience this has radically improved service.

Has this improved the universal "Ah, meter broken, good fare is ......" initial approach ?

Doorman at the Concorde Hotel was an expert at dealing with them. One HINT of "meter broken" when he first spoke to them about where you were going and he would send them straight away again. Of course the amount you end up saving by not being ripped off by the taxi driver now becomes the tip for the doorman !

I agree that the situation has improved. On my recent trip in Petaling area, I had taxi drivers winding down their windows calling out meter meter .. Previously, I am the one standing at street corners flagging and shouting meter meter ...

have a fun trip, and just an idea (not only to you) but perhaps briefly post what you did in KUL as it seems others that have posted in this thread about that they were going to KUL have not done so. The Flyertalk community benefits greatly from those that question what to do at a location, then after they travel to the location actually post/confirm that activity X was worthwhile or restaurant Y was worth dining at.@:-)

I welcome this plan, however.....isn't that what TripAdvisor is for?

not sure I understand your question, why wouldn't one post to FT?

Flyertalk is a great repository of info and I value FT info over TA as I personally believe FT folks are a 'cut above' the avg traveler that posts to TA.

Some of the so-called "Destination Experts" on Kuala Lumpur over at TA are downright liars, making-up experiences using google searches. TA however is good for photos.

good point: Im due to be in KL on May 30th and I will report back. Ill be staying at the Traders Hotel and doing a 4 day trip to Pulau Redang at the Berjaya Beach Resort there--ill report that as well.

Im looking for some really good laksa in KL and other local specialties....any suggestions?

"Laksa" in KL is not quite the same dish as "Laksa" in Singapoe. Over in KL "Laksa" is a sourish fish-based noodle dish with a somewhat pungent smell.

If you are looking for something similar to Singapore's "Laksa", look out for "Curry Mee" or "Curry Laksa". Apart from Suria KLCC (near the Traders), there is also a foodcourt at the basement of the Pavillion Mall (opposite the Westin).

I'm currently sitting in the KL Hilton lounge, heading back to NRT late tonight. While trekking through Bukit Bintang this afternoon after sensory overload at the electronics only Lowyat Plaza where they've got everthing electronic (though name brand prices aren't the cheapest), all sorted by floor, ie cameras 1st floor, cell phones 2d floor, computers 3d floor etc.

We then headed down a few blocks to the Pavillion, and after just having spent 4 days in Singapore and 3 days here in KL, I can honestly say I've never seen a larger foodcourt or better quality and variety in my life!!! I thought going up in the bridge at the Petronas towers would be the highlight, but after gorging myself today-country by country, noodle by noodle- the Pavillion's food court goes on my KL must do list!

As for location, I'm really happy with the Hilton. Literally located across the street from the main train station, arriving on the airport express train is a breeze and we're only 4 train stops away Fromm KLCC by LRT train. Great hotel and staff.

I'll put a TR together over the next few days and touch on some more points in this thread.

You bet

Hi I am new here and I am from Malaysia.

To the thread starter, you can visit Luna Bar or Sky Bar in the city, worth visiting to get a night view of KL.

For shopping, go to Mid Valley or One Utama (this is in Petaling Jaya).

For food, I will always tell my friends to visit Penang, which is north of KL approximately 2 hours drive.

Good luck and enjoy your trip to Malaysia