Two boys lean out from inside a khaki canvas teepee in a Family Suite at the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur. A sign stitched to the top of the teepee tent says 'No parents allowed'.

Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur Review: Best Family Hotel in KL?

ByJulia Thompson

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Kuala Lumpur is packed with amazing hotels, but finding one that works well for families can be surprisingly tricky. When you’re travelling with kids, you need more than just a nice room. Space, location, a good pool and genuinely family-friendly service all make a huge difference.

During our family gap year travels in South East Asia, we spent several weeks exploring Kuala Lumpur and stayed in everything from budget hotels to city-centre apartments. But one place stood out above the rest.

In this Shangri La Kuala Lumpur review, I’ll share exactly what it’s like to stay here with kids — from the huge family suites and incredible breakfast buffet to the little touches that made our boys feel so welcome.

If you’re searching for a Kuala Lumpur family hotel that combines luxury with a genuinely relaxed family atmosphere, this hotel might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Table of Contents

Quick Verdict: Shangri La Kuala Lumpur Review

If you’re looking for a luxury Kuala Lumpur family hotel, the Shangri-La is an excellent choice.

Best for:
 ✔ Families wanting spacious suites
✔ Travellers who want a central KLCC location
✔ Parents who appreciate great service and an amazing breakfast

Not ideal for:
 ✘ Travellers wanting ultra-modern tech in the rooms
✘ Those looking for the newest luxury hotel in KL

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

During our family gap year, this was easily one of the most relaxing places we stayed in Kuala Lumpur thanks to the spacious family suite, thoughtful touches for kids and fantastic breakfast buffet.

🏨 Check prices and availability for the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur here.

If you’re planning a family trip to KL, it’s worth checking current rates as they can vary quite a bit depending on the season.

Shangri La Kuala Lumpur Review: Location in KLCC

The Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur is located right in the heart of the city in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). This makes it really easy to get out and explore the best of the city, whether you’re travelling on foot, using public transport or hopping into a Grab taxi.

The nearest metro station is Bukit Nanas, and there’s also a free tourist bus that stops just around the corner from the hotel. The bus runs in a loop around some of the top sights in Kuala Lumpur, making it an easy way to get around with kids.

That said, we actually found ourselves using Grab taxis most of the time. They were incredibly affordable and plentiful, and for a family of four it often worked out cheaper than buying metro tickets for everyone.

If you’ve only got a night or two in KL as part of a wider Malaysia itinerary – or you’re just stopping over on your way to some travel adventures in Borneo – then this is a great location to explore the city on a short timescale.

How Much Does the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur Cost?

For our stay we booked the family suite, which is more expensive than the standard rooms but perfect for travelling with kids.

We paid £96.50 per night.

However, I had been saving up Tesco Clubcard points and converted them into Hotels.com vouchers, which meant we were able to cover the stay using those.

Our rate also included the huge breakfast buffet, and because we were in a suite we were given access to the Horizon Club Lounge.

I hadn’t realised this when booking, but it turned out to be one of the best surprises of the trip.

Lounge access included:

  • Drinks throughout the day (including cocktails)
  • Afternoon tea with sandwiches, cakes and pastries
  • Evening canapés between 5–7pm

“Canapés” actually turned out to be a proper mini dinner — satay skewers, pasta dishes, curries and desserts. It was a real treat and made evenings at the hotel feel extra special. Plus there’s a whole mini section just for the kids (like at breakfast here too). Everything at child height, kid-friendly choices and brightly coloured crockery. It’s these little touches that make this hotel such a winner for families.

🏨 You can check the latest rates for your travel dates here. Prices change frequently in Kuala Lumpur and you can often find great deals if you book in advance.

Spacious hotel room at Shangri La Kuala Lumpur with a small indoor camping style tent set up on the floor beside the bed for a child. Living area includes a sofa armchair chandelier and large windows letting in daylight as part of a family stay featured in this Shangri La Kuala Lumpur review.
Plate of desserts at Shangri La Kuala Lumpur including a frosted cupcake topped with colorful chocolate candies slices of marble cake a small glass of creamy pudding with strawberry and a decorated mini sponge cake. Close up view of the sweet treats served at the Horizon Lounge, with access included in a Family Suite stay.

Our Family Suite at the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur

We stayed in a Family Suite and it was absolutely huge.

There was a large bedroom with a king-size bed and a spacious living area where the boys had their own sleeping space.

The highlight for them was the teepee tent set up in the living room. Inside was a mattress and pillows, and stitched onto the outside was a sign warning that no parents were allowed. It was such a fun and quirky addition and they absolutely loved it.

We stayed here as a birthday treat for our eldest son – this meant that both boys spent hours in the evening tucked away in their tent den scoffing birthday sweets, whilst all we could hear from our spot on the sofa was the sound of rustling packets and giggling.

The bathroom was also massive with a walk-in shower and a huge bathtub.

The boys were especially impressed that there was a TV above the bath, which meant they could relax in the bubbles while watching a film.

🏨 See photos, room options and current prices for the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur here. If you’re travelling with kids, the family suites are definitely worth a look.

What Makes the Shangri La a Great Kuala Lumpur Family Hotel?

One of the absolute joys of staying at a Shangri-La hotel is the service. We found this at the Kuala Lumpur hotel and throughout our stay at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria in Borneo as well.

The staff really go above and beyond to make your stay as comfortable as possible without ever feeling intrusive. Everyone we encountered was incredibly warm and welcoming, and they made a real effort with the boys.

There were lots of small touches that made the hotel feel particularly family-friendly, including:

  • Teepee beds for kids
  • Child-sized slippers and dressing gowns
  • Kids’ buffet sections at breakfast
  • Ice creams and donuts at meals

It’s not just a hotel that allows children to stay — it genuinely feels like a place that really welcomes families.

Outdoor swimming pool at Shangri La Kuala Lumpur surrounded by lush tropical plants and modern high rise buildings. Curved turquoise pool with small water fountains along a stone wall creating a relaxing hotel atmosphere.

Pool, Breakfast and Family Facilities

The outdoor pool is a great place to cool off after a hot and humid day exploring Kuala Lumpur.

Fresh towels are always available and you can order drinks or snacks directly to your sun lounger. It’s a really relaxing place to unwind after sightseeing.

There’s also a gym and spa complex if the grown-ups want a bit of downtime.

Breakfast deserves a special mention because it’s honestly massive. The buffet includes everything from Asian dishes to Western breakfast favourites, and the kids loved being able to pick their own mini versions of the food. 

Plus, breakfast featured not one, but TWO chocolate fountains. This was the absolute pinnacle of hotel breakfasts for our boys and they STILL dream about chocolate fountains for breakfast!

Because the breakfast was so generous, we often found ourselves completely full until mid-afternoon, which was great when we had busy sightseeing days planned.

🏨 Check availability at the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur here.

If you’re travelling as a family, the combination of spacious suites, great breakfast and a central location makes it a really relaxing base for exploring the city.

What We Didn’t Love About the Shangri La KL

Very little, if we’re honest.

The only real downside is that some of the technology in the rooms feels a little old-school. The TVs, for example, didn’t have Netflix or Disney+ like many other hotels we stayed in around Kuala Lumpur.

That said, it didn’t bother us too much as we were mostly out exploring the city.

The pool area, while perfectly nice and a good size for a swim, isn’t quite as luxurious as some of the more modern hotels in the city. It could probably do with a bit of a refresh.

However, the attentive pool staff and the lush greenery around the pool area help balance out the skyscraper views above.

Is the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur Worth It for Families?

For us, the Shangri-La offered a fantastic balance of location, comfort and family-friendly touches.

Yes, you can certainly find cheaper accommodation in Kuala Lumpur. We stayed in a number of other spots that were much more in-line with a budget trip to the city. But if you’re looking for somewhere that feels relaxing and welcoming after a busy day of sightseeing, this hotel is a wonderful option.

The combination of a central KLCC location, spacious suites and thoughtful touches for children makes it one of the best Kuala Lumpur family hotels we experienced during our stay.

Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur with Kids Near the Shangri La

Kuala Lumpur is packed with brilliant things to do with children.

One of our favourite experiences was the theme park inside Berjaya Times Square Mall. In fact, it’s where we celebrated Griffin’s tenth birthday riding rollercoasters and trying out the VR games.

Shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur are very different from those in the UK. They’re not just about shopping — they’re also places to escape the heat and humidity and often include:

  • arcades
  • cinemas
  • cultural performances
  • art exhibitions
  • karaoke rooms

Right next to the Petronas Towers there’s also a fantastic splash park in KLCC Park, which the boys loved playing in.

Another great activity is KidZania, an interactive city where kids can try out different jobs and activities. If you plan to visit, it’s best to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

For something a little different, Batu Caves are only a short Grab ride away and make a great half-day trip. Just make sure to go early in the morning before the heat and crowds build.

Tips for Staying at the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur

Make the most of the huge breakfast buffet — it’s genuinely one of the best parts of staying here.

Also try to balance your time between exploring the city and relaxing at the hotel. Kuala Lumpur has so much going on, and having downtime for the kids to swim or simply relax can make the whole trip much more enjoyable.

If you’re travelling as a family, it’s worth checking whether a suite with lounge access is available.

We hadn’t realised ours included it when we booked, but it ended up being one of the best parts of our stay. Afternoon tea and evening canapés meant the kids always had snacks available, and it made evenings at the hotel feel like a special treat.

It’s also worth visiting the breakfast buffet early in the morning if you want to avoid the busiest period.

Final Thoughts: Shangri La Kuala Lumpur Review

If you’re planning a trip to Malaysia with kids and want a hotel that makes family travel feel effortless, the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur is a fantastic choice.

From the spacious family suites to the incredible breakfast buffet and the thoughtful touches for kids, it’s one of the few luxury hotels that genuinely feels welcoming for families rather than just tolerating them.

For us, after several weeks travelling around Malaysia during our family gap year, it was the place that felt most like a relaxing base in the middle of a busy city.

And if KL is a short stop between more adventures in wider Malaysia – like that dream trip to see the orangutans in Borneo or a chilled out stay on Langkawi – then the Shangri-La KL is a great option to combine a central location for exploring and a bit of relaxation.

If you’re looking for a Kuala Lumpur family hotel that combines location, comfort and fantastic service, the Shangri-La is definitely worth considering.

🏨 Ready to plan your stay? Check prices and availability for the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur here.

If you’re travelling to Kuala Lumpur with kids, this hotel is one of the most comfortable and family-friendly places we stayed during our time in the city.

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FAQ: Shangri La Kuala Lumpur Review

Is the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur good for families?

Yes, the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur is one of the best family-friendly hotels in the city. It offers large family suites, child-friendly touches like teepee beds and kids’ buffets, and an outdoor pool that’s perfect for cooling off after sightseeing.

Where is the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur located?

The hotel is located in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), within easy reach of the Petronas Towers and many of the city’s top attractions.

How much does it cost to stay at the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur?

Prices vary depending on the room type and season. During our stay we paid £96.50 per night for a family suite, which included breakfast and lounge access.

Does the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur have family rooms?

Yes. The hotel offers spacious family suites designed for travellers with children, including fun features like teepee sleeping areas and large living spaces.

Is the Shangri La Kuala Lumpur close to the Petronas Towers?

Yes. The hotel is about a 10–15 minute walk from the Petronas Towers and KLCC Park.

Need more inspiration for a family trip to Malaysia?

Check out our other posts that cover destinations across Malaysia and Borneo.

Julia Thompson is the writer behind Thompsons vs The World, a family travel blog dedicated to providing advice and guidance to travel-loving families who want to see the world. Having travelled extensively pre-children (for both work and play) Julia was determined to build a life full of adventure and wonder for her two boys. These family adventures range from campervanning across the UK and Europe to leaving 'real-life' behind for a year on a family gap year that crossed three continents. A natural planner, she loves nothing more than a good Lonely Planet and organising the next adventure :)

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