4D3N Kuala Lumpur Itinerary: Where To Stay, Eat & Shop For Cheap In KL

by Faith Joan Chua - June 08, 2025

Hey, Faithfuls! Just a week after a trip to the Maldives, my sister and I flew over to Kuala Lumpur for four full days to visit our mum. Unlike our usual slow-paced travel style, this KL trip was all about retail therapy and reconnecting with each other and the city!

Kuala Lumpur itinerary

My mum made it very clear: this was going to be a shopping trip. And true to that promise, we spent the next few days exploring malls, discovering new cafes, and eating our way through KL’s vibrant food scene. I spent A LOT of money ...

Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We checked into Lloyd’s Inn Kuala Lumpur, a minimalist hotel tucked in the heart of Imbi. If you’ve visited their Singapore branch, you’ll know what to expect—clean lines, nature-inspired touches, and a peaceful ambience despite being so centrally located.

The hotel is conveniently close to the newly opened The Exchange TRX Mall, and just a short ride from popular landmarks like KLCC, and the Petronas Twin Towers. We booked their Standard Room, which was simple yet functional, offering a view of the city. While it’s marketed as a Bali-style escape, I felt that the vibe was more industrial chic than tropical, with its open-air showers, concrete finishes, and leafy touches here and there.

The communal areas, however, do have that ‘Bali resort’ charm, especially the rooftop jacuzzi and sky terrace, which overlook the city skyline.

There's also a flexible co-working space and a dining concept called Opeum Bistro, which is where we had breakfast every morning.

That said, a few downsides: noise can be an issue due to thin walls (my mum had some noisy neighbours), and don’t be surprised if you find the occasional bathroom visitor—cockroaches can sneak in through the open-air showers.

What to do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Food in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

If you’ve been following my cafe-hopping posts, you’ll know I’m always on the hunt for good matcha and bagels. KL defo delivered.

My mum insisted we try this bagel cafe in Bukit Bintang called Grumpy Bagels. The queue can go up to an hour, but they operate on a digital system, so you don’t have to stand around. Spacious interiors, classic New York-style bagels, and a creative menu. I liked the Garlic Cream Cheese and the Matcha Mochi Red Bean bagel, but the matcha drinks were pretty average.

I was also really excited to visit Niko Neko Matcha, which is a must-visit for matcha lovers because it is arguably the most popular matcha cafe in Malaysia. I arrived a minute before opening and was first in line, with 10 people behind me! The cafe was packed within eight minutes.

Their matcha latte was strong, bitter, and beautifully balanced. I also had their matcha yuzu dessert and left with a tote and shirt. It was definitely one of the best matcha cafes I've ever tried!

I also spent an afternoon in this micro-roastery run by a husband-and-wife duo. Afloat Coffee Roaster in Bukit Jalil serves speciality filter and espresso-based coffees, including some award-winning beans. Their iced white was surprisingly affordable (about S$2), and far better than what you’d get in Singapore at twice the price.

For proper proper food, I went to this Japanese restaurant called Donkai. We queued for 1.5 hours for this, and it was worth it. They serve sizzling Japanese hamburg steak, cooked right in front of you, and you can choose from Angus beef, Japanese wagyu, or chicken, with unlimited sides of rice, soup, and vegetables. I went with two Angus patties and left absolutely stuffed!

If you love Thai food, I can't recommend Yan Wo Thai more. This Northern Thai restaurant isn't cheap, but the flavours are phenomenal. Must-tries include the soft shell crab and stir-fried pork, and even their vegetables were a standout.

My family loves durian, so we had to make a durian pit stop during our KL trip. We were recommended by our Grab driver to check out Brother Durian, located at SS2. This is a no-frills durian spot where you FEAST, toss the husks in a bin, and wash it down with coconut juice from the shell. The atmosphere is chaotic in the best way. I tried both their Mao Shan Wang and Red Prawn durians, which were relatively affordable and had a generous amount of meat. The quality was fantastic too.

Things to do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We made it our mission to hit up the best malls in KL, and here are the three we think are absolutely worth your time! The first is The Exchange TRX, KL’s newest luxury mall, where you’ll find global brands that are otherwise hard to find in Malaysia—Alo Yoga, Lululemon, and more. It’s sleek, modern, and definitely more upscale. Perfect for window shopping (or splurging if your wallet allows).

We also spend a lot of time at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. This mega-mall took up nearly an entire day of our itinerary. It features a great mix of international brands and interesting Chinese labels, such as Guzhi (famous for their cheongsams) and Dai Chun Lin, which specialises in beauty products. I probably spent eight hours here... and nearly S$500. No regrets.

For bargain hunters, you can check out Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang! Expect outlet prices on brands like Coach, Converse, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Even better if you go with friends—buying in bulk often gives you better discounts. My sister and I shared a Converse bundle deal and scored a pair each for less than S$30. BTW, Mitsui also offers luggage storage services, as well as free shuttle buses to the airport!

Spending a week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I always tell my family that I don't want to waste my annual leave on a trip to KL, because I'm Malaysian, so why would I wanna visit MALAYSIA for the holidays? But after this trip, I truly felt that KL had wowed me.

KL has changed so much over the years and continues to surprise me with its cafe culture, shopping options, and vibrant food scene. For a long weekend getaway, especially if you’re Singapore-based, this beats Johor Bahru any day. It’s got the energy of a capital city, but pockets of calm for when you need to take things slow. I will defo be back.

Thanks for reading, and see you next post!

Love this post? Feel free to share and comment below or check out my Istanbul itinerary if you're thinking of travelling to Turkey. Follow my Instagram @faithjoanchua, Lemon8, TikTok, and YouTube for more content.

4D3N Kuala Lumpur Itinerary: Where To Stay, Eat & Shop For Cheap In KL