EQ Kuala Lumpur is a 5-star hotel with 440 guest rooms and suites inside Equatorial Plaza, a 52-storey tower on Jalan Sultan Ismail in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre district. The hotel opened in March 2019 as the successor to the original Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur, which first welcomed guests in 1973 and operated on the site for around four decades before redevelopment of the property began in 2012. Traveloka's listing records 2019 as both the build year and the most recent renovation year, which matches the hotel's own account of its reopening under the EQ name.
That lineage is the detail that sets EQ apart from most of its neighbours on the KL skyline: it is a new-build tower carrying forward a hotel name that Kuala Lumpur residents have known since the 1970s. The property is operated by Hotel Equatorial Management Sdn. Bhd., and the hotel describes the tower as Green Building Index accredited, with an ultra-modern design meant to keep the warmth associated with the old Equatorial. Guests who remember the former hotel, or who see the Equatorial name on older maps and guides, will find EQ at the same Jalan Sultan Ismail address.
The hotel stacks its key public spaces vertically. An entire floor at Level 29, branded Sanctum Wellness, holds the pool, gym, spa and thermal facilities, while the top of the tower is given over to Sky51, a collection of restaurants and bars with views across the city. Rooms and suites sit between and above these floors, and Traveloka describes all 440 of them as air-conditioned, with free WiFi and satellite channels.
The official EQ website lists a ladder of room and suite categories, and Traveloka's booking page shows a selection of these with room sizes. Availability of each category varies by date, so the list below describes the categories the hotel publishes rather than guaranteeing that every one will appear for a given stay.
The Deluxe Twin is set up with twin beds for up to two guests. The hotel describes the interiors as contemporary and Malaysian-inspired, which is the design thread that runs through the whole room collection.
The Deluxe Queen Double is the category the hotel positions for families, with a queen-bed configuration. Families should confirm the exact bedding and occupancy on the room listing at the time of booking.
This king-bed room is located on Level 40 and above, and the hotel highlights sweeping views towards KLCC and the Petronas Twin Towers. It is a good choice for guests who want a skyline view without moving up to a Premier room.
The Premier King measures 50 square metres according to both Traveloka and the official site. The hotel describes earthen tones and natural wood finishes, giving it a calmer, more residential feel than a standard city-hotel room. Traveloka lists this room type as Premier Room.
A high-floor king room that the hotel markets for its panoramic views of the Petronas Twin Towers. Guests choosing this category are usually paying for the outlook, so it suits anniversaries and special occasions.
Equator Club rooms come with access to a private club lounge on Level 50. Check the room description on the booking page for the exact club benefits included in each rate.
The Studio Suite measures 71 square metres according to both sources, with a generous living area and city views. It works well for longer stays or for guests who want space to work and relax in the same room.
At the top of the ladder sit the one-bedroom Executive Suite, which the hotel says looks out over two of the city's landmarks, the AHA! Suite, which EQ calls a one-of-a-kind space for celebrations, and the Presidential Suite, a duplex with double-volume skyline views. Suite sizes differ between sources, so please check the room listing for the current floor area before booking.
Traveloka's listing notes that rooms include complimentary minibar items, down duvets and premium bedding, free WiFi, satellite channels, and bathrooms with free toiletries and a bidet. In-room WiFi is free for up to two devices, according to the listing.
EQ's wellness offering is concentrated on Level 29, where the hotel has turned an entire floor into Sanctum Wellness. According to the official website, the floor includes:
Traveloka's facility list also shows a children's pool, poolside cabanas and sun loungers. The listing states that the pool is open from 07:00 to 21:00, so plan swims around those hours.
For events, the hotel says it has 13 meeting and banquet rooms, including the 1,025-square-metre Diamond Ballroom and Gallery. Traveloka's listing also shows a ballroom, banquet and reception facilities, meeting rooms and wedding services, so the hotel is well set up for conferences and weddings in the city centre.
Other services shown on the Traveloka listing include:
Pets are not allowed, and the listing states that this includes service animals such as guide dogs. Guests travelling with an assistance animal should contact the hotel before booking.
EQ sits on Jalan Sultan Ismail, one of the main roads running through the Golden Triangle, close to the point where the KLCC and Bukit Bintang areas meet. That puts both of the city's best-known shopping and nightlife areas within walking distance. The hotel itself says Pavilion KL is about a 12-minute walk and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre about 6 minutes on foot.
Distances listed on Traveloka for nearby landmarks include:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is the main airport for the hotel, about 60.4 km away according to Traveloka, while Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) in Subang is about 26.8 km away. The hotel can arrange airport transfers at an additional charge; the listing asks guests to contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the details in the booking confirmation. If you are still planning the journey, you can book flights to Kuala Lumpur on Traveloka and add the transfer once your arrival time is fixed.
From the hotel, KL Tower and KL Forest Eco Park are close enough for a morning walk, and the Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC Park are a short stroll or taxi ride away.
Dining is one of the main reasons people visit EQ, even when they are not staying overnight. The official website lists seven outlets:
Traveloka's listing also mentions 24-hour room service. Rooftop venues may have dress codes or require reservations, so check with the hotel before you go up. Outside the hotel, Jalan Alor's street-food stalls and the bars along Changkat Bukit Bintang are both under a kilometre away. If you want more to do in the area, browse things to do in Kuala Lumpur on Traveloka, from city tours to attraction tickets.
EQ suits travellers who want a full 5-star resort experience without leaving the city centre. Its wellness facilities take up an entire floor, and the Level 29 infinity pool with its KL Tower backdrop is the hotel's signature space. The rooftop bars and restaurants make it easy to fill an evening without leaving the building, while Bukit Bintang and KLCC are close by on foot.
The hotel also works well for several types of trip:
The Equatorial history adds a sense of continuity that newer towers cannot offer: returning visitors will recognise the address and Kampachi, while the current building dates from 2019. If you are weighing it against other city-centre options, you can compare other hotels in Kuala Lumpur on Traveloka by area, star rating and facilities.
Special requests are subject to availability at check-in. When your dates are fixed, you can plan the rest of your trip from the Traveloka homepage.
As announced by Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Tourism Tax is imposed starting 1 January 2023 for all hotel guests that are non-Malaysian or non-permanent Residents of Malaysia. Please expect that hotel will collect the Tourism Tax from you during check-in at the hotel. The Tourism Tax rate is 10 RM per room per night.
Popular Facilities | Swimming Pool, Restaurant, 24-Hour Front Desk, Parking, WiFi, Elevator |
Check-In / Check-Out Time | From 15:00 - to 12:00 |
Breakfast Availability | Yes, hotel has room that provide breakfast |
Available rooms at EQ Kuala Lumpur | 440 |
Number of floors in EQ Kuala Lumpur | 51 |
Another facilities in EQ Kuala Lumpur | Children pool, Romantic proposal packages, Outdoor pool, Spa, Fitness center |
