Else Kuala Lumpur

Architecture History meets sanctuary

Architecture History meets sanctuary

A duality between light and shadow, chaos and calm, and past and present has transformed the building’s layered history into a sanctuary that feels emotionally grounded, spacious, and sensorial.

Else is housed in a 1931 Art Deco landmark that served as a tin smelting company, a wartime outpost for the Japanese secret police, and later a bookshop. Its shadowed, storied past directly shaped the hotel’s design narrative, which finds beauty in the old by celebrating what’s preserved, exposed, and repurposed. Vertical voids cut through the original building are perhaps the most striking element, drawing in natural light and creating a new spatial rhythm that invites guests to pause, observe, and connect. Salvaged columns at the bar are true works of art.

Interior design Studio Bikin

Soft palettes and natural tropical textures create elegant, modern spaces that are furnished with pieces that evoke the warmth and familiarity of a sophisticated home.

The décor throughout is warm, grounded, and tactile. Earth-toned materials, such as woven rattan, natural jute, and local timber, create a calm, elemental atmosphere. Textures are layered rather than loud—from soft lighting to handcrafted headboards. Rooms invites slowness, reflection, and presence, offering guests a respite from the city. The hotel also features a growing collection of works by Malaysian artists and regional collaborators—from handwoven pieces by Sarawakian tribes to rotating contemporary art.