Banyan Tree opens in Kuala Lumpur, with highest rooftop bar

The Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur has just welcomed the country's first Banyan Tree 24 years after the luxury brand, based in neighbouring Singapore, opened its first property in Thailand. In recent years KL's hotel scene has surged, with Sofitel and St Regis just a couple of new entrants. Four Seasons KL was in soft-opening phase as of mid-July and Park Hyatt is scheduled to open by 2020.

Banyan Tree enters the fray with an arsenal that includes the highest hotel rooftop bar in the city. It's an advantage of location, location, location: the property occupies the top seven floors of the Banyan Tree Signatures Pavilion Kuala Lumpur building. Offering only 55 rooms and suites, ranging from 51 to 200 square metres in size, in keeping with its positioning as an exclusive "urban resort", each is furnished with aromatherapy amenities, a chromotherapy shower and, in the suites, a private relaxation pool.

Food is a national pastime in Malaysia, so the hotel's four-pronged offering will fit right in. Find the "French-inspired" bakery, Bake by Banyan Tree, in the arrival lobby, then six floors up on the 53rd, the wine and afternoon tea lounge, Altitude. Above it is the Horizon Grill steakhouse and it's up to the 59th for that rooftop bar, Vertigo.

An open-air pool with stunning views, a state-of-the-art gym, and a Banyan Tree Spa with an extensive offering mean guests need never leave this urban sanctuary – though all that KL shopping down below will surely beckon.

An opening offer of RM828 plus taxes a room includes breakfast for two, RM150 (about $50) in Banyan Tree Spa credit and more. Valid until September 30. See banyantree.com