Hotel Maya, located on Jalan Ampang, is part of a mega structure comprising two other components, Menara Chan Chim Mooi (an office tower) and Plaza 138 (office suites). The complex is naturally ventilated and lit by a 20 storey high atrium running the entire length of the building. Cross ventilation of the atrium is facilitated by a double volume sky lobby on the 13th floor of the office tower in front and a 10 storey high “window” at the swimming pool deck on the 3rd floor of the office suites in the back. The complex is served by a common 3-storey-high pedestrian entrance plaza on the ground level, while the Hotel has a drive-in entrance lobby on the 1st floor, accessed via a ramp and shared with the office suites.

When first completed in 1997, the hotel was a typical chain-operated establishment. With the increasing supply of hotel rooms and intensification of competition in the industry, it became necessary for the owners, Selangor Dredging Bhd, to see how the hotel can be positioned and differentiated from the rest. Drawing from the successes of the growing trend of independent owner-operated hotels, a decision was made to completely revamp and refurbish the hotel as a niche design set-up catering to the well-heeled clientele for corporate business and leisure.

Hotel Maya

Mr Chan Sau Yan Sonny, in his previous practice was the architect responsible for the initial conceptual design and has been invited to undertake this project under his present company CSYA STUDIO PTE LTD as the Design Consultant and Interior Designer. While CSYA Studio Pte Ltd is established in hotel design, Hotel Maya is the first hotel interior design commission led by Philip Yong, associate of Chan Sau Yan Associates, the architectural practice.

The interior design is conceived as an integral part of the architecture rather than an appliqu? or ersatz design pastiche.

The number of rooms was reduced from 287 keys to 207 keys, with half of them converted into 2-bay suites and 4-bay executive suites. The all-day restaurant, hotel entrance foyer, reception and lobby bar lounge are now integrated into a spacious triple volume open plan on the ground floor. The ballroom and meeting room facilities on the 1st floor, across from the hotel entrance foyer, have been planned with movable walls so that they can be converted into one space with a mezzanine.

On the 3rd floor, the swimming pool with in-pool heating and spa Jacuzzi is screened from the atrium above by a double volume bamboo “box”. A health club and private spa treatment rooms flank both sides of the pool. The sky lobby on the 13th floor is partially enclosed in a marble “box” for the exclusive use of hotel guests with unobstructed views of the two icons, KLCC and KL tower.

Even though the hotel is in an urban environment, elements of nature such as daylight, plant life and water permeate one’s experience of the hotel. On arrival, a 16m long and 1.8m high granite wall of lively cascading water and lush landscaping greets visitors at the entrance plaza. Bamboo is planted outside the double volume glazing of the reception and lobby bar lounge to screen the morning and afternoon sun. Glazed to let in natural light, the pre- function area of the ballroom fronts the outdoor landscaped terraces. In the guestroom, the full height bathroom glass wall allows both deep penetration of natural light as well as views out from within. In the all-day restaurant, a steel spiral staircase leading to the lobby hovers above a quiet reflecting pool with a water-wall. From the pedestrian plaza, the restaurant entrance features a granite bridge under a portal composed of bamboo screens, with ropes as ceiling and curtain draperies, while natural light filtering through clear and translucent glass is reflected on the pool, the soothing sound of moving water enhancing the sensory and tactile ambience of this space.