If you are short on time, need to get some shopping done and pamper yourself at the same time, Midvalley City is probably your answer.
Consisting of two giant malls, office blocks and several five star hotels, Midvalley City boasts a wide range of facilities and stores to suit your needs.
The Gardens Mall is the smaller of the two, catering to the high end market, with brands such as Gucci, Coach and Thomas Sabo making their home here. Midvalley Megamall caters towards the middle class and is more lifestyle-based, with a mix of local brands such as E’tho by Eric Tho, MPH Bookstores, Madam Kwan’s and international stores like Uniqlo, Roxy and ELLE.
The first thing you should do as soon as you reach Midvalley is visit the Information Counters of the respective malls and get your tourist privilege cards.
The Gardens and Midvalley City are technically two separate malls, and so their privilege cards are different. Both have the same basic benefits; extended discounts and gifts with purchases in selected stores, but you will need to go through their brochures in order to learn which is which.
In Midvalley, the information counter is on the Ground Floor, Centre Court, in front of Nose, Xixili and Sembonia. At Gardens, make your way to the Boulevard Concierge Desk on the Ground Floor to begin. Both cards are valid for only one week.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to shop!
For the business traveller
If you’re in Kuala Lumpur on business and need to get ready for a conference or presentation, then Midvalley Megamall would fit your bill more than Gardens. Need something businesslike? G2000 and Zara would probably have it.
Attending an event that requires formal dinnerwear? Colours, E’tho and Phenomenal have you covered. Alternatively, you may want to check out BCBGMaxazria, Versace, or the AX Armani Exchange in Gardens if a branded outfit is more your style, just to name a few.
Most stores will also have an accessory section, but if you find yourself stuck for ideas, you may want to check out the myriad of accessory stores here. There’s Vintage 1986, which focuses on charm bracelets and jewellry with a vintage air. G&O specialises in high quality silver and platinum-plated collections. For a touch of colour and affordability, check out Lovisa. Pink Lady, located on the Lower Ground Floor, will fill out any hair accessory need you will have, from wigs to extensions to hair clips and the like.
And if you need your hair and makeup done, there are quite a few places you could visit. For hair, check out Studio 76, located at Northpoint Midvalley City. It’s an office block with service residences directly connected to Midvalley Megamall through the use of an overhead bridge. You can learn more about Studio76 here.
Need your makeup done? You can do it at Studio 76 or ask at the makeup counters in Mid Valley for a quote and time limit. Best to arrange before you do your hair.
For the leisurely tourist
If you’re here to relax then there’s plenty of choices. Want something with a difference? Kenko Fish Spa, located on the second floor towards the South Court from the Centre Court, offers foot reflexology, massages and even a fish spa for a feet exfoliating experience like never before.
There’s also Thai Odyssey which offers Thai massages, from the traditional “dry” massages to aromatherapy and herbal therapy at an affordable price, perfect after a long day of walking around.
Want a quick break? Head on downstairs to the Lower Ground Floor of both malls. Sweet dessert choices can be had from Nana’s Green Tea, a premium outlet that sees long lines every weekend.
On a budget? Ozen Zanmai and Nyonya Colors offer delicious meals at an affordable price. There’s also Crazy Potatoes if you feel like snacking, and Chatime’s bubble teas are a great way to quench your thirst.
You could spend hours alone on this floor, as it’s full of shops that cater to everyday living. Aeon Big, Aeon Supermarket and Marketplace by Cold Storage are just some of the anchor tenants here that boast a huge selection of groceries and other supplies. Missed a movie and watch to watch it on your laptop? Check out Speedy Video for the latest.
Everything in between
Besides shopping, you can also catch movies at the GSC Cinemas located. In Gardens, there’s the GSC Signature, which is Malaysia’s first boutique cinema experience. If you’re here with a loved one, you might enjoy it as it features couple seats in all cinemas. However, note that the price is twice as high as the normal GSC Cinema (found in Midvalley next door) and some forumers have reported it’s more popular as a makeout spot.
GSC Cinemas Midvalley currently holds the Malaysian Book of Records title for most number of halls in one location. It shows a mix of Western blockbusters, Asian titles and local movies depending on what’s available. Best time to watch are weekday afternoons and Monday to Thursday nights to skip the crowd.
For those travelling with children, Molly Fantasy, located in the children’s department of Aeon Jusco in Midvalley, offers a fun and safe way to spend the afternoon. It’s filled with kiddy rides and game machines such as Beatmania and Dance Dance Revolution for kids.
If you want everything under one roof, check out the anchor tenants in both Gardens and Midvalley. Gardens boasts names such as Isetan and Robinsons while Midvalley has Aeon Jusco and Metrojaya. Cheap knick knacks or stuff that you didn’t know you needed can be found in the Daiso and Komonoya stores, both also in Midvalley.
Need facials or beauty treatments that’s not makeup? Walk outside along the Midvalley City offices and you’ll come across numerous slimming and beauty saloons. Most are quite reputable though be warned; they will probably try to tie you in for a package.
If you require banking services, there’s CIMB and Maybank downstairs on the ground floor. ATMs for international banks are also scattered throughout both malls. You can also find money changers with very good exchange rates on the lower ground floor, under the Centre Court of Midvalley. Be warned though: there is almost always a long line.
Need a place to stay? If you have the funds, there are several five-star hotels to choose from: The Boulevard and The Gardens Hotel & Residences, both five-star establishments run by St Giles Hotels, and Cititel Midvalley.
Otherwise, you might want to consider hotels in nearby Brickfields or KL Sentral.
Getting there
So if you want a taste of the shopping paradise that is Malaysia but you don’t quite have the time for it, Mid Valley City is where you want to be. To get there, follow these instructions:
By KTM: Take the KTM service to Midvalley (you may need to switch at KL Sentral if you are taking the Port Klang Line)
By LRT: Take the Kelana Jaya Line and get off at the Bangsar LRT station for the free shuttle bus services. Note that the buses do not run between 10.55am – 11.25am, 3.10pm – 4.10pm and 7.30pm – 8.00pm daily.
By bus: The T631, U66, U85-87, and the Metro Bus 99 will all make a stop at Midvalley. Frequency is estimated at 15-30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
Check out the Midvalley “Getting Here” page for more details.
