Kontiki - at The Federal Kuala Lumpur Hotel

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Federal Hotel opened August 31, 1957 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Kontiki appears to have been an original restaurant that opened on or around the same time.

When it was built, The Federal Hotel was the tallest and most impressive building in the area, constructed to accommodate international guests for the Independence Day celebrations.

Initially a 9 story building with 90 guest rooms, it was later adapted to become a 21 story building with 450 rooms and a revolving restaurant at the top.

Kontiki is located on the mezzanine floor. The mezzanine section appears to have a traditional Malay style multiple pitched roof -- so the exterior does stand apart with its design aesthetic. However, it is NOT the hotel's currently showcased fine dining restaurant.

Rather, after its extensive remodeling (circa 2014?), the Kontiki is an impressive buffet style restaurant with huge selections of BBQ, seafood, desserts, and more.

The huge open-design dining area has some rattan furniture, but little else that calls to mind Polynesian decor or design. However, the exterior entrance is flanked by two large tikis and within the threshold are an additional 5 tiki pillars that have been painted a bright and cheerful yellow.

They do not appear to have a bar or cocktail menu, even though at one time the earlier version of the Kontiki issued swizzle sticks and probably did serve cocktails.

Today the hotel has an Irish Pub, and various other restaurants to cater to different interests. So, the Kontiki does not try to be all-inclusive or compete with the revolving restaurant's amazing views. It does seem to excel at being a buffet restaurant, however.