Selasih Manor · Established 2009
The house, and how it came to be
A colonial-era property in Bukit Nanas, kept for the better part of two decades as a place where longer stays are handled without complexity.
Back to Home✦ About the Manor
A house with a particular character
The building at 64, Jalan Mahameru was constructed in the early colonial period and has passed through several uses before being taken on by its current caretakers in 2009. At that time it was in a state of partial disrepair — the south wing had been unoccupied for some years, and the kitchen garden had been left entirely untended.
The decision to open it as a boarding house was made not out of commercial ambition but out of a reluctance to see it subdivided or converted to a more anonymous use. The rooms were restored to something close to their original condition — the joinery retained where possible, the floors relaid in the same pattern, the verandah cleared and the frangipani kept.
Since 2010 it has operated as a small, self-managed property. The number of rooms has never been increased. The approach to maintenance and housekeeping has not changed. Guests who return for a second or third stay often remark that the house feels consistent — which is what we have tried for.
We do not describe ourselves as a hotel and have no particular interest in competing with one. The house suits a kind of guest who knows what they are looking for — someone with work to do in Kuala Lumpur, or a family between homes, or a researcher who wants quiet and reliability for several weeks.
In brief
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Colonial-era property, restored 2009–2010
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Three rooms and one cottage — no plans to expand
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Jalan Mahameru, Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur
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Kitchen garden, frangipani, rain tree — all maintained
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Self-managed since opening; same caretakers throughout
✦ The People
Those who keep the house
A small staff, each in a particular role. No guest is managed from a distance.
Zulaikha Ahmad
House Caretaker & Manager
Has managed the house since 2010. Handles all guest enquiries, room allocation, and maintenance scheduling. Present at the property most mornings.
Rajan Nair
Property Maintenance
Responsible for the upkeep of the building and grounds. Has worked at the house since 2011 and knows the property as well as anyone.
Chong Li Yen
Cook & Kitchen Garden
Prepares breakfast for East Room guests and tends the kitchen garden. Has been with the house since 2013. Works in the garden each morning before the heat.
✦ Standards
How the house is kept
These are not policies drawn up for display. They describe what we actually do.
Regular housekeeping
Each room is cleaned to a consistent standard on a fixed schedule. Linen is changed at each cleaning. Common areas are maintained daily.
Prompt maintenance
Any maintenance issue reported by a guest is attended to within one working day. Guests are not expected to manage building problems on their own.
Guest privacy
Guest information is not shared with third parties. The house does not operate a guest register visible to other guests. Arrivals and departures are managed discreetly.
Fire safety
The property holds a current fire certificate. Extinguishers are positioned throughout the building and inspected annually. All guests are briefed on exit routes at check-in.
Security
The property is enclosed. Each room has a keyed lock with keys held only by the guest during their stay. The main gate is closed from 10 pm.
Grounds maintenance
The kitchen garden, the frangipani, and the grounds are maintained on a weekly basis. Guests are welcome to sit in the shade or on the verandah at any time.
✦ About long stays in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur draws researchers, writers, academics on short assignments, and families in the process of relocating. The city has no shortage of short-term accommodation, but the boarding house occupies a particular position — something between a serviced apartment and a private home, suited to guests who want a place with some character and consistent management.
Selasih Manor is one of a small number of properties in the older Bukit Nanas area that have been maintained as boarding houses rather than converted to other uses. The neighbourhood has changed considerably since the 1960s, but the street retains something of its earlier scale. Jalan Mahameru is walkable to several significant parts of the city centre without requiring a car.
The three accommodations at Selasih Manor — the South Wing Apartment, the East Room, and the Garden Cottage — have different characters and suit different purposes. Guests who write to us with some description of their visit find it easier to determine whether the house is a good fit before committing to a stay.
✦ Enquiries
Ask about a stay
If the house sounds like what you are looking for, write to us. We prefer a short description of what you need over a formal application.
Send an Enquiry