Best private bungalows for rent in KL

When you’re organising an event or party here, know that you’re doing so in a 100-year-old house which was owned by Penang’s first Malay doctor Dr Ali Othman Merican. The kampung-style house has gone through several refurbishments throughout the years, with the latest completed in 2015. Sitting on 24,000 sq ft of land, the venue is now a go-to option for weddings and private occasions.

The house with a sprawling lawn is fully furnished and equipped with a bedroom and a bathroom. You can book the venue for as short as an hour or up to a whole day, but you can’t stay overnight. K’Seena House offers a range of event packages that include supply of equipment such as canopies, furniture and even food catering services, making party-planning quite hassle free.

With its outlying location along Lorong Teratai in Kampung Gombak and ample trees around the compound, you’re guaranteed privacy; but because of the surrounding quiet neighbourhood, loud music must stop at 11pm. Cooking is to be kept outdoors so you’re allowed to bring along barbecue pits and grills; and although alcohol is allowed, there are certain rules that must be met (the owners will brief you). A minimum of 100 pax is required when booking the venue, so definitely go big.

Lot 3035 Lorong Teratai, Kampung Gombak, Kuang (012 614 7554/kseenahouse.com). From RM8,000 per 100 pax.

Located along the green belt of Bukit Gasing, Hillside 39 sits on a whopping 27,000 sq ft of land, nestled within a cul-de-sac. The two-storey bungalow within the compound boasts a European-inspired decor offering a chic setting for parties, and the hedges and fences that surround the property provide some measure of privacy. A notable feature of Hillside 39 is the lawn in front adorned with shrubs and trees – spacious enough to set up canopies and laced with greenery – which is typically rented out for weddings. (Note that you’ll have to bring your own equipment and furniture for your party or event.)

The fully-furnished living area is great for indoor parties and plain lazing around, and the Drawing Room that’s equipped with projector and sound system is perfect for karaoke sessions. (At the time of writing, the upper floor is off limits to guests.) Outside, the sheltered veranda that overlooks the swimming pool is where you can set up furniture and buffet lines for a poolside party – cooking is allowed but all utensils, including barbecue pits, must be self-brought. Music is allowed outdoors until 10pm but you’re free to party on indoors; volumes must be kept at a reasonable level to not disturb nearby residents. If you don’t need a large space for your party, you can opt to just rent out either the outdoor or indoor spaces only for either half a day (six hours) or for the whole day (15 hours).

39 Lorong Tanjong 5/4f, Bukit Gasing, PJ (fb. com/thehillside39). Half venue and half day, RM2,800; full venue and half day, RM4,000; full venue and full day, RM6,800.

Located in Kampung Gombak, Kuang, this homestay villa doubles as an event venue as well. With multiple buildings within its compound, the villa comprises a host of facilities such as a karaoke room, badminton hall, football field, snooker table, swimming pool and even a sauna room; the best part is, all facilities are available at your disposal for the entire duration of your stay. If you’re planning to stay overnight, there are seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a kitchen and living room.

Outside, the centerpiece is the swimming pool, and the paved areas around it let you set up furniture and buffet lines for a pool party; the surrounding lawn is spacious enough to set up canopies and more for bigger events. There’s plenty of space in the compound and can comfortably host up to 2,000 guests with plenty of space to roam freely.

Its secluded location on the outskirts of Kampung Gombak means that you’ll get ample privacy. The villa’s entrance is guarded, and there’s a caretaker living nearby who will be on hand if you need help. If you’re cooking non-halal food, bring your own utensils. To note: The villa isn’t equipped with WiFi, so your party will be a smartphone- and tablet-free one.

Lorong Haji Datok Mat Yunan, Kampung Gombak, Kuang (012 216 6177/fb.com/kdhvilla). From RM1,800 per night for a maximum of 20 pax.

With a vision to create a venue for people to carry out group projects and discussions, Rebecca Yeo took her 20 years of experience in the market research industry and founded Rendezvous Garden. Located in the residential area of Section 17, PJ, the two-storey bungalow houses three meeting rooms, a dining area, a central location test (CLT) hall, five CLT rooms and more – which is great for groups who want a productive get-together. The entire venue can fit a maximum of 200 people.

However, for those who just want to have fun, the space can be repurposed for parties too; but only the ground floor (and the front yard for more space) is allocated for such events. The entire compound is surrounded by hedges and trees, and Rendezvous Garden also offers canopy, furniture and lighting rentals to spruce up the yard.

Cooking is allowed in the kitchen as well as outdoors but you’ll need to bring along your own equipment if you plan on cooking non-halal food; catering services can be booked via Rendezvous Garden’s management and a surcharge will be imposed if you hire external catering services. And even though you’re permitted to bring in alcohol, bartenders and DJs, the only catch is that all events must end by 11pm.

1 Jalan 17/1, Seksyen 17, PJ (03 7497 3978/rendezvousgarden.com). Rental starts from RM2,500 on weekdays and RM3,000 for Fri-Sat, for 12 hours. 

The four-bedroom Halaman Boutique Guesthouse is a place for those looking for a low-key affair with friends. The guesthouse is located in a commercial area of Salak South; in fact it’s one of the old shophouses in the area. Don’t let the fact that it’s a converted shophouse cloud your judgement. The guesthouse – which takes its design cues from places the various Sekeping spaces in the city – is equipped with a lap pool, a spacious open-air courtyard and plenty of greenery, which accentuates its chill vibe; it’s a great spot for a group of friends to sit around with some drinks and catch up. The place sleeps ten but can fit up to 30 people; any extra guest would need consent from the management and could include a small charge. Music is allowed but at reasonable levels only.

145 Jalan Besar, Salak Selatan, KL (012 3149 145/fb.com/
halamanhouse). Mon-Thu & Sun, RM690 per night; weekends &
public holidays, RM790. Extra charges apply for parties and events.

Located right in the heart of the KL city centre, The U Thant is a two-storey bungalow set in the residential area of Taman U-Thant. The house sits on 20,000 sq ft of land complete with a spacious lawn and backyard. Its location near the Royal Selangor Golf Club provides a peaceful view of the vast fairway from the backyard.

In terms of furnishing and decor, the keyword here is ‘simple’ – inside, the bungalow boasts a fuss-free air-conditioned space with minimal furnishing, leaving you with ample space to set up your own furniture or equipment for your party. If you’re partying it up outdoors, the huge compound and garden surrounding the house allows for a party where guests can roam about without even setting foot indoors. An outdoor swimming pool is located beside the house where you’ll also find a shaded patio.

Because the neighbouring houses are close by, you’re only allowed to play music indoors; which is something to keep in mind if you want a more outdoorsy event. For food, you’re allowed to bring in external catering services, but if you prefer to cook in the kitchen or outside, you must bring your own utensils and equipment. 

9 Lingkungan U-Thant, Taman U-Thant, KL (013 363 6210/theuthant.blogspot.my). RM3,000 per night.