What's a little water on the floor compared to the view?

KUALA LUMPUR — What kind of hotel does $85 a night buy in Southeast Asia?

In the Malaysia capital of Kuala Lumpur, it buys quite a nice one. The economy's booming with conventions, business meetings and tourists coming from the Middle East.

Luxury hotels are an affordable splurge.

An example is the 574-room Traders Hotel (www.tradershotels.com), where I booked a room on Expedia for $85 per night including taxes.

The Shangri-La chain's version of Marriott's' Courtyard Inns, the 34-story hotel owns one of the best views of the Petronas twin Towers, a 10-minute walk via a park leading to a shopping and restaurant complex called Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

I can't stop looking out my 16th-floor window, especially at night when the towers are lighted, and in the morning when the sounds of the Muslim call to prayer drift over from a nearby mosque.

The rooms are standard issue. This is a hotel geared to the international convention crowd. A tiny green arrow pasted on the ceiling points the way to Mecca.

It's the amenities that stand out.

There's a rooftop sky bar and pool complex with hot and cool jacuzzi tubs and free Wi-Fi in lounges and lobby areas. The buffet breakfast is a feast that spans the globe, from Malay, Chinese, Japanese and Middle Eastern specialties to scrambled eggs and fresh fruit.

An interesting side note: Expedia had the room for $23 a night less per night than Traders offered on its Web site.

It's hard to say why. Rates can vary according to special promotions. But I've found that it's worth checking several places before booking any hotel in Asia.

We requested and received early check-in at 10 a.m., bought a $15-per-night add-on package that included an in-room Internet connection and breakfast, and found everything in order with the exception of a missing shower door.

The hotel left a note saying that all the doors had to be replaced starting in September, a project that would take six weeks.

Our room was one of the last ones on the list. Perhaps that was the reason for Expedia's low rate. In fairness, the front desk offered to move us the next day, but after trying out the shower, we decided to stay.

A little water on the floor isn't so bad, and there's no way I was going to risk giving up the view.

A few things to love about traveling here:

• The blend of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures.

• Eating Indian food on banana leaves instead of on plates.

• Drinks to go served in plastic bags with straws instead of in paper cups.

• Tea and coffee made with sweetened condensed milk.

• Ice cream in flavors such as sweet corn and yam.

• Hearing the Muslim call to prayer broadcast from the mosques on loudspeakers.

• Automated "eco-washers" built into toilets — Southeast Asia's answer to the European bidet.