Must-see hotels in Malaysia

  • Capsule by Container Hotel

    Malaysia

    Stacked transport containers have been cleverly adapted into capsule-style rooms for short stays in this contemporary-designed crash pad next to KLIA2…

  • Hatten Hotel

    Melaka City

    A marbled reception area with velvet sofas and a chandelier promises much, but the cheapest rooms have windows onto internal air wells so you'll need to…

  • Tip of Borneo Lodge

    Sabah

    With its welcoming cafe, this is a good place to stay right near the actual Tip of Borneo. The older cabins are fan cooled, and there's a row of appealing…

  • Ramada Plaza Melaka Hotel

    Melaka City

    There's considerable elegance – mixed with a bit of cheesiness – at this competent marble-foyer chain hotel which offers spacious and well-furnished rooms…

  • Mega Hotel

    Miri

    Don’t judge a hotel by its tacky lobby – the 239 rooms here, spread over 16 storeys, are comfortable and spacious, if a bit old-fashioned. Amenities…

  • Beds

    Kuching

    This guesthouse has attracted a loyal following thanks to comfy couches in the lobby, a well-equipped kitchen you can cook in, and 12 spotless rooms, nine…

  • Sama-Sama Express KLIA

    Malaysia

    All rooms at the moderately elegant Sama-Sama Express, inside the terminal (air side), come with attached bathroom and TV. There's a lounge package (RM74)…

  • Tipsy Tiger Party Hostel

    George Town

    The clue is in the hostel's name: this airy place's prime selling point is its bar, where guests can drink for half price or go for an all-you-can-drink…

  • Citrus Hotel

    Johor Bahru

    Rooms are small but clean with white walls and bright accents of green and orange – citrusy indeed. Breakfasts are tasty, staff are helpful and the…

  • Mark's Lodge

    Sandakan

    Peaceful and cool, just 8km from the centre, Mark's has some boutique elements and art-deco-style desks, as well as flat-screens and a few movie channels,…

  • Seri Malaysia Hotel

    Kuala Terengganu

    Part of a chain with branches all over Peninsular Malaysia, this well-located hotel (Chinatown is just metres away) rather disappoints with drab, run-down…

  • Borneo Gaya Lodge

    Kota Kinabalu

    This friendly hostel pipes air-con through its entirety – phew! With a cosy communal lounge, the place is quiet and clean and largely featureless. Note…

  • Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa

    Pulau Langkawi

    An expansive, family-oriented resort with a full roster of facilities, kids’ activities, restaurants and a seemingly never-ending swimming pool. By 2019,…

  • Meldrum Hotel

    Johor Bahru

    This central old-timer on the corner of Jln Meldrum has affordable air-conditioned, clean, spacious rooms, with TVs, kettles and complimentary drinking…

  • Hotel Maya

    Kuala Lumpur

    Still one of KL’s most stylish hotels, even if there’s wear and tear to some of its sleek timber-floored studios and suites. Sadly, the Maya's once…

  • Equatorial Hotel

    Penang

    Overlooking Penang's premier golf club and close to the airport, this resort-style hotel is a little old-fashioned but still offers big rooms with…

  • River One Residence

    Melaka City

    Friendly service lifts this otherwise simple guesthouse above the competition. Rooms are plain and you'll pay a bit more if you want a private bathroom…

  • Samudra Beach Chalet

    Pulau Perhentian

    Samudra has traditional Malaysian A-frame bungalows. They are slightly dark on the inside, but the cheaper ones have fans. The air-conditioned family room…

  • B Street Hotel

    George Town

    Taking a more contemporary line than other hotels in the heritage zone, this efficient place is fine if you're looking for something a bit more private…

  • Theme Park Hotel

    Malaysia

    Cartoon outlines replace actual furniture at the no-frills Theme Park Hotel. Jaunty decoration aside, mattresses (on a shelf above the floor) are very…

  • Hostel

    Sarawak

    Each basic hostel room has space for up to four people.

  • Langkapuri Inn

    Pulau Langkawi

    Langkapuri comprises a pleasant clutch of duplex bungalows at the southern end of the beach. The pricier ones have sea views and a pinch of character; the…

  • D'Beach Street Lodge

    Kota Kinabalu

    Located in the swinging centre of the Beach St complex, D'Beach Street Lodge is all of a stairward stumble from some of KK's best nightlife. Rooms are…

  • Hotel Seri Malaysia

    Taiping

    Rooms at the Seri Malaysia are duller than the palm-tree-lined gardens suggest, but they are sizeable with pleasant floral accents, and it's a great…

  • Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur

    Kuala Lumpur

    Elevators whisk you up to a panoramic entrance lobby that pits you eye to eye with the upper levels of the Petronas Towers. All the marble- and wood-clad…

  • Ewan’s Place

    Pulau Perhentian

    Ewan's Place comprises cookie-cutter prefab huts on the path leading from Coral Bay to Long Beach. Rooms inside are clean and colourful, with comfortable…

  • Parkroyal

    Penang

    This 1980s-era resort has seen a recent and extensive renovation, and is looking better than ever. The 309 rooms remain relatively standard and…

  • River Park Hotel

    Sabah

    Less-than-exciting hotel with large rooms overlooking the river and train line. Wi-fi is patchy, as is service. Sadly you can't get breakfast here either…

  • Sipadan Inn

    Semporna

    A slice of air-conditioned comfort, the Sipadan Inn has simple but tidy rooms with wood-lined walls, fresh linen, coffee-making facilities, spotless…

  • Homestay Pulau Aman

    Penang

    Contact this homestay operation for details of their day visits, which include guided walks around the island and meals with local people, as well as…

  • De Plateau Lodge

    Sarawak

    Situated about 2km east of the centre (bear left at the fork), this two-storey wooden cabin has eight rooms (including six triples) and a homey living…

  • Campground

    Sarawak

    Camping is permitted near park HQ.

  • Tanahmas Hotel

    Sarawak

    As comfortable as it is central, with large, bright rooms, a small fitness centre and an open-air pool. Eating opportunities include an air-conditioned…

  • Kinabalu Backpackers

    Kota Kinabalu

    This central hostel is clean, icy-cool and, despite lacking atmosphere, is quite OK to kip for the night. Note that dorm beds don't come with a blanket …

  • Izz Room

    Pulau Langkawi

    A pleasant community feel enlivens Izz Room's basic, sparsely furnished accommodation spread around a palm-shaded gravel courtyard. The best rooms are in…

  • Desa Inn

    Malaysia

    Featuring pastel tones and a mustard colour scheme beloved of budget inns in these parts, this inoffensive hotel has plain but clean rooms comfy enough…

  • Yard Boutique Hotel

    Kuala Lumpur

    Contemporary design rooms are comfortable and decent value at this rough-luxe style place set around a shady courtyard. Bring earplugs to block out the…

  • Uncle Homestay

    Kuala Terengganu

    This budget hotel is handy for the bus station. Rooms are prosaic (and mostly windowless), but the shared bathrooms are clean and well kept. Spacious,…

  • My Friend’s Place

    Pulau Tioman

    Located just south of the jetty in ABC, this backpacking place is busy, social, clean and priced just a whisker lower than the competition. All bungalows…

  • Zeeadam Backpackers

    Johor

    The only true backpacker place in town, the Zeeadam has just two dorm rooms, sleeping 10 people on ultrafirm beds, and a twin with terrace. There's a…

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