Must-see hotels in Malaysia

  • Wayfarer Guest House

    Melaka City

    Right on the river, this welcoming family-run guesthouse occupies a former rubber trading house. There's a massive ground-floor lounge and seven simple…

  • Borneo Natural Sakau Bilit Resort

    Sabah

    On the western edge of Bilit, this newish jungle lodge is all soaring ceilings in the airy dining area, while the cosy air-con chalets come with four…

  • Element Kuala Lumpur

    Kuala Lumpur

    Book in advance for some very good deals at this stylish hotel that occupies the top floors of the Foster + Partners–designed Ilham Tower. Rooms are…

  • Riverside Majestic Astana Wing

    Kuching

    The Riverside Majestic is one of Kuching's older hotels, but the 2018 addition of the new Astana Wing means it's again a great place to stay. Rooms are…

  • Ritz-Carlton Langkawi

    Pulau Langkawi

    Enveloped by rainforest on a private cove, the Ritz-Carlton offers an exclusive luxury escape that's barely 10 minutes' drive from the airport. Rooms are…

  • Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa

    Kota Kinabalu

    Located in the Tanjung Aru area, about 3km south of the city centre, this is one of the finest hotels in Sabah. There are beautifully stylish rooms with…

  • Loke Thye Kee

    George Town

    The five studio-apartment-style suites in this row of old shophouses offer plenty of space, kitchenettes, big showers and a great contemporary feel…

  • Crocodile Rock Villas

    Pulau Perhentian

    Crocodile Rock is a luxe option nestled in the rainforest about a 15- to 20-minute walk south of Coral Bay. The timber-clad chalets are raised on stilts…

  • Casa del Mar

    Pulau Langkawi

    This is a sumptuous, vaguely Spanish-themed place on the quieter northern end of Pantai Cenang. Rooms feature thoughtful design touches and techie…

  • Spices Hotel

    George Town

    A 150-year-old bodhi tree sprouts from the wall in the courtyard of this appealing boutique hotel that has won an award for its architect owners. The nine…

  • Pondok Keladi

    Pulau Langkawi

    This cosy compound of six rooms and three cottages is looked after by Dee and Mark – two of the most gracious hosts on Pulau Langkawi. The free-standing…

  • Coco House

    Miri

    Coco House has bright, modern dorms with pod-like bunks and small but functional private rooms with splashes of colour. The spotless bathrooms have rain…

  • Thistle Port Dickson Resort

    Malaysia

    This exclusive resort, set in 36 hectares of landscaped grounds, features a private 3km beach, golf course, magnificent pool, beautiful views, a fitness…

  • The Edison

    George Town

    Looking fabulous after a major overhaul, this spacious colonial building offers 35 tastefully decorated rooms, a light-infused courtyard, high ceilings,…

  • Fuuka Villa

    Pulau Langkawi

    Fuuka has spacious, modern rooms in a cosy compound. Huge bathrooms come standard and the villa has a kitchenette. Additional perks include a small pool…

  • Rainforest Lodge

    Gunung Mulu National Park

    Mulu's Rainforest Lodge offers a variety of configurations, including some family rooms with two single beds and a double bed. Bathrooms are spacious and…

  • Sinkeh

    George Town

    Yes, Sinkeh is located in an old shophouse, but modern concrete, glass and steel set the tone inside. Despite this, service is warm and the rooms are…

  • Betel Nut Lodge

    George Town

    Betel Nut offers tidy, homey rooms in a refurbished shophouse on a relatively untouristy street. Expect cool tiles, warm lights, soft beds and helpful, if…

  • Danum Valley Field Centre

    Sabah

    The Danum Valley Field Centre is an outpost for scientists and researchers that also welcomes wildlife enthusiasts. Accommodation is organised into four…

  • Sea Gypsy Village Resort

    Johor

    This resort is one of the best, most affordable places to relax with kids in Malaysia. Special children's meals are served throughout the day, there's a…

  • Nanga Shanti

    Sarawak

    This unique beachside dwelling, located on the wild and undeveloped eastern side of the Santubong Peninsula, is reachable only via a 30-minute boat ride…

  • Marian

    Kuching

    Delightfully different, the Marian occupies a mansion once owned by a Chinese merchant before it became a convent attached to nearby St Thomas's Cathedral…

  • Bali Kito Homestay

    Sabah

    Based in Sukau, Bali Kito Homestay can connect you with several hospitable local families and, for additional fees, hook you up with cultural programs,…

  • Mari Mari Backpackers Lodge

    Sabah

    Simple but welcoming raised stilt chalets (sulaps) around a white-sand beach. The huts are a modern take on the thatch-longhouse theme. There are also…

  • Eastern & Oriental Hotel

    George Town

    Dating to 1885, the E&O is one of those rare hotels where historic opulence has gracefully moved into the present day. The suites in the original Heritage…

  • Indulgence Living

    Ipoh

    Resembling an English country mansion improbably plonked next to a main road, Indulgence has a set of individually decorated rooms, from rococo to antique…

  • Last Frontier Resort

    Sabah

    Maybe they should rename this place the Last Breath Resort after the torturously steep hill you have to ascend to reach the place. Your reward, however,…

  • Tampat Do Aman

    Sabah

    With its maze of jungle walkways, atmospheric Rungus longhouse rooms, fan-cooled chalets and bamboo huts overlooking hibiscus-rich gardens, this is a fine…

  • Apa Kaba Home & Stay

    Melaka City

    This tranquil homestay has a low-key kampung (village) setting, but is within walking distance of central Melaka City. The 1912 building is a mishmash of…

  • Berjaya Tioman Resort

    Pulau Tioman

    Easily accessible from Tekek, the four-star and sprawling Berjaya is the biggest resort on Tioman, with 268 rooms. For those seeking a resort experience…

  • Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp

    Sabah

    This eco camp faces a pretty oxbow lake by the Kinabatangan River. Luxurious it isn't – expect wooden shelters with mattress, fragrant sheets and pillows,…

  • Aiman Batang Ai Resort & Retreat

    Sarawak

    With an elevated location above Batang Ai lake, this very comfortable resort is a popular inclusion for visitors after a few days roughing it in more…

  • Gilligan's Lodge & Retreat

    Johor

    Gilligan's is tucked away on a small sandy bay in the north of the island, scenically located opposite Pulau Dayang. With air-con rooms, restaurant, beach…

  • Panorama Chalet

    Pulau Perhentian

    A favourite with divers and snorkellers, Panorama is set back a short way from the sand in party central, Long Beach. Rooms range from fan-cooled doubles…

  • Pulau Tiga Resort

    Sabah

    Built to house the production crew for the first series of Survivor, the lodge has accommodation in two types of chalets with double beds and air-con. The…

  • Wolo Bukit Bintang

    Kuala Lumpur

    Checking in to this neon-accented hotel feels like sashaying into a nightclub. Mirror-clad elevators whisk you to corridors dimly lit by cloud-shaped…

  • Gemalai Village

    Pulau Langkawi

    Gemalai is a complex of six kampung huts built on stilts over the paddy fields at Laman Padi. The traditionally styled rooms are comfortable and well…

  • Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside

    Malaysia

    Close to the Convention Centre and beside Putrajaya Lake, this elegantly presented resort incorporates traditional Malaysian elements (rugs, ornate murals…

  • Pi Hotel

    Ipoh

    Despite dashes of crimson and cushioned bed-boards, rooms at midrange Pi Hotel feel a little formulaic. But if you just want centrality and a good night's…

  • Radioman

    Kuching

    This central, self-styled 'heritage hostel' occupies a century-old shophouse once used for radio repairs. The building still has the original ceilings,…

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