Must-see hotels in Malaysia

  • Casa de la Rosa

    Cameron Highlands

    Regal, well-maintained Casa de la Rosa is cut from familiar Cameron Highlands cloth: black-and-white Tudor facade, hardwood furnishings and a dash of…

  • Bario Valley Homestay

    Sarawak

    Located in the Bario Asal Longhouse, Bario Valley Homestay is run by the very friendly Bulan. Expect excellent food, a personally guided visit of the…

  • Layang-Layang

    Melaka City

    An arty boho vibe in the common areas and a tranquil, whitewashed courtyard give this budget 20-room guesthouse an edge. Guests can rent bikes for a…

  • Mandarin Oriental

    Kuala Lumpur

    At this hotel for sybarites, silks and batiks lend an Asian feel to the rooms, which have every conceivable amenity. The club rooms are the ones to pick,…

  • Paya Beach Spa & Dive Resort

    Pulau Tioman

    Spacious chalets are linked by wooden bridges over a lily pond along with tidy, air-con standard rooms in the lodge at a decent price, plus a restaurant,…

  • Coral Reef Tioman

    Pulau Tioman

    Adik and Hasnizah’s simple beachfront hotel has rooms with individually crafted stonework, raised platform beds, air-con and colour TVs – some face the…

  • Aman Tioman Beach Resort

    Pulau Tioman

    This spic and span resort was still expanding when we visited, with 135 rooms planned but just 32 open (with a partial sea view). A pool was in the works,…

  • Jawi Peranakan Mansion

    George Town

    The latest in the GTHH collection of boutique hotels in restored heritage buildings delivers Middle Eastern chic with its tiles, carved wooden doorways…

  • Salang Indah Resort

    Pulau Tioman

    The expanse of bungalows seemingly sprawls forever at this resort complex. Most rooms aren’t in tip-top condition, but if you look at several you’ll…

  • Apod Xpress

    Kota Kinabalu

    This superclean backpackers has four eight-bed dorms featuring pod-like bunks. There are three mixed dorms and one dorm is female only. The former have…

  • Queen's

    George Town

    Cultivating a peaceful ambience, this women-only hostel is a welcome respite from George Town's numerous party hostels. Dorm rooms comprise mattresses on…

  • Fat Rhino Hostel

    Kota Kinabalu

    Fat Rhino is bright and breezy with an in-house cafe and bar, indoor and rooftop lounges, and decent rooms and dorms (some with windows into the corridor)…

  • Le Nomade

    Kuching

    There’s a buzzing backpacker vibe at this relaxed, Iban-run place – guests often hang out in the lounge area with the friendly management. Breakfast times…

  • Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort

    Kota Kinabalu

    Occupying a fine stretch of peach-hued dunes about 45 minutes' drive north of KK's airport, this beautiful resort has its own 18-hole golf course, several…

  • Roomies

    Penang

    If you don't mind sleeping communally, Roomies is by far the most appealing budget option in Batu Ferringhi. The dorm has 10 beds, and is spacious, bright…

  • Holiday Inn Resort

    Penang

    A big, busy resort with accommodation blocks on either side of the main road. It’s a great place for families, with expansive pools and themed ‘kidsuites’…

  • Hotel Grand Continental

    Kuala Terengganu

    This high-rise has spacious and comfortable rooms, some with harbour views. There’s a swimming pool on the 3rd floor, a dry (as in no alcohol) restaurant…

  • Li Hua Hotel

    Sarawak

    Sibu’s best-value hotel has 68 spotless, tile-floor rooms spread out over nine storeys and staff that are professional and friendly. It's especially…

  • Lilly's Cottage

    Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park

    Welcoming Lilly's is a good base close to the park entrance for budget travellers. Shared bathrooms are clean and have hot water. There's a communal BBQ…

  • Swiss-Garden Hotel & Residences

    Melaka City

    Swiss-Garden occupies part of the swanky Shore development. Rooms are slickly designed and spacious with all the amenities you could wish for. It also…

  • Container Hotel

    George Town

    This hotel's concept (crafted from old shipping containers) is a little fudged in that there are no real containers used! Nonetheless, its dorms, which…

  • Tempurung Golden Beach Resort

    Sabah

    Consisting of a clutch of spacious, bamboo-accented rooms, this small, family-run resort is ideal for disconnecting and engaging in such pursuits as sea…

  • Pullman Kuching

    Kuching

    The 23-storey Pullman stands on a hill, towering over its neighbours. The vast white lobby is so grandiose that the rooms – in subdued tones of aquamarine…

  • Riverfront Inn

    Sarawak

    A long-standing favourite with business and leisure visitors alike, the Riverfront is low-key but has a touch of class. Try to get a deluxe room (RM115)…

  • Ceria Hotel

    Kuala Lumpur

    An old shophouse has been converted into this 44-room hotel with exposed brick walls and some cool retro design features. Not all the rooms have windows…

  • Woodpecker Lodge

    Kuching

    Tucked away in a side street near the river in New Chinatown, Woodpecker Lodge features a variety of room options with modern decor, plenty of information…

  • Verdant Hill Hotel

    Kuala Lumpur

    A former office block has been transformed into a functional 20-storey hotel a short walk uphill from the main Changkat Bukit Bintang strip. Otherwise…

  • Sipadan Water Village Resort

    Sabah

    Set in a horseshoe design with a decent restaurant at the centre, these 42 stilted chalets perched on the turquoise water are connected by wooden walkways…

  • J Residence

    Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park

    Just 300m from the Kinabalu National Park entrance, this tasteful accommodation clinging to the mountainside is scented by the surrounding pine trees –…

  • Mesilau Atamis

    Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park

    The trademark signing says that it's 'The coldest and highest homestay village in Malaysia',. This organisation has nine different households you can stay…

  • Tien

    George Town

    This distinctive, prewar shophouse has been painted a bright shade of teal and reborn as a modern, attractive boutique hotel. The eight rooms aren't huge,…

  • Bridge Loft

    Melaka City

    One of the more affordable house-rental options in Melaka City is Bridge Loft, which rents out rooms in three cosy shophouses steps from the Melaka River…

  • Cameronian Inn

    Cameron Highlands

    Off the main road, and quieter for it, the family-run Cameronian Inn offers outstanding value for its simple dorms and private double and family rooms…

  • Grand Dorsett Labuan

    Sabah

    One of the most luxurious hotels in town, Dorsett is palatial, with a columned marble lobby, outdoor pool, pleasant carpeted rooms in neutral creams and…

  • Harbourside Backpackers

    Sandakan

    Right near the waterfront, this hostel gets a lot of love from the backpacker contingent for its cleanliness and the helpfulness of its staff. The cosy…

  • Andaman Langkawi

    Pulau Langkawi

    In a grand wooden Malay-style building seemingly dropped in the middle of the jungle is this luxurious retreat with the usual multistar amenities and…

  • Meritin

    Kuching

    Modern and spacious rooms feature at this hotel, opened in 2017. The decor blends clean, neutral tones with subtle nods to a traditional Asian design…

  • Suite 18 Boutique Hotel

    Kuala Terengganu

    This contemporary hotel, while not exactly boutique, is certainly stylish, with polished concrete and exposed bricks. Rooms feature TVs and there are…

  • Crystal Lodge

    Kota Bharu

    This very clean and brightly painted hotel features comfortable if smallish standard rooms, plus slightly larger superior rooms that also enjoy better…

  • EcoMarine Perhentian Island Resort

    Pulau Perhentian

    Located at the southwest end of Teluk Dalam, EcoMarine offers a variety of budget accommodation and package deals. There's also an air-conditioned dorm…

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