Must-see hotels in Malaysia

  • Villa Samadhi

    Kuala Lumpur

    It’s hard to believe you’re in the heart of KL when staying at this gorgeous boutique property that epitomises Southeast Asian chic. The black polished…

  • Pangkor Laut Resort

    Pulau Pangkor

    An impeccably managed private island resort lies west of Pulau Pangkor, reachable only by prebooked guests on a 20-minute boat transfer from Marina Bay…

  • Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp

    Sabah

    Located on the bank of an oxbow lake, far from any village, this wonderful place is great for wildlife spotting. Digs are simple: six twin rooms with bug…

  • Sekeping Serendah

    Malaysia

    Woven into the jungle, Sekeping Serendah is a back-to-nature retreat with an appealing rough-luxe style. Accommodation is accessed by a boardwalk that…

  • Terrapuri Heritage Village

    Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast

    The manicured grounds of Terrapuri Heritage Village resemble a film set about the lives of sultans of yore. Meaning ‘Land of Palaces’, Terrapuri is equal…

  • Scuba Junkie Mabul Beach Resort

    Sabah

    The most eco-conscious of all Pulau Mabul's lodges, this place attracts a younger international crowd. Super-fresh chalets come with porches and bathrooms…

  • Belum Eco Resort

    Perak

    Thrillingly remote Belum Eco Resort perches on a private island, thick with jungle and teeming with wildlife. Twelve A-frame chalets (electricity evenings…

  • Pasir Belanda

    Kota Bharu

    Pasir Belanda Homestay, around 4km from the centre of Kota Bharu, is one of Kelantan’s choicest options. Three sizes of traditional Malay homes have been…

  • Lupa Masa

    Poring Hot Springs

    A 45-minute jungle walk from Poring (meet at Nongling Restaurant at 3pm daily), this eco-camp is surrounded by forest and has two gin-clear rivers to…

  • Tiger Rock Resort

    Pulau Pangkor

    Hidden deep in the jungle 1km south of Pangkor Town, Tiger Rock offers romantic rooms decorated with vintage flair. Local artwork and upcycled materials…

  • Bike & Tours B&B

    Lahad Datu

    Winning applause for its cycling excursions in the area, and the quality of its accommodation, B&T is run by friendly Swiss/Malay couple Itisha and Simon…

  • Sukau Rainforest Lodge

    Sabah

    Named one of the Unique Lodges of the World by National Geographic, this is the most upscale place on the river. It has beautifully appointed split-level…

  • Nanga Sumpa

    Sarawak

    The flagship Batang Ai accommodation for Borneo Adventure, Nanga Sumpa features surprisingly stylish rooms – some with private bathroom – wooden verandahs…

  • Majestic Hotel

    Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar

    Originally opened in 1932 and the pre-WWII KL equivalent of Raffles in Singapore, the impeccably restored Majestic is one of the city's top luxury hotels…

  • Sentosa Villa

    Taiping

    Unquestionably Taiping's most attractive place to stay, this complex of villas is alive with durian trees, palm groves and teeming ponds. Chalets have an…

  • Bala’s Holiday Chalet

    Cameron Highlands

    In a sea of faux-colonial resorts, Bala's is the real deal. A boarding school in colonial times, the mock-Tudor resort is centred on a 1930s bungalow,…

  • Zeck’s Travellers Inn

    Kota Bharu

    Zeck and Miriam Zaki’s home, located in a peaceful nook north of the city centre, is a great way to experience Malaysian kampung (village) life in the…

  • Avillion Port Dickson

    Malaysia

    Beautifully designed and lushly planted with lily ponds, birds of paradise, bromeliads and palms, this highly awarded five-star has over-the-water chalets…

  • Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

    Perak

    Stepping inside Banjaran Retreat, fish-filled water features and Grecian urns instantly establish the resort's sheer opulence. The spacious villas – some…

  • La Pari-Pari

    Pulau Langkawi

    Tucked away in a calm garden on the landward side of the main Pantai Tengah road, La Pari-Pari has an easy, tropical vibe, a great restaurant, and a small…

  • Gem Island Resort & Spa

    Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast

    Located on Pulau Gemia, 800m north of Pulau Kapas, this resort offers breezy bungalows set right over the edge of a reef – watch schools of fish and black…

  • Borneo Rainforest Lodge

    Sabah

    Set beside the Danum River, Borneo Rainforest Lodge is for Indiana Jones types with healthy wallets – adventure combined with luxury, if you will. If you…

  • Mov Hotel

    Kuala Lumpur

    A contemporary sculpture of a white tiger prowling the lobby and a slide into its restaurant are just a couple of the fun, creative touches at this…

  • The Happy 8

    Ipoh

    This stylish boutique property invites you to step inside with a gorgeous greenery-festooned timber frontage and an intimate, shady cafe tucked into a…

  • Kapas Turtle Valley

    Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast

    Hidden in a rocky nook on the island’s southern end, Kapas Turtle Valley has eight bungalows – all furnished with colourful local batik – and sits above a…

  • Majestic Malacca

    Melaka City

    Claw-foot tubs and polished four-poster beds are just some of the trappings at this regal hotel. The bar, library and dining areas groan with nostalgia …

  • Temple Tree

    Pulau Langkawi

    On the adjoining plot to Bon Ton, sister hotel Temple Tree raises the stakes with a collection of antique structures relocated from various points in…

  • 45 Lekiu

    Melaka City

    Sleeping four, this gorgeously restored shophouse has kept the big old beams and original exposed brickwork but has been updated with stylish contemporary…

  • Attrus B&B

    Johor Bahru

    Opened in 2019, this top pick for both the budget- and style-conscious features comfy, twin- and queen-size bunk beds with plush linens and privacy…

  • Village House

    Sarawak

    Tucked away in the quiet Malay village of Santubong, this place exudes serenity. Rooms with belian (ironwood) floors and four-poster beds are arranged…

  • D’Lagoon Chalet & Restaurant

    Pulau Perhentian

    Family-run D'Lagoon is the sole property on a tranquil bay, Teluk Kerma, with fine coral a short swim from the beach. Accommodation ranges from camping…

  • Sojourn Beds & Cafe

    Taiping

    In a high-ceilinged 1930s shophouse, cheerful Sojourn has four-bed dorms with pod-style bunks – that means more privacy and less rocking from the top bunk…

  • Hotel Puri

    Melaka City

    Why merely tour one of Melaka's heritage buildings when you can stay overnight in one? Inhabiting a superbly renovated 1822 Peranakan mansion, this hotel…

  • Father's Guest House

    Cameron Highlands

    Old-school hostel friendliness meets modern amenities at Father's, where staff go the extra mile to help guests get the best out of the Cameron Highlands…

  • BackHome

    Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas

    This chic pit stop for flashpackers offers a Zen decor featuring polished concrete and has a particularly attractive central courtyard. Mixed and female…

  • Rucksack Caratel

    Melaka City

    There's a fun flashpacker vibe at this great budget choice. The cheapest rooms are in mock 'caravans' on the ground floor, each given a famous star's name…

  • Sepilok Nature Resort

    Sepilok

    Beside an ornamental pond, this beautiful wood-accented hotel is a study in comfort, with mature trees shading its two-tiered central lodge, and carriage…

  • Velton Inn

    Sarawak

    After a few nights upriver, the Velton Inn's cool, spacious air-con rooms and slick bathrooms with excellent rainforest showers could be just what you…

  • 23 Love Lane

    George Town

    Occupying a former mansion, its kitchen and stables, 23 Love Lane tastefully combines antique furniture and fixtures with modern design touches and arty…

  • Labang Longhouse Guesthouse

    Sarawak

    This 16-room, longhouse-style guesthouse with valley views is full of evocative photographs, each with a story that owners Lucy and David Labang will…

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