Tiger Rock
For something truly different, consider a stay in one of these five cosy and stylish houses, each one decked out in the individual design tastes and assorted knick-knacks of the owners...
Malaysia's accommodation possibilities range from rock-bottom flophouses to luxurious five-star resorts. Outside the peak holiday seasons (around major festivals such as Chinese New Year in January/February) big discounts are frequently available – it's always worth asking about special offers.
Budget listings in this guide (denoted with a ‘$’) are those offering a double room with attached bathroom or dorm bed for under RM100; mid-range properties ($$) have double rooms with attached baths for RM100 to RM400; top-end places ($$$) charge over RM400 including 10% service and 5% tax (expressed as ++).
Promotional rates can bring rooms at many top-end hotels into the midrange category. A 6% government tax applies to all hotel rooms (including at cheaper hotels where it is invariably included in the quoted rate) and almost all top-end hotels levy an additional 10% service charge. Credit cards are widely accepted at midrange and top-end hotels; cash payment is expected at cheaper places.
Warning: bed bug infestations are common in Malaysia's hotels and are a particular problem at the budget end of the market.
For something truly different, consider a stay in one of these five cosy and stylish houses, each one decked out in the individual design tastes and assorted knick-knacks of the owners...
This beautifully situated resort has large and comfy rooms with balconies and great views of the limestone and green water at Tanjung Rhu. Service is a pleasant blend of competent and friendly, and the resort has a family-friendly vibe...
Overlooking the Straits of Johor, the hotel is the poshest city option this side of the Causeway...
The snazzy high-rise Nova offers great value for a hotel in an excellent position (overlooking the Jl Alor hawker stalls), tucked away off the busy Bukit Bintang. All rooms have cable, ESPN and bathrooms...
These upmarket self-catering studios and serviced apartments are good value compared with the rooms of a similar standard at KL's other five-star properties. Head to the roof to enjoy the rooftop pool and Luna, one of the city's best bars.
The tiny, private island of Pangkor Laut, just opposite Pasir Bogak, is occupied by one of Malaysia’s most exclusive tourist developments...
The views are good either way, but it’s probably worth paying the small supplement for a room facing the Petronas Towers at this contemporary design addition to KL’s portfolio of luxe hotels. Their rooftop pool and bar is a famous KL hangout.
Another accidentally retro place, the Continental brings us into the bright-geometric-print '80s. It's a gigantic hotel with 200 comfortable midrange rooms with fridges and TV...
The Prince offers outstanding value for its modern, cream-coloured rooms. Some nice facilities include a kids’ club, and its serviced apartments are good for long-term stays.
Behind Lot 10, but with good views from upper floors.
Set in quiet gardens and brimming with facilities, including a playground for kids and a cruisey pub for grownups, Sabah's a favourite with Sepilok tour groups and Malaysia Airlines crew. Rooms meet or exceed international standards...
On a fine piece of riverfront real estate, this place will spoil you with a bright, modern lobby, 288 very comfortable rooms and amenities such as a fitness centre, a river-view swimming pool and a new spa. Wi-fi costs just RM5 for 24 hours.
This highly opulent five-star hotel has more than one extravagant entrance - it has two of them. This split-personality establishment has all the trimmings: views, facilities galore and rooms that provide sanctuary as well as views across central KL...
'If you can't undercut 'em, outclass 'em' seems to be the motto at KK's most central five-star venture, which just reeks of luxury, from the incredible views from the pool deck to the flat-screen TVs and DVD players...
With 6500 beds, this is Malaysia’s largest hotel. The plain but quite acceptable rooms are Genting’s cheapest accommodation deal.
This is a sumptuous, vaguely Spanish-themed place on the quieter northern end of Pantai Cenang. Rooms are decked out with thoughtful design touches and techie amenities, as well as a small private garden or balcony...
Japamala Resort & Spa is the only Relais & Chateau hotel in Malaysia (only 475 ‘outstanding properties with a truly unique character’ around the world have this exclusive membership) and it’s as decadent as that entails...
Backing onto the greenery of KLCC Park, the Mandarin is one for sybarites. Silks and batiks lend an Asian feel to the rooms, which have every conceivable amenity...
There are huge swathes of rainforest and beach to explore at Mutiara Bay, plus some 150 decked out, cool and comfortable cabanas to stay in...
To the southeast of the other resorts, the Sheraton Langkawi has all the usual five-star amenities in an attractively secluded setting on a forested headland by the sea...
About 6km south of Merang, and 35km north of Kuala Terengganu, this big complex is set on a private beach and offers a choice of accommodation. Most attractive are the beachfront rooms with uninterrupted views of the South China Sea...
Still one of KL’s most stylish hotels, even if there’s wear and tear to some of their sleek timber-floored studios and suites...
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