Melaka City
Holiday Inn promises chain-brand reliability and comfort if not the most snazzy ambience. The generously sized rooms are not the most charming you'll find…
Must-see hotels in Malaysia
Sabah
Based on a promontory that saw a battle between local Orang Sungai (People of the River) and the Japanese in WWII, this lodge's fruit-luxuriant grounds…
Kuala Lumpur
Michael and Christina run this appealing bed-and-breakfast operation. They have houses, apartments and rooms in four nearby locations and can accommodate…
George Town
This elegant century-old villa was once the town residence of Ku Din Ku Meh, a wealthy timber merchant and colonial administrator. His home has been…
Ipoh
With a focus on golf, fishing and bird-watching, this resort is a carefully sculpted fresh-air idyll, 20 minutes' drive south of Ipoh. Its wooden chalets,…
Pulau Perhentian
Situated at Coral Bay’s northern end, and sprawling into the jungle, this place offers a surprisingly nice package. A-frame bungalows feature spacious…
Kota Bharu
Dorms and rooms are simple and clean and come with a fruit breakfast. The air-conditioner in the dormitory is switched on from 10pm to 10am, while guests…
Cherating
This L-shaped plot offers wooden bungalows with decks set around a lovely grassy area near the road. All bungalows have hot showers, and there’s an…
Pulau Langkawi
Lying just off Pantai Cenang, the small island of Rebak Besar plays host to this exclusive resort, which offers spacious and elegant chalets in…
George Town
This building’s original owners would no doubt be shocked to learn that their former stable house (mews) is today an attractive boutique hotel. The 13…
Kuala Lumpur
The owner of this hotel has indulged his love of cameras in the interior design – and the results in the public areas are impressive. The cheapest rooms…
Melaka City
These two spacious shuttered-window double suites are located above the cafe Eat at 18. The decor is divine, matching exposed-brick walls with luxury…
Pahang & Tioman Island
This hostel by the road down to the river overlooks the water and is close to the jetty, with rooms that are simply furnished and have views into the park…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Brightly painted and with a harbourside location, Hotel Pelangi is a comfortable option that's convenient if you'd like to stay near the jetty for boats…
George Town
This flashpacker hostel has a minimalist feel but there's no strong Japanese connection, just spic and span dorms (mixed and female-only) painted in muted…
Sarawak
A beautiful garden with glimpses of jungle wildlife, friendly family dogs, hospitable owners, an 8m kidney-shaped pool and bright, comfortable rooms all…
Pulau Tioman
All the rooms at this comfortable diver-oriented resort have flat-screen TVs, air-con, safes, coffee-makers and other touches worthy of a three-star hotel…
Melaka City
With a fabulous location right on the river and steps from Chinatown, Casa Del Rio has palatial architecture that blends Portuguese/Mediterranean with…
Pulau Perhentian
New Cocohut has a good choice of rooms including beachside bungalows and a two-storey longhouse, which has some great views from the balcony. The cheapest…
Melaka City
The attractive street art of Kenji Chai decorates the walls of this otherwise minimalist flashpackers in a key Chinatown location. Six- and four-bed dorms…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
This laid-back spot offers decent, eight-bed, mixed dorms and a range of other rooms, with air-con and attached bathrooms at the pricier end of the scale…
Kuala Lumpur
Architect Ng Seksan’s pared-back, quirky style is in full evidence at this rough-luxe accommodation tucked away on Jln Sin Chew Kee, one of the last pre…
Kuala Lumpur
Check-in is at the newer, more upmarket branch of Classic Inn at No 36, where there are spotless rooms all with private bathrooms and a pleasant verandah…
Pulau Perhentian
This family-owned resort offers a wide range of pleasant wooden chalets set back from the beach and surrounding a beautifully maintained jungle garden…
Johor Bahru
This contemporary 283-room hotel provides decent, wallet-friendly accommodation for those visiting nearby Legoland and Puteri Harbour attractions…
Penang
This popular durian farm has expanded its scope to include accommodation in a series of wooden Malay-style villas, some with amazing views. The cheapest…
Pulau Perhentian
These bungalows occupy a lovely stretch of palm-shaded white sand, with more bungalows set in the pretty gardens or facing the jungle behind. Swim on a…
Kuala Lumpur
This good-value option offers small, well-equipped rooms with some fun design touches. Choose from three themes: tampan (handsome) rooms have a masculine…
Pulau Tioman
Located at the far southern end of the beach where some of ABC’s best sand can be found, this long-standing stalwart has clean rooms and a wide range of…
Kuala Lumpur
Stacked shipping containers are converted into en-suite rooms at this inventive place. Deviating from the industrial design theme, a number of containers…
Kuala Lumpur
This sociable hostel in a renovated shophouse is within stumbling distance of the bars and eateries of Changkat Bukit Bintang and Jln Alor. There is a…
Melaka City
Located in the commercial district just south of Dutch Square, this modern hostel has five dark-ish dorms (single-sex and mixed) with capsule-style bunk…
Kota Kinabalu
Attached to the Suriah Sabah Shopping Mall, this four-star hotel is unfailingly clean and stylish. Standard rooms are huge, while family suites are large…
Malaysia
Surrounded by palm trees, 1.5km north of the entrance to Bukit Malawati, is this modest, Muslim-owned miniresort. Wooden cabins, brightened by colourful…
Melaka City
This lovely place in an old traditional home is very good value and away from the crowds. There's a kitchen with free coffee, a decent lounge area, and…
Kuala Lumpur
Renovated in 2016, the Ritz sports a gleaming lobby with contemporary gold light fixtures and a mirrored reception desk. Dark wood and marble create a…
Sarawak
Something different for Bario, Tuan Guesthouse features five rooms adjacent to the Bario Asal Longhouse. Spacious bathrooms are shared, there's a modern…
Sepilok
Set within manicured lawns, this stunning accommodation is choking on plants and flowers and has chalets fit for a colonial explorer, with polished-wood…
Kuala Lumpur
This low-scale gem occupies an old building that looks like it was made from a giant's set of building blocks. The Luxe rooms (RM150) allow you to peer…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Surrounded by trees and centred on a longhouse at the southernmost tip of the bay, Captain's is rustic, chilled and comfortable. Guests can enjoy art…
