Sarawak
'Aunty' Saupang is a welcoming host at her two-storey wooden lodge built on stilts over a pond, with views of the mountains and paddy fields beyond…
Must-see hotels in Malaysia
George Town
A chain with charm. And lots of space. And a location near tonnes of street food. And it's great value! There's certainly a lot to like about this young…
Melaka City
The traditional furnishings of this prime-location hotel have a nostalgic air, while the family-run vibe and hearty breakfasts infuse the place with a…
Taiping
Showcasing Chinese antiques and kitschy ornaments at every turn (including a ceramic Mao shushing noisy guests), Cherry Inn is a characterful place, plum…
Kuala Lumpur
Fuchsia pink, acid yellow and green and silvery accents feature in the colour palette of the swanky rooms at the hip W property which opened in 2018,…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
This resort on the headland has a great location, though you’ll get your feet wet going to and fro at high tide. The two-storey wooden bungalows are very…
Sabah
Pulau Labuan's favourite hotel is a cut above the rest with its cobalt-blue outdoor pool nestled in manicured gardens at Tanjung Batu. There's a good…
Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park
Close to the Kinabalu National Park entrance, this motel-like lodge boasts an open-sided restaurant and spartan yet balconied rooms with jaw-dropping…
Kota Kinabalu
This compact, friendly hotel has plenty of boutique flair, with stylish rooms decked in chocolate drapes, glass-topped desks, contemporary bedsteads and…
Penang
A dubious blue-glass chandelier in the lobby sets the slightly tacky tone for this all-suite tower block of a hotel that is way out of scale for the…
Sabah
Rainforest has 24 rooms with stained-wood floors, balcony complete with hammock, armoire and bathroom. Although it's comparatively bland compared with…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Located towards the northern end of the beach, this 31-room resort has a dive centre attached. A wide variety of snorkelling/diving packages is on offer …
Kuala Lumpur
A choice of one-, two- or three-bedroom suites – all reasonably priced, with wood floors and well-equipped kitchens. Relax beside the large, palm-tree…
Miri
Room dimensions tend towards the cosy and compact, but regular specials and openness to negotiation make this a good-value place. Launched in 2016, the…
Kota Bharu
Located opposite Kota Bharu’s central market, this well-run guesthouse features stylish decor. Rooms are furnished simply, and the shared downstairs area…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Comprising a collection of modern double-storey bungalows and with a five-star PADI dive centre, shops plus a beach disco, this place may be a bit intense…
Kuala Lumpur
Even though it's not in one of the old wooden mansions of Kampung Baru, this small hotel in a modern block is at the heart of the area. Its simple rooms…
Sarawak
Situated a few metres from Damai Central Beach in the Damai Central Mall, this hostel has the peninsula's only dorm beds. The industrial-type space is…
Kota Kinabalu
Turquoise and chic with Hoi An lanterns, art, wood floors and the excellent licensed Biru Biru cafe downstairs, this is one of KK's better backpacker…
Melaka City
Occupying an airy, former customs warehouse in a key location, Quayside combines contemporary style with great value. Rooms are spacious and modern, with…
Pulau Langkawi
Located past the headland at the western end of Pantai Kok, Berjaya has 412 rooms spread over a vast area; guests are ferried between reception and their…
George Town
The eclectic decorative mix of faux leather, galvanised metal and satin in gold and purple might not be everyone's idea of a dream, but there's undeniably…
Pulau Langkawi
Comprising of only suites and villas, this luxury resort shares a pleasant sandy cove with its stablemate The Westin and is within easy reach of Kuah…
Sandakan
This super-clean, welcoming hostel has cool white walls, air con in every room and a lobby with a flat-screen TV. It also serves up a decent,…
Kota Bharu
The Moorish-accented Hotel Perdana is hands down the flashiest accommodation in town. The lobby has colourful examples of wau bulan (Malaysian kites),…
George Town
Malay for 'sleep', Tido is one of George Town's better-designed hostels, bringing polished concrete and industrial chic in place of the usual shophouse…
Malaysia
Large rooms with big writing desks walk the line between business and chic at this beige-toned behemoth next to the Lake Gardens. This is Seremban's…
Sabah
This resort has a range of tasteful rooms, from garden chalets and beach villas to dreamy stilted water cabanas, and resident turtles looking for a…
Kuala Terengganu
Jen's Homestay has four rental apartments in this high-rise building, each with three bedrooms, a shared lounge, and balconies with washing machine and…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Located at the southern end of the beach, this rather characterless resort has a mix of concrete block-style accommodation and bungalows. Rooms are neat…
Pahang & Tioman Island
This 16-room hotel has helpful staff and the best accommodation in town, but it's a 15-minute walk (or RM10 taxi ride) from the centre, making it less…
Kota Bharu
This huge hotel offers good rooms at reasonable prices; seasonal promotions will cut up to 50% off the published rates. Some rooms have fine views over…
Johor Bahru
While it lacks the intimacy of the small boutiques in town, the DoubleTree does deliver business-class comfort with well-tailored ample rooms, several…
Pulau Tioman
Great budget value, old-timer Mokhtar's has a cluster of 16 bungalows featuring little patios and mozzie nets along the beach south of town. If the wind's…
Kuching
Stylish and compact rooms feature at this welcoming spot above the hip cafe of the same name. Location-wise, you're in a laneway in the absolute heart of…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
In the lobby, a 2.5-ton bronze horse by Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero sets the tone at this luxurious hotel. Rooms are decorated in old Hollywood…
Taiping
Trim, surgically clean rooms are attended by friendly staff at this excellent all-rounder, opposite Taiping's wet market.
Sabah
At 1800m above sea level, high up in montane forest en route from KK to Tambunan, this lodge is surrounded by humongous pitcher plants and a wealth of…
Kuantan
This smart 204-room four-star hotel has spacious rooms, a choice of four restaurants, a fitness centre, sauna and an awesome garden pool. The best views…
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…
