Kedah
A simple, good-value, Chinese-style budget hotel, located in a renovated wooden house beside Masjid Zahir. The rooms are chintzy (with 1980s-style two…
Must-see hotels in Malaysia
Tawau
Once upon a time this was Tawau's superior option, but now this towering monolith of a hotel is crying out for refurbishment and the wi-fi doesn't quite…
Sarawak
'Type 5' accommodation is in either two-room wooden lodges (three single beds in each) with a shared bathroom, or a newer concrete terraced block (four…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
If all you need is an inexpensive room to yourself, this place works. The cheapest rooms have no windows but are away from the noisy main street. The…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
It’s worth paying extra at this small, appealingly designed hotel to get a room with a window. Each floor is named after a curry ingredient, but the decor…
Kuala Lumpur
Fairly typical of the many lower priced midrange options in the area, with comfortable, clean rooms (but not all with windows and all pretty compact)…
Sarawak
Not much to look at from the outside, the Hiap Chiong has 15 passably clean rooms with outdated furniture and tiny flat-screen TVs. Cash only. A sign on…
Sabah
While considerably less grand than its name suggests it might be, Expo is clean, central, good value for money and will do in a pinch as an overnighter…
Kuching
A welcoming hotel popular with domestic travellers that exudes an old-school feel. The rooms are a little old-fashioned, with ageing furniture, but the…
Kuala Lumpur
This chic property offers spacious rooms with parquet floors and lots of seductive amenities including a spa and infinity pool. The newer and more pricey…
Pulau Tioman
Similar to Nazri’s Place, but on the north end of ABC and set in a particularly well-tended garden that spreads up the hillside. The high-up restaurant is…
Johor
Just over the bridge, this long-established business-style hotel is a step up from the rest of the town's accommodation, but it's fraying a bit at the…
Pahang & Tioman Island
Rooms are comfortable if a bit plain at this 15-room hotel, but come with large flat-screens. Staff speak English and are all smiles. Find it opposite the…
Kuching
This nonsmoking hotel offers 80 rooms that are stylish but not luxurious; the cheaper ones look out onto an air well. The name – like that of the street…
George Town
It's definitely not the sexiest hotel in town, but the spacious and recently renovated rooms boasting crisp sheets, professional service and views to the…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Kembara Resort is an inexpensive and friendly place, with simple bungalows that are popular with the student crowd. There are organised activities and a…
Johor
Serviceable for a night or two, this modest hotel has simple but very affordable rooms, with parking out front and a 24-hour restaurant pretty much right…
Miri
The city centre’s poshest multistorey hotel has business and fitness centres, restaurants, a sauna and a swimming pool. Try to book a more modern room in…
Kuala Terengganu
This hotel is relatively clean and functional and provides you with an inexpensive stay that's not too far from Shah Bandar Ferry Terminal and the town…
Sarawak
Built of wood, the old hostel buildings are scuffed and dented but perfectly serviceable. Rooms have four single-storey beds lined up in a row, fridges…
Lahad Datu
Fresh rooms with flat-screen TV, swish decor, bathroom and air-con, plus a pleasant cafe downstairs serving Western food, make this a good waterfront…
Pahang & Tioman Island
This hotel has clean rooms (mostly with no windows) that are reasonably priced. Throw in its brightly decorated ground-floor cafe Kopi Chantek and bakery…
Kuching
If it’s modern comforts you’re after, this 243-room tower, 13 storeys high, offers decent facilities for reasonable prices. Breakfast is RM20 per person…
George Town
This place is a handsome, meandering shophouse turned family-run boutique hotel. The rooms, although clean and comfortable, lack the charm of the communal…
Kuala Lumpur
In a great location with designer studios and one- and two-bedroom suites which are pretty spacious and well maintained; the Parkroyal's facilities…
Kuantan
This hotel has spartan doubles, singles, triples and quads with TVs – it's good value for the price, though rooms can be a bit cramped and smoky and the…
Kedah
A makeover at this long-standing hotel has left the lobby area looking relatively contemporary and jazzy. Though the rooms don’t quite match up, they are…
Penang
The two floors of plain but clean rooms are at the edge of the beach at Teluk Bahang and look over the fishing pier. The hotel is located near the…
Kota Belud
Centrally located, with largely forgettable but clean beige rooms. A decent cafe downstairs serving Malay dishes. Port in a storm if you happen to get…
Sarawak
Each of the six simple but comfortable cabins has two rooms: one air-conditioned bedroom and a fan-cooled living room, each with a double and single bed …
Pulau Langkawi
Turn down a narrow lane next to Laman Padi at the northern end of Pantai Cenang to reach this guesthouse, which offers basic rooms and a dorm in a…
Mr Janggai, Bilit Homestay Coordinator
Sabah
Mr Janggai is the go-to guy for organising your homestay in Bilit village. Three-day, two-night rates, which include river cruises and trekking, run at…
Kuantan
Among the better of the budget choices, the ageing Kosma lacks the boutique vibe of some of the newer midpriced hotels but is centrally located and…
Kuching
A comfortable, modern hotel housed in a redesigned commercial building (painted an unmissable orange) that offers good-value rooms in a convenient…
Sabah
Mariner's rooms are recently renovated and spacious, with laminate floors, psychedelic art on the walls, fridges and clean bathrooms. Decent breakfast.
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Hotel Seri Malaysia offers bland but reasonably comfortable rooms. It is found north of the jetty – far enough to be inconvenient if you are on foot.
Sabah
Friendly homestay offers a big menu of cultural activities in a semi-traditional Malay home near Ranau. Call or Facebook message to arrange transport.
Kuala Lumpur
This clean and well-run place offers excellent value if you book online in advance. Rooms have TVs and attached bathrooms with rain showers.
Johor
Jungle cabins and basic hotel rooms in the foothills of Gunung Ledang. The resort also arranges expeditions and activities for large groups.
George Town
Cintra offers cool, spacious rooms, which aren't equipped with TV, but friendly staff and the attached cafe serve as ample distractions.
