Sabah
Tabin Wildlife Resort, run by Tabin Wildlife Holidays, is an attractive retreat with a clutch of upscale, pricey chalets with polished wooden floors and…
Must-see hotels in Malaysia
Pulau Langkawi
Tucked in a corner in the far northwest of Pulau Langkawi and surrounded by ancient rainforest, the Datai manages to feel both untamed and luxurious…
Cameron Highlands
This 1960s-built country manor is a sophisticated choice. Furnished with writing desks, four-poster beds and wood-beamed ceilings, the 19 sumptuous rooms…
Sabah
Lankayan Island Resort is a popular spot for diving romantics that's also heavily involved in turtle conservation. There are a couple of dozen cabins…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
One of Redang’s most luxurious resorts, Taaras offers beachside bungalows and hillside apartments set in delightful, landscaped gardens. Pride of place…
Sabah
Run by Narsalis Larvatus tours, this secluded spot on Pulau Libaran consists of a handful of fan-cooled safari tents with twin beds inside, and outdoorsy…
Pulau Pangkor
Rooms at MNY are clean, candy-coloured and mercifully lacking the mildewy feel that prevails in too many Teluk Nipah hotels. The better rooms have…
Kuala Lumpur
There are only 55 rooms at this luxury hotel occupying the loftiest floors of a 59-storey building – which guarantees sweeping views all around. You'll…
Sabah
Idyllically lapped by turquoise water, these Balinese-style stilted bungalows with their peaked roofs, fine interiors and palm-fronted porches are…
Sabah
Dedicated to sustainable living and bursting forth from a riot of greenery, a minute's walk from Pulau Mantanani's loveliest beach, this is the kind of…
Kuala Lumpur
Opened in 2019, the KL branch of this hip hotel chain offers 210 capsule-like rooms that are more spacious than the Citizen M standard – request one with…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Occupying an atmospheric 1920s building, Mingle offers small but pleasant dorms and doubles. Most dorm beds are curtained and all come with locker (BYO…
Pulau Pangkor
On the northern stretch of Teluk Nipah's main drag, Anjungan is quieter than neighbouring resorts, with a chic, family-friendly ambience. The chalet-style…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Qimi offers comfortable hillside bungalows with excellent sea views and private bathrooms. It also has rustic and cheaper bungalows that lack the hillside…
Sama Sama Hotel, KL International Airport
Malaysia
Practically palatial, Sama Sama is linked by a bridge to the main KLIA terminal, with golf buggies to ferry guests back and forth. Once you're inside the…
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Well-spaced villas with mod cons from satellite TVs to safe-deposit boxes, iPod docks and Bose sound systems are spread around this tasty resort. The deep…
Sabah
Moored beside Pulau Mabul, this orange and polar-blue former oil rig accommodation platform is for serious divers. The dive centre is terrific, as are the…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Dark-wood four-poster beds are handsomely offset by crisp white sheets at this boutique hotel that successfully channels Chinatown's atmosphere minus the…
Kuala Lumpur
On the lower floors of the circular Vortex tower, this innovative hotel offers capsule beds with good levels of privacy – choose between 10-bed dorms…
Sarawak
Owned by the Sarawak Bank Employees Union, this is the ideal place to mix chilling on the beach with workers’ solidarity. The grassy, family-friendly…
Kuala Lumpur
There’s an exclusive atmosphere at this slickly designed property atop an office complex, where the facilities include a gym, infinity pools and a top…
George Town
Attractive, comfortable, boasting great service and representing good value, the Museum Hotel is a gem in this price range. Located in a stately block of…
Pulau Langkawi
This imposing, sumptuous hotel embraces its colonial-era theme with details such as a billiard room, library and cigar room, tiffin lunches and speciality…
Melaka City
Right on the river, this welcoming family-run guesthouse occupies a former rubber trading house. There's a massive ground-floor lounge and seven simple…
Borneo Natural Sakau Bilit Resort
Sabah
On the western edge of Bilit, this newish jungle lodge is all soaring ceilings in the airy dining area, while the cosy air-con chalets come with four…
Kuala Lumpur
Book in advance for some very good deals at this stylish hotel that occupies the top floors of the Foster + Partners–designed Ilham Tower. Rooms are…
Riverside Majestic Astana Wing
Kuching
The Riverside Majestic is one of Kuching's older hotels, but the 2018 addition of the new Astana Wing means it's again a great place to stay. Rooms are…
Pulau Langkawi
Enveloped by rainforest on a private cove, the Ritz-Carlton offers an exclusive luxury escape that's barely 10 minutes' drive from the airport. Rooms are…
Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
Kota Kinabalu
Located in the Tanjung Aru area, about 3km south of the city centre, this is one of the finest hotels in Sabah. There are beautifully stylish rooms with…
George Town
The five studio-apartment-style suites in this row of old shophouses offer plenty of space, kitchenettes, big showers and a great contemporary feel…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Designed for the Google generation of young creatives, Aloft is industrial chic meets plastic fantastic. Staff are super friendly and you have to smile at…
Pulau Perhentian
Crocodile Rock is a luxe option nestled in the rainforest about a 15- to 20-minute walk south of Coral Bay. The timber-clad chalets are raised on stilts…
Pulau Langkawi
This is a sumptuous, vaguely Spanish-themed place on the quieter northern end of Pantai Cenang. Rooms feature thoughtful design touches and techie…
George Town
A 150-year-old bodhi tree sprouts from the wall in the courtyard of this appealing boutique hotel that has won an award for its architect owners. The nine…
Pulau Langkawi
This cosy compound of six rooms and three cottages is looked after by Dee and Mark – two of the most gracious hosts on Pulau Langkawi. The free-standing…
Miri
Coco House has bright, modern dorms with pod-like bunks and small but functional private rooms with splashes of colour. The spotless bathrooms have rain…
Malaysia
This exclusive resort, set in 36 hectares of landscaped grounds, features a private 3km beach, golf course, magnificent pool, beautiful views, a fitness…
George Town
Looking fabulous after a major overhaul, this spacious colonial building offers 35 tastefully decorated rooms, a light-infused courtyard, high ceilings,…
Pulau Langkawi
Fuuka has spacious, modern rooms in a cosy compound. Huge bathrooms come standard and the villa has a kitchenette. Additional perks include a small pool…
Gunung Mulu National Park
Mulu's Rainforest Lodge offers a variety of configurations, including some family rooms with two single beds and a double bed. Bathrooms are spacious and…
