Kuantan
Rooms are spacious and clean, with large bathrooms and all the mod cons. Ask for a river view. The central location, ample Malay-style breakfasts and…
Must-see hotels in Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu
Friendly staff preside over snug, well-appointed, spotless rooms that are within handy walking distance of most central attractions. The windowless…
Pak Ya Seaview Chalet & Restoran
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Located just north of the jetty, Pak Ya offers seven basic, fan-cooled A-frame bungalows with small sea-facing porches right on the beach. Pak Ya also…
Pulau Langkawi
This is your standard high-rise chain hotel. The 282 rooms lack character but are spacious and functional, and there are great views from the higher…
Gunung Mulu National Park
There are eight of these rooms across two wooden buildings. Rooms in Longhouse 1 have a double bed and three singles, while Longhouse 2 features four…
Cameron Highlands
Part of the new generation of hostels in Cameron Highlands, this tidy place one block back from the main road has well looked-after single-sex dorms and…
Sarawak
Sina Rang Lemulun is a local artist promoting and producing local handicrafts. Her homestay is one of several homestays in the traditional Bario Asal…
Kuantan
This modern tower hotel has rather unexciting rooms, but the location on Beserah Beach is lovely and staff are helpful and keen. It's also a good…
Pulau Langkawi
This hotel offers a mix of accommodation that straddles both sides of the street. Opt for the plain, but tidy linked bungalows on the beach side. Spacious…
Kota Kinabalu
This friendly hostel has large double rooms, uncramped dorms, a decent kitchen and a chill lounge with TV. Staff can help you book trips around Sabah. The…
Malaysia
This elegant hotel has spacious, contemporary rooms with occasional nods to Malay style and great hillside views across to Putrajaya Lake. Good-value…
Johor
About 300 beds are available at this resort, north across the channel from Pulau Aur. Dayang Blues Resort is located at the scenic beach on the south of…
Sarawak
The carpeted rooms in this centrally located hotel, though small and rather musty, are a reasonable option for those on a budget who aren't put off by a…
George Town
This former goldsmith's has been reborn as a labyrinthine complex that combines rooms, a bar, a restaurant and a museum. The 44 rooms run the gamut, but…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Expect flimsy tents right on the beach with shared facilities including a camp kitchen. It's basic, cheap and popular. Staff – look for someone splayed…
Pulau Langkawi
This vast resort complex retains a palpable 1980s feel and has tennis courts, a gym, several restaurants and an infinity pool. The airy and brightly…
Pulau Langkawi
This is one of the cleaner budget sleeping options in Pantai Cenang. The wi-fi doesn’t reach beyond reception and rooms are small, plain and lacking in…
Pulau Langkawi
Friendly service, genuine efforts towards ecological conservation and its location on a quiet stretch of beach are the reasons to stay at this large…
Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park
These four split-level suites with rain showers can be found in the Liwagu Building. While they sleep up to four people, they're best for couples as they…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Ombak Kapas Resort has rooms ranging from simple fan-cooled affairs to air-conditioned bungalows. There's a well-stocked store, kayaking and snorkelling…
Pulau Langkawi
Weary of party hostels? Dormitorio offers a more sedate, grown-up experience with its clean, pastel-hued dorm rooms, each with its own bathroom. Private…
Sarawak
Each three-bedroom cabin has one master bedroom with air-con and a double bed, while the other two rooms make do with single beds and a fan. There's a…
Hotel Grand Margherita Kuching
Kuching
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…
Pulau Tioman
If you don't mind skipping beach views, this is a fine budget option, with some of the cheapest rooms in this section of the island. The gardens are…
Kuantan
With friendly lobby staff and cool modern lines, this is a solid entrant in the lower midrange tier. The rooms can be pretty small, but feature a neat…
Kuantan
This business hotel has professional service and designer studios with funky murals and padded bedheads. Its 21st-century-take-on-art-deco feel puts it a…
Ipoh
Fetching and minimalist in style, this no-frills hotel rather lacks the promised French flair, though rooms are brightly lit and contemporary, all with…
Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park
These attached two-storey units fall somewhere between hotel rooms and private lodges. They have two bedrooms (one with a twin bed, one with a queen) and…
Melaka City
This hostel is simple but hits the spot with decent air-con, a choice of dorm room or private accommodation, and a bird's-eye view from the roof terrace,…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
What this place lacks in character it makes up for in spacious bungalows (all have one double bed and a single bed), TVs, air-conditioning and hot showers…
George Town
A charming, homey boutique hotel has been coaxed out of this rambling shophouse. There are eight eclectic rooms, which share inviting public spaces,…
Pulau Tioman
Young, friendly host Abbas runs these rustic bungalows on stilts by the water's edge. They sit so close to the beach that the sound of waves lapping at…
Pulau Tioman
If you're heading to or from Pulau Tioman, and need to stop over before or after your ferry, this modern hotel, around the corner from the jetty, offers…
Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park
These semi-detached cabins are a good option for those who can't face a night in the hostel or in a twin with a shared bathroom. They're clean and…
Kuala Lumpur
Good workspaces and walk-in closets feature in these colourfully designed apartments. The facilities, including an outdoor infinity pool, gym, sauna and…
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
Located at the northern tip of the beach is this series of duplex bungalows climbing the rocks (bungalows S13 and S14 have the best outlooks). Larger…
Melaka City
This former stables sleeps two and has louvred, heritage-style doors, wood floors, period tiles and timber beams. The furnishings and finishing touches…
Pulau Langkawi
Located inland from Pantai Tengah is this string of plain, spotless and well-run duplex bungalows. At night the soft lighting around the pool makes for a…
Kuala Lumpur
Steps from the Titiwangsa stations is this fine upper-midrange choice with decently proportioned and decorated rooms and public areas. The small swimming…
Pulau Langkawi
Here you’ll find a collection of bungalows, chalets and rather dingy dorms, dreadlocked folk in the common area and very good chocolate milkshakes served…
