Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park
These semidetached cabins have two bedrooms (one with a bunk bed and one with two twin beds), pleasant sitting rooms, fireplaces and nice views from their…
Must-see hotels in Malaysia
Pulau Perhentian
Fronted by a popular restaurant and a well-stocked general store, Amelia's pastel-painted bungalows are bright and clean, with tiny verandahs and basic…
Sabah
Hammock-style accommodation, as well as showers and toilets. There's a 1km nature trail as well. This research station is closest to the Maliau Basin…
Pulau Tioman
Just south of the jetty, this place has lots of options and high standards, with some rooms on the beach and others in a garden on the far side of the…
Sarawak
Akam, a retired forestry official, and his wife, Winnie, an English teacher, run a welcoming homestay at their comfortable detached house on the riverbank.
Sarawak
A friendly, well-run, 30-room budget hotel in a convenient riverside location. The cheapest rooms don't have windows and are best avoided.
Sabah
Stretcher hammocks for up to 20 visitors, as well as toilet and shower facilities. Located near the impressive, 27m-high Ginseng Falls.
Sarawak
There are just two cabins each with two rooms each containing three single beds. Rooms have attached bathrooms and are air conditioned.
Penang
This tidy, suburban-feeling house in the middle of Teluk Bahang's residential area hires out rooms. Boat service can also be arranged.
Sarawak
The hostel has four fan rooms, each with four beds (bunks). There's a kitchen with cooking utensils and a barbecue pit for cooking.
Sarawak
The park's most luxurious accommodation is a self-contained, air-conditioned 'VIP' cabin with its own living room and verandah.
Pulau Tioman
Located at ABC's north end, this place offers eight air-con chalets painted a happy yellow and featuring modern hotel decor.
Cameron Highlands
A friendly, family-run hostel with murals on the walls, a cosy common room and beds under mosquito nets in the attic.
Sarawak
Two-storey, all-wood cabins that come with a balcony, a sitting room, a two-bed room and a four-bed room.
Sabah
Basic bunk beds, showers and solar electricity. There's also a 33m-high observation tower for birding.
George Town
A breezy, spacious shophouse boasting four suites, three of which can sleep up to four.
Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast
This gargantuan, five-star golf and spa resort sits back from the beach around 1km south of Kemasik towards Kijal. It boasts an 18-hole golf course,…
Malaysia
Going all out on the tree theme (leaf designs, zesty green colour scheme, potted plants), this midrange hotel offers small, well-equipped rooms. Forest…
Malaysia
Standard rooms are small and scuffed, but friendly Puncak Inn offers the best value in Bukit Fraser. The location is supremely central, the information…
Sabah
This large business hotel backs onto a lively marina, boasts a huge swimming pool (RM20 for nonguests) and a cracking marina-side bar. The Ferrari,…
Kota Bharu
Around 6km from central Kota Bharu, Min House Camp has a huge open-sided dining deck overlooking the river. Accommodation ranges from basic huts through…
Sarawak
A long-established guesthouse that was looking a little shabby at research time but is nonetheless a welcoming and comfortable place to stay. The owner,…
Grand Beach Resort Port Dickson
Malaysia
It's a grande dame of the Port Dickson accommodation scene, with imposing Minangkabau-style architecture and good amenities, but some rooms at the Grand…
Melaka City
You may need to shield your eyes against this blinding-white behemoth of a hotel. Though billed as colonial-style, with rooms named after British icons…
George Town
The hipper sibling of the nearby G Hotel Gurney, this place is popular with local visitors over the weekends, so book ahead if you wish to check in then…
Melaka City
This charming place has a garden housing a pond with turtles, while two cats patrol the premises (there's a rabbit too). Owner Tina energetically gets…
Sabah
This service matches visitors with a friendly local in one of three villages around the island: Patau Patau 2, Kampong Sungai Labu and Kampong Bukit Kuda…
George Town
This rambling shophouse and cafe has a retro vibe and friendly service, making it a fun choice for young couples or solo travellers. However, guests might…
Sabah
Built over a decade ago, this cosy lodge has 16 air-con and eight fan rooms. It feels authentic with its river-bar cafe and bamboo-accented rooms with…
Pulau Tioman
Located south of the jetty and across a festering section of Sungai Salang, this large place offers cleanish bungalows set in a large grassy area, back…
Johor Bahru
Overlooking the Strait of Johor, the rooms at the ageing Thistle could do with a makeover – though refurbishment is planned – but the lovely pool and airy…
Gunung Mulu National Park
Mulu Backpackers, situated by the airport, occupies a picturesque spot beside the river. It is a 15-minute walk to the park entrance. There's a pleasant,…
Ipoh
Right next to Sultan Iskandar bridge, this branch of budget chain Abby is a reasonable choice, with cramped dorms and colourful but rather musty private…
Sabah
Sabah Parks runs basic lodging (a four-person chalet and two modest cabins) on the island for less-than-affluent survivalists. It's next to Pulau Tiga…
George Town
This hotel takes up most of a city block and spans three sections: a row of two-storey family-friendly mini-homes, apartment-sized suites and spacious…
Kota Kinabalu
Wide corridors lead to rooms boasting rain showers, tangerine-hued feature walls, large beds and modern furnishings. Most rooms feature comfy work chair,…
Sabah
Jeff's is a fan-only affair at the end of the world's most rickety boardwalk. There's a breezy open deck offering sea views, plus lively bar with…
Kuala Lumpur
Perched on the edge of the KLCC Park, this contemporary design hotel, run by the Shangri-La group, offers a superb vantage point for Petronas Towers…
Sandakan
Contemporary, and multicoloured, S'kan Styles' rooms are generally medium sized and clean (though there were lingering smoke odours in the corridors when…
Sabah
Set along the quiet coastal waters of the South China Sea, the serene Tempurung Seaside Lodge is the perfect place for hermits who seek a pinch of style…
