In this hotel guide, you will find our favorite hotels in Malaysia! From budget hostels in Kuala Lumpur to luxurious lodges in Borneo!
How lovely! You are going to travel to Malaysia! This beautiful country in Southeast Asia is often overlooked. A shame because it has so much to offer and can be travelled on a smaller budget too.
Our favorite hotels in Malaysia!
Below we have listed amazing places to sleep* in Malaysia. These accommodations always include a budget option (i.e. accommodation that costs no more than €40 a night). You will find a more mid-range option in the middle of every hotel section. Often this is a hotel with a swimming pool, nice breakfast, and a price between €30 and €70 a night. And finally, you will find a luxury option for every destination. These are beautiful hotels where you will be spoiled. The prices range from €70 to €400 a night.
Map of Malaysia
For your convenience, we have made a simplified map of Malaysia. It contains all the places we mention in this hotel guide: Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Cameron Highlands, George Town, Langkawi, Perhentian Islands, Kota Kinabalu, Tip of Borneo and Danum Valley. Let us know if you miss a place.
Have fun with your holiday preparations!
The best (budget) hotels and hostels in Kuala Lumpur
One of the biggest expenses during a trip to Kuala Lumpur is undoubtedly your accommodation. Hotels are not cheap in this big city. We have done our best to find the best budget hotels and hostels. If you want to sleep in one of the hotels below, book on time, as the rooms are quickly sold out! Click here for an overview of all hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
Click here for the travel guide to Kuala Lumpur with eight cool free activities!
The Bed KLCC
This hotel is super central. It is a hostel but a very nice modern hostel. There are private rooms but also pods (dorms). You sleep here for 39 euros per night in a private room including breakfast (2 persons).
Book now!Hotel 1000 Miles
This nice hotel just outside China Town is nicely decorated and every room has air conditioning. The lobby is cozy and not inferior to a hip coffee bar. There is also a roof terrace. For 38 euros per night (2 people).
Book now!Oakwood Hotel and Residence
Need a little more luxury? Then book a room at the Oakwood Hotel and Residence. This hotel has a small gym and swimming pool. It is a little further from the center, but it is easy to reach with Grab. For 60 euros per night (2 people).
The nicest hotels and hostels in Melaka
Melaka is a vibrant little town with cool hip hotels and bars. Below is a selection of our favorite hotels in Melaka. Are you staying in Melaka at the weekend? Make sure you book your accommodation well in advance before everything is full! Click here for an overview of all hotels in Melaka!
Yote 28 €
This hip hostel has clean showers, a nice café, and even a cinema. You can rent bikes for free. You can sleep here for 13 euros per person per night in a dorm.
Book now!JonkeRED €€
The beautiful rooms of JonkeRed come straight from a design magazine. With a location next to the Dutch Square, you can hardly be more central. For 50 euros per night (two people).
Book now!Rosa Malacca €€€
This hotel, housed in a red-brick building, is so cool! The interior is beautiful, with a courtyard garden and luxurious rooms. You sleep here for 90 euros per night including breakfast (two people).
Where do you sleep in the Cameron Highlands?
We stayed in Tanah Rata ourselves and I can certainly recommend that to you. You will find many hotels in Tanah Rata, but not all hotels are equally good. We visited different accommodations in different price ranges and can heartily recommend the hostel, B&B, and luxury hotel below. Click here for an overview of all hotels in Cameron Highlands.
Find our in-depth travel guide to the Cameron Highlands here!
Traveller Bunker €
One of the nicest hostels we have ever slept in! With a movie room, cozy public areas, and a nice kitchen to prepare your food. Since the beds have curtains, there is a lot of privacy and each bed has two sockets, a fan, and a large locker to put your bags in. You sleep here for 25 euros per night for two people (shared room).
Book now!Gerards Place €
This guesthouse is just outside the center of Tanah Rata, (about a 10-minute walk), but has a nice view of the hills and nice double rooms. You share the bathroom, just like the living room and kitchen where you will find a fridge, microwave, and kettle. You sleep here for 30 euros per night (two people, shared bathroom).
Book now!Cameron Highlands Resort €€€
Ready for a night of sleep in an old colonial building? Then stay at this four-star resort just outside Tanah Rata. Not only is the building beautiful, but the rooms are also nicely decorated. Also nice: there are activities such as a picnic in the tea plantation. You sleep here for 151 euros per night (two people) including a tasty breakfast.
Where do you sleep on the island of Langkawi?
If you are staying in Langkawi for a few days, we recommend staying near Pantai Cenang. In this way, you are close to nice bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. Nearby you have two beautiful beaches. In general, accommodations are slightly more expensive in Langkawi, with huge outliers such as luxury resorts The Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons (easily 500 euros per night). If your wallet is not that thick, you will find several nice hostels and hotels below. Click here for an overview of all hotels in Cenang, Langkawi.
Read our extensive Langkawi travel guide with useful tips here.
Bed Attitude Hostel Cenang €
This cozy hostel is right in the center and is brand new! You sleep here in shared rooms, however, due to the “box” layout of the bed, you have more than enough privacy. The public area has a kitchen, a big cozy sitting area, and many things to entertain yourself with. And maybe more importantly, they have super fast wifi! You sleep here from €15 per person.
Book now!The Smith House €€
This delightful hotel with a rooftop pool is located just outside the center of Langkawi. A lot calmer and less hectic. The rooms are modernly furnished with a large bed that you want to crawl into immediately. The breakfast is delicious and every room has good wifi. You sleep here for €78 including breakfast (two people).
Book now!Panji Panji Tropical Wooden home€€€
This small-scale resort breathes tranquillity. You sleep in wooden villas with a beautiful interior. The swimming pool in the garden is perfect for cooling off and the beach is also within walking distance. The accompanying restaurant “Smiling Buffalo” is also nice. You sleep here for €90 including breakfast (two people).
The nicest hotels in George Town – Penang!
George Town is a large city on the island of Penang in northwestern Malaysia. The city is known for its special cuisine (a mix of Chinese, Indian, and Malay), but also the street art and the beautiful buildings influenced by the Baba-Nyonya culture. The latter is the culture that emerged when large groups of Chinese immigrated to Penang in the early 15th century. Click here for an overview of all hotels in George Town! Below you will find the best accommodations where to stay in this old town:
Read our guide on 3 days in George Town, Penang with 15 fun activities.
My Guesthouse 109 €
With five cats, a rabbit, turtles, and a carp, this hostel has everything to make you feel at home. The rooms are spotless, there is a kitchen and a free washing machine at your disposal! You stay here for €18 in a dorm.
Book now!Victoria Garden Hotel €€
Right in the center is the Victoria Garden Hotel, the perfect place to unwind after a full day. Rooms are large and you are here near the Jetty! You stay here for €60 including breakfast (two people).
Book now!Cheong Fatt Tze €€€
This beautiful hotel has a swimming pool, nicely decorated rooms, and great food. For the real interior lover! You stay here for €140 including breakfast (two people).
The best hotels and accommodations on the Perhentian Islands
Depending on when you visit Malaysia, you will visit either the islands on the west side or the east side of Malaysia. This all depends on the rainy seasons that affect Malaysia each year. If you want to visit the Perhentian islands, go there between March and November. The Perhentian Islands have beautiful beaches. Accommodations on the Perhentian islands do not all have a high review score. Therefore, book on time so that you can stay in a nice hotel! Click here for an overview of all hotels on the Perhentian Islands.
Resort Suhaila Palace €
This place is well located right next to the beach. The rooms are very clean and the staff is service-oriented! Every room has air conditioning available. You sleep here for €50 (two people).
Tuna Bay Island Resort €€
Tuna Bay Island Resort has bungalows that are located directly on the beach. The rooms are large and have air conditioning! The staff is very friendly too. You stay here for €91 (two people).
Alunan Boutique Resort €€€
Need more luxury and comfort? This beautiful small-scale hotel is stylishly furnished. And a beautiful view of the beach. You sleep here from €400 all-inclusive (two people).
Are you planning your Malaysia trip? Check out our Malaysia itinerary for three weeks of travel!
Where do you stay in Kota Kinabalu on Borneo?
Kota Kinabalu is a large city in the west of Malaysian Borneo. It is located in the state of Sabah and is certainly not small with more than 244,000 inhabitants. Kota Kinabalu (also known as KK) is used by many tourists as a base to see more of Malaysian Borneo. Click here for an overview of all hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Below, you see two wonderful addresses to spend the night:
Click here for the free Tavel guide about Kota Kinabalu in Borneo!
Homy Seafront Hostel €
This hostel is simple but perfect for a small budget. The rooms are small and there is a nice common area. The hostel has a sea view and lies central. You sleep here for €20 (two people).
Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru €€€
Looking for a luxury place to relax? Then the Shangri-La resort is your thing! This is located on Tanjung Aru beach and includes a swimming pool and fitness room. You stay here for € 170 (two people).
Where do you stay at the Tip of Borneo?
Long stretched beaches, hardly any houses among the towering palm trees and green dense jungle. The northernmost part of Malaysian Borneo is an undiscovered area where you feel like a true explorer. Away from busy cities, this is Borneo as you imagine it: an oasis of peace and nature. Here you will find the best beaches in all of Borneo. Below are a few nice places to spend the night in this beautiful area:
One of the most beautiful places of Malaysia: Tip of Borneo. Read all about Tip of Borneo in this blog.
Tampat do Aman €
The guesthouse Tampat do Aman is surrounded by beautiful nature. Shuttle service from Kudat City is offered, very nice! The rooms are fairly simple and have mosquito nets. You sleep here for €21 a night (two people).
Tajau Laut Guesthouse €
This guesthouse offers simple rooms. The location is very convenient. You can also rent a bike or car and explore the neighborhood full of wonderful beaches! You stay here from €23 including breakfast (two people).
Hibiscus Beach Resort €€€
Ready for an overnight stay in a unique location? This beautiful hotel has only three villas is located in the middle of the jungle and has a private beach! You stay here for €130 including breakfast (two people).
Where do you sleep in Lahad Datu before going to the Danum Valley?
Danum Valley is located in northeastern Borneo in the state of Sabah. With 130 million years it is one of the oldest rainforests in the world. An ideal area for beautiful hikes and spotting the orangutans. If you are going to the Danum Valley, the chances are high that you will spend a night in Lahad Datu: the gate to the Danum Valley. The location choice is limited here. Click here for an overview of all hotels in Lahad Datu. To be honest, we would only recommend Bike and Tours Bed & Breakfast!
If you want to know more about orangutans in Danum Valley in Borneo, read our blog!
Bike and Tours B&B €€
An ideal location for avoiding Lahad Datu. This Bed & Breakfast has different types of rooms in various price ranges. The location also has a wonderful swimming pool to cool off! You stay here from €72 (two people).
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Click here for all my blogs about Malaysia.
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