In this hotel guide, you will find our favourite hotels in Malaysia! From budget hostels in Kuala Lumpur, till luxurious lodges on 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 favourite 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 €20 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 €20 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 €250 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 the travel guide of Kuala Lumpur with eight cool free activities!
Hotel Paloma Inn
This hotel is centrally located, in a street with all kinds of restaurants and close to the various shopping malls. There is a washing machine and there are common areas and dormitories. You sleep here from 17 euros per night (2 people).
Book now!Hotel 1000 Miles
This nice hotel just outside China Town is nicely decorated and every room has air conditioning. The lobby is cosy and looks like a hip coffee bar. There is also a roof terrace available to relax. You sleep here from 17 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. Delicious Breakfast is included in the price as well. You sleep here from 32 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 a selection of our favourite hotels in Melaka. Are you staying in Melaka at the weekend? Make sure you book your accommodation well in advance before everything is full!
Ola Lavenderia €
This cosy hostel has surprisingly large private rooms, clean showers and is attached to a nice café where the nice host does everything to make you happy. You sleep here from 17 euros per night in a private room (with air conditioning).
Book now!JonkeRED €€
The beautiful rooms of JonkeRed could come straight from a design magazine. With a location next to the Dutch Square, you can hardly be more centrally located in Melaka. And all for only 22 euros per night (two people).
Book now!Rosa Malacca €€€
This hotel, located in a red-brick building, could be in New York! The interior is also beautiful, with a courtyard garden and luxurious rooms. You sleep here from 75 euros per night including a great 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.
Find our in-depth travel guide to the Cameron Highlands here!
Traveller Bunker €
Definitely one of the nicest hostels we have ever slept in! With a movie room, cosy public areas and a clean kitchen. Because the beds have curtains, there is a lot of privacy and each bed has two sockets, a fan and a large safe. You sleep here from 11 euros per night (two people in a shared room).
Book now!Gerards Place €€
This guesthouse is located just outside the centre of Tanah Rata, (about 10 minutes’ walk), but has a good 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 from 19 euros per night (two people).
Book now!Cameron Highlands Resort €€€
Ready for a night of sleep in style? Then stay at this four-star resort just outside of Tanah Rata. Not only is the building beautiful, but the rooms are also large and nicely decorated. Also nice: there are activities such as a picnic in the tea fields. You sleep here from 127 euros per night (two people) including 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 on Langkawi, with huge outliers such as luxury resorts The Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons (easily 1000 euros per night). If your wallet is not that thick, you will find a number of nice hostels and hotels below.
Read our extensive Langkawi travel guide with useful tips here.
Bed Attitude Hostel Cenang €
This cosy hostel is right in the centre located and is brand new! You sleep here in shared rooms but because of the “box” layout of the bed, you have more than enough privacy. The public area with kitchen, sitting area and billiards is fun to see and the wifi super fast! You sleep here from € 5 per person.
Book now!The Smith House €€
This delightful hotel with rooftop swimming pool is located just outside the centre of Langkawi. The rooms are modernly furnished with a large bed in which you want to crawl into immediately. The breakfast is very delicious as well. Every room has good wifi. You sleep here from € 65 including breakfast (two people).
Book now!Villa Panji Panji €€€
This small-scale resort radiates tranquillity. You sleep in wooden villas with a beautiful interior. The swimming pool in the garden is perfect for cooling off and the sea is also within walking distance range. The accompanying restaurant “Smiling Buffalo” is also tasty. You sleep here from € 108 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 for 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. Below you will find the best accommodations of 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, turtle and a fish, this hostel does everything to make you feel at home. Everything is spotlessly clean, there is a kitchen and a free washing machine available! You sleep here from € 27 (two people).
Victoria Garden Hotel €€
Right in the centre in George Town 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 from € 49 including breakfast (two people).
Tien Hotel Residence €€€
This beautiful hotel has a swimming pool, nicely decorated rooms and even the stairwell is full of art. This is a great hotel for a real interior junkie! You sleep here from € 80 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 on 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!
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 airconditioning available. You sleep here from € 36 (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 airconditioning! Staff is very friendly too. You stay here from € 65 (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 € 99 including breakfast (two people).
Are you planning your Malaysia trip? Check out our Malaysia itinerary for three weeks 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. Below, you see three wonderful addresses to spend the night:
Click here for the free Tavel guide about Kota Kinabalu in Borneo!
Dimple Life Hostel €
This hostel has access to a swimming pool and gym. The rooms are small but there is a nice common area. The hostel is in front of a large shopping centre. You sleep here from € 15 (two people).
Book now!B&B@21€€
In this cosy hostel, right in the centre of KK, you have both dorms and private rooms. There is a kitchen so that you can cook yourself and you have a garden at your disposal. You sleep here from € 21 including breakfast (two people).
Book now!Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru €€€
In need for a fancier stay? Then sleep a night at the Shangri-La resort. This is on Tanjung Aru beach, just outside the centre of KK. Including swimming pool, fitness room. You sleep here from € 176 including breakfast (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 a few nice places to spend the night in this beautiful area:
One of the most beautiful places of whole 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 from € 11 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 neighbourhood full of wonderful beaches! You stay here from € 15 including breakfast (two people).
Hibiscus Beach Resort €€€
Ready for an overnight stay in a unique location? This beautiful hotel has only three villas and is located in the middle of the jungle and has a private beach! What else do you need? You sleep here from € 160 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 rain forests 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 Danum Valley. The location choice is limited here. If your budget allows it, definitely choose Bike and Tours Bed & Breakfast!
If you want to know more about orangutans in Danum Valley on Borneo, read our blog!
OYO 44037 King Park €
This hotel chain offers simple rooms that are air-conditioned. The beds are large and the rooms are fairly clean! Ask if you can choose your room. There is sometimes a difference between the rooms. You sleep here from € 17 (two people).
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 € 40 (two people).
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Click here for all my blogs about Malaysia.
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