28 Best Places To Stay At In Malaysia's Most Loved Holiday Destinations
From sandy beach resorts to chilly mountain stays and mod hotels, Malaysia's travel scene has got you covered for all your amazing vacation plans!
The Asian continent is blessed with an amazing selection of vacation spots and with countries like Thailand and Vietnam gaining popularity among Malaysians, it's easy to forget how beautiful home truly is.
So, here's our list of some of the most breathtaking places in Malaysia along with the best places to stay at, there:
1. Penang Island
It's no surprise why Penang is referred to as the Pearl of Orient in Malaysia, with the island's eclectic blend of old and new; think ancient Asian street meets Elizabethan intricacies and details. Penang remains as one of the very few places in Malaysia that has preserved all the history, architecture and beauty of past without forsaking modernity. If you've yet to step foot on this little paradise, we suggest a laid back vacation of just walking around the city, absorbing it all.
Malihom
The estate comprises a cluster of traditional Thai rice barns which have been carefully converted with modern comforts, while respecting traditional charms. Named after the rice barns that make up the retreat, Malihom means 'village of the fragrant rice'. Each barn has its own unique name. Malihom offers 8 barns for rental. Each features individual character with ensuite and bathrooms on the deck level.
malihom.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM670 per night.
For great hotel deals, check out Agoda Coupons!
Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa
Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa has a sense of history, place and tradition. Its distinctive Minangkabau architecture houses artefacts of Malaysian culture. You feast your eyes on the artfully arranged traditional jewellery, batik-printing moulds, coral sculptures and signature items from the prolific Malaysian kitchen.
shangri-la.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM656 per night.
Macalister Mansion
Macalister Mansion is designed around the idea of an old English mansion. Each space is designed to provide hospitaliy of an actual home – good food, fine drink, engaging conversation, soothing music, a good night’s sleep or simply lounging by the pool.
macalistermansion.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM450 per night.
2. The caves and rainforests of Sarawak
If your idea of a vacation is to just plug off and immerse yourself into nature, then Sarawak would be just the thing for you. Home to some of the most diverse rainforests in the world and a major part of the third largest island (Borneo) in the world, Sarawak has an interesting selection of unique forms of wildlife and plants. Be it trekking through the national parks, seeing the Orang Utans, or just getting away from the concrete mess, Sarawak is truly one of the biggest hidden gems of Malaysia.
Batang Ai Longhouse Resort
Situated at the edge of some of Malaysia’s most magnificent rainforest, Batang Ai Longhouse Resort Managed by Hilton on the island of Borneo is the perfect location for a relaxing break. The resort is only a two-hour boat ride away from the Batang Ai National Park, and is surrounded by its own expanse of jungle. Take a swim in our outdoor swimming pool or enjoy a friendly game on our asphalt tennis courts.
hilton.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM250 per night.
The Ranee
The Ranee is an exclusive 24-room boutique hotel strategically located in the heart of Kuching’s picturesque Old Town. Stylishly rebuilt from two traditional 19th century shophouses and ingeniously adapted to modern standards of plush comfort, The Ranee is unique in that every spacious room/suite is different – designed to express its own individuality, charm and character. Step into The Ranee and you will be enchanted by the magic of old and new – a fusion style inspired by Sarawak’s rich colonial heritage and mysterious ethnic cultures.
theranee.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM285 per night.
Sematan Palm Beach Resort
Just one-and-a-half hours (120 km) drive from Kuching, Sematan Palm Beach Resort is the perfect destination for a short and adventurous holiday. Sematan is a small fishing village located at the far west tip of Sarawak Facing the South China Sea and a short distance from the Sarawak-Kalimantan (Indonesia) border. Opened in 2004, the resort is well known for its long stretch of clean sandy beach. The view alone is breathtaking. Once you’ve set foot on the resort, you’ll know it’s time to relax and put your worries behind.
spbresort.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM168 per night.
3. Ipoh
A visit to Ipoh would pretty much equate the feels of travelling back in time to the 1950s of Malaysia with its charming old buildings, rustic streets and relaxed pace of life there. Situated in between popular travel destinations, Penang and Kuala Lumpur, the city usually does not get much of an attention from travelers, which makes it a perfect place to go to if you are looking for some quiet time, friendly locals and explosive local cuisine.
Sleep in one of these chic and uniquely designed hotels after a long day of walking around the rustic streets of Ipoh:
M Boutique Hotel
Be pleasantly surprised by the smallest things! M Boutique Ipoh Hotel pays tribute to the Straits Eclectic Architecture synonymous with the Pre War Shop houses found littered across Ipoh, both inside out. Spotting small cozy rooms that is enveloped in our urban vintage interpretation, M Boutique Ipoh Hotel is a whimsical artistic experience in Ipoh.
mboutiquehotels.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM151 per night.
Sekeping Kong Heng
Sekeping Kong Heng, in the charming old town of Ipoh, is the latest addition to the Sekeping family of retreats. It is located in a 3 storey neo-classical building which also houses a famous coffee shop of the same name on the ground floor that serves great coffee and the best local dishes in town. All effort has been made to preserve as much of the character of the existing building as possible in contrast to the surrounding new architectural interventions.
sekeping.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM220 per night.
Ipoh Bali Hotel
The Ipoh Bali Hotel is located in the heart of Ipoh with Baliness stay experience.
The traditional bamboo cages, the antique rustic natural woods with luxurious furnishing used extensively in the decor at lobby creates a sophisticated contemporary design born from Baliness architecture and interior design.
For reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM200 per night.
4. Cameron Highlands
Deemed as Malaysia's largest hill station, Cameron Highlands is every bit the beautiful remains from the English colonization. The Brits made the best out of the very few hill stations that our tropical country has by transforming it to their idea of the English plains then. With fragrant whiffs of mountain air, tea plantations and colorful, juicy strawberry plantations, and very Victorian looking cosy little cottages, Cameron Highlands is an irresistible travel destination.
A night in these beautiful English cottages might just take you back in time to Malaysia's glorious English past:
Smokehouse Hotel
This English Tudor boutique style hotel, built in 1939, is situated adjacent to a beautiful golf course. Guests will enjoy a prime location on a verdant hill that is just three hours from Kuala Lumpur and nestled upon the frontier that separates modernity from the untamed wild. Guests will find the hotel perfectly situated to explore both. The Smokehouse Hotel is the perfect venue for guests who want one of the best English style boutique hotels in the Cameron Highlands.
cameronhighlandsinfo.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM370 per night)
The Lakehouse
Be prepared to be charmed by this Tudor-style boutique resort, The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands, an exclusive getaway in the natural beauty of the Cameron Highlands. Set in an area dubbed "The Valley of Eternal Spring", this idyllic country house sits atop a hill overlooking rolling hills and verdant woodlands. This refreshing 19-room destination boasts of amazing tea plantation views and the great outdoors.
lakehouse-cameron.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM630 per night.
Copthorne Hotel
Situated at Malaysia's famous highland retreat and perched at 1,628 metres above sea level with a panoramic view of serene mountains and lush valleys. Copthorne Hotel Cameron Highlands is a 4-star hotel for corporate and leisure travelers offering stylish full-service accommodations with a choice of hotel rooms or apartments.
millenniumhotels.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM167 per night.
5. Langkawi
Langkawi is known to be one of the most visited places in Malaysia and with its sandy strip of beaches, blue-green waters and with a great selection of resorts its easy to see why it is a favourite travel spot. To top if off, the island also has an amazing selection of resorts and hotels to choose from, each place positioned to best enjoy the beauty of Langkawi.
Vivanta by Taj
The resort nests on the Rebak Island, named after the native Rebak tree, in one of the 99 isles that make up the legendary Langkawi. Take a short 20 min drive to Port Cenang from the Langkawi airport delighting in backseat surprises (we're not revealing here). Imagine stepping into a speedboat which cuts through the water creating waves of excitement as you cover 2km in 7 short minutes and are welcomed by yachts from all over the world that are docked at the only fully equipped Marina in Malaysia. Yes, it's the only resort to offer this service.
vivantabytaj.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM697 per night.
The Datai Langkawi
The Datai Langkawi offers the perfect escape and allows you to fully nurture the well-being of your mind, body and spirit. National Geographic has rated Datai Bay as one of the top 10 beaches in the world, while the resort’s jungle surrounds plays host to a wealth of wildlife, some of which are endemic to the area. Bask in the tranquility and reconnect with nature. You may well spot dusky leaf monkeys, tokay geckos or Sunda flying lemurs during your stay.
thedatai.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM1500+ per night.
The Andaman, A Luxury Collection Resort
The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort located in an idyllic tropical setting on Malaysia's Langkawi Island, is cosily tucked away between a 10 million year old rainforest and the tranquil Datai Bay and an 8,000 year old fringing coral reef. The resort has created a Coral Nursery, believed to be the first of its kind in South East Asia, with accolades in recognition of its commitment to environmental practices.
theandaman.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM1456 per night.
6. Melaka
If you love history, old buildings and ancient ruins, pay a trip to this historical town in the southern part of Malaysia. Almost all the buildings and houses in this town are at least a century old, with some even dating back to the 18th century. The buildings are well preserved, with some bathed in a motley of colours, giving it an almost cartoon town-like appearance.
If you love Melaka's unique and rich past, stay in one of these hotels that best represent this state:
The Majestic Melaka
The Majestic Malacca is an integral part of Malacca's colourful history. The original serene mansion, dating back to the 1920's, remains at the heart of the hotel, whilst a new building has been created, mirroring the original architecture, to house 54 spacious rooms and suites.
majesticmalacca.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM490 per night.
Courtyard @ Heeren
The Courtyard @ Heeren takes the best of traditional Melaka style and adds its own modern twist. Whichever type of room you choose, each offers a distinct experience of luxury living with a style that is designed to be individual. There are fourteen rooms and suites in total, all with air conditioning, LCD TV, safe deposit box, writing desk, rain shower, mini bar fridge and hair dryer as standard.
courtyardatheeren.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM200 per night.
1825 Gallery Hotel
The 1825 Gallery Hotel is inspired by the theme of antiquity, bringing the experience and atmosphere of the bygone days to reality – it’s truly yesterday once more. Instilling the look and feel of the past into the hearts of its every guest, it retells its very story from how it used to function as a flour storehouse to being one of the best hotels in the state today.
1825galleryhotel.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM327 per night.
7. The stunning beaches and mountains of Sabah
One look at these images of Sabah and you would know why travelers rave about this Eastern state of Malaysia. With beaches that will have your jaw-dropping and mountains that look straight out of a fantasy movie, we bet you wouldn't want to leave this haven on earth.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Nestled comfortably in the jungle habitat, reinforcing the impression of being 'mesmerised by nature', in the mood of the tropics. All the Chalets at BRL are installed with ceiling fans instead of air conditioning units. The passive design of the structure is the wall and roof insulation plus a ventilation system that exploits the thermal mass of the bathroom core to reproduce natural airflow.
borneonaturetours.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM3,190.60 per night, per person, inclusive of return-transfer to hotel, permits and guides.
Bunga Raya Island Resort
As sensual and exotic as the hibiscus flower that bears its name, Bunga Raya Island Resort is a luxurious jewel set on a coral reef island just off the coast of Borneo. A secluded island hideaway of 47 timbered villas, the resort is tucked away on a tranquil and hidden bay framed by crescent shaped white sand beach on one side and the centuries old virgin jungle on the other. Each private villa is rough hewn and hand-crafted by local tradesmen, terraced into the hillside reflecting the traditional simplicity of the Borneo architectural style.
bungarayaresort.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM1528.30 per night.
Pom Pom Island Resort & Spa
Built to offer you complete luxury, comfort and privacy, the resort is set within Pom Pom Island’s lush green vegetation. The resort consists of Beach Front Villas, Garden View Villas and Water Villas, which are constructed in traditional architecture to blend into the native surroundings without disturbing or removing the islands natural vegetation. The fresh and cooling sea breeze let you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout your stay. All villas are air conditioned, contain private balconies and have an attached bathroom with freshwater supply.
pompomisland.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM800 per night.
8. Kuala Lumpur
Capital of the country, Kuala Lumpur is well-known for rows and rows of towering buildings and crowded streets. If your idea of a vacation is staying in town, shopping at some of the best malls in the world, and dancing the night away, this concrete jungle would be worthy of all your vacation wants and needs.
Villa Samadhi
One of Kuala Lumpur's best kept secret! Hidden within an upscale neighbourhood and discreet from street view, Villa Samadhi feels more like one big private villa rather than a boutique hotel. The entire residence is designed to look and oriented to evoke, in all essence, your own private villa in the city.
villasamadhi.com.myFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM660.38 per night.
Shangri-La Hotel
You wake up snug in downy soft beddings, with world famous skyscrapers, the Petronas Twin Towers, in sight, as Malaysia’s vibrant capital city bids you a fine morning. You feel relaxed and tranquil in the luxurious guestroom at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
shangri-la.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM485 per night.
Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
For your stay, explore our deluxe suite which offers panoramic vista of the city skyline and extra in-stay benefit with great value. Dine in our award winning Celestial Court restaurant for an authentic chinese dining experience or a romantic dinner at a free-standing trattoria styled after a rustic country home, Villa Danieli. Whether you are here for business or leisure, don't miss to explore the city of Kuala Lumpur recommended by the locals here.
sheratonimperialkualalumpur.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM350++ per night.
9. Negeri Sembilan
Okay, Negeri Sembilan wouldn't be the first thing that pops on our mind when we think of vacation spots. But, in the recent years, the small, quiet state has used its serene surroundings to its advantage by developing a range of rustic, beautiful nature and beach resorts in various parts of the state.
The Dusun
An orchard resort on the edge of a Malaysian tropical rainforest. The dusun is an hour from Kuala Lumpur and its airports, but feels like a world away.
thedusun.com.myFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM320 per night.
Avillion Port Dickson
Avillion Port Dickson is an award-winning spa resort in Malaysia that sits over 23 acres of coast scenery and faces the Straits of Malacca, offering 240 exquisitely designed rooms, chalets and villas. Designed with the architecture of an Old World Malay fishing village in mind, the resort fuses traditional culture with contemporary luxuries, giving guests the opportunity to experience Malaysia’s rich heritage while living in comfort.
avillion.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM408 per night.
The Shorea Retreats
The Shorea is an architect’s family retreat, built within in a tropical forest reserve. Its secluded villas are set on natural terrains, with meandering paths leading down to a jungle stream, a waterfall within the Berembun Forest Reserve; it is the ultimate forest getaway.
theshorea.comFor reservations and details, click here. Rooms are from RM1007 per night.
10. Pulau Redang
Located just hours away from Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Redang is one of the most breathtaking islands in Malaysia. Known for its crystal clear waters and beautiful coral reefs, many flock the island for fun diving activities.
The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort
Tucked away and hidden from the outside world on a small island found just off the unspoilt East Coast of tropical Malaysia. Considered to be one of the most beautiful island locations in the South China Sea, the isle of Redang is home to our natural, yet stylish resort found on one of the most spectacular bays surrounded by one of the bluest oceans on the earth.
thetaaras.comFor reservations and details, click here.. Rooms are from RM477 per night.