Hotels
Best hotels in Malaysia: ten places to stay in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Penang
From the pool you watch the Petronas Towers light up over Kuala Lumpur, and a short flight later you are on a white beach on Langkawi with the rainforest behind you. Malaysia has some of Asia's best luxury hotels, at prices below those of its neighbours.
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Most trips to Malaysia combine the city of Kuala Lumpur with a beach on Langkawi and food in George Town on Penang. Short, cheap flights link all three, and the hotels are excellent. Malaysia is one of the best value countries in Asia for luxury hotels. Many travellers also stop here on the way to or from Singapore, Bali or Australia, and two or three nights in Kuala Lumpur make a good break on a long journey.
We have picked ten hotels in three areas and say who each one suits. All have a guest rating of at least 8.8 out of 10 and more than 50 reviews on Expedia. Our links go there, and the hotel is always chosen before the link. Many have pools with a view, either of the towers of Kuala Lumpur or of the sea on Langkawi.
Quick answer: where should you stay in Malaysia?
In Kuala Lumpur, stay around KLCC by the Petronas Towers, or in Bukit Bintang by the shops and food streets. On Langkawi, stay on the beach, either on the north coast at Tanjung Rhu or in the south near Kuah. In Penang, stay in the old town of George Town.
Best in Kuala Lumpur: Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Best view: Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Best beach: Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
Best for couples: The St. Regis Langkawi
Best historic stay: Cheong Fatt Tze, The Blue Mansion
How to choose the right hotel in Malaysia
KLCC or Bukit Bintang: KLCC has the park and the Petronas Towers, Bukit Bintang has the malls and the street food of Jalan Alor. They are a short walk apart.
Langkawi north or south: the north coast at Tanjung Rhu is the quietest. Pantai Cenang in the south has the most restaurants and bars.
Monsoon: the west coast, Langkawi and Penang are best from December to April. There is more rain from May to October.
A car on Langkawi: hire cars are cheap and give you freedom. The hotels are far apart.
Dress code: Malaysia is a Muslim country. Cover up in mosques and in the countryside.
The tower view
The lounge looking towards the Petronas Towers at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a modern city of towers, huge malls and food streets where Chinese, Malay and Indian cooking meet. The best hotels are around KLCC and Bukit Bintang, and many have pools looking towards the Petronas Towers.
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur: next to the Petronas Towers
Mandarin Oriental sits right next to the Petronas Towers and KLCC Park, with a pool overlooking the park and many rooms facing the towers. The hotel has several restaurants and a large spa.
This is our pick in Kuala Lumpur, if you want the city's landmark right outside your window. The Suria KLCC mall is next door. Take a morning walk in KLCC Park before the heat sets in.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
The pool
The pool with a view of the Petronas Towers at Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur.
Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur: the pool facing the towers
The Four Seasons sits in a tall tower by KLCC, with a pool looking straight at the Petronas Towers. The rooms are large and modern, and the hotel has several restaurants and a bar.
This is our pick for the view, if you want the famous picture of the towers from the pool. It suits couples and business travellers. Watch the towers light up from the edge of the pool as darkness falls.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur
A bath with a view
A bathtub with a city view at Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur.
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur: high above Bukit Bintang
Banyan Tree occupies the top floors of a tower in Bukit Bintang, with large rooms, bathtubs with a view and a rooftop bar high above the city.
It suits couples who want to stay near the shops and food streets with a view over the whole city. There are few rooms, so the mood is calm. Walk to the food street of Jalan Alor in the evening, a few minutes away.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
The rooftop pool
The rooftop pool at EQ with the KL Tower at sunset.
EQ Kuala Lumpur: a rooftop pool with a view
EQ is a modern hotel in the centre, with a rooftop pool facing the KL Tower and a rooftop bar overlooking the city. Guests rate it very highly.
It suits you if you want a modern stay at a lower price than the big luxury hotels. Swim in the rooftop pool at sunset, then head to the rooftop bar.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at EQ Kuala Lumpur
The beach
Four Seasons Resort Langkawi on the beach, seen from the air.
Langkawi
Langkawi is an archipelago in north west Malaysia, with beaches, rainforest and limestone peaks. The island is duty free, and flights from Kuala Lumpur take around an hour. The luxury hotels are spread along the coast, often with their own beach. Choose by what you want to do: beach and peace on the north coast, or restaurants and life in the south.
Four Seasons Resort Langkawi: the beach at Tanjung Rhu
The Four Seasons sits on a long white beach at Tanjung Rhu on the north coast, with limestone islands out at sea. The villas and pavilions are spread through a large garden, and several have their own pool.
This is our beach pick, if you want peace, nature and one of the island's finest beaches. It is far from the restaurants of Pantai Cenang, so most guests eat at the hotel. Take a boat trip through the mangroves at Kilim, close by.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
The overwater villas
The overwater villas at The St. Regis Langkawi.
The St. Regis Langkawi: villas over the water
The St. Regis sits in the south of the island near Kuah, looking out to the islands to the south, with its own beach and villas built over the water. The hotel has a spa, several restaurants and a large pool terrace.
This is our pick for couples and honeymoons. The overwater villas feel like the Maldives, at a lower price. Take a boat trip to the southern islands and the lake on Pulau Dayang Bunting.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The St. Regis Langkawi
The terrace at sunset
The terrace by the sea at The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi at sunset.
The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi: rainforest by the sea
The Ritz-Carlton lines a bay with rainforest running right down to the water. The villas sit among the trees, and the spa has treatment rooms out over the water.
It suits you if you want nature and peace, with monkeys and birds around you. It is quiet and spacious, and suits couples and families alike. Sit on the terrace by the sea as the sun goes down.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi
The pool
The pool at The Danna Langkawi by the sea, seen from the air.
The Danna Langkawi: by the marina at Telaga
The Danna sits by the Telaga marina on the west coast, in colonial style, with a large pool facing the sea and its own beach. Guests rate it very highly.
It suits families and anyone who wants classic luxury close to the cable car up Gunung Machinchang. Ride the cable car early, before the clouds roll in, and walk across the suspension bridge at the top.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Danna Langkawi
The blue facade
The blue facade of the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in George Town in the evening.
Penang and George Town
The old town of George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Chinese clan houses, colonial shophouses, street art and some of Asia's best hawker food. Penang is a short flight from Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi.
Cheong Fatt Tze, The Blue Mansion: an indigo mansion
The blue mansion was built in the late 19th century for a wealthy Chinese merchant and has been restored as a small hotel with few rooms. It has courtyards, carved windows and guided tours during the day.
This is our historic pick, if you want to stay in one of Penang's most famous houses. The old town and food streets are within walking distance. Try char kway teow and assam laksa at the hawker stalls nearby.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Cheong Fatt Tze, The Blue Mansion
The garden
The garden and old house at 23 Love Lane in George Town.
23 Love Lane: a small hotel in the old town
23 Love Lane is a small hotel in a restored mansion with a garden in the middle of the old town. The rooms are furnished with antiques, and breakfast is served in the garden.
It suits couples who want a personal, quiet stay right in George Town. Hire a bike and hunt for the street art in the small streets around Armenian Street. The rooms differ, so look at the photos before you choose, and ask for one facing the garden.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at 23 Love Lane
When should you book?
December to April: the dry season on the west coast and high season on Langkawi. Book early around Christmas and Chinese New Year.
May to October: more rain on Langkawi and Penang, but lower prices.
All year: Kuala Lumpur works all year, often with afternoon showers.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Malaysia
How many nights do I need in Malaysia?
With ten days, spend three nights in Kuala Lumpur, three in Penang and four on Langkawi. Flights between them are short and cheap.
Where should I stay in Kuala Lumpur?
Around KLCC for the park and the Petronas Towers, or in Bukit Bintang for the shops and food streets.
Are luxury hotels in Malaysia expensive?
No, they cost less than in Singapore or Thailand. You get a lot of luxury for your money, especially in Kuala Lumpur.
When is the best time to visit Langkawi?
December to April is the dry season and the best time for the beach. May to October brings more rain, but lower prices.
Is The Datai in this guide?
The Datai is one of Langkawi's best known hotels, but it did not appear in our search with enough reviews, so we have not included it.