Best hotels in Malaysia: ten places to stay in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Penang

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.