Hotels in Malaysia

Discover the main destinations for tourism in Malaysia with our handy guide on where to stay…

The vibrant and exciting capital of Kuala Lumpur is an obvious draw for many of the holidaymakers landing in Malaysia. Blessed with an abundance of parkland, a buzzing Chinatown, high-end shopping and some of the best hotels in the country, KL will never fall out of favour with visitors. Luxury hotels offer the very best in Malaysian hospitality in areas such as KLCC (the commercial centre of the city) and Bukit Bintang, which both form part of the city’s Golden Triangle. For mid-range accommodation and budget hotels, you would be wise to consider districts such as Chinatown and Chow Kit, which still offer easy access to the main sights.

Penang is another popular urban destination. This island off the west coast is dotted with soaring temples, steamy forests, perfect beaches, and traditional districts where you can take a look at Malaysia’s fascinating past.

The holiday islands of Langkawi are ideal for those who plan to soak up the sunshine and relax on the sands, while adding a little Malaysian spice during day trips to some of Langkawi’s interesting sights. Hotels here are resort-style and many offer all-inclusive dining. Stay in stilted bungalows above the water or romantic hideaways among the palm trees on the shore.

Malacca City is another of Peninsular Malaysia’s major tourist destinations. With an intoxicating fusion of Portuguese, Dutch, British, Chinese and Indian food, architecture and culture, Malacca remains one of the most striking and remarkable cities in Malaysia. Stay here in one of the fine city hotels with colonial styling, where dark woods and whirring ceiling fans take you back to another era.

Across the Strait of Malacca, on Malaysian Borneo, are the cities of Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. Kota Kinabalu is in the state of Sabah and offers a wealth of outdoor adventures, from the slopes of Mount Kinabalu to the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Kuching, in Sarawak, is an historic city; it offers easy access to the Semenggoh Orangutan Wildlife Centre – a popular place to see our loveable copper-haired cousins. Both cities feature hotels that cater for a range of styles and budgets.

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With a landmass of more than 200,000 square miles, you’re unlikely to find yourself short of something interesting to see...

Top five attractions

Petronas Twin Towers

When most people talk of Kuala Lumpur, they immediately think of the mighty double towers that, between 1999 and 2004, formed the tallest structure in the world. Don’t restrict your visit to looking up, head up the 1,483-ft icon and enjoy the knee-wobbling views below.

Gurney Drive

Head for the west coast island of Penang if you want to experience the remarkable culinary delights of Gurney Drive. This long promenade is lined with food stalls that fill the air with the smells of Malay, Chinese and Indian street cuisine.

Chinese Quarter, Malacca

Malacca has many attractions, but you can’t visit without strolling through the Chinese quarter to see its outrageously flamboyant architecture. During its heyday, the “keeping up with the Joneses” effect ensured that the streets were filled with trophy houses.

Underwater World Langkawi

The well-connected and easy-to-reach holiday island of Langkawi isn’t just a lush, green paradise bejewelled with amazing beaches, it’s also home to one of Asia’s biggest aquariums.

Central Market

The hub of Kota Kinabalu is its exciting Central Market – a place where scurrying locals frantically go about their business and fascinated tourists simply watch the hustle and bustle unfold.

With its huge melting pot of cultures, Malaysia can rustle up a celebration at the drop of a straw hat...

Masters Football Malaysia Cup; April: Football is massive in Malaysia. So much so that Kuala Lumpur’s Malawati Stadium hosts teams of famous ex-professionals each year in this prestigious veterans’ contest.

Merdeka Day; August: The country celebrates its 1957 independence from Great Britain with an almighty collection of concerts and parades.

Penang Bridge Marathon; November: Athletes from all over the world gather to take part in one of Asia’s biggest running events, which takes in the 13-km bridge along the route.