THE BEST HOTELS IN MALAYSIA

Cross-boarder travel may seem like a way off but fret not, when we eventually are able to make the road trip over, we’ve got your accommodation choices covered. Lap up the sun, salt, and sea in Langkawi or immerse yourself in heritage-rich, Ipoh. From East to West, here is a round-up of your best hotel options in Malaysia.

BEST HOTELS IN MALAYSIA – EAST

ONE&ONLY

Address: No. 7, Damai, Desaru Coast, Kota Tinggi, Desaru (Location Map)

Instagram: @ooresorts

Discover luxury in Southeastern Malaysian fashion in one of One&Only’s private suites. Off the coast of Desaru, their crowning villas showcase exoticism with flair. The rooms are secluded heaven surrounded by tropical flora and pristine golden sands.

Do a bit of soul searching through the coast’s unspoiled nature and tropical waters and get involved with a range of adrenaline-pumping activities. Sign up for a round of golf, bike around the beach, or go for a hike. End the day off at the resort’s Chenot Spa that offers personalized wellness programs that will soothe you back to optimal health.

Prices for One&Only, one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$837++ per night for 2 adults. Click for the best available prices.

best hotels in Malaysia — Image by One&Only

ANANTARA DESARU COAST RESORT & VILLAS

Address: Persiaran Pantai, Desaru Coast, Johor (Location Map)

Instagram: @a nantara_hotels

Another escape from the sights and smells of the city, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is a low-rise, stand-alone hideout in lush tropical gardens that overlooks the lagoon and ocean. Dating back to 2001, the Antara experience has expanded globally through cosmopolitan cities, desert islands and heritage destinations, each thoughtfully modern and contemporary – a vibrant showcase of each destination’s character and culture.

Book into a room along the balmy coastal shore with a private balcony or choose from one and two-bedroom Villas with private plunge pools and light0filled living rooms fitted with unique Malaysian interior. Show up with the whole family at the Residences – fully decked luxurious beach abodes with enough run around space for your family and friends. The 3- and 4- bedroom residences come with a private chef and butler to attend to your holiday needs.

Prices for Anatara one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$192++ per night for 2 adults. Click for the best available prices.

ALANG’S RAWA

Address: Rawa Island, Mersing, Johor, Malaysia (Location Map)

Instagram: @alangsrawa

Welcome to the softest white sands, clearest blue sea, and brightest sunshine. Alang’s Rawa is essentially your own private oasis. You will feel at home at the resort’s compound with a meer 14 rooms. The laidback atmosphere and friendly faces on their staff ensure you’ll feel right at home upon stepping foot onto the island.

Rawa is off the Seri Buat archipelago on the south0east coast of Malaysia. Its near-perfect weather 10 months of the year gives you clear visibility of the stunning islands surrounding the one you’ll be nestled in. Rawa is just a 25-minute boat ride from the port of Mersing, KL. We know once the pandemic is over, you’ll need a space like this to escape and recharge in.

Prices for the Jungle Side Room at Alang’s Rawa one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$213++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices.

BATU BATU

Address: Pulau Tengah, 86800 Mersing, Johor, Malaysia (Location Map)

Instagram: @batubatuisland

Batu Batu operates on the ecological ethos that tourism should support biodiversity, empower local communities instead of trample them. Their deep respect for nature is at the core of their business which seeks to effect positive change thoruh preservation and regeneration of the Tengah Island. The payoff is crystal clear waters and clean beaches which the resort resides in. Come see for yourself and celebrate Batu Batu’s conversation activities that they arrange for their guests to get involved in.

There is a bountiful array of outdoor leisure activities that allow you to explore the natural beauty of the island and its surrounding waters. Visit their Dive and Activities Centre for a professional and safe experience underwater.

Prices for Batu Batu one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$710++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices.

BEST HOTELS IN MALAYSIA – WEST

PANGKOR LAUT RESORT

Address: Pangkor Laut Island Pangkor Laut, 32200 Lumut, Negeri Perak (Location Map)

Instagram: @pangkorlautresort

Picturesque on stilts, the Pangkor Laut Resort villas rest above the isalnd’s tropical waters amidst lush forestry. The resort celebrates the magic of the enchanting island’s story which dates back 2 million years along the Straits of Malacca, three miles off the West Coast of Malaysia.

The resort is a development of only a fraction of the island’s 300 acres. Its wooden structure blends seamlessly into the forest and sometimes even finds itself home to native wildlife. Spot long-tailed macaques and oriental pied hornbills perched on the trees’ branches, look above and try to catch white-bellied sea eagles or crouch down to the level of monitor lizards which you’ll find on the rocky outcrops.

Prices for Pangkor Laut Resort one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$240++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices.

THE BANJARAN HOTSPRINGS RETREAT

Address: 1, Persiaran Lagoon, Sunway 3, 31150 Ipoh, Negeri Perak (Location Map)

Instagram: @thebanjaranhotsprings

A luxury spa resort in Ipoh, this hot springs retreat is the first of Malaysia’s kind with natural spring wells which offer a bespoke experience that will do the mind and body wonders. get pampered in one of their 45 garden, water and lake villas located in a 22-acre valley in the northern state of Perak – just a 15-minute drive from Ipoh city or 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur.

The resort boasts of not only its superior spa facilities but also exquisite dining. Sit at JJeff’s Cellar, crowed top five most magnificent bars in the world by CNN. The bar is built into a cavern of limestone hill 260 million years old. Taste the most organic and rare wines you will have the privilege of uncorking alongside a one-of-a-kind ambiance.

Prices for Banjaran Hotsprings, one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$370++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS RESORT

Address: Cameron Highlands, Pahang, 39000 Tanah Rata (Location Map)

Instagram: @ytlhotels

The resort gets its name from the British Government surveyor, William Cameron, who chanced upon the complex in 1885 on a mapping expedition. The building was not developed until 1925 as a hill station attracting British colonials and expatriates.

The heritage building is set 1500 meters above sea level among forested mountainscapes. The resort was built as an extension of the 1930s cottage which stands proud in all of its splendor. the interiors pay homage to the grand colonial heritage of its era with tall French doors and timber-beamed ceilings. The endearing ‘little piece of England in Asia’ is cool year-round and its hilly greens are perfect for a round of golf. Indulge further with one of their spa treatments or sit by the gardens for afternoon tea complete with English scones straight from the hotel’s bakery.

Prices for the Cameron Highlands Resort one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$152++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices.

BEST HOTELS IN MALAYSIA – LANGKAWI

FOUR SEASONS

Address: Jalan Tanjung Rhu, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah (Location Map)

Instagram: @fslangkawai

The renowned resort at Four Seasons has enhanced their global health and safety program with the launch of lead with care. Be rest assured that your safety during your stay is their prioritized concern with the company’s new global program that is a collaboration with international health care experts that provides the personnel at Four Seasons with expert opinion and guidance.

You can so, sit back in ease in the resort’s Malay-style pavilions tucked away within a UNESCO World Geopark. Start your morning with a dip in your private plunge pool then proceed to the deck for a professionally prepared breakfast. Alternatively, satiate your palette with authentic Malay cuisine at Ikan-Ikan before toasting to the setting sun with a cocktail from Rhu Bar.

Prices for the Four Seasons Resort one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$376++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices.

ST. REGIS

Address: Jalan Pantai Beringin, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah (Location Map)

Instagram: @thestregislangkawi

Gaze out into the glistening Andaman Sea as you pull into the mysterious century-old rainforest within which this 5-star luxury resort is nestled in. Over-water villas and elegance are what you’ll be greeted by as their bespoke butler service take your baggage off you – and we mean all of it!

The UNESCO site is known for its 99-island archipelago, Malaysia’s coveted ‘Island Jewel of Southeast Asia’. The resort itself is a timeless piece of architecture with its majestic Moorish design and contemporary craftsmanship. Treat yourself to an over-water restaurant experience as you watch the sunset at their pan-Asian inspired cuisine with theatrical dining.

Prices for the St Regis Resort one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$247++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices.

RITZ CARLTON

Address: Jalan Pantai Kok, Teluk Nibung, 07000 Langkawi (Location Map)

Instagram: @ritzcarltonlangkawi

Situated on the edge of the Andaman Sea, the Ritz Carlton Langkawi is the luxurious intersection between glitz and nature. Discover this pocket of the 10-million-year-old rainforest with a hike through the jungle or kayak through the mangrove swamps. The team at the Ritz Carlton has carefully tailored a collection of local expeditions and attractions for whatever suits your fancy.

Spoil yourself with beachfront villas fitted with a palette of natural material and surrounded by the majestic humming of the ocean. Book into a room with a private 34 square meter-sized pool with an outdoor area and sundeck to sundry those worries away.

Prices for the St Regis Resort, one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$346++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices

THE DATAI

Address: Jln Teluk Datai, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah (Location Map)

Instagram: @thedatailangkawi

The Datai have outlined an extensive guideline of measures the staff are taking to ensure strict adherence to health and safety standards amid the ongoing pandemic. All are welcomed to this captivating destination resort at the heart of Langkawi. Private verandahs and breathtaking views will help you feel at one with Malaysia’s nature and soothe your soul.

The resort is host to a wealth of flora and fauna. Spot Dusky langurs, Sunda colugos and Tokay geckos on your mid-day trek through one of the top ten beaches in the world as rated by National Geographic. The young villa of 25 years was the love child of designer Didier Lefort who instantly fell in love with the surrounding island. The infrastructure is a celebration of the forests which you will experience instantly upon arrival.

Prices for the The Datai, one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$471++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices

BEST HOTELS IN MALAYSIA – PENANG

EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL

Address: 10, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang (Location Map)

Instagram: @eohotelpg

The Eastern & Oriental hotel has at one point been home to generations of travelers. The hotel has had a history of accommodation of the rich and privileged from the West – intrepid nomads that include acclaimed writers and aspiring literati who docked on steamships in exploration of the exotic East. The hotel legacy continues on in its 136th year of hospitality following a comprehensive restoration and refurbishment program in December of 2019.

Explore the Heritage Wing, the original site of the hotel, distinguishable with its Moorish minarets and soaring echo-dome lobby. Personalized services are available upon your arrival for in-suite check-ins to even the unpacking of your baggage. You could get used to the bespoke amenities within the suite that put comfort and luxury at the forefront of your stay.

Prices for the The Eastern & Oriental Hotel, one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$166++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices

MACALISTER MANSION

Address: 228, Jalan Macalister, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang (Location Map)

Instagram: @macalister_mansion

You will find this mansion along the historic Macalister Road. The quirky yet sophisticated destination is set in a lovingly restored colonial mansion birthed in the early 1900s. The boutique hotel is an adventure awaiting you int the heart of Georgetown, Penang.

Each of their eight rooms is uniquely designed and characteristically different in dressing. Take a peek into Room 5, a 46sqm bedroom with an adjoining living space and bathroom suite. Its walls are decorated with commissioned art pieces by global artists. You will find a broad landscape piece that depicts a combination of heritage buildings and indigenous Penang flora painted by Ashley Yeo.

Prices for Macalister Mansion one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$379++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices

BEST HOTELS IN MALAYSIA – KUALA LUMPUR

MANDARIN ORIENTAL

Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur (Location Map)

Instagram: @mo_kualalumpur

Wedge yourself in between the gardens of the KLCC Park and the monumental Petronas Twin Towers. You will be treated to impressive views, absolute convenience and 5-star facilities. The Mandarin Oriental is an image of elegance with its stellar service and luxurious spaces.

Basque in the sweeping skyline that the Deluxe City View Room offers as you lounge on a king bed and melt into the marble floors of their large bathrooms walk-in showers. You will also receive access to the club lounge on its higher floors for a workspace that feels like a home away from home.

Prices for the Mandarin Oriental one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$149++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices

FOUR SEASONS

Address: 145, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur (Location Map)

Instagram: @fskualalumpur

Revel in the electric energy of Malaysia’s multicultural capital at its center where the Four Seasons hotel is located. Extraordinary culinary experiences, stylish accommodation and top class service are what awaits you upon check-in. The hotel offers stunning views and unrivaled access to the buzz of the dynamic capital. Ring up the concierge team for a personalized itinerary just for you.

Since its first opening in 1961, the Four Seasons has been a tale of perpetual innovation, remarkable growth and dedication to the highest standards of service. You will be taken in as one of their own and treated with the fullest attention during your stay. You’ll leave with an impression worth sharing.

Prices for the Four Seasons one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US$231++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices

ALILA BANGSAR

Address: 58, Jalan Ang Seng, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur (Location Map)

Instagram: @alilabangsar

Alila Bangsar is strongly committed to minimizing its carbon footprint and in that way promoting sustainable tourism. They strive to create a positive impact through initiatives that support the local community such as their ‘giving bag’ – an amenity you’ll chance upon that calls for donations of unwanted and gently used items; all of which go back to local charities. Supporting this hotel is a pledge to a more sustainable and empowered world.

The hotel is not short of sleekness and candor in its dark-clad retreat. Their idea of contrasting its tranquil white interior to its exterior facade is symbolic of its sheltering from the busyness of the city. The hotel is a concept of ultimate chic and youthful energy.

Prices for the Alila Bangsar one of the best hotels in Malaysia, start at US82++ per night for 3 adults. Click for the best available prices

THE MAJESTIC

Address: 5, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Tasik Perdana, 50000 Kuala Lumpur (Location Map)

Instagram: @themajestickl

Once a national heritage site, the Majestic Hotel Kular Lumpur is a pristine restoration of its colonial structure that was built in 1932. The hotel was an icon of Malaya’s boom leading up to World War II where the hotel was a one-stop location for glitzy social events and government receptions. The hotel has been established as an intersection between Malaysia’s past and today’s modern luxury.

Experience the charm of the colonial site and book into one of their 300 luxurious rooms and suites that boasts top standard butler services, and unique dining experiences. Their other facilities include The Majestic Spa and The Smoke House as well as the Contango restaurant.