21 Best Hotels in Malaysia

Right on the coast with direct access to a pristine stretch of Desaru Beach, this luxury resort is as beautifully designed as you would expect, with touches of contemporary Malaysian style, suites that come with private plunge pools and floor-to-ceiling windows, a world-class spa, and dining options that include a Malaysian-style restaurant, and Mediterranean beach club eatery. For families, there’s an on-site kid’s club and guest experiences that include traditional Silat Melayu martial arts classes and forest excursions to see white-handed gibbons. 

All 34 Mediterranean-style rooms at Casa del Mar are situated along Pantai Cenang beach, offering guests a serene seafront setting. The staff does a nice job creating truly personalized experiences. For instance, you might be whisked away by speedboat to a private beach, where the staff will pitch a glamorous tent and prepare a gourmet picnic with cocktails. Guests can then stick around and catch the sunset from La Sal, the cocktail bar that fuses Mediterranean drinks with Asian flavors. Try the tom yam martini or five-spice poached apple and cinnamon mojito. Only a 10-minute drive from Langkawi airport, the resort is within walking distance of several local restaurants and cafés.

Within walking distance to Jonker Street and next to the Malacca River, Casa del Rio is the top choice for a central Melacca location. You'll get a taste (literally) of the excellent service in store when you're greeted at reception with a cooling towel and refreshing ginger-lime sorbet. Stylish, spacious rooms include balconies with wonderful river views, and the rooftop infinity pool with phenomenal city and river vistas is a delight. The hotel restaurant's food, particularly the Peranakan lunch and the Sunday riverside jazz brunch, comes highly recommended.

The same people responsible for grand hotels like The Raffles in Singapore and The Strand in Yangon established the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in 1885, and upon arrival today, guests feel as if they've stepped through a time machine as they're greeted by doormen in knee-high socks and brimmed hats. The hotel has two wings, the 100-suite historical wing, part of the original hotel, and the 132-suite Victory Annexe, which opened in 2012. Steeped in history and old-world charm, the E & O brings the British colonial era to life. Persian carpets cover teak wooden floors in the sitting rooms, and Egyptian cotton linens cover the four-poster beds. Views from the rooms in the historical wing vary from the Strait of Malacca to the courtyard's manicured lawns. The Victory Annexe suites, which have private balconies and a modern-classic design, overlook the Andaman Sea.

Widely considered Sandakan's best hotel, this is comfortable lodging with every necessity, including all-day dining, an outdoor infinity pool with splendid views of the harbor, cocktail lounge with evening entertainment, a beauty salon, and a gym. Rooms here are spacious and modern—some with floor-to-ceiling windows. All rooms have a flat screen TV, and many offer spectacular views of the harbor, especially from the higher floors (be sure to request a view when booking). The hotel is Sandakan's tallest bulding and the centerpiece of the Sandakan Harbour Square project, the city's major push toward urban renewal.

The combination of boutique-hotel vibe and urban-resort relaxation makes Hotel Maya particularly appealing. All 207 airy rooms are flooded with light and fitted in contemporary furnishings. Organic building materials, such as rock, wood, and bamboo, are used throughout. Small details, like the 24-hour butler service or the nightcap served in the Sky Lounge on the 13th floor—where all guests receive complimentary coffee, tea, and baked goods—are added bonuses. The Anggun Spa has a varied menu including Malay Urut, Thai, Swedish, and Balinese treatments, with a steam room and heated hydrotherapy pool that both deserve a visit.

A multimillion ringgit refurbishment converted 15 prewar shop houses into this 45-room boutique hotel, retaining the 1940s features while introducing contemporary aesthetics and amenities. The four choices for accommodation—each featuring a Jacuzzi spa, natural-history prints that relate to Penang, and pieces of antique furniture—include: Clark Terraces, family-friendly two-floor houses with two bedrooms and private gardens; Penaga Suites, a first-floor two-bedroom, two-bathroom; Transfer Suites, which sit above the spa with a sitting room and large bedroom; and Hutton Rooms, with one bedroom and the most affordable rates. Relax in the hotel's spa, which focuses on ancient remedies and treatments inspired by the Malay Peninsula, incorporating several botanical ingredients.

Sabah's capital was originally founded as Jesselton, and this hotel—established in 1954—proudly celebrates the city's past with colonial details throughout. All 32 guestrooms were refurbished in 2008, providing modern touches but upholding the classical appeal. Just off the lobby, the Mountbatten Lounge celebrates the British tradition by serving afternoon tea and evening cocktails, with a pianist playing discreetly in the background. The Bella Italia Restaurant's menu combines classic Italian and Mediterranean dishes with traditional Hainan chicken rice and laksa noodles for those seeking some local flavor. The central location is this old-timer's best asset.

If you want to stay right in the middle of the action at a reasonable price, you can't do much better than this three-story hotel with an art deco facade right in the middle of Malacca's main shopping street. Rooms are large and simple, with modern interiors and free Wi-Fi, and the efficient, helpful staff are happy to recommend local restaurants and other things to do. Rooms facing the street are rather noisy at night (especially on weekends), so choose a back-facing room for a quieter stay.

In the heart of the Waterfront, this casual option offers simple, clean, attractively priced accommodations. Although it bills itself a boutique hotel, the setting lacks in the creative charm usually reserved for that title. However, it makes up for this with all of the basic amenities, including free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and hot showers. For those seeking a clean, comfortable bed in a great location, minus all of the trimmings, this is the best bet.

Smack-dab in the center of town, this five-star Starwood property is within walking distance of all the must-see shopping, dining, and waterfront sights. The 306 spacious rooms all come equipped with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, along with huge windows framing a stunning cityscape. While sunset can be caught comfortably from most rooms, the pool bar, fitness center, and club lounge on the 12th floor also offer great views.

While Lone Pine was one of the first hotels to pop up along Batu Ferringhi (Foreigner's Rock) in 1948, it was a recent refurbishment that made it a top pick along this famous beach. The restored grounds offer a distinct colonial charm; white wooden shutters go well with the ocean-inspired contemporary artwork. The 90 rooms offer a mixture of seafront terraces, balconies, and private courtyards. In addition to dining by the pool at the Bungalow, where the buffet breakfast is served, you can enjoy a meal at Mastu restaurant, which offers a Japanese twist on fresh seafood and can even provide picnic bento boxes to take to the beach. A free shuttle bus runs five times daily between the hotel and Georgetown.

On the banks of the Malacca River, this grand 1920s-era hotel, decorated in Peranakan Chinese style with teakwood detailing exudes luxury, from the floor-to-ceiling windows to the oversize bathrooms with claw-foot tubs. Ask for a room on a higher floor for the best views. The service here is first-rate; you're greeted with fresh tea in your room and delicious local sweets at turndown. Guests also shouldn't miss the Majestic's worthwhile complimentary two-hour walking tour to the city's many historic sites.

Right in the middle of Pantai Cenang, Langkawi's most popular beach, these beachfront bungalows are basic but among the better budget options in the area. Of the 91 rooms, the five treehouses are worth the extra money and provide clear views out to the sea. What this place lacks in terms of luxury or decor, it makes up for with beach access; you can easily roll out of bed onto the perfectly powdery sand and spend the day lounging on a deck chair.

Conveniently located between the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, Mandarin Oriental is smack-dab in the center of town. All 30 floors offer impressive views of the city, but request a Petronas facing room in order to gaze through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the high-standing towers. The infinity-edge pool on the third floor acts as an urban beach, overlooking the captivating city skyline. A fitness center, two outdoor tennis courts, and an indoor golf simulator are on hand for recreation. There are 10 restaurants at the MO, including Aqua, which overlooks KLCC Park and serves family-friendly continental fare. Exhausted travelers can rejuvenate their senses by dipping into The Spa's steam room, sauna, and vitality pool before indulging in a signature treatment.

Atop the ParkCity Mall, the largest mall in Bintulu, many of the guest rooms at this modern hotel have lovely views of the South China Sea. Mainly catering to business travelers, it has large, well-equipped guest rooms include king-size beds, sofas, wall-mounted TVs, and good-size desks. In addition to the offerings in the mall, there are a number of restaurants and shops within walking distance.

One of the better options in a town with primarily budget accommodations, ParkCity is right on the riverfront and offers good views of the South China Sea; ask for a room on a higher floor for the best vistas. Rooms are comfortable, if a bit dated, and have mini-bars and TVs (even though many are older and not flat screen). It's not in the center of town, but there’s a lovely waterside promenade behind the hotel that will take you directly into town in about 20 minutes, or taxis are readily available.

This four-star property offers spacious rooms with private balconies, and though it's not at all luxurious, it's sufficient for a fun beach weekend. The resort has two outdoor swimming pools, a kids' club, and a beachfront bar for nightly sundowners. With easy access to the beach and seasonal promotions that include water sports activities and off-resort excursions, it’s a good choice for families on a budget. 

When you enter this hotel off busy Bintang Walk, the lobby greets you with white marble walls and flooring, along with an extensive and comfortable seating area. Set in the center of town, the Westin offers business travelers close proximity to many international corporations while leisure travelers appreciate the popular shopping malls, and families can sign up for the Westin Kids Club, with supervised activities for children up to age 12. All 443 rooms are spacious, modern, and offer great views of the city.