Recommended Hotels

In major cities, Malaysian hotels can compete with the world’s best and guests delight in the value offered. While resort islands manage to command consistently high rates, competition in KL keeps prices low.

The monsoon affects various parts of the country at different times of year, but inconsistent arrivals in recent years have made this unpredictable. Normally the arrival of the rains on the east coast, for example, drives rates down from October to April. Apart from Malaysian public and school holidays, the high season in Malaysia tends to be during the European winter (Dec to Jan) and Middle Eastern school holidays (June to mid-Sept). Langkawi and Penang hotels are normally full during this period and early bookings are essential. Don’t come to KL during the Formula 1 in March expecting discounted rates.

Most hotels are rated by Tourism Malaysia from one to five stars. The only rooms visitors would want to stay in are those that are air-conditioned. All but small establishments charge 10 percent service charge and 6 percent government tax (the latter is not applicable in Langkawi). Rack rates displayed in hotels should always be used as a guide, and asking for promotional rates is recommended. Many guests shop around on the internet or use travel agents who can guarantee lower rates. Most hotels accept several credit cards.

$$$$ over US$120

$$$ US$80–120

$$ US$45–80

$ less than US$45

Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya

Anggun Boutique Hotel $$$$ 7 & 9 Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur; tel: 03-2145 8003; www.anggunkl.com. Located in a pair of 1920s colonial houses, most of Anggun’s cosy rooms and suites have four-poster beds and modern amenities. It is close to the shopping district and excellent restaurants, including Sao Nam for Vietnamese cuisine, while the KL Hop-on Hop-off City Tour stop is opposite the hotel.

Bintang Warisan Hotel $$ 68 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; tel: 03-2148 8111; www.bintangwarisanhotel.com. This centrally located 10-storey budget hotel is in the middle of all the lively Bukit Bintang action, just 100m (330ft) from the monorail station and close to Jalan Alor’s food street. The busy lobby is forgotten once guests reach their comfortable and value-for-money rooms.

Carcosa Seri Negara $$$$ Perdana Botanical Gardens, Persiaran Mahameru, 50480 Kuala Lumpur; tel: 03-2295 0888; www.shr.my//carcosa-seri-negara. It’s the preferred address of Queen Elizabeth II – she stayed here when last in Malaysia. The boutique property has suites that retain their heritage value while incorporating contemporary facilities such as internet. Dine on contemporary Malay fare in The Veranda or enjoy traditional English afternoon teas.

Putrajaya Shangri-La $$$ Taman Putra Perdana, Presint 1, 62000 Putrajaya; tel: 03-8887 8888; www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/putrajayashangrila. This hilltop hotel is set in green surroundings yet has easy access to the administrative centre. Spacious rooms are tastefully decorated with a natural theme. There are complimentary shuttles to a shopping centre in Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and to Kuala Lumpur. Dine on contemporary Western cuisine at Azur or enjoy casual dining at the Palm Hill Café.

Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa $$$$ Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor; tel: 03-7492 8000; www.kualalumpur.sunwayhotels.com. This grandiose hotel is next to the Sunway Lagoon theme park, the country’s most successful rehabilitated mining pond, as well as the Egyptian-themed Sunway Pyramid shopping centre, which has plenty of dining options.

Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur $$$$ Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur; tel: 03-2332 9888; www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/traders. Possibly the best value four-star hotel in KL is next door to the KL Convention Centre and KLCC. Choose park-view rooms and visit the SkyBar on the 33rd floor for KL’s best evening vistas of the Twin Towers.

Perak

Indulgence Restaurant and Living $$$$ 14 Jalan Raja Dihilir, 30350 Ipoh, Perak; tel: 05-255 7051; www.indulgencerestaurant.com. Located near the Istana Raja Dihilir Ipoh, this luxurious hotel is in a colonial bungalow and surrounded by a landscaped garden. There are four rooms and three suites, each decorated according to themes such as Moroccan, English country, Italian and rococo.

Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands Resort $$$$ By the golf course, 39000 Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang; tel: 05-491 1100; www.cameronhighlandsresort.com. Enjoy refined elegance in cool mountain air. This venue has been decorated along heritage lines but with contemporary facilities. Dine on Japanese cuisine in Gonbei or relax in the Spa Village.

Eight Mentigi Guest House $ 8 Jalan Mentigi, 39000 Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang; tel: 05-491 5988; www.eightmentigi.com. Located just two-minutes from Maybank and off the main street in Tanah Rata town is this converted bungalow with tastefully decorated rooms and dormitory rooms with attached and shared bathrooms.

Penang

Eastern & Oriental Hotel $$$$ 10 Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Penang; tel: 04-222 2000; www.eohotels.com. Possibly Malaysia’s most celebrated heritage property dates from 1885, when it was considered ‘the finest hotel east of the Suez’. All suites are spacious retreats with period furniture. Enjoy drinks in Farquhar’s Bar and dine on Western cuisine at 1885.

Hutton Lodge $ 17 Jalan Hutton, 10050 Penang; tel: 04-263 6003; www.huttonlodge.com. In the heart of George Town, this budget hotel is in a heritage-conservation Indo-Malay bungalow, built in 1890. It’s a short walk to Penang Road and Campbell Street for shopping, and a 10-minute walk to the entertainment area of Chulia Street.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa $$$$ Batu Feringgi Beach, 1100 Penang; tel: 04-888 8888; www.shangri-la.com/penang/rasasayangresort. The ‘Shang’ is an institution among the beachfront resorts of Batu Feringgi. Relax in the Tibetan-inspired CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La or swim in the resort’s two stunning pools.

Yeng Keng Hotel $$$ 362 Chulia Street, 10200 Penang; tel: 04-262 2177; www.yengkenghotel.com. Located opposite the Ng Fook Thong Temple, this Anglo-Indian bungalow built in the mid-1880s was once a private residence but has been transformed into a 20-room hotel decorated with period-style furniture. You can choose either cosy rooms in the mansion or other rooms that open out into an open courtyard and bamboo garden.

Langkawi

The Andaman $$$$ Jalan Teluk Datai, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah; tel: 04-959 1088; www.theandaman.com. This exclusive 186-room luxury resort in rainforest surroundings shares a pristine stretch of private beach with The Datai. It is also close to an 18-hole golf course (reopens mid-2013). A multi-award-winning spa perched on the hills overlooking the bay and a fun and educational Young Explorers’ Club make this a perfect retreat for couples or families.

Azio Hotel & Residences $ 1-19, Jalan Pandak Mayah 7, Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah; tel: 04-969 8287; www.aziohotel.com. This no-frills hotel, surrounded by duty-free shopping, offers flat-screen TVs and comfortable duvet bedding, at a budget price. Book in advance. A Muslim café next door and a Chinese food court around the corner offer many tasty choices.

Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa $$$ Jalan Teluk Baru, Pantai Tengah, 07100 Langkawi, Kedah; tel: 04-952 0000; www.frangipanilangkawi.com. This resort has a strong environmental bias with green management practices in place and is ideal for those who want to commune with nature. Most rooms are in separate or twin chalets among tropical gardens within seconds of the beach. Sunsets from the beach bar are spectacular.

Malibest Resort $$ Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah; tel: 04-955 8222; www.malibestresort.com. The star attraction of these beachfront chalets is their great location, right on popular Cenang Beach. The chalets are clean and spacious, with comfortable bedding. Rooms are also available across the road.

Perlis

T Hotel Kuala Perlis $ 45 Persiaran Putra Timur 1, 02000 Kuala Perlis, Perlis; tel: 04-985 3888; www.thotel.com.my. Modern and chic, this hotel prides itself on offering good-value and secure accommodation (24-hour security and CCTV surveillance), just a 10-minute drive from Kangar town. You can opt for a day-use rate if you just want to freshen up before taking the nearby ferry to Langkawi.

Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang

Mutiara Taman Negara $$$ Kuala Tahan, 27000 Jerantut, Pahang; tel: 09-266 3500; www.mutiarahotels.com. This is the best resort here but it needs a little maintenance. It offers Malaysian-style wooden chalets with balconies, 110 rooms, dormitories and a nice camping ground with limited equipment for hire. Try the floating restaurants opposite the resort for more affordable choices.

Renaissance Kota Bharu Hotel $$$ Kota Sri Mutiara, Jalan Yahya Petra, 15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan; tel: 09-746 2233; www.marriott.com. The city’s only international hotel is within reach of the famous central market and state museum. There is a swimming pool and Chinese restaurant on-site.

Tanjong Jara Resort $$$$ 8th Mile, off Jalan Dungun, 23000 Dungun, Terengganu; tel: 09-845 1100; www.tanjongjararesort.com. Tanjong Jara is an award-winning traditional Malay all-timber resort 13km (8 miles) north of Dungun on a 17-hectare (42-acre) site. There are 100 beach cottages and sea-facing hotel rooms (with great views from second-floor rooms), with 1.5km (1 mile) of private beach. The resort has restaurants, two swimming pools and a spa village.

Negeri Sembilan

The Royale Bintang Resort & Spa Seremban $$$ Jalan Dato AS Dawood, 70100 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan; tel: 06-766 6666; www.royalebintang-seremban.com. This four-star hotel in the Lake Garden district offers the usual comforts, plus a good Chinese restaurant, swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi.

Melaka

Discovery Café & Guesthouse $ 3 Jalan Bunga Raya, 75100 Melaka; tel: 06-292 5606; www.discovery-malacca.com. Here you’ll find single, double and triple fan-cooled and air-conditioned rooms and dormitories in a restored shophouse by the Melaka River, close to the main historic sights. A rooftop terrace offers scenic views and there are good Peranakan and Western meals in the café.

The Majestic Malacca $$$$ 188 Jalan Bunga Raya, 75100 Melaka; tel: 06-289 8000; www.majesticmalacca.com. Fronting the Melaka River, this Straits- and neoclassical-styled mansion now houses the hotel’s reception, bar and dining rooms, while the well-appointed rooms and spa are in the adjacent building. Join the complimentary guided walk of historic Melaka and gain an insight into its living heritage.

Hotel Puri $$ 118 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka; tel: 06-282 5588; www.hotelpuri.com. This carefully restored 1822 Peranakan house in the quaint ‘Millionaires’ Row’ belonged to an eminent philanthropist. Marble and wood abound. There are 50 rooms, a leafy beer garden and a spa.

Johor Bahru

Thistle Johor Bahru $$$ Jalan Sungai Chat, 80720 Johor Bahru, Johor; tel: 07-222 9234; www.thistle.com. Formerly the Hyatt Regency, some of its rooms come with views of the Straits of Johor and Singapore. Facilities include a two-tier swimming pool, a Roman spa, three restaurants, two bars and a fitness centre. It is within walking distance of town.

Kuching

Hilton Kuching $$$ 1 Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak; tel: 082-223 888; www3.hilton.com. Enjoy majestic views of the Sarawak River and the city’s lively waterfront. Relax around the pool or in the fitness centre. Party in Senso bar or enjoy the club facilities in the executive lounge.

Telang Usan Hotel $ Jalan Ban Hock, 93724 Kuching, Sarawak; tel: 082-415 588; www.telangusan.com. This place is locally owned and operated by Orang Ulu people. Comfortable and well-appointed rooms offer great value for money. Dine on local Dayak cuisine, international dishes and Chinese food at two outlets in the hotel, located just 10 minutes’ walk from Kuching’s Waterfront.

Miri

Dillenia Guest House $ Lot 846 First Floor, Jalan Sida, 98100 Miri, Sarawak; tel: 085-434 204; www.miri.my/dillenia-guesthouse. Located in downtown Miri and within walking distance of Imperial Mall, this family-run guesthouse is clean and comfortable. Double rooms and dorms with shared bathrooms are available but it is best to get rooms on the second floor as they are quieter.

Miri Marriott Resort & Spa $$$ Jalan Temenggong Datuk Oyong Lawai, 98000 Miri, Sarawak; tel: 085-421 121; www.marriott.com/myymc. The Marriott is the only five-star international hotel in this oil town. Located on the seafront but just minutes from town, it offers superior services and delightfully appointed rooms, mostly with sea views. Zest provides all-day dining. Relax in the Mandara Spa.

Kota Kinabalu

Hotel Eden54 $ 54 Jalan Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; tel: 088-266054; www.eden54.com. Centrally located in downtown KK and within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the ferry terminal for island-hopping. The hotel’s concept is luxury living stripped down to its bare essentials. Rooms away from the reception area are quieter.