Best Luxury Hotels in Malaysia

Taking hospitality firmly into the 21st century, Aloft Kuala Lumpur is the country’s first-ever VR hotel — pop on your headset and strap in for some immersive 360-degree in-room gaming. The tiki-style poolside rooftop MaiBar (with frequent DJ sets and live music acts) is another highlight of any stay here, or you can drink in the W XYZ bar. And there are some quirky, themed, pop-up features, like all-pink and matcha afternoon teas, served in one of the four restaurants. Colourful, trendy and tech-forward, this hotel also caters ably for its “Little Travellers”, with a kid’s club.

This century-old mansion was the first member of Design Hotels in Malaysia. Each of its eight unique suites has specially commissioned artwork, different architectural features and mod cons like minibars and Nespresso machines. Blanc, serving French – Asian fusion cuisine is considered to be one of the finest contemporary dining establishments in the city, while The Cellar, is a sophisticated haunt, specialising in whisky and cheese. Guests can stay active in the small gym, or with laps in the shimmering green pool.

The E&O as it’s fondly known was first established in 1885 and remains the only hotel in the city to occupy prime sea frontage. A new wing, the Victory Annexe was opened in 2013, adding a sixth-floor infinity pool, an art gallery and a Thai spa. While the Heritage Wing is an ode to a bygone era, with antique furnishings. The decor at the Eastern & Oriental is, in the main, classic and polished, with muted earthy tones, marble and dark wood. Planters Lounge serves drinks and snacks with a view, while the 1885 restaurant offers European style fine menus and a buffet or a la carte can be enjoyed at Sarkies.

Thoroughly modern glitz and quirky features await at the light, bright,162 bedroom Prestige. Look out for showers encased in golden cages, floating beds and tropical accents in among the almost exclusively ivory colour scheme. Ministry of Design – also responsible for Macalister Mansion’s decor – have created the interiors here. A sleek, glass-walled saltwater infinity pool looks out onto the harbourfront from its elevated fourth-floor position – a great spot to recline on a lounger, drink in hand and watch the port comings and goings. A pastel-hued Glasshouse restaurant is a place to eat and drink at The Prestige, or you can order food to your room.

Take the 15-minute boat ride from Marina Island to Pangkor Laut Resort where you can check into your overwater or jungle villa with up to four bedrooms. Some come with butler service, an outdoor tub, a private pool and a dining pavilion, overlooking Emerald Bay in the Strait of Malacca. The resort is built beside a rainforest (listen out for the resident macaque monkeys), which you can explore with the resident naturalist. It encompasses two swimming pools, a spa village employing Malay, Chinese, Indian and Thai practices, yoga facilities, squash and tennis courts and seven restaurants.

The 5-star Casa del Rio Melaka is a spectacular waterfront hotel with beautiful views of the Melaka River and nearby Piazza. Guests can discover Malaysia while staying in a luxurious, Mediterranean-style guestroom or suite with stunning balcony views. This hotel also features two split-level Premier suites – the Royal Suite and the Presidential Suite – where guests are invited to sprawl in spacious, beautifully decorated accommodations. The River Grill and River Café serve a breakfast buffet and traditional, local Malaysian dishes in style while Bar Rio invites guests to indulge in a carefully crafted cocktail. Bar Sol sits beside the hotel’s shimmering rooftop infinity pool and treats guests to a panoramic view of the city’s skyline and the Straits while they savour tapas and tipples. The on-site Satkara Spa provides a blissful experience for guests to unwind and a range of full-body spa treatments to transport them and reinvigorate their senses. Casa del Rio Melaka is also the ideal location for hosting unforgetting functions and a first-class wedding venue

Nestled between the rainforest and the tranquillity of Datai Bay, the Andaman has 178 luxurious rooms and suites, each outfitted in a contemporary Malaysian style. That means plush bedding, top-of-the-line amenities, and lush views of both the rainforest and the water. The resort offers premier diving opportunities in the 8,000-year-old coral reef that fringes the shores. The spa offers a one-of-a-kind menu and the nature walks organised by the resort enable you to take in everything the area has to offer. Premier dining and a lovely bar round out all the perks you can take advantage of at The Andaman.

This delight of Mediterranean architecture is located at Telega Harbour Park, giving you gorgeous access to the rainforest and the ocean in one place. The Danna has been awarded the Best Hotel in Langkawi for four years running and you can see the dedication to an opulent tropical getaway in the attention to detail. That includes well-outfitted suites, villas, and rooms that are comfortable and luxurious, as well as a 3-tiered infinity pool and spa. Four full-service restaurants offer the utmost in fine dining, but there’s also 24-hour room service available.

This 5-star luxury hotel is found on the southern tip of the Jewel of Kedah and is the true picture of seaside paradise. With the gorgeous flora and fauna of the rainforest on one side and the sparkling blue of the Andaman Sea on the other side, this resort is one of a kind. Your sophisticated beachfront holiday is complete in any of the hotel’s 85 suites, but you can experience the island in a unique way by booking one of the four over-water villas. Premier butler service, six restaurants, an oasis like spa, and chauffeured limousine service make this opulent hotel a great choice in Langkawi.

The lavish seaside Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa is home to the ultimate, luxury getaway for all the family. There are 221 stylish rooms, suites, and villas – ranging from two to five bedrooms – with private infinity pools on offer. The hotel is perched near a Jetty point on the Andaman Sea and facilitates a range of on-land and at-sea activities to entertain guests of all ages. First-class dining options are on hand as well as alfresco, cabana and terrace eateries. Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa has a selection of child-friendly and adult-only pools and a lush, swim-up bar to cater to guests at all times. For guests wishing to keep active, the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® fitness centre is on hand in addition to an award-winning personal trainer to get you moving. The Wellness program prioritises wellbeing and Heavenly Spa by Westin™ provides complete serenity. For young guests, there is an exciting recreation centre and kid’s club.

For a tropical stay that combines the luxury you crave with the ethnicity of the area, the Meritus Pelangi resort certainly delivers. Nestled along the shores of Cenang Beach, the resort boasts a full kilometre of white sandy beach. A variety of suites and rooms each offer plush bedding, opulent amenities, and views of the lush scenery out every window. Premier dining abounds throughout the resort and you can also take advantage of an exclusive spa menu, two beautiful pools, and plenty of recreational opportunities, including biking and squash.

The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi is a stunning beachfront hotel comprised of deluxe rooms, suites, and villas. The hotel’s design is inspired by nature, local architecture, and indigenous art. Each room has been carefully decorated with a modern, Malaysian twist and invites guests to step into nature with a blend of natural materials and light from floor-to-ceiling windows. Panoramic views of the ocean are the Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi’s signature and allow guests to marvel at the spectacular sunsets on the island. Situated in a private bay that is home to a 10-million-year-old rainforest, you can host unforgettable functions for up to 380 guests in one of six unique, indoor, outdoor, and overwater event spaces. Tranquillity is at its finest in the hotel spa where guests can receive treatments embracing indigenous healing and beauty practices. Guests can dine out in any of the Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi’s first-class restaurants, including one adults-only lounge.