Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city is all about captivating rather than cliched contrasts. Glass skyscrapers and Mughal-style minarets make for a juxtaposing skyline. Lush green gardens set off grey six-lane highways. What’s more, buzzing markets sit right next to glossy malls. Above all, the city is a blend of Malay, Indian, and Chinese cultures and cuisines. Thus, Kuala Lumpur makes for an intriguing destination. What’s interesting is that the best hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia cater to a wide range of travelers. For instance, the city is teeming with budget hotels that will change your idea about the word ‘budget.’ Also, it has luxury hotels that hold their own against those in other cities of the world. Moreover, it is also a hot destination on the backpacker trail. So, there are lots of choices for inexpensive hostels too.
There’s no doubt that Kuala Lumpur is one of Southeast Asia‘s top tourist destinations. In case you find yourself in this vibrant city, here are the 11 best hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
It was the Petronas Towers, one of the World’s 10 Tallest Skyscrapers, that put Kuala Lumpur on the map. In fact, most travelers headed to the city will want to gaze at this beauty first. It lies in the heart of Kuala Lumpur City Center, or KLCC. Besides the city’s most iconic sightseeing landmarks, it has luxury hotels, dining, and nightlife options. The ritzy Bukit Bintang has an excellent mix of budget, boutique, and luxury hotels. Moreover, its nightlife is more relaxed than that of KLCC. Plus, it has the Berjaya Times Square, one of the 15 Most Amazing Shopping Malls In The World! So, shopaholics will love staying in Bukit Bintang.
On the other hand, culture buffs will love Kampung Baru and Chow Kit. They’re wonderful examples of daily life in the city. Next up is Chinatown, which is one of KL’s cheapest and most historic neighborhoods. It’s filled with mouthwatering street food stalls and backpacker hostels. KL Sentral is the main transportation hub, which is great if you’ll be taking day trips. Finally, the trendy Bangsar is a hot area for younger travelers. It’s away from the bustle, but close enough to get to central KL quickly. For a more welcoming vibe, we recommend booking one of the Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral
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The affordable and yet amenity-filled Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral is an exceptional base. It lies right next to the transport hub, from where you can take trains within and outside the city.
The industrial design and vivid décor complement the hotel’s funky atmosphere. The place is all about speediness. Aside from a quick check-in, it offers drop boxes for quick check-out. Moreover, it has a 24/7 self-service eatery and an all-day-dining restaurant that serves a generous breakfast. To top that, you can even charge your phone at the lockable gadget charging stations in the lobby. Apart from a gym, the hotel has a fantastic rooftop swimming pool which is a great perk.
The spacious rooms boast large windows and roomy bathrooms. What’s more, they all have high-tech mod-cons, complimentary minibars, and elegant decor.
Container Hotel Bukit Bintang
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The Container Hotel in Bukit Bintang is one of the most unusual hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The first of its kind in the city, the inventive hotel is made up of stacked shipping containers. It brings the concept of the Japanese concept of compact living to the streets of KL.
Rooms at this hotel are essentially vibrant freight containers and even massive concrete cylinders. However, that’s not all. Many of these containers stray from the industrial design theme and feature safari-style tents for an indoor camping experience! Moreover, both campsite and concrete rooms have immaculate shared bathrooms with free bath towels and hot water.
Even though it’s a limited-amenity hotel, you’ll find a lovely outdoor terrace. Moreover, it also has a small snack station for breakfast. The icing on top is its location in Bukit Bintang, which makes it easy for you to explore the Top 10 Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur.
Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur
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The classic Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur lies in the heart of KLCC, right next to the Petronas Towers. Besides KLCC’s attractions being within walking distance, even Bukit Bintang is 10 minutes away.
The hotel features a classic décor with vibrant accents. That said, it is most known for the impressive views of the city. Fitness fanatics will like the modern gym, which also has an aerobics studio. What’s more, the spa offers a range of relaxing treatments. Its highlight is the rooftop pool, which is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of exploration. Two restaurants and a chic rooftop bar complete its offerings.
Greens and browns dominate the decor of the spacious rooms. Bathrooms feature bathtubs, which is a feature unheard of in inexpensive hotels elsewhere. We’d recommend getting the City View rooms, which offer exquisite views of the Petronas Twin Towers. Also, Traders Club rooms have access to a lounge that serves free cocktails and snacks.
Alila Bangsar
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The Alila Bangsar is one of the most Instagram-worthy hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Located in the hipster heartland of Bangsar, the hotel is a quick 20-minute LRT ride to KLCC.
An impressive jet-black facade welcomes you into the hotel’s gorgeous garden atrium. Trees, teak floors, and white walls make for a soothing ambiance. The place is full of breezy decks and wraparound windows that offer striking views of the city. Those who like to workout can blow off steam at the 24-hour gym. However, its the open-air swimming pool and bar that’ll take your breath away. With lots of foliage and plush daybeds, the space looks surreal to boot. Two restaurants serve everything from breakfast to dinner. That said, don’t miss enjoying a sundown cocktail at the rooftop bar.
Sitting between the 36th and 40th floors, the rooms are the best feature at Alila. All feature a grey-and-white color scheme with high-tech amenities and lavish bathrooms. Furthermore, every floor has its own living room. You can sit on comfy sofas and enjoy complimentary morning pastries, juices, coffee, and tea.
The Chow Kit
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The elegant Chow Kit is a small hotel that’s huge on style. It sits in a steadily gentrifying neighborhood that still has remnants of a gritty past. Culture buffs will love exploring the surrounding areas, which offers a real glimpse into the way of life. What’s more, KLCC is a 25-minute walk or a 5-minute ride on the free Go KL buses.
A two-story lobby doubles as the restaurant/lounge. The interior design is contemporary, traditional, and homely all at once. The lobby features traditional Malaysian fabrics, chic white lanterns, and red-brick floors. Moreover, the entire hotel is chock-full of Instagrammable art pieces and artifacts. Think old Malay movie posters, ceramic bowls, and rattan objects. Although it has limited facilities, the hotel offers free rooftop yoga classes and Chow Kit walking tours. In fact, it even has a quaint library and lounge space off the lobby. Lastly, a single restaurant on-site serves superb Malaysian fare and a hearty breakfast.
With rooms ranging from petite dens to spacious suites, you have a whole lot of rooms to choose from. They have a sleek look with navy woven rugs, forest-green drapes, and handcrafted teak beds. Likewise, slate grey bathrooms have a minimalist modern persona. So, it’s no surprise that the Chow Kit made it to Travel+Leisure’s “Best New Hotel In The World – It List in 2020.”
The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
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If you’re looking to revel in Malaysia’s colonial-era luxury, you’d do well to choose The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Sitting on the fringes of Chinatown, the alluring hotel harks back to the World War II era. It lies right across from the Moorish-inspired transport hub of the city.
True to its name, the hotel comprises two sections. The original, 1932-built Majestic Wing is a beautiful blend of art-deco and neo-classical styles. It’s all about afternoon teas with the musical tones of a piano floating around. On the other hand, the 15-story Tower Wing is more modern, with art-deco accents. Both sections have their own heavenly swimming pools, but the similarity ends there. The Tower is all about modern facilities like gyms, restaurants, and the likes. The Majestic is all about exotic intrigue and is a throwback to the old times. Its best feature is the pampering spa, which has a Hamman and sauna. Last but not least, seven restaurants take care of all the food cravings that you might have.
When it comes to choosing rooms, it boils down to what your style is. The Majestic Wing Rooms radiate colonial grandeur with plush art-deco furnishings. The Tower Wing rooms are equally grand but more contemporary.
Villa Samadhi Kuala Lumpur
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There’s no doubt that Villa Samadhi is the most luxurious of all boutique hotels in Kuala Lumpur. Derived from a Sanskrit word that refers to the zen state of the mind, the hotel is a retreat in the very heart of the city. It lies in the embassy neighborhood northeast of KLCC.
Serenity and seclusion are the focal points of Villa Samadhi. The luxurious oasis sits around a lagoon skirted by shaded sunbeds and lush greenery. Moreover, clusters of bamboo, old trees, and a high wall surround it, lending privacy. The resort boasts an innately Asian interior with Malay-inspired decor and oriental curios. When you’re hungry, delve into delicious Western and Malay dishes at the on-site restaurant. Finally, indulge in some much-needed R&R at the quaint but decadent spa.
21 luxurious, Malay-heritage-esque villas have spacious bathrooms, romantic lighting, and oodles of privacy. Most villas have the added luxury of private plunge pools.
Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
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If you’re a discerning traveler looking for a city-center hotel, Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur is your best bet. What’s more, it lies close to sights, shopping, and recreation in KLCC and Bukit Bintang.
The hotel stays true to the brand with its mellowed opulent style. With this in mind, the lobby has a splendid water feature and a magnificent staircase. The gym is far better than most other hotels, which will appeal to fitness enthusiasts. Post-workout, luxuriate in a treatment at the indulgent spa. Eight food and drink outlets make dining a complete delight. But, Shangri-la’s crown jewel is the swimming pool with excellent views of the Menara Tower.
Rooms radiate lavishness with velvet drapes, splashes of maroon, and subtle cream hues. All-marble bathrooms make for indulgent spaces. In fact, even its entry-level rooms are more spacious than most standard rooms in the city.
W Kuala Lumpur
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The W Kuala Lumpur is one of the funkiest, trendiest, and coolest hotels in the city. Its location right next to Petronas Twin Towers is superb, to say the least. With excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment close by, the W pulsates with urban energy.
The hotel channels W’s playful luxury vibe, with stylish batik prints paying homage to Malay heritage. The centerpiece in the lobby is a psychedelic LED-light waterfall. It’s contrasted by rustic bamboo-like chandeliers. Above all, the polka-dot-and-pixel carpets reflect a topographical map of Kuala Lumpur! Seeing that the hotel is high on R&R, it features lots of relaxation spaces. The spa, for instance, blends both traditional and modern zany aesthetics. Similarly, you’ll be motivated to work out in the gym which offers sweeping views of the city. Since W is all about fun, the five restaurants and bars reflect the same. Despite all this, the hotel’s pool walks away with all accolades. The ridiculously attractive space enjoys unobstructed panoramas of the Petronas Towers.
Likewise, rooms at the W keep up with the chi of the rest of the hotel. Color is aplenty in the form of vivid purple and green cushions and an LED-lit pink Perspex cabinet. They’re softened by large artwork inspired by batik and pixels motifs. Furthermore, every room has rich bathrooms, lounge areas, and luxe mod-cons.
MoMo’s
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If you’re looking for budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, skip the hostels and give MoMo’s a chance. Located in the heart of Chow Kit, the no-frills hotel skips frivolous amenities to keep the rates temptingly low. However, its inimitable, polished style makes it something of a hidden gem in the city.
A hanging garden of tropical plants with a pink neon sign in its midst welcomes you to MoMo’s. The charming downstairs reception/restaurant is Instagram gold. It features Prince posters, block-like furniture, chalk-like tiles, and polished concrete walls. This is the social heart of the hotel and the best place to break the ice with fellow travelers. Although it doesn’t offer breakfast, the neighboring sister hotel of Chow Kit does. You can also join the many walking tours around the region, or make new friends at the rooftop yoga classes.
At MoMo’s, you can choose from bunk-bed, twin-bed, and double-bed rooms. The beds lie on raised wooden platforms, and there’s enough foot space. A simple, unfussy look dominates the rooms and bathrooms. Moreover, they also have flatscreen TVs and tons of bathroom amenities.
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur
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Affordable luxury doesn’t get any better than at Mandarin Oriental, one of the best overall hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 30-story hotel sits right across from Petronas Towers. Plus, it radiates stately elegance that is hard to beat for any other affordable hotel in KL.
Even though it’s smack dab in the city center, the hotel’s public spaces are calming. The lobby impresses right from outset. It’s chock-full with abstract Chinese paintings, glittering chandeliers, and shining marble floors. The hallways and corridors are akin to an Oriental museum, with an excellent collection of Asian ceramics and textiles. 10 restaurants and bars, along with a fancy cake shop, will keep your tastebuds busy and satiated. At the end of the day, a trip to the spa and sauna will rejuvenate you. The scene-stealer, though, is the infinity pool with splendid skyline views. In fact, the presence of this fabulous pool makes Mandarin oriental amongst the Top 11 Hotels With A Rooftop Pool In Kuala Lumpur.
Although all rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, book ones with views of the Petronas Towers. Rooms are spacious and sumptuous with comfy lounge areas and black-marble bathrooms.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars / Food Tours in Kuala Lumpur:
- Kuala Lumpur Local Street Food Night Tour: Malaysian street food is renowned for its piquancy. Dig into KL’s best street food on this night tour.
- Yung Kee Beef Noodles: There’s nothing like some hot Hong Kong-style noodles after a night out in KL. This is where you’ll get the city’s best bowls.
Recommended Activities In Kuala Lumpur:
- Kuala Lumpur City Tour: Explore the best sights of the city on this full-day tour.
- Kuala Lumpur Walking Tour with a Local: See the hidden gems of KL and listen to its little-known history with a local.
