Malaysia’s sultry capital Kuala Lumpur is a feast for the senses. The sprawling city is a cultural melting pot for the confluence of the Indian, Chinese, Islamic, and Malay cultures. As amazing a destination as it is, Kuala Lumpur, or KL, also has the country’s biggest yet discreet gay scene. Officially, Malaysia isn’t exactly what you’d call gay friendly. Despite that, Kuala Lumpur is extremely welcoming to all visitors, straight and gay. This is evident by the rising number of gay friendly hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in recent years. Right from luxury five-stars to smaller design hotels, the travel industry surely more than just welcomes LGBTQ travelers.
The city might not be a gay Asian capital, but it does have a gay scene. The city has a few gay bars, and its biggest LGBTQ events nights are held at straight clubs. In fact, the number of gay saunas outranks the gay bars and clubs, and you’ll be surprised at just how steamy things get! Even though the city doesn’t have a gay neighborhood, the bars at fashionable Bintang Walk in Bukit Bintang attract an LGBTQ clientele.
Even outside the gay scene, there’s so much to explore in this multi-cultural city. If you’re a shopaholic, you’ll go crazy at Berjaya Times Square, one of the 15 Amazing Shopping Malls In The World. Explore the stunning limestone Batu Caves, one of The World’s Scariest Stairs, and some of Malaysia’s most intricately carved structures. And, of course, who can forget the Petronas Towers, one of the World’s 10 Tallest Skyscrapers? So, pack your bags and head to this wonderful city in Southeast Asia to explore the culture and have some fun. To that end, here are the top 11 gay friendly hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Table of contents
- Expressionz Professional Suites
- Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur
- Orange Pekoe Guesthouse
- Furama Hotel Bukit Bintang
- Hotel Stripes
- The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
- Condo Hotel Fraser Place Kuala Lumpur
- Hotel MOV
- Villa Samadhi
- Mercure Kuala Lumpur Shaw Parade
- Impiana KLCC Hotel
- Just So You Know:
- Get Some Culture in Kuala Lumpur:
- Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Kuala Lumpur:
- Best Gay Saunas in Kuala Lumpur:
Expressionz Professional Suites
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If you’re looking for budget-serviced apartment accommodation in Kuala Lumpur, then go for the Expressionz Professional Suites. Located north of the action in KL, the condominium building boasts a slew of amenities that will blow your mind. What’s more, it’s a mere 5-minute drive to the KL city center (KLCC) and a 10-minute drive to Bukit Bintang.
You might just be surprised if you’re thinking about what amenities a serviced apartment building can have. The showstoppers are the two infinity pools, and that too on the rooftop! Sprinkled with daybeds and loungers, it’s a great place to relax on a balmy day in KL. If you want to sweat it out, then why not do so with a killer view of the city at the rooftop gym? Aside from free Wi-Fi, the place even has a steam room where you can head for a luxuriating soak. And even though it has no restaurant, the suites hotel serves a sumptuous and delicious continental breakfast
Staying at the Expressionz suites is one full-fledged experience. The sleek units come with plush bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms, complete with decadent bathtubs. So, a long-awaited romantic soak with your significant other is a great idea. Moreover, the place has fully-equipped kitchens, comfy living areas with flatscreen TVs, and a dining area.
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Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur
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The Traders Hotel is one of the best-located gay friendly hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It sits right next to the Petronas Twin Towers. which is a 10-minute covered walk or a 2-minute drive via the hotel’s complimentary buggy. Moreover, the shopping, dining, and nightlife of Bukit Bintang are a 20-minute walk away. Hence, the hotel is also one of the best bases to explore the Top 10 Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur.
Classic decor and vibrant accents are mainstays everywhere. But, it’s the impressive views of the surrounding cityscape that the hotel is known most for. The hotel’s rooftop is its buzzing heart and soul and has a fabulous rooftop bar and a heavenly-looking swimming pool. The daybeds by the pool are great for enjoying a laid-back and relaxed afternoon. The all-day-dining restaurant also serves, apart from meals, a hearty breakfast. What’s more, the hotel even has a modern gym, which bodes well if you’re a fitness enthusiast. Above all, with its range of massages and treatments, the spa warrants a visit, soaking away all your stress. Topping off everything is exemplary service from the staff.
The best rooms of the lot here are the City View rooms which look out to the Petronas Twin Towers and its surrounding greenery. Nevertheless, all rooms feature a bevy of mod-cons, plush bathrooms, and 24/7 room service.
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Orange Pekoe Guesthouse
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If you’re gay and traveling to Kuala Lumpur on a budget, then the Orange Pekoe Guesthouse suits your sensibilities and your budget. The guesthouse lies smack dab in the heart of Bukit Bintang and is one of the most immaculate digs you’d ever come across. For when you step in, the frenzied energy of Bukit Bintang fades away and you feel like you’ve actually entered a lovely, three-storied home. A “no-shoe” policy” is followed throughout, just like a KL home. So, you remove your shoes and either carry them to the room or leave them in the cabinets on both floors.
The living room is the heart and soul of the place and is the perfect place to watch TV, work, or read. You can get free 24/7 hot water, tea, and coffee in the shared kitchen, which is also great for heating ready-to-cook food like noodles. What’s more, you can even store your food in the shared fridge. Finally, enjoy some quiet time on the small balcony, looking over the daily KL life. Moreover, the staff is really amazing and dishes out lots of travel tips for you to explore the city. Finally, the guesthouse even serves a free breakfast of cereals, jams with bread, coffee, tea, and fresh fruits. Since it’s a guesthouse, they don’t have dorms but rather private rooms of all sizes to suit all kinds of wallets. All of them are spacious and comfy and come with nice ensuite bathrooms too.
Orange Pekoe is a great base for you because a fabulous gay sauna and the city’s best gay bar are right down the street! So, if you’re looking to have fun in KL on a budget, this place is the best.
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Furama Hotel Bukit Bintang
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The Furama Hotel is one of the most popular gay friendly hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The good-looking highrise lies smack dab in the heart of Bukit Bintang, which is close to shopping, dining, and nightlife venues. What’s more, Furama is famous for its unfailingly attentive staff that pampers you outright. Now, what more could you want?
There’s so much to do at the hotel that you may never feel like leaving. For one, it boasts a stylish rooftop pool, complete with daybeds. Take a day off from exploring KL, lounge around, and sip on Furama’s signature cocktails. You can also sweat it out in the fabulous gym right next to it, both of which make great places for meet-cutes down on the low. Come evening; you can unwind in the Executive Lounge, complete with drinks and fabulous city views. When you’re hungry, head to the restaurant serving lip-smacking local and international fare.
Rooms at the hotel are equally impressive, and you can choose from a whopping eight categories. Notwithstanding the kind of room, all of them are comfy, stylish, and spacious. Aside from the slew of mod-cons and spiffy bathrooms, you’ll love the enchanting views of the KL skyline out of the windows the most.
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Hotel Stripes
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Are you looking for amenity-full gay hotels in Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang? Then, we think you’d like the Hotel Stripes. The snazzy hotel is, in fact, also one of the Top 11 Hotels With A Rooftop Pool in Kuala Lumpur. In fact, the rooftop area is so amazing that you can spend an entire day here and not be bored and still want more.
The hotel’s rooftop pool area looks over both Bukit Bintang and Chow Kit, on its cusp. On a cloudy weekday afternoon, sit on one of the lounge chairs and order drinks from the adjoining bar. The entire area lights up in the evening, making for a most mystical and ethereal ambiance. If you’re a fitness fanatic, then the well-equipped gym just off the pool is ideal for you. Besides an amazing ground-floor restaurant, the hotel even has a separate place for snacks. It’s also where a fabulous breakfast with both international and local flavors is served. Moreover, a large fridge stocked with yogurt, juices, fruits, and sandwiches is a real godsend.
Rooms at the Hotel Stripes are equally impressive and even lean towards sensuous. The soft, dark-colored carpet evokes a lot of fantasies, as do the deep-soaking tubs in the bathrooms. The cloud-like beds are so comfortable that you might not feel like waking up. With floor-to-ceiling windows offering amazing views, sheer drapes, and baths large enough for two, you and your partner might just have the time of your lives here.
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The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
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There’s no hotel in all of KL like the alluring Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, which harks back to the city’s colonial era before World War I. One of the most distinctive and luxurious gay friendly hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it sits right above the city’s utterly gorgeous, old-world Moorish-inspired train station. If you’re interested in exploring KL’s culture and architectural side, then begin by staying at this hotel.
Two sections, the newer Tower Wing and the older Majestic Wing make up this place. The Majestic Wing blends art-deco and neo-classical styles. It’s a place where you can listen to the dulcet tones of a piano while you relish afternoon tea. The Tower Wing is contemporary to boot, with art deco accents paying homage to its colonial roots. It also has all modern amenities like a gym and a buffet restaurant. Furthermore, both wings have their own swimming pools, with the Tower Wing one offering more privacy. While you’re here, visit the decadent Majestic Spa, a heady blend of old-world exotic and new-age pampering. With seven drinking and dining options, the range of cuisines here will leave you satiated. It’s no surprise that the hotel is one of the 11 Best Hotels In Kuala Lumpur.
When it comes to accommodation, go for the rooms that suit your style more. The Tower Wing rooms are all about contemporary elegance with plush fabrics, smooth surfaces, and lavish modern bathrooms. On the other hand, the Majestic Wing rooms bring back the colonial grandeur with period-era furniture, claw-foot bathtubs, and black-and-white tiled bathroom floors.
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Condo Hotel Fraser Place Kuala Lumpur
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If you’re on a mission to explore Kuala Lumpur, then you won’t find better digs than the Condo Hotel Fraser Place. The hotel lies bang in the middle of all the action in the city center and is a mere 0.8km (0.5mi) from the Petronas Towers. The best part? You can directly get to the Towers in 15 minutes via an enclosed, air-conditioned walkway.
This fully-serviced condo hotel offers a whole lot of amenities. First and foremost, a gorgeous infinity rooftop pool offers much respite from the KL heat and humidity. Moreover, it offers eye-popping close-up views of the Petronas Towers. So, you can not only enjoy a nice swim but even enjoy lounging on the daybeds later. Right next to the pool is a well-equipped fitness center, which is perfect if you don’t want to miss out on your regimen. Furthermore, the place serves an excellent and sumptuous breakfast in an equally charming dining room. Above all, since the condo hotel is connected to several buildings with restaurants in them, you can order room service ranging from Italian to Mexican fare.
All rooms, albeit different in size, have floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views out of them. The bathrooms are equally slick, with full-length glass windows allowing you to see the room too. What’s more, every room also has living areas and kitchenettes, so you can cook for yourself amidst lots of space. Additional perks include slippers, bathtubs in bathrooms, and even free tea and coffee.
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Hotel MOV
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The cheeky adult playground that is the MOV Hotel is one of the best gay friendly hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It lies right in the heart of Bukit Bintang, and also down the street from the sizzling DayThermos gay sauna and Kl’s only gay club Blueboy. So, you’re perfectly placed to enjoy an exciting gay vacation in the city.
A large, vibrant, neon-pink-lit facade welcomes you to the design-inspired hotel. The interiors amplify the senses of taste, smell, touch, sound, and sight, complete with a motto “What MOVES you?” It’s brazen and saucy – and it works too! The hub of everything in the hotel is the pulsating rooftop space, with the mesmerizing lights of KL as the backdrop. Its highlight is the sleek swimming pool, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip at sunset before hitting KL’s nightlife. In the morning, indulge in a Zumba or yoga class on the rooftop – who knows whom you might meet? Additionally, you can work out in the gym as well.
That said, it’s the rooms where the passion really hits the roof. In fact, the rooms appear to “move” due to the changing lights in the sexy, curved showers in the bathrooms. The standout is the open bathtub right next to the bed for some sexy times! After some bathtub time, you can move to the plush king beds, which are the perfect way to end a day of action. If you’re with your partner, go for the ‘Top Oasis’ loft, which is primed for romance.
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Villa Samadhi
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Romance is in the air at the luxurious Villa Samadhi, a small and private boutique sanctuary in the very heart of Kuala Lumpur. Its name is a Sanskrit term that refers to the moment when the mind achieves stillness, and that’s what the hotel hopes to achieve for its guests. If you and your partner are looking for a romantic getaway in KL, then this boutique hideaway is perfect. Moreover, Bukit Bintang and the city center are a short ride away.
Privacy and peace rule the roost at Malay-inspired Villa Samadhi, which sits behind clusters of bamboo, old trees, and a high wall. The resort is set around the ‘Lagoon,’ a pool fringed by lush foliage and shaded sun loungers. You and your significant other can enjoy a couple’s treatment or massage at the spa. The staff is attentive without being formal, translating into a relaxing, cozy atmosphere. Food is served all day at the restaurant in a romantic glass-walled poolside building. Apart from a sumptuous breakfast, it even has a complimentary cocktail and wine reception in the evenings.
Choose from 21 luxurious villas, the design of each of which is inspired by Malay heritage. Moreover, every villa has sprawling bathrooms and also offers privacy. Book non-Crib category rooms specifically, as they all have their own heated plunge pools.
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Mercure Kuala Lumpur Shaw Parade
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If you’re looking to shop a lot during your KL vacation, then you’ll like the Mercure Hotel at Kuala Lumpur Shaw Parade. This excellent gay friendly hotel lies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is surrounded by some of the city’s best shopping hubs, including the fabulous Berjaya Times Square mall.
The gay-popular, stylish four-star hotel has all the amenities you’d expect from one. The long-ish swimming pool on the 20th floor with daybeds is a great place to unwind, especially on a hot, humid day. You can order drinks from the adjoining pool bar and enjoy a bite by the pool later, complete with gorgeous views. On the same floor is a gym, where you can work out while looking over the city’s shimmering skyline. Finally, the hotel even offers a delicious breakfast, which is a great way to stack up on energy reserves before heading out to shop. The best part? It offers a free shuttle service to Central Market!
After a long day of shopping, the rooms at this hotel feel like your own personal slice of heaven. Apart from all the high-tech mod-cons, they have plush bathrooms where a long shower sounds just perfect. The bespoke and incredibly comfortable beds are highlighted for a fitful sleep at night. Choose rooms that have city views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. At the day’s end, you can perch on the cozy lounge sofa and chill with views of a glittering skyline.
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Impiana KLCC Hotel
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The grand Impiana KLCC Hotel is one of the best gay hotels in Kuala Lumpur’s city center. It boasts partial views of the Petronas Towers. Furthermore, it’s also the city’s only hotel to be connected via the Sky Bridge to the Bukit Bintang shopping complexes, Twin Towers, and KLCC.
A spacious, high-ceilinged lobby with gleaming marble floors and a shimmering chandelier impresses right from the outset. The adjacent lobby lounge is a great place to relax, as is the Swasana spa, which offers a range of traditional Asian treatments. Water babies will love the rooftop infinity swimming pool with reclining loungers and jaw-dropping views of the Petronas Twin Towers. Besides a well-equipped gym, the hotel offers a hearty breakfast buffet spread. It features both Malaysian specialties and as well as international dishes. You can wind up the day with a nice meal at its 15th-floor restaurant, which serves delicious cocktails apart from equally lip-smacking food.
The rooms here are extremely spacious, even by Kuala Lumpur standards. The mainstay of all rooms is white walls, modern artwork, a slew of mod-cons, and handcrafted wooden furniture. Apart from nice bathrooms, all rooms boast huge floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of the city. If you want to wake up late, then the blackout curtains are perfect.
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Just So You Know:
- Despite being a conservative country, the presence of a gay scene in Kuala Lumpur is a huge deal. Even then, the city’s gay scene has an unexpected wild side. If you’re fairly cautious at all times, then there’s no limit on the amount of fun you can have in KL.
Get Some Culture in Kuala Lumpur:
- Since Malaysia is a conservative Muslim country, there are no Pride events or even LGBTQ tours. However, you can check out utopia-asia.com or gaygetter.com for LGBTQ social events and venues in the city.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Kuala Lumpur:
- BlueBoy KL: Kuala Lumpur’s only known gay bar today is the longest-running gay club.
Best Gay Saunas in Kuala Lumpur:
- DayThermos: This Bukit Bintang establishment sees a mix of tourists and locals. It has a steam room and a dry sauna.
- OTOT2: One of the city’s most popular and hottest gay saunas. Located in KL downtown, it has a dark resting area, showers, steam room, and a jacuzzi.