Although there are plenty of Kuala Lumpur hotels to choose from, it can often be a hit or miss situation depending on the recommendation sources. Online travel or booking agencies? Advertorials? Who to trust, right? But you’re in luck! I asked a few travel blogger friends for their favorite KL accommodations, based on their own personal experiences, and they came up with some great recommendations! From backpacker style to family and luxury travel, these recommended Kuala Lumpur hotels cover the gamut with something for everyone.
Check out this list of Kuala Lumpur hotels for your next trip to Malaysia’s capital city!
Check out this list of Kuala Lumpur hotels for your next trip to Malaysia’s capital city!
Go For The Club Room: FURAMA BUKIT BINTANG
Recommended by Sarah of Fit Travels
We’ve checked in today for what I think is our 7th stay at the Furama Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Located just a short walk from IMBI monorail station the hotel is close to shopping malls and the wonderful eating experiences available in KL. This hotel has got to be one of the best value four star properties going in the city. Sometimes their club room rate is not much more than USD60 per night!
This includes all the added bonuses of private breakfast area, snacks and drinks during the day then free flow and canapés for two hours in the evening. It is well worth the little bit extra. Their gym would be one of the best I’ve seen in any hotel across Southeast Asia and their pool is almost infinity like with views of the KL and Petronas Towers. The rooms definitely have a business hotel feel, but they’re spacious and comfortable so we’re always happy here!
Want to know more about this fabulous hotel?
Be sure to read Fit Travels’ full review of FURAMA BUKIT BINTANG
Great Value and Convenience: BERJAYA TIMES SQUARE HOTEL
Recommended by Sharon of Where’s Sharon?
Berjaya Times Square is a massive shopping centre in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the biggest in the country and staying on top of the shopping centre, at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, makes things super easy! This means there are eating and shopping options galore as well as a theme park and cinemas. It’s also connected to a train station and everyone will know where you want to go if you get lost.
The hotel itself would be worth staying at even without the shopping centre. It is packed full of facilities – restaurants, bars, the biggest swimming pool I have seen in a city hotel, kids pools and a playground.
One of the best features is that the cheapest rooms are more like one bedroom apartments with a kitchenette and separate living area. Everything is a good standard We have usually been able to stay here for less than US$65 a night which also makes it a total bargain for a family of 4. We have gone back many times as it is just such a lovely, easy place to stay that makes exploring Kuala Lumpur extra awesome.
Want more of Sharon’s hotel recommendations?
Be sure to read Where’s Sharon?’s THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN KUALA LUMPUR
Best Long Term Rental in Kuala Lumpur: REGALIA RESIDENCE
Recommended by Karolina & Patryk of KarolinaPatryk.com
Regalia Residence is a luxury hotel with the best infinity pool in Kuala Lumpur. The pool is situated on the highest floor of the building (37th floor), so the view from the top are absolutely breathtaking! Regalia is not only a hotel but also a place where local people live.
You can easily rent there an apartment with kitchen, washing machine and all the other facilities that will make you feel like home. The location of Regalia Residence is great- right between Putra and PWTC LRT stops. We’ve spent a month in this hotel and we will stay here again for sure next time we’ll be visiting Kuala Lumpur.
Are you traveling on to Thailand?
You’ll definitely want to read KarolinaPatryk’s reviews of THE BEST HOTELS IN PHUKET
Taste of Luxury: GRAND HYATT KUALA LUMPUR
Recommended by RaW of Ramble and Wander
If you’re heading to Kuala Lumpur and planning to stay in style in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) area, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is probably your hotel. It is essentially a business hotel but what could be more romantic than waking up to a view of sunrise and Petronas Twin Towers? The room I stayed in was very spacious, with a work table, sofa, walk-in closet, a makeup area/dressing table, bathroom (separate bathtub and rainforest shower head) and separate toilet. Of note also is the free internet via WiFi, with no connection problem at all throughout the hotel.
While its rooms and facilities are typical of what you expect of a 5* establishment, the hotel was definitely built to impress, with the lobby located on 39th floor that gives a 360 degrees view of the city centre that surrounds it – from the Twin Towers to KLCC Park to KL Tower – you’d be hard pressed to find another hotel that offers such a view. Breakfast, if you opt-in or choose to have it, are served just one floor below on 38th, which provides a similar view like from the lobby as well. So even if you don’t stay in a KLCC-view room like I did, you’d still get to enjoy a great view of the tallest twin towers in the world.
The location? It’s in KLCC but located right smack in between Petronas Twin Towers and Pavilion in Bukit Bintang, giving you easy access to the best of what KL’s Golden Triangle has to offer. Really, what more could you ask for?
Planning on exploring more of Malaysia?
Check out Ramble and Wander’s extensive coverage of Malaysia HERE
Arty Comfort: PAPER PLANE HOSTEL
Recommended by Sonal of Drifter Planet
Paper Plane Hostel of Kuala Lumpur has got to be the coolest hostel that I have ever stepped in. The interiors are super arty with stark walls, monotone wall murals and quirky art in the toilets. The roof top garden area is perfect chilling after a long day. The location is perfect because it’s a comfortable walk from the LRT station and Chinatown, yet it’s away from the noise of the busy main street. The amenities here will give you the comfort of an expensive hotel with the price and environment of a hostel.
Like what you see?
Be sure to read Drifter Planet’s full review of PAPER PLANE HOSTEL IN KUALA LUMPUR
Excellent Privacy at Hostel Prices: REGGAE MANSION
Recommended by Stefania of Every Steph
I must admit I’m not a big fan of hostels anymore. I like being able to connect and meet with other travelers, especially when I travel alone, but the lack of privacy and the shared facilities have started to bug me. Last January I landed in Kuala Lumpur after 3 months of travel in south-east Asia. Coming from Thailand and Vietnam, prices were definitely higher than what I was used to, so I knew I had to make some compromise. I was lucky to find the perfect one.
Reggae Mansion, located in Chinatown, features rooms with large pod dorms which offers much more privacy than your usual bunk bed! Each pod has its own plug, mirror, light and privacy curtain, plus a locker. Tip: ask for a lower pod if you are afraid of heights! The bathroom facilities are shared but they were cleaned multiple times a day and I never had any problems finding a free one. The hostel also offers a free dinner! How does a hostel get better than this? I would definitely go back to Reggae Mansion.
Where else has Stefania explored in Malaysia?
Check out Every Steph’s trip to Borneo! GOING WILD AT SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE
Recommended by Margherita of The Crowded Planet
Have a look at this picture. Awesome infinity pool, right? We’re on the 37th floor, just around the corner from PWTC, and there’s a great view over the KL skyline, as well as a poolside rooftop cocktail bar. How much do you think a room in this place would cost? $200? $300? How about if I said that you can stay in this place for under $50?
The Retreat KL is a collection of apartments in a luxury condo in KL. The apartments have all the essentials – a kitchen (not that you’ll ever use it, with all the delicious street food in KL!), aircon, fridge and access to all condo amenities – including a gym and the rooftop pool! Personally, after having discovered The Retreat KL I have never stayed anywhere else and a know that a bunch of my readers loved it as well!
Want to know more about this amazing property?
Check out The Crowded Planet’s full review BEST VIEW OF THE PETRONAS TOWERS? THE RETREAT KL!
Stone’s Throw from KL Sentral: HOTEL SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR
Recommended by Vanessa (me) of The Island Drum
My own adventures in sourcing Kuala Lumpur hotels have taught me not to judge a hotel too harshly based on the unfortunate occurrence of one dirty hotel room. Especially if it’s otherwise a perfect choice. And I was able to prove that theory right with a recent return stay at the Hotel Sentral Kuala Lumpur. I love this affordable Kuala Lumpur for its central location to KL Sentral, Nu Sentral and the Kuala Lumpur transportation hub, as well as the hotel’s generous amenities, personable customer service and continued efforts to ensure cleanliness. Hotel Sentral’s walk-in rate is also nearly half of their ‘rack’ rate and they may even be inclined to upgrade you for free (or a discounted price) if they aren’t booked up. They have a total of 240 rooms, so the odds are favorable!
Location wise the neighborhood looks a bit seedy (in my opinion). But considering they are within a three-minute walk of the KL Metro and KL Sentral, one would expect a bit of transportation grime to layer the surrounding area. And if tackling the immense food choices at nearby KL Sentral and Nu Sentral is too much for the weary traveler, there are some great local eateries just outside Hotel Sentral. Nearby Restoran ABC Bistro Café keeps the neighborhood happy with fresh roti and curries, while just down the street Restoran Loke Fatt offers an extensive Chinese menu (with plenty of vegetarian selections too). Perfect for a day or so in Kuala Lumpur or a weekend getaway to the big city.
Special Bonus Hotel Find Near KLIA/KLIA2: SRI ENSTEK HOTEL
Recently realizing that any early morning international flights were going to require a very early, middle-of-the-night airport arrival. And for someone (like me) not living in the Kuala Lumpur area, nearby hotel options I found were ridiculously expensive. Not to mention inconvenient. Getting from the city at an even more ungodly hour or sleeping in the airport aren’t exactly attractive options either. But alas! I found Sri Enstek Hotel to be the answer to my travel woes and just 20 minutes from KLIA2.
They also provide shuttle service to and from the airports for just RM10-20, depending on the time of day. So rather than hang out in the airport, I was able to relax at Sri Enstek for less than rm100. In room WiFi and desk, big comfortable bed and a hot shower were a perfect ‘layover’ solution. A nearby mini-mart and a few local restaurants were all very convenient. And the hotel staff? Beyond helpful! I will definitely be a return guest at Sri Enstek Hotel.
Leave a Reply