Luxury hotels in Malaysia

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Luxury hotels in Malaysia

If you want to experience Asia in a nutshell but are limited by time, be sure to go holidays to malaysia! On its narrow peninsula, Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures and traditions have come together in a unique way, and history has “seasoned” this place with influences from Europe. Here, you can try delicious cuisine that has naturally become fusion, see impressive technological achievements in the vast metropolis of Kuala Lumpur and relax on beautiful tropical beaches. And if civilization overwhelms you – escape to the jungle is within reach. Malezja it simply has everything!

When planning a trip, you sometimes have a dilemma about what hotel in malaysia choose. We know that unforgettable memories are created in our heads by special places - including those where you stay overnight. There are already plenty of interesting and cozy hotels. They tempt with attractive prices, charming photos and drinks with a palm tree. After arrival, the reality is completely different, and you are deeply disappointed - the beaches are crowded, the years of glory of the facility are long behind and sometimes you are afraid to take a shower. In such a place, a dream vacation turns into an unpleasant experience, and after all you wanted a blissful rest! How to find the real deal in the flood of offers? luxury hotels in malaysia? The fact that a five-star facility can be called exclusive is determined by really small, sometimes even imperceptible details. We are experts in the field of creating incredible experiences, so we are here to help! Below is a list presenting carefully selected exclusive hotels in Malaysia. What should you consider when choosing a resort for a luxury vacation? What do five-star hotels in Malaysia have to offer? Here we present specific places, tested by us, where you will feel exceptional. We have selected luxury hotels in Malaysia, in different regions of the country, and each of them captivates in a different way.

One & Only Desaru Coast – the pearl in the crown of the Malay Peninsula

Minimalism, timeless elegance, subtle aesthetics – belonging to a family of luxury hotels around the world, the five-star One & Only Desaru is the essence of an exclusive resort. Desaru is the latest work in the portfolio of Australian architect Kerry Hill, and the idea that accompanied the project was to escape from the city into the arms of nature. Simple, sparse forms of buildings were incorporated into the neighboring rainforest, and decorations made by native artists refer to Malay aesthetics.

The entire complex consists of 44 spacious apartments with huge windows, offering views of the lush garden or the coast. If you like to relax in a quiet atmosphere, this hotel is for you! Each room has a private pool, and from the terrace you can hear the music of the jungle - pleasant birdsong and the relaxing rustle of trees. Despite the infiltration of the area into the interiors of the apartments, they provide plenty of privacy.

A luxury hotel in Malaysia is not just about rooms. In a boutique One&Only Desaru Coast you can relax by the two swimming pools or in the Chenot Spa wellness centre. Its offer is really wide: in addition to various massages and treatments, the menu includes carefully composed holistic well-being programmes, including a nutrition plan, exercise classes and relaxation recommendations. Fans of active leisure can play golf, tennis or rent a bike, while children and teenagers will have a great time during organised activities in the jungle and garden. However, the crème de la crème of this facility is the beach - almost 1500 metres of beautiful, natural coastline with delicate, light sand and clean turquoise water. The beach is not developed, because it does not need to be - its charming wild character has been preserved.

A good holiday also means good food, which is why we must mention the wide range of local restaurants. Every meal is a feast and a celebration. You can book your stay with breakfast, and eat the remaining meals in two restaurants serving a la carte dishes. The menu of the Ambara restaurant draws on Mediterranean inspiration: a blaze of Lebanese and Greek cuisine aromas intertwine with accents of local dishes. In the Hoshi restaurant, on the other hand, you can try Japanese delicacies in a modern version, based on a careful selection of seasonal ingredients. Delicate sashimi, crispy tempura... delicious! You have to spend an evening at the Ember restaurant at least once - the menu of this restaurant was composed by Andrew Walsh himself, awarded a Michelin star.

One&Only Desaru Coast is a five-star hotel in Malaysia that will appeal to those with high expectations – unobtrusive design, world-class service and closeness to nature. After a few nights spent at this property, you will seriously consider extending your stay!

Japamala Resort – a luxury hotel on Tioman Island in Malaysia

This object must be on our list – Japamala Resort by Samadhi always ranks high when it comes to luxury hotels in Malaysia. Its biggest advantage is its location on the coast Tioman Islands, located 32 km east of the Malay Peninsula. Tioman itself was once hailed as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and fortunately, nothing has changed in this regard. This small piece of land is still covered in dense, natural jungle, and the shores of soft sand are washed by warm, turquoise waves. Japamala, on the other hand, has a fantastic formula of a boutique, secluded resort for adults (accommodation from 18 years), where you will forget about the world around you.

The hotel is literally in the forest. Guests can choose accommodation in atmospheric wooden cottages of various categories - located right on the beach, hidden in the jungle thicket or ... tree houses! Their decor, although simple, guarantees all the amenities and comforts that every five-star hotel has: air conditioning, comfortable beds and a luxurious bathroom. Some have private pools or loungers suspended over the cliff.

Japamala will attract the attention of diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Although the facility itself does not have a diving center, its staff will be happy to help you book a trip with a local organizer. The area around the island is a marine reserve, and the underwater life here is incredibly lush. The perfectly preserved, multi-colored coral reef is simply mesmerizing, and the fish and other creatures that inhabit it are surprising in their diversity. The diving offer is very extensive - from PADI courses for beginners to adventure trips, even at night. In our opinion, the area around Tioman is the best place for an underwater adventure! In addition to water madness, you can discover interesting corners of the island - go trekking in the jungle, visit a neighboring village or enjoy the sunset from a viewpoint.

Although the hotel does not have a spa, you will still find solace and peace here. At your disposal are two swimming pools, comfortable sun loungers, a beautiful beach and, of course, restaurant facilities. Italian cuisine reigns supreme at Il Tiempo, while Tamarind Tioman offers South Asian dishes. We recommend Japamala Resort by Samadhi to lovers of blissful relaxation at the end of the world, for whom relaxing with a book in hand is synonymous with a perfect vacation.

Eastern & Oriental Hotel – 5-Star Colonial Elegance in Penang

We are moving to the western side of the Malay Peninsula, to a tropical island Penang. Getting there is easy – it is connected to the mainland by two bridges, so you can get there by road. In Penang, you can clearly feel the island’s colonial past.

Welcome to George Town, a melting pot of European architecture brought by the British and Malay culture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a city where you can spend your time leisurely strolling, stopping at cafes and street markets, or contemplating in a temple. When exploring the city, the location of your hotel is key – it has to be perfect.

And that's exactly what she has Eastern & Oriental Hotel – located on the north-eastern coast of the island, but within a 15-minute walk from the very center of George Town. For almost 140 years, “E&O” has occupied the elegant, monumental estate of the Sarkies brothers, who owned such gems as the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the famous The Strand Hotel in Yangoon. The restored interiors, of course, meet the highest standards of comfort and meet the needs of demanding guests. As soon as you enter the lobby, you will feel as if you have moved to a bygone era. The main body of the building – Heritage Wing, was put back into use in 2019, after a 9-month-long renovation. In 2013, the facility was expanded to include the Victory Annexe, where apartments, a gym, an infinity pool and an art gallery are located.

The apartments are finished in a timeless elegance style, slightly diversified with contemporary aesthetics. The result is cozy, bright interiors, where you can hide after a long day of exploring the city and the island. If someone asks us about a luxury hotel in Malaysia, Eastern & Oriental immediately comes to mind!

Although the E&O is a city hotel, it does not lack resort amenities. A fantastically equipped gym, a quiet pool overlooking the strait and the Panpuri Organic Spa. The wellness center menu includes massages using various techniques - Balinese, Thai or Japanese shiatsu, Ayurvedic treatments and oriental body treatments.

It would be a sin not to mention the food, after all the British loved to entertain guests over tea, biscuits and delicious dishes. This tradition has also remained strong at Eastern & Oriental. Palm Court is a large dining room, where you can have breakfast in the morning, relax with afternoon tea in the afternoon and in the evening you will have a banquet-style dinner – dress code required! But a good meal is a celebration, so putting on the right clothes is a pleasure. In addition to Palm Court, the hotel has two more restaurants located in the Victory Annexe. Planters Lodge and Sarkies offer buffet meals, where you can try both local delicacies and the well-known English breakfast.

A stay at Eastern & Oriental is a short journey back to the golden age of hotel industry, when practically every guest was treated like royalty. Of course, this does not mean stuffy service and strict etiquette – fortunately, E&O has left that in the past. However, if you like properties with soul and history, a luxury hotel in Malaysia like Eastern & Oriental is for you!

Four Seasons Langkawi – a fusion of luxury and sustainability

We move a bit north, near the Thai-Malaysian border. Langkawi Island is another piece of paradise among many scattered across the Andaman Sea. It is home to one of the facilities of a renowned hotel brand Four Seasons, which, like the others, impresses with the quality of service, unity with the surrounding landscape and attention to sustainable development.

The Four Seasons Group has redefined the concept of luxury – it is not just comfortable beds, cleanliness and refined meals. The hotel places emphasis on the atmosphere that reigns in its spaces, and this is created by a qualified and experienced team of service. You will feel “taken care of” here, but without unnecessary intrusion. The hotel staff is there, but it gives the impression that they are not there, and the entire facility magically maintains itself in its charm and high quality.

Four Seasons Langkawi is a resort resembling a local village. It has a total of 92 suites of different categories - smaller, ideal for a couple for a romantic getaway, and larger, which will accommodate the whole family. Depending on the location, they offer a view of the beach or are hidden on the edge of the rainforest. The architecture refers to traditional, thatched cottages, which are filled with light through large windows, and the cozy interiors are complemented by natural fabrics and contemporary decorations. Some rooms have private pools.

No one will be bored in Langkawi! This five-star hotel in Malaysia has a private sandy beach, two swimming pools, a gym, a wide range of entertainment for children and teenagers and a luxurious spa. Additionally, there are tennis and volleyball courts. Langkawi is another place in Malaysia where underwater life attracts divers - you can rent diving, snorkeling and water entertainment equipment on site. There is also a Geopark Discovery Centre, where the youngest learn about the natural diversity of the area. The hotel also offers trips to the interior of the island and cooking workshops.

The restaurant facilities are equally impressive: four establishments offering excellent local and European cuisine, snacks and cocktails at the beach bar, and in the evenings fresh fish prepared on the grill. The menus, of course, include dishes dedicated to children and vegetarian dishes.

Martha K

Martha K

A culture expert by education and passion, interested in Asia. In her free time, she traverses the Polish mountains and goes wild at concerts.