Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia: My Top Areas & Hotels in 2025

Last Updated on June 23, 2025 by Oliver

For a lot of people, myself included, Kuala Lumpur often ends up being the gateway into Southeast Asia. Flights from Europe or Australia frequently stop over or connect here, so chances are, you’ll pass through at some point.

Whenever that’s the case for me, I usually make it a habit to stay for at least three days. I really enjoy the city, it gives you a taste of Southeast Asia without being as full-on as somewhere like Bangkok. KL is very modern and pretty Western in a lot of ways, which is exactly why I keep coming back, especially when I need a break from backpacking and just want a bit of comfort.

One of the best things about KL is that you can stay in a high-rise apartment or hotel with a rooftop pool, skyline views (sometimes even of the Petronas Towers), and it won’t cost you a fortune. That’s not something you get in many big cities.

I’ve now been to Kuala Lumpur four times, and figured it’s finally time to put together a proper travel guide on where to stay in Kuala Lumpur, with my favorite areas, hotels, and apartments.

Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur: My Experience

By now, I’ve stayed in a few different areas around Kuala Lumpur and tried both hotels and apartments and honestly, both have their pros and cons.

What I usually look for when I’m in KL is either a nice hotel (because there are some seriously good ones here at very reasonable prices) or a high-rise apartment with a skyline view. And you’ll notice when you start searching that loads of apartments and individual rooms in big residential buildings are listed on Booking.com which seems to be a thing here. I’ve stayed in a few of those and, to be honest, they can be hit or miss.

The very first time I visited Kuala Lumpur, I stayed at the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, and it was such a great experience. It’s a proper five-star hotel, and if I remember right, I paid around $100 USD a night, which felt like amazing value for what you get.

The last couple of times, I booked apartments instead, mainly because some of them come with insane views and rooftop pools that look out over the Petronas Towers. When it works out, it’s incredible. But I’ve also had a few not-so-great experiences with apartments that looked amazing in the photos but turned out to be kind of disappointing. So my tip: don’t blindly trust the pictures, and always read the reviews carefully.

I’ll make sure to link the better ones I’ve actually stayed at in the guide below.

Best Areas to Stay in Kuala Lumpur City

In this guide, I’m only going to focus on three areas in Kuala Lumpur that actually make sense for tourists. I know there are tons of neighborhoods and suburbs in KL but let’s be real, you don’t need to know about all of them. I’ve read a few other “where to stay in Kuala Lumpur” articles and some of them list seven or eight different areas like you’re trying to pick a flat to rent long-term. No thanks.

So here are the only three areas you really need to consider: KLCC (the city center), Bukit Bintang (the cool area), and Chinatown (if you’re on a budget). That’s it. Keep it simple.

KLCC

KLCC is basically the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It’s where you’ll find the Petronas Twin Towers, big parks, giant shopping malls ( Suria KLCC), tons of restaurants and cafés, and a good mix of everything else. I like staying here because it’s super central, walkable, and has everything I need within reach. Most of the big hotel chains are based here, and there are loads of high-rise apartments too, which is why it’s usually my go-to area when I’m in KL.

Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang is, in my opinion, the coolest area to stay in. It’s also the best area for nightlife, there are bars, pubs, rooftop restaurants, and of course Jalan Alor Night Market for street food. You’ll also find tons of Western-style cafés, trendy restaurants, shopping malls, and just a generally younger, hipper vibe. It’s definitely got that more “urban cool” feel if that makes sense. There are plenty of good hotels around here too, and it’s easily one of my favorite areas in the city.

Chinatown

I actually really like KL’s Chinatown. It’s gritty but fun, full of character, and the food is some of the best in the city. Exploring Chinatown for the cheap eats, markets, and random little shops is always on my list. This is where I’d stay if I were backpacking or trying to keep things budget-friendly. There are tons of hostels and guesthouses, and eating out is cheap and easy, especially if you’re into noodle soups and dumplings.

1. Kuala Lumpur Hotels in KLCC

Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur // Best 5 Star Hotel in Kuala Lumpur

I mean, obviously I’ve never stayed here, it’s definitely outside my tax bracket, but the Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur is without a doubt one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. It’s located right next to the Petronas Twin Towers, and everything about it screams top-tier: stunning rooms with incredible views, a rooftop restaurant that’s genuinely impressive, and one of the best hotel pools in town. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a Four Seasons. So if I ever win the lottery, this is 100% where I’m checking in.

Book Here: Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur

Ascott Kuala Lumpur

This is one of those serviced apartments I mentioned earlier and it’s one of the good ones, trust me. I stayed here a couple of years ago and loved it. The apartment was clean, well-maintained, and the staff were great. Check-in, check-out, cleaning, everything was smooth.

There’s a rooftop pool too, but what I really appreciated was the space. I was working while in KL, so having a proper kitchen, a separate living area, and a desk setup made a big difference. They offer one- and two-bedroom apartments, so it’s a fantastic option if you’re traveling as a family or with kids. Just having a fridge for snacks and a living room to hang out makes things way easier.

Book Here: Ascott Kuala Lumpur

The Mews KLCC // Best Cheap Hotel in Kuala Lumpur

The Mews KLCC is another great apartment-style stay with a similar setup to Ascott. They’ve got one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with full kitchens, living areas, and loads of space. The building itself has two swimming pools on different levels, a gym, and plenty of chill-out areas.
Most importantly though, it’s super affordable. If you’re traveling as a group or with a family, this is easily one of the best-value places to stay in Kuala Lumpur.

Book Here: The Mews KLCC

2. My Favorite Accommodation Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang

JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur // Best Place to Stay in Kuala Lumpur (Value for Money)

I stayed at the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur a few years ago and honestly, it was some of the best value for money I’ve had. I just checked, the prices still hold up. I paid around $100 USD a night for a proper five-star Marriott in the middle of the city. In the U.S., you’d barely get a Motel 6 for that.
The hotel is amazing with spacious rooms, top-tier service, and the staff were incredibly helpful and attentive. The pool area is stunning, and the restaurant is great too. It’s one of those places I’d happily stay at again and I probably will the next time I’m in KL.

Book Here: JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur

The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur // Cheaper than you might think!

I actually almost booked the Ritz-Carlton instead of the Marriott, and I’ve kept it in mind ever since. It’s in the same price range and also a true five-star hotel. Beautiful spa, an elegant restaurant, excellent service and again, for what you get, the price is kind of insane. I haven’t stayed yet, but next time I just might.

Book Here: The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

Melia Kuala Lumpur

The Melia Kuala Lumpur is another great option I came across while browsing hotels. It’s a stylish city hotel with a great restaurant and a comfortable, modern vibe. In terms of price, it’s a little more affordable than the Marriott or Ritz, so if you want something nice without going full luxury, the Melia is definitely worth considering. Still great quality, but a bit easier on the wallet.

Book Here: Melia Kuala Lumpur

3. Best Kuala Lumpur Hotels in Chinatown

Santa Grand Classic KL // My Favorite Boutique Hotel in Kuala Lumpur

Santa Grand Classic Kuala Lumpur Chinatown is actually one of my favorite hotels in the city. The value for money here is incredible. The hotel feels brand new, clean, and tastefully designed and more like a boutique hotel you’d find in New York or Europe than your typical Southeast Asian budget hotel.

It’s got exposed red brick walls, a cute little restaurant with a breakfast buffet, and a beautiful rooftop terrace with a pool. And the best part is, you can sometimes get it for as low as $50 USD a night.

Book Here: Santa Grand Classic Kuala Lumpur

B Hotel Kuala Lumpur

B Hotel Kuala Lumpur is another pretty decent budget option in the Chinatown area. Like most places around here, it offers clean rooms with comfy beds and a great location just off Petaling Street. The design leans a little more modern, and overall it’s another great value stay, perfect if you’re looking for an affordable private room.

Book Here: B Hotel Kuala Lumpur

How to Get to Kuala Lumpur City from Kuala Lumpur International Airport?

One thing I always like to know when booking a hotel is: what’s the airport situation?

So, here’s the deal with Kuala Lumpur International Airport, it’s actually quite far from the city, which can be a little annoying. But thankfully, there are two good-ish options for getting into town:

• KLIA Ekspres (the high-speed train): This is technically the fastest way to get into the city. It takes you straight to KL Sentral, the main train station. But here’s the thing, KL Sentral isn’t really central. It’s still a 15–20 minute Grab ride away from most hotels in KLCC or Bukit Bintang. Also, a one-way ticket costs around $12 USD per person.
• Grab (the better option in my opinion): Grab is Southeast Asia’s version of Uber, and it works great in Malaysia. A Grab ride from the airport to the city usually costs just under $20 USD total (so if you’re traveling with at least one other person, it’s actually cheaper than the train). And it takes you straight to your hotel with no transfers, no stress.

Unless you’re traveling solo and on a tight budget, I’d 100% recommend just booking a Grab from the airport. It’s more comfortable, more convenient, and not much slower than the train.

FAQs About The Best Places to Stay in Kuala Lumpur

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur for first timers?

If it’s your first time in KL, I’d definitely go with KLCC, the city center. You’ve got the Petronas Towers, plenty of restaurants, huge shopping malls, and it’s super walkable and convenient for everything.

What are the best 5 star hotels in Kuala Lumpur?

 In my opinion, Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur is the best overall. But if you’re after something a little more affordable, the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur and The Ritz-Carlton are also great options, and depending on when you book, they can be surprisingly cheap for a five star hotel.

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur with kids?

Again, KLCC is your best bet. It’s the easiest area to get around, and there are tons of air-conditioned shopping malls, which are perfect for cooling off with little ones (or just escaping the heat yourself).

What are the best hotels in Kuala Lumpur overall?

For me, Four Seasons is the top choice, but JW Marriott offers amazing value for money while it’s still a proper five-star hotel, just usually at a much better price point.

Final Thoughts on Where to Stay Kuala Lumpur

Honestly, staying in Kuala Lumpur is one of my favorite things, mostly because it’s so affordable. Grab rides (basically the local Uber) are dirt cheap, good coffee won’t cost you much, and I can have a table full of high-quality sushi for under $40 USD for two people.

And the same goes for accommodation. You can stay in a luxury five-star hotel for around $100–125 USD a night, with rooftop pools, skyline views, the full 5 star package. Try getting that in Singapore and you’ll easily be paying two or three times more.

That’s why Kuala Lumpur is one of my favorite places to treat myself a bit, you get the comfort and the views without blowing your budget.

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