Malaysia's most lavish stays - International Traveller Magazine

Are you a lover of luxury? Look no further. Here we reveal the most indulgent hotels Malaysia has to offer.

The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Rich in history and timeless opulence, this art deco landmark was built in 1932 as the grandest hotel in Kuala Lumpur (and the first in Malaysia with modern sanitation!).

Today The Majestic is characterised by its towering white Roman columns and colonial feel – complete with pith-helmeted doormen at the porte cochère – while inside beams with a level of luxury far beyond hot showers.

Here guests can indulge in the cigar room and gentlemen’s club, private cinema, day spa and one of many high tea lounges, including the famed Orchid Conservatory (you’ll need to book three months in advance to get in).

Accommodation-wise, the historic ‘Majestic Wing’ now houses 47 indulgent suites with that unreplicable old-world elegance, heightened by plush lounges, claw-foot baths, king-size beds and a personal butler for those troublesome tasks like drawing a rose-petal-sprinkled bath.

Alternatively, the adjoining Tower Wing is an uber-contemporary addition, with 253 guestrooms complete with dark marble, polished chrome and four-poster beds.

Pangkor Laut Resort

It doesn’t get much more idyllic than Pangkor Laut, tucked away on a privately owned island just off the west coast of Malaysia along the Straits of Malacca.

Surrounded by ancient rainforest, the resort’s enviable location also takes a front-row seat to the secluded white-sand beach and sapphire sea, where guests can lap up sunset cruises, snorkeling, wakeboarding and all manner of water activities.

While there are several noteworthy accommodation options here, you can’t go past the Signature Sea Villas.

Elevated on stilts above the water, the villas are linked to the rest of the resort via wooden walkways, and come with a private balcony as well as our favourite feature, a large bathtub that opens onto the sea.

Unsurprisingly, these iconic villas have been awarded a generous swag of accolades over the years, including Best Overseas Destination Spa by Condé Nast Traveller UK in 2003 and Best Luxury Destination Spa at the 2011 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

It seems we’re not the only ones to appreciate this little island gem.

Four Seasons Langkawi

Langkawi may be the party capital of Malaysia thanks to its duty-free shopping and subsequently considerably cheaper alcohol, but just outside the bustling centre is an entire archipelago of pristine rainforest and crystal-clear waters waiting to be explored.

In fact, Langkawi is one of only four inhabited islands in the 99-strong archipelago, justifying its official title of Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah (Langkawi Permata Kedah).

And the shiniest part of the jewel in terms of luxury stays is Four Seasons Langkawi. Set on absolute beachfront, each lavish pavilion and villa takes in either views of the surrounding tropical gardens or over the azure Andaman Sea.

Each with a uniquely Malay design blending tropical timbers and charming tributes to the natural surrounds, guests can also expect five-star contemporary comforts from plush king-size beds, full-marble bathrooms, private decks and plunge pools.

There’s even naturalists on staff to host guests on jungle treks and mangrove treks. Alternatively, the beach looks veeeeeery tempting.

Gaya Island Resort

This is where to really get away from it all. Hidden just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, you’ll find Gaya Island Resort in Malohom Bay, set amidst lush rainforest and blindingly beautiful beaches.

With no shortage of nature trails and impressive snorkelling and diving right on the doorstep, this is one idyllic stay for outdoor adventurers and luxury lovers alike.

Inside is equally as stunning; some 120 villas incorporate local Sabahan elements such as local timbers, as well as a variety of views over surrounding mangroves, the treetop canopy, rainforest or sea.

However the pièce de resistance is the two-storey Suria Suite. Sprawling across a whopping 188 square metres atop a hillside, it boasts uninterrupted views of the ocean and Mount Kinabalu from its outdoor verandah, complete with daybeds and outdoor bath.

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Temple Tree

The lesser known of the bunch, this boutique beauty claims to be the best resort in all of Langkawi. Set in a former coconut plantation by a lagoon, Temple Tree is centrally located, being a 10-minute drive from the airport and even less to the main beach Pantai Cenang.

However it’s the unique accommodation here that sets this picturesque stay apart from others.

With eight heritage villas, each drawing inspiration from Chinese, Malay, Indian and European origins, these sensitively restored villas combine antique furnishings and contemporary touches, each with their own individual personality.

While some villas include a private bar room, others boast a projection room, a private library or timber bathtubs.

While the onsite restaurant in Straits Club is also worth a mention, it’s the two palm-fringed swimming pools that take out the title of most photogenic location in the resort.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Malaysia’s most lavish stays