Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where to stay in Kuala Lumpur: best neighborhoods and hotels

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia? The answer depends on the reason for your trip (leisure or work), your budget and how many days you intend to stay in the city.

Much less famous than its neighbor above, Thailand, and without the advantage of being a cosmopolitan and modern hub like its neighbor below, Singapore, Malaysia is often forgotten in itineraries around the region. A shame, as the country has a lot to offer.

This text is a complete guide to help you decide where to stay in Kuala Lumpur, with tips on cheap and well-located hotels, hostels, comfortable hotels and even luxury options.

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur: understanding the city

As in other cities around the world, The best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur is the central area neighborhoods, close to the subway and bars and restaurants.

But with almost two million inhabitants, Kuala Lumpur is a metropolis. In other words, several neighborhoods and hotels meet these requirements.

Below we will talk, in detail, about the following areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.

• star Hill
• Chinatown
• center
• Chow Kit
• Pudu

Hotels in Kuala Lumpur: Bukit Bintang

The favorite of tourists – Many people who have been to Kuala Lumpur will guarantee that Bukit Bintang is the best area to stay.

When staying there, you can have a view of the Petrona Towers.

In addition to the convenience of being close to the city’s biggest postcard, you will still be close to shopping malls, cafes, restaurants, night markets, bars and nightclubs. The area is cosmopolitan, modern and very beautiful, full of lights and skyscrapers.

Several chain hotels and five-star accommodations are there, but it is also possible to find economical options:

• Gold3 Boutique is the best rated and best value for money hotel in the area.
• Sunshine Bedz – a hostel with an excellent location and cheap rates in Kuala Lumpur.
• Travelogue Guest House – well located guesthouse/hostel with good prices.
• Capri by Fraser – lots of comfort, great location, good prices and this pool with a view on the terrace (photo below).
• ANSA Hotel – modern rooms and close to the metro.
• Hotel Royal – a four-star hotel that tends to have lower prices than average.
• The Ritz-Carlton – option for those looking for comfort and a large budget.

Find accommodation in Bukit Bintang

Photo: Booking/Disclosure

Hotels in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown

Many people are afraid to stay in Chinatowns around the world. In some cities, these areas can be dirty, messy and poorly looked after.

In Kuala Lumpur it is not like that. The area around Petaling Street, where the Chinese market takes place, is pleasant and interesting.

Nearby is also the Central Market, a great place to buy typical products, handicrafts or to sit and have a coffee with a delicious pie.

Staying in Chinatown you will be close to everythingmaking it very easy to get around on foot or by public transport.

This area is also one of the best for backpackers and budget travelers, as It has good options for cheap hotels and hostels in Kuala Lumpur.

Some accommodation options in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown:

Hotels in the center of Kuala Lumpur

The center of Kuala Lumpur also encompasses the Chinatown area, but is not restricted to it. A The region is close to tourist attractions and easy to move between one neighborhood and another.

As most tourists prefer to stay in Bukit Bintang, the most cosmopolitan part of the city, by staying in the center you can have more contact with the lives of KL residents, who rush by, shop in the markets and eat in restaurants .

Hotel rates in central Kuala Lumpur tend to be cheaper, but you can also find affordable luxury options.

Find accommodation in Kuala Lumpur City Center

Hotels in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur

Chow Kit is another sub-district in the central part of Kuala Lumpur. The area is inhabited by immigrants, especially those who came from Indonesia and Africa.

This is where Bazaar Baru Chow Kit takes place, a market open every day where you can find fresh fruits, vegetables and other typical foods. The place has already become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur.

Chow Kit is also home to a night market ideal for those looking to buy clothes and souvenirs, the Bundle Chow Kit. Getting around is easy: the neighborhood is served by monorail and LRT lines.

In this area:

• Penthouse on 34 – Excellent hostel and guesthouse on a rooftop, with swimming pool and incredible views of the region. Good private rooms and dorms.
• Regalia Suites, whose pool has incredible views, but the rooms are simple and cheap (not all with views). There are several rooms for rent, so choose a well-rated one to ensure you get what you expect.

Find accommodation in Chow Kit

Hotels in Pudu

Another central district of Kuala Lumpur, Pudu is close to Pudu Sentral, the oldest bus station in the city and one of the most important. It is also served by an LRT station.

The area has its own fruit, vegetable and food market, known as Pudu Market, and is south of the Bukit Bintang shopping district, making it a great location for tourists. And with more affordable prices.

Find hotels in Pudu

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur during a layover

Is there only one connection in Kuala Lumpur? If you are only staying in the city for a few hours, the solution may be to leave your bags in an airport locker and not even book a hotel.

Another option is to get a room in a hotel inside the airport. There are a few options:

How much does a hotel in Kuala Lumpur cost per night?

In Kuala Lumpur, you can find three-star hotels with daily rates between 20 and 40 dollars. Beds in well-located hostel dormitories cost from 11 dollars in China Town and 17 dollars in more expensive neighborhoods.

Four-star hotels, with pool and comfort, cost between 60 and 70 dollars. Five-star hotels have daily rates of around 150 dollars.

How many days to stay in Kuala Lumpur

Two or three days are enough to get to know Kuala Lumpur. Use the rest of your time to discover Malaysia’s interior and beaches, such as Langkawi or Malaka.

Kuala Lumpur also combines it with a longer trip through Southeast Asia, in an itinerary that also includes Singapore, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, among other countries.

Are you going to travel through Southeast Asia? Read too:

Do I need travel insurance for Malaysia?

It is not mandatory, but it is essential. Have you ever imagined needing emergency medical care in Malaysia and not having health insurance?

Travel insurance does not compromise your budget – it costs very little per day of vacation – and guarantees greater security. In this text, you will find out how to choose and take out good and cheap insurance for Asia.

Sign up for our newsletter