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If you are planning to visit Malaysia in 2026, the chances are that you will at least be spending a few days in Kuala Lumpur. So what are the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur is a huge city. Trying to find the right area to stay is hard when you can’t picture a place and there is so much to choose from. We have traveled Malaysia extensively and even lived here for a few years. In this article we will share our local knowledge and experience to help you plan your trip.
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ALSO don’t miss these amazing activities in Kuala Lumpur
Map of the BEST areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur
Summary of the BEST areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur
| Advantages and disadvantages | Best hotels in the area | |
| KL Sentral | Loads of great transport connections and right next to the Botanical Gardens. Great selection of hotels – mix up of budget and luxury. | Ascott Sentral Easy Hotel KL Aloft Kuala Lumpur Le Meridien Hilton St Regis |
| KLCC – Petronas Towers | Central location for shopping, dining and luxurious brand name hotels. Lots to do in the area and well connected. Expensive area to stay. | Mandarin Oriental Grand Hyatt Four Seasons The RuMa Hotel De King Boutique IBIS |
| China Town, Petaling Street | Great area for street food, markets, culture and temples. Great for cheap accommodation and well connected. | Birdnest Tian Jing Hotel D Loft Hotel Travel Lodge Else Space Hotel |
| Bukit Bintang | Very central and close to KLCC. Great for deals on luxury hotels. Right next to the KL Menara tower. | KLoe Hotel Banyan Tree Capri by Fraser |
| Subang Jaya, Sunway Lagoon | Long way out of town (less choice of hotels). Near Sunway Lagoon and ESCAPE KL – great activities. | Sunway Lagoon Sunway Pyramid Le Meridien |
| KLIA Airport area | Good place to stay if you are flying at an awkward time. Several 2 and 3 star hotels in the area. Not too expensive. | Sama Sama Movenpick Green Home |
Getting around in Kuala Lumpur in 2023
Transport in Kuala Lumpur is cheap, efficient and well connected. There are plenty of buses around. There are also several different light rail networks connecting the city. The main issue with public transport in KL is that the different systems are not well integrated. So transport connections can seem a little counterintuitive at times. Taxis in KL are also cheap and readily available – but be aware the KL traffic can be intense and challenging – especially if you are hoping to travel further around the city during rush hour times. You can use the Grab taxi app to get a fair price online with a taxi. Just get hold of a local sim with some data and register for Grab using your phone number. You can then request taxis and select “pay with cash” to pay the driver directly. Learn more about using Grab in Malaysia.
1 KL Sentral (transport hub)
Don’t miss our guide to THE BEST hotels near KL Sentral
KL Sentral is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for convenient transport connections. KL Sentral is a large transport hub with bus stations. MRL (monorail line), the KLIA express line, the KMT line and the metroline. These different networks provide cheap and efficient transport all around the area. KL Sentral is also right next to the extensive Kuala Lumpur Botanical gardens.
This large green space has beautiful trees, ponds, gardens and children’s play parks. There is also the Taman Tugu Hiking area right next to the botanical gardens. KL Sentral is a short journey from the petronas towers and Kuala Lumpur Chinatown. So overall, if you’re looking for a convenient central location the KL Sentral area may be your best choice. There is also a really good mix up of hotels in the area.
What are the best hotels near KL Sentral?
Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur – large, luxurious and stylish. The Ascott offers a nice range of rooms and suites. Suites range from around £80 – £200 per night. Find the Ascott KL on Agoda. You can also book the Ascott KL on booking.com.
Easy Hotel KL Sentral – Clean, comfortable and simple. An excellent mid-range hotel. Rooms range from around £20 – £50 per night. Check out the Easy Hotel on Agoda. Also you can find Easy Hotel on booking.com.
Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral – vibrant, stylish, clean and modern – Aloft provides a convenient comfortable and affordable stay £70 – £150. Watch out for deals at Aloft on Agoda. You can also reserve Aloft on booking.com.
Le Meridien – classy 5 star hotel with beautiful comfortable suites. Excellent facilities and amenities. Rooms and suites range from £90 – £250. Book Le Meridien on Agoda. You can also reserve Le Meridien on booking.com.
Hilton Kuala Lumpur – Looking for a trendy city slick hotel with the assurance of a top name? Don’t miss the large stylish Hilton hotel – excellent in every way. Suites range from £100 – £300. Find the Hilton on Agoda. You can also reserve rooms at the Hilton KL on Booking.com.
St Regis Kuala Lumpur – One of the best 5 star hotels in Kuala Lumpur, the St Regis is grand, stylish and beautifully designed. Rooms and suites range from £250 – £2,500. Watch out for deals at the St Regis on Agoda. You can also reserve rooms at the St Regis KL on booking.com.
2 KLCC Petronas Towers (shopping hub and luxury brand name hotels)
Don’t miss our guide to THE BEST hotels near KLCC
The Petronas Towers (the KLCC area) is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for large luxurious brand name hotels. This is also a top spot for shopping and dining. The KLCC area has a large outdoor park with a FREE kids splash park and kids play park. The KLCC Suria Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in KL and it is fully decked out with plenty of shops, restaurants and a large food court. There is also an amazing kids museum in this mall – the Kid’s Discovery Centre.
At KLCC there is also a large and impressive aquarium. Best of all, hotels in the area have great views of the iconic twin towers (The Petronas Towers). This is probably the most prestigious and central location of KL. What’s more, there is still some cheaper street food available in the area. There are a couple of great Nasi Kandar restaurants on the streets around KLCC – so this area really does have it all.
Overall KLCC is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur if you are not on a tight budget.
What are the best hotels near KLCC?
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur – One of the most prestigious and luxurious 5 star hotels in Kuala Lumpur – this hotel is truly superlative. You have to see the pictures to believe it. £200 – £350 per night. Reserve the Mandarin Oriental on Agoda. You can also reserve the Mandarin Oriental on booking.com.
Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur – Seriously decadent and supremely comfortable. The Grand Hyatt is the perfect vantage point of the city with extreme levels of comfort and luxury. Around £150 – £1,000 per night. Book the Grand Hyatt on Agoda. Check out the Grand Hyatt on booking.com.
Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur – One of the most popular 5 star hotels in Kuala Lumpur and for good reason. The four seasons combines a premium location with supreme luxury and style. Also one of the most expensive properties around. Suites range from £250 – £3,600. Reserve rooms at the Four Seasons on Agoda. You can also reserve rooms at the Four Season KL on booking.com.
The RuMa Hotel and Residences – Very impressive hotel. Fusion of east asia and city modern designs. We love the clean calm ambiance of this luxurious property. Rooms range in price from £120 – £400. Find the RuMa Hotel on Agoda. You can also reserve rooms at the RuMa on booking.com.
De King Boutique Hotel – Looking for a cheaper hotel near KLCC? Then check out this lovely hotel. We love the clean, light and artistic designs here. Rooms range in price from £40 – £150. Book De King Boutique on Agoda. Reserve rooms at De King Boutique on booking.com.
IBIS Kuala Lumpur City Centre – For another great mid-range option not to far from KLCC, check out the IBIS. This is a safe mid-range option. Rooms are clean, simple and light. Rooms range in price from £40 – £80. Reserve a room at the IBIS on Agoda. Check out the IBIS on booking.com.
3 China Town, Petaling Street (cultural center and cheaper accommodation)
Don’t miss our guide to THE BEST hotels near Chinatown – the best area for budget hotels and stylish mid-range propeties.
Chinatown is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for street food and culture. If you’re looking for cheaper guest houses in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, then ChinaTown is your best option. China town is also the cultural hub of KL with some older historic buildings and temples. Along the Petaling walking street there is a market selling clothes, knock off items and some street food too.
Nearby you can visit temples, eat in traditional and classic restaurants and visit the central market. China town is also well connected to other areas of central KL so you can still go and enjoy the Petronas Towers. It is also a short ride from the KL Sentral station – the best place for transport connections around KL and beyond. So ChinaTown offers a lot for budget travelers. Cheap accommodation, tasty street food and easy connections to other places. What more could you want?
What are the best hotels near Chinatown?
Birdnest Collective Hotel – The Bird’s nest collective is a trendy little guesthouse located in the heart of Chinatown. It is a very short walk from the metro and Petaling walking street. Rooms are small, simple and clean. Expect to pay around £10 – £25 per night. You can find the Birdnest on Agoda. Book rooms at the Birdnest on booking.com.
Tian Jing Hotel – If you’re looking for character and colonial vibes check out the super cool Tian Jing Hotel. We love the subtle interiors and simplicity of this Chinese-boutique hotel. Rooms range from £50 – £70 per night. Check out the Tian Jing on Agoda. Reserve the Tian Jing on booking.com.
D Loft Hotel – If you’re just looking for a clean, comfortable and safe mid-range hotel in the heart of Chinatown check out D Loft. Lovely staff and nice rooms. Expect to pay around £30 – £60 per night here. You can book rooms at D Loft on Agoda. You can also find D Loft on booking.com.
Travel Lodge City Centre – Another great mid range option. This stylish hotel has modern artistic interiors and super comfy rooms. Expect to pay around £40 – £80. Find rooms at the Travel Lodge on Agoda. Also find rooms at the Travel Lodge on booking.com.
Else Kuala Lumpur – This is surely one of the most unique and stylish hotels in the Chinatown area. The interiors are a muji concept. Expect to pay around £100 – £200 per night. Reserve rooms at the Else Kuala Lumpur on Agoda. You can also reserve the Else KL on booking.com.
Space Hotel @Chinatown – You’ve not visited Asia unless you have stayed in a space capsule hotel. And the great news is you can do this in Chinatown KL. Expect to pay around £30 – £50 per night at this quirky space themed hotel. Reserve a pod at the Space Hotel on Agoda. You can also reserve the Space Hotel on booking.com.
4 Bukit Bintang (very central – luxury hotels)
Another great area in the center of KL is Bukit Bintang. This area is next to the KLCC area. Bukit Bintang is the business and commerce center of Kuala Lumpur. There are lots of high rise skyscrapers in this area. Bukit Bintang is close enough to KLCC to walk – so you have all the benefits of being right next to the Petronas Towers, the Suria Mall and the KLCC park.
Ever wanted to ride a roller coaster in a shopping mall? Don’t miss the indoor theme park at Berjaya Times Square. Also, very close to Bukit Bintang you can vist the KL Menara tower (also known as the TV tower). There is a canopy walkway, mini-zoo and an aquarium located here. Bukit Bintang is also a great spot for luxurious 5 star hotels. There are several luxurious independent hotels here – so this is a good area for getting some lower prices for a 5 star hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Bukit Bintang is also well connected by the monorail line.
What are the best hotels near Bukit Bintang?
KLoe Hotel – This cool hotel is a unique fusion of vintage boutique and industrial interior designs. Expect to pay around £70 – £160 per night. Book a room at KLoe on Agoda. Alternatively find KLoe on booking.com.
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur – The Banyan Tree is one of the most luxurious and prestigious hotels in the Bukit Bintang area. We love the spacious suites with large windows for breathtaking city views and plenty of natural light. Rooms range from £220 – £1,500 per night. Reserve a suite at the Bayan Tree Kuala Lumpur on Agoda. You can also book the Banyan Tree on booking.com.
Capri by Fraser Bukit Bintang – This classy 4 star hotel offers affordable luxurious accommodation in Bukit Bintang. We love the rooftop pool and stylish suites at this hotel. Expect to pay around £90 – £150 per night. Reserve the Capri By Fraser on Agoda. You can also reserve Capri by Fraser on booking.com.
5 Subang Jaya, Sunway Lagoon (Great for families)
Subang Jaya is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for the awesome Sunway Lagoon. This area is located to the west of Kuala Lumpur. There are several attractions in this area of KL. Don’t miss the Sunway Lagoon leisure and entertainment park. They have a water park, theme park and a zoo. Also in Petaling Jaya you can visit ESCAPE KL. This is an adventure park with climbing, high ropes, ziplines and more.
The main disadvantage of Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya is the distance from the centre of KL. It can take an hour or more to travel from central KL to these suburbs. So if you are hoping to spend a lot of time enjoying the central areas of Kuala Lumpur, this may not be the best option for you. Also, there is less choice of hotels in Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya so you may find it harder to find a hotel that meets your needs.
What are the best hotels in Subang Jaya?
Sunway Lagoon Hotel – This is the main hotel connected to Sunway Lagoon. There is a good range of rooms and suites and this hotel has a pretty average classic hotel design. Expect to pay around £80 – £130 per night here. Reserve the Sunway Lagoon Hotel on Agoda. Also check out the Sunway Lagoon hotel on booking.com.
Sunway Pyramid Hotel – Close to Sunway lagoons you can find the Sunway Pyramid hotel. Similar to the Sunway Lagoon hotel in style and character. They do have a spacious family suite here. Expect to pay around £70 – £400 per night. Check out the Sunway Pyramid hotel on Agoda. You can also reserve the Sunway Pyramid hotel on booking.com.
Le Meridien Petaling Jaya – This impressive 5 star skyscraper is a good alternative to the Sunway hotels if you want an impressive and stylish stay in the area. Rooms typically range between £80 – £170 per night. Find Le Meridien on Agoda. Also reserve Le Meridien on booking.com.
6 KLIA Airport area
If you’re flying in or out of Kuala Lumpur you may just want to find a hotel near the airport. KLIA is a long way to the south of Kuala Lumpur. By road KLIA is over 50km south of KL Sentral. There is a KLIA transit line connecting the airport to KL Sentral. You can still get some good prices in the area – but the choice is more limited. Also we don’t recommend staying in the KLIA area if you are hoping to spend lots of time in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. This is probably a good option if you only have one night. This is also a great option if you have a flight out of KL early morning or during the night. There isn’t really anything to do in the area so the main motivation to stay here is the airport.
What are the best hotels near KLIA?
Sama Sama Hotel – this lovely little airport hotel delivers luxury, convenience, style and a splash of tropical green right next to the airport. Rooms range between £70 – £200 per night. This is pretty good for a 5 star hotel like this. Find Sama Sama hotel on Agoda. You can also reserve rooms at Sama Sama on booking.com.
Movenpick Hotel and convention centre – here is another stylish 5 star hotel offering comfort, convenience and surprisingly good prices. Expect to pay £50 – £160 per night here. Book Movenpick on Agoda. Alternatively, reserve rooms at Movenpick on booking.com.
Green Home Hotel Syariah – is a simple clean guesthouse located a short drive from the airport. Rooms cost around £20 – £50 per night. This is a great place to just get your head down if you need a few hours rest before a flight. Book Green Home on Agoda. Alternatively, reserve a room at Green Home on booking.com.
