Langkawi – Things To See & Do On Your Stay

Watch Our “A Day In Langkawi” Video Here:

For an island that is largely known for it’s unspoilt beaches and relaxation opportunities, there certainly is a lot to see in Langkawi. While there may not be much in the way of bustling cities, Langkawi offers one or two bustling little shopping towns as well as many places to enjoy natural beauty.

Here are the main things to check out:

Pantai Cenang Beach – While the picture perfect beaches that are home to some of the five star resorts in Langkawi may be the one’s you see in brochures, it’s the beach in Cenang that plays host to the majority. Here in Pantai Cenang there are numerous places to stay and to eat, it’s the most visited public beach in Langkawi. It’s along the Pantai Cenang region that the interesting aquarium (Underwater World) is based, and is well worth a trip to see some of the marine life to be found in the seas & oceans in South East Asia.

Watch our video on Underwater World below:

Near by to underwater world, the Zon Duty Free Shop houses a huge selection of tax free merchandise – you’ll not only find the usual handicrafts and keepsakes, but more sophisticated articles of clothing and more. It’s worth a visit.

Pantai Cenang is also where you’ll find the largest grouping of establishments offering spa treatments and massages. Typically, these vary in style and substance, and while they are certainly cheaper than most of the five star spa offerings, they are nowhere near as luxurious.

Of these, “Thai Spa” is one of the most popular, with basic treatments starting for as little as 40RM – the establishment offers a free pick up service from your hotel (ideal if you’re staying at one of the five star offerings where spa treatments can set you back 300RM and more).

Seven Wells Waterfalls – Hidden within a rainforest it’s a short but steep hike to get to the Seven Wells Waterfalls. Here you can bathe in the clear waters at the base of the falls – be wary as some of the monkeys here can be quite cheeky. Superb vistas and opportunity for photographs are available here.

Kuah – This is the capital of Langkawi and here you’ll find many duty free shops as well as the majority of the banks and money changers in Langkawi. There are also a sprinkling of hotels here, as well as a couple of monuments and places to visit.

The impressive Golden Eagle sits at the very edge of the Kuah Port and also in Kuah is the cultural theme park of Lagenda Langkawi – a well laid out garden that recreates the most famous legends of Langkawi.

Also located at the port is the Jid Al-Hana, a huge building with a golden dome and the Bird Paradise where you can see over a hundred species of local bird life.

If you’re staying at one of the more upscale resorts and are put off by the high prices of tours and day-trips, you can get something of a bargain by booking at one of the tour agencies in Kuah. Similarly, you can find comparatively cheap car hire companies in Kuah.

Langkawi Cable Car – The cable car really is a must-see, and possibly offers the best views to be found in Langkawi (and possibly even Malaysia). A cable car takes you to the mountain top and there are various vista points to click photographs. The mountain itself is called Gunung Mat Chinchang, and at the top you can enjoy some snacks and drinks at the snack shop. Many of the views are labelled so you know exactly what you’re looking out over.

Interestingly, the Langkawi cable car has the longest suspension in the world between two cable car stations, and the distance from the bottom to the top is over 2km. The steepness of angle can be as high as 42 degrees incline – and the highest point that tourists can get to is an impressive 705 metres. The total time taken to get from the base to the very top is around 20 minutes, and aside from the lush uninterrupted jungle (all you see down is thick jungle – no roads at all), and the Seven Wells Waterfall is also visible from here. Certain islands belonging to Thailand can also be seen from the viewing points – these are marked clearly for tourists from the vista points (of which there are two).

It’s commonly touted that the temperature at the very top of the cable car is notably cooler (by about 5 degrees) than at the bottom – so you may wish to take along a sweater if you get cold easily. At the top there is a small snack shack where you can enjoy some basic drinks and sweet/savoury snacks.

Once you finish the cable car experience you can explore the Oriental Village which is a neat mini-town consisting of several quaint souvenir stalls, restaurants and general shops.

Visit Langkawi’s Best Beaches – It’s unthinkable to visit Langkawi without dropping in to some of the islands most picture perfect beaches. Here are some of the best beaches you’ll want to stroll along while you visit the island:

Datai Beach – The islands most terrific beach is here, though Datai bay is occupied by the five star hotels The Andaman and Datai so you may need to visit the hotels beach club for a snack to get a glimpse of it.

Pantai Pasir Tengkorak – A really secluded beach that is ideal for swimmers.

Pantai Kok – Superb beach area, as good a public swimming place as anywhere on the island

Dayang Bunting Lake – Also known as the Lake Of The Pregnant Maiden, this is an ideal lake for swimming or enjoying some watersports. The water is extremely clear.

Galeria Perdana – This house contains a large collection of awards given to the ex prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamed).

Gunung Raya – Langkawi’s highest hill point, it takes a bit of a trek to get to the very top but the spectacular scenic views of the island when you get there makes it worthwhile.

Lagenda Park – This extensive garden area displays the various legends and folklore of Langkawi.

Kota Mahsuri – The tomb of the maiden (Mashuri) is the attraction here. She is one of the many legends of Langkawi and is remembered because she was sentenced to death here for committing adultery (a crime of which she was innocent).

Kota Mahsuri – The tomb of the maiden (Mashuri) is the a

Crocodile Adventureland – Situated within Teluk Datai, Crocodile Adventureland enables you to see live shows including crocodile stunts as well as feeding. Teluk Datai is also the region where the five star resorts of Andaman and Datai are situated, and it’s within this area that you’ll find the Temurun Waterfall.

Pantai Kok – Most famously known for the Langkawi cable car experience, Pantai Kok also houses the Telaga Harbour Park where you can sit alongside a waterside café amidst a sea of yatchs.

Langkawi – Legends & Interesting Facts

The island of Langkawi is pretty small, barely having an area of 470sq km, but within it are a large and interesting array of scenery, including tropical jungle, rainforest, time-untouched beaches and exotic Mangrove. It really is the type of place that must be seen to be believed.

The name “Langkawi” means “Strong Eagle” and legend has it that this is the final resting place of Garuda, the Eagle that was the Hindu God’s vehicle. Indeed, many of the towns and places in Langkawi are named based on the stories that were written about them many centuries ago.

Another interesting fact about Langkawi is that it represents more of a Malay influence than the cosmopolitan city of Kuala Lumpur – the island also borrows a lot of influence from Thailand (indeed, you can see certain parts of Thailand from points in Langkawi on a clear day).

The Many Legends Of Langkawi

Langkawi is simply immersed in legend. Some may have a hint of truth to them while others are wholly mystical. Here are some of the most popular:

Cave Of Legends – Gua Cerita is where the marriage to be held between the children of the Roman and Chinese empires was deemed to have been sabotaged. The scheme did not work.

Beras Terbakar (Burnt Rice) – Here, the rice granary was destroyed in the 1800’s at Padang Matsirat during a war. It is believed the order to destroy the rice field was given in order to make sure the enemy would be cut off from having a food supply.

Legend Of Mashuri – Langkawi’s most poular legend stretches back to the fourteenth century when Princess Mashuri was executed for allegedly committing adultery. She was in fact innocent , and legend has it that when she was executed by knife she bled a white liquid instead of blood which was a sign of her innocence. Princess Mashuri was believed to have cursed Langkawi, so that for seven generations the island incurred misery and misfortune.

Other legends are also rife – such as the spirit which guards Dayang Bunting with a lion and poison. According to stories, the guardian destroyed a group of war merchants who came to the island to wreak havoc – she unleashed a tropical storm on them which all but destroyed all the sailors.

The other legend is also an interesting one – the lake of the pregnant maiden is believed to have mystical powers that help women bare children.

If that doesn’t get you going then the legend of Gua Langsair will – it’s believed to be where thousands of vampires are secretly located. If that’s too scary then head to the Seven Wells Waterfalls instead, the place where fairies are believed to have bathed in times gone by.

In fact, most places in Langkawi have some element of mystery or legend attached to them.

Langkawi – Hotels & Accommodation

There are no shortage of both top end luxury resorts and budget-basic accommodation choices in Langkawi. Obviously, the setting and service varies tremendously at these extremes but if you really want a piece of Malaysian paradise, you can afford it – whatever your economic situation.

Some places are perfect for honeymoons, others fit a nice family holiday while many cater to the backpacking masses that flock here each here. We look at the various accommodation types for all these.

5 Star Langkawi Hotels

TOP PICK – The Andaman Resort

While there are several stunning resorts, The Andaman must be the ultimate choice for top end luxury accommodation within Langkawi. The hotel is set within a tropical rainforest and as such has the most exotic setting of the five star offerings. Interestingly, it’s also right on the beach which means that many of the rooms offer both rainforest and sea views – it just does not get better than this.

If that’s a good start, it gets even more impressive with the service and facilities on offer. Kids and families are very well catered for with a baby sitting service and kids club. The pool is first class and twirls around a rainforest setting.

There are 3 very good restaurants located within The Andaman, with the main restaurant offering a choice of various East/West themes – it’s located by the pool. There is also a Japanese restaurant but the one that is most popular is the Gulai House, which serves up outstanding Malay & Indian food. If you do stay here, make sure you try the Pakoda – a chef special recipe that rates as one of the best in the world.

Other than the restaurants, there is also a beach hut & poolside bar offering casual snacks and drinks.

The beach is one of the best in Langkawi, and is exclusive to residents of The Andaman and it’s sister hotel (The Five Star Datai) which is owned by the same company. The water is clear and warm throughout the year and kept immaculately clean by staff. Also noteworthy is the isolation of the beach – because it’s residents only there are times when you are just about the only person on it. The spa is also world class, and set atop the rainforest which affords some magnificent views over Datai Bay and the surrounding rainforest. Treatments are expensive but truly wonderful. The Andaman has it all.

Also worth a very strong mention is The Datai – the sister hotel to the Andaman, and also a five star offering. As you would expect The Datai offers much the same level of service and facilities as The Andaman, the only difference is the notably higher price tag to stay here. Given that both hotels are equally superb, it’s the only reason why The Andaman gets the nod ahead of it’s sister hotel.

One important note about both these hotels – they are rather isolated on the island of Langkawi which means that it may not be ideal for easy reach of the other areas of the island. Hiring a car can be expensive at the hotel, so make sure you make some arrangements to hire a car from one of the tour companies based in Kuah or Pantai Cenang (you can save upto 40% on rates).

Other Five Star Resorts

There are several other classic five star offerings in Langkawi.

Most notable is the Tanjung Rhu on the North Coast of the island – this one is very well noted for it’s fabulous beach, and has a choice of three restaurants.

The Four Seasons offers a typically plush residence for rich visitors, with splendid rooms that offer magnificent sea views over the Andaman sea.

If you want five star luxury in Langkawi’s most hip town, head to Bon Ton in Pantai Cenang – it’s a smaller resort and offers individual houses with Malay furnishings. Also along Pantai Cenang is the highly regarded Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, especially friendly to those travelling with children.

Langkawi Lagoon Resort is popular with tourists and businesses alike with several well decorated rooms as well as a business conference centre popular for retreats.

On Rebak Island is the Rebak Island Resort which ends off the list of spectacular offerings in Langkawi.

The Best Four Star Hotels In Langkawi

There are also many good four star offerings in Langkawi, giving you the choice of relative luxury without the sky high price tag.

The Bayview Hotel in Kuah is a good choice for those wanting to be near the city centre for whom an immediate beach is not a must. This hotel is popular with business guests.

On Rebak Island is the Rebak Marina Resort, or you can also opt for the Tanjung Sanctuary Hotel in Pantai Tengah.

Budget Accommodation In Langkawi

There are no shortage of three star downwards on the island, with many resorts, hotels, B&B’s and chalets concentrated along the Pantai Cenang region. Below is a listing of some of the main resorts that fit into this category, and their location. Research these thoroughly before you do pick a place because some budget places will offer much more for the same price than others.

Listing Of 3 Star, 2 Star & Other Hotels

Lagenda Permai Chalet – Pantai Cenang

Gecko Guesthouse – Pantai Cenang

Sandy Beach Resort – Pantai Cenang

Best Star Resort – Pantai Cenang

Beach Garden Resort – Pantai Cenang

Tanjung Malie – Pantai Tengah

Federal Villa Beach Resort Langkawi – Pantai Tengah

Tropical Resort – Pantai Tengah

Sunset Beach Resort – Pantai Tengah

Berjaya – Burau Bay

Mutiara Burau Bay Resort – Burau Bay

Grand Continental Hotel Langkawi – Kuah

One thing is for certain, no matter what your budget you can afford a piece of Langkawi paradise.

Langkawi – Getting Around The Island

Getting Around Langkawi – Hire A Car/Motorbike

Be warned, there is no real public transport in Langkawi to speak of, so you’ll need to figure out how best to explore the island for yourself. Luckily, the roads are well laid out, very well structured and easy to navigate so you can easily hire a car or motorcycle and get around without any real problems.

Many holiday makers to Langkawi choose to hire a car, and you can do this from the airport or one of the car hire firms in Kuah. Make sure that you barter because most car hire companies will lower their fees if you bargain. In fact, hiring a car for the day can be quite cheap (expect to pay about $25/£15 per day). If you do decide to go down this route remember to bring your drivers licence as the reputable operators will not hire you a vehicle unless you show proof that you hold a valid licence.

A reliable place to hire any sort of vehicle is the Tshoppe situated in Pantai Tengah – aside from vehicles, you can find out more about day tours and stock up on some souvenirs here.

You should also note that many of the more grand five star hotels will rent out cars, but at a far bigger premium than what you can get elsewhere. If you’re lucky enough to stay at one of these premium accommodations, make sure you look round before committing to a car.

If you can ride a motor-cycle, you can get around for even less, with a decent bike costing about $10 per day or less. You can hire very cheap motor cycles inside Pantai Cenang (which is where much of the budge hotels and accommodation within Langkawi is located). Also an option is to cycle around the town which is the cheapest mode of transport – again, it’s very cheap to do this.

Hire A Car With A Driver

If you do not want to do any of the driving yourself (and why should you, you’re on holiday after all!) then you can hire a car with driver for either a few hours or for the day. Be warned however, this is a far more expensive option than if you choose to drive around yourself and unless you have a considerable budget this may not be a long term option for your stay in Langkawi.

Prices generally are about 40RM per hour, and be warned that if you choose to hire a car plus driver from one of the more upmarket hotels in Langkawi, this amount rises to about 60RM per hour (a heavyweight $20 per hour or so). Most services will offer one free hour for every three you take out, and remember that there is usually scope to bargain to lower this amount.

Langkawi – Best Places To Eat & Drink

Depending on where you stay, and on what board basis, you may be interested in eating at one of the many good restaurants and eateries that the island has to offer. One thing is for sure, similar to Kuala Lumpur, there is some fabulous food and drink to be had just about everywhere, and often at very good prices.

Be warned, if you’re staying at one of the more exclusive and remote five star resorts such as the Datai or Andaman, it can be quite a trek to the nearest restaurants so bare this in mind if you insist upon sampling a wide range of the eateries available within Langkawi.

Many of the best restaurants are clustered within the Pantai Cenang region:

Rasa Restaurant – This is a good place to try out a good selection of both Malay and western cuisine, and there is also accommodation available here.

If you’re in the mood for Italian, then T.Jay’s is a fair bistro & pizzeria, and claims to be Langkawi’s most authentic Italian outfit. The pizza’s are certainly thin and crispy.

The exotic beach setting of the Red Tomato Garden Café is worth a visit for the experience of snacking on the beach alone.

Papadam is certainly one of the best Indian restaurants in Pantai Cenang. The food is simply exquisite and is our top pick for eateries in the area.

Putumayo is also a good choice for sea food lovers, and a lot of the locals and tourists all flock here for fresh seafood.

The interestingly titled Sandy Souvenir Shop is actually an eatery serving up everything from curry to kebab.

Coco Beach has a nice sea front setting and is a sea food themed restaurant, and Tang Lung is another choice for sea food lovers, and the restaurant offers a local pick up service for guests.

Other Places To Eat & Drink In Langkawi

Kuah is Langkawi’s biggest and most commercial town – the main street has a couple of good eateries such as Thailand Restaurant and Charlie’s Place. Sofea Café is also quite a good place to enjoy some light snacks including burgers and French fries if you’re looking for a meal that’s a little more designed for the Western palette.

In Langkawi Mall there’s the highly popular Annaseem which offers a wide selection of Moghul food. If you’re in the mood for Oriental grub, Restoran Wan Thai is also situated in Langkawi Mall

In Pantai Kok one of the best eateries is the impressive Telaga Arabic Restaurant & Café – you can try out a number of exotic Arabian dishes, as well as some of the more traditional western meals if you prefer. Also in Pantai Kok, the interesting USSR Restaurant serves up unique Russian dishes that are prepared by a real Russian chef.

Eating At The Five Star Resorts – It’s quite possible to dine in one of the many luxury resorts located throughout the island. You can usually book, but be warned that some of these are extremely expensive and you should expect to pay $70 per head for a basic meal with drinks.

Langkawi – An Introduction To Malaysia’s Top Destination

Langkawi is located in the state of Kedah, and it is this green and tropical island that countless travellers to Malaysia flock to year after year. If Kuala Lumpur is famous for it’s wonderful city atmosphere, shop-till-you-drop malls and a never-ending, vibrant nightlife…it’s all very different in Langkawi which is known more for its stunning beaches, tropical rain forest and five star, laid back relaxation.

First, sit back and watch our exclusive video on the splendours of this beautiful island:

Visitors to Langkawi often come to be pampered, to laze among the many world class beaches the island offers and to enjoy the rich Malay food and hospitality that are synonymous with practically all the Langkawi hotel resorts. If you come here for a holiday, chances are you wont want to leave.

Because Langkawi is an island that is separate from Kuala Lumpur, most holiday makers to Langkawi tend to fly in, mostly from Kuala Lumpur. Aside from spectacular beaches and jungle (some of which merges together quite spectacularly), Langkawi is also known for being a duty free island. This means that if you’re staying here, you’ll be able to pick up a quite wonderful bargain or two on the cheap – in fact, if you’re doing both Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, you’re well advised to do the bulk of your shopping in Langkawi as the same souvenir & craft products are available for upto 50% less.

There are a couple of towns that most tourists visit during their stay in Langkawi – Kuah (the island capital) and Pantai Cenang (a bustling town with tiny markets and stalled sprawling as far as the eye can see). Most facilities such as money changers and banks tend to be located in Kuah, though aside from the Golden Eagle there is not too much to interest the visitor to Malaysia here. Other than that, the remarkable beauty and nature is what draws the throngs of tourists to Langkawi year after year.

Top Ten Langkawi Experiences

- Stay at one of the glorious five star Malaysia hotel resorts such as the Andaman or the Datai and be treated like a celebrity.

- Catch some breath-taking scenery from the summit of the Langkawi Cable Car experience.

- Pamper yourself at one of the many five star spa experiences at one of the many stunning spa’s situated within the island.

- Study Malaysian life first hand as you stroll through the towns of Kuah and Pantai Cenang, watching the locals barter in the night markets and picking up a bargain or two for yourself.

- Stop off for a cocktail and a relaxing meal at Telaga Harbour Park.

- Enjoy an island hopping trip and experience the variety and culture of Malay life.

- Take a Mangrove Tour and immerse yourself inside ancient jungles and rivers – walk into the Cave Of Bats and Crocodile Cave.

- Watch the Crocodile Show and see these magnificent creatures feeding.

- Check out some of the wonderful sea creatures to be found in South East Asia by visiting the Aquarium at Pantai Cenang.

- Laze at one of the many stunning beaches to be found anywhere along Langkawi.

Whether you’re a sophisticated traveller or you just want to backpack your way into paradise, you’ll certainly find what you’re looking for in Langkawi. It is the ultimate South East Asia experience.

Kuala Lumpur – Top Day Trips

If you’re in Kuala Lumpur for a week or more, you can indulge in a day trip or two to see some of the nearby attractions situated in neighbouring territories.

Neighbouring Selangor is where most day-trippers from Kuala Lumpur head to – while Selangor is largely an industrial state, there are more than a few points of interest to tempt the traveller to Malaysia.

Here are the main places that we recommend a day trip from Kuala Lumpur to:

Batu Caves – If you’re in Kuala Lumpur for a few days, it’s a good idea to check out the impressive Batu Caves.

Orang Asli Museum – An excellent museum that features many displays on the history, culture and customs of the Malay people through time.

Genting Highlands – Set amidst a thick rainforest, this awesome construction has an inbuilt theme park, casino’s and night shows that Las Vegas would be proud of. It only comes alive at night though, so you may need to consider a night stop if you’re visiting from Kuala Lumpur.

Sunway Lagoon – An outstanding theme park, and a particular favourite with kids, Sunway lagoon has plenty of rides (many of them water based), a zoo, a mock pyramid and an in-built hotel. Excellent for a day trip from Kuala Lumpur, though you will need to make an early start.

Taman Alam Kuala Selangor Nature Park – This impressive nature reserve has lakes, mangroves and a lot of wildlife to view.

Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve – Situated in the state of Perak, the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve is another superb trip for nature lovers to make. You can take a Mangrove walk and see some fascinating wildlife including hundreds of bird species, otters and even lizards.

Many holiday makers to Kuala Lumpur go on to visit some of the splendid beach islands such as Langkawi – if you do intend to go on, you may find that there are island hopping trips available from these islands that will give you a nice flavour of traditional Malay life as well as exposure to some spectacular wildlife & nature experiences. With that in mind, you may wish to consider a day trip from Kuala Lumpur only if you’re not going on to visit one of these paradise islands.

Kuala Lumpur – Shopping & Markets

Kuala Lumpur is a market lovers dream come true – you can hardly walk for five minutes in any direction without coming onto some type of market or stall – whatever the time of day or night.

Watch Our Video On Shopping & Markets In KL Here:

Probably the most famous is Central Market, which has an excellent selection of local handicrafts, jewelry, memento’s, clothes and more. As it is a hotspot for tourists you’ll really need to bargain if you want a good deal. You should also note that if you intend to go on to some of the lovely islands in Malaysia (such as Langkawi), you can find the same items a lot cheaper – so if you do intend to shop make sure you plan it. Central market is located along jln Hang Kasturi).

Somewhat more rustic is the Kuala Lumpur Arts Market within Laman Seni KL is quite a good place to pick up home made crafts – you deal with the artists/craft makers directly which makes for a nice story when you tell people about the painting hanging on your wall.

In Kampung Baru is the delightful Night Market (called the Sunday market because it starts on Saturday but runs through into Sunday).

A huge selection of crafts and pewter can be purchased at Kompleks Budaya Kraf, which is also well worth a visit.

Ultimately, markets are an intrinsic part of Malaysian life – and if you’re there on anything but a stopover, they should make it on to your agenda of places to visit.

Shopping Malls

The other end of shopping within Malaysia includes grand shopping malls that would put anything in New York or London to shame.

Right in the heart of the golden Triangle is the immaculate Pavillion Mall – this mall covers a huge area containing hundreds of shops as well as some outstanding eating areas. The topmost floor contains some excellent and well priced restaurants – a particularly popular one is Spice Of India which offers some truly wonderful Indian cuisine.

Other really popular shopping malls include Berjaya Times Sq which claims to be South East Asia’s biggest shopping centre. It certainly is big and includes several restaurants and a cinema.

Near the Petronas Towes, Suria Mall also has a good selection of boutiques inside.

Mid Valley Megamall is another blockbuster with hundreds of shops, cinema, bowling alley and a plethora of mid range and quality restaurants.

If your credit card knows no bounds then check out Starhill Gallery which is where the elite of Kuala Lumpur shop for designer name clothing & products.

Kuala Lumpur – Hotels & Accommodation

Kuala Lumpur has a wide range of hotels, Bed & Breakfast & other accommodation types to fit the needs of every traveller. There are plus hotels that can cost a kings ransom as well as one-room basic B&Bs that will fit the budget conscious back-pack traveller.

First, you should decide on your budget and the location you want to stay at – it’s recommended that you stay as close to the city centre (Golden Triangle) as possible as this will maximise your chances of experiencing vintage Kuala Lumpur, day and night. There are no shortage of hotels in the Kuala Lumpur city centre/Golden Triangle region, and our personal favourite is the Novotel Hydro – it’s slap bang in the centre of town, with some offering views of the Petronas Towers. Aside from the excellent location, rooms and service are very good and all for a modest $60 per night (for a standard double).

There are, of course, droves of additional hotels & places to stay in Kuala Lumpur, and here are a few that you may wish to look at more closely:

If You’re Looking For A Kuala Lumpur Hotel Right In The Heart Of The Golden Triangle…

Marriott (Golden Triangle) – Extremely heavy on the wallet, the Marriott is South Eastern extravagance at it’s giddy best. As you’d expect, you’ll get some exceptional views of the Petronas Towers and the food here is quite exceptional.

Traders (Golden Triangle) – Again, offering splendid views of the Petronas Towers, Traders Hotel is about as good as it gets in Kuala Lumpur. This one is again not for the budget conscious.

Hotel Maya (Golden Triangle) – Another lavish place to stay, Maya offers stylish rooms and a very plush décor throughout.

If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper in the Golden Triangle, you may want to consider the following hotels:

Swiss Garden Hotel – Decent accommodation and very centrally placed.

Radius – An upper-middle class hotel, Radius offers everything a five star would without the hefty price tag. Worthy a look, especially if you’re in Kuala Lumpur just for a few days.

Or, if you’re really looking for bargain basement places to stay in the Golden Triangle then here’s where to start:

Pondok Lodge – A hostel that has earned a good reputation for itself with back-packers. You can snag a place for the night for ten dollars or less so if you’re on a seriously low budget then this may be a good option.

Trekker Lodge – Basic accommodation on the cheap, but the location cannot be faulted.

If You’re Looking For A Kuala Lumpur Hotel In Chinatown…

Chinatown is more reputed for low budget, cheap and cheery accommodations than for five star opulence. If you’re on a very tight budget, you can do far worse than to take a room in this area but be warned – Chinatown is a fair distance from the Golden Triangle, so you’ll have to do some travelling if you want to see some of the major sights such as the Petronas Towers or some of the “must see” things in the Triangle.

Ancasa – A good, “almost luxury” hotel with a very good reputation, this is one of your best options if you want a clean, reliable and friendly place to stay in the heart of Kuala Lumpur Chinatown.

Other decent options in Chinatown include Mandarin Pacific and the Swiss Inn, both noted for no-frills, clean accommodation that gets the job done.

Other Hotel Listings – 5 Star Hotels & Accommodation In Kuala Lumpur:

Crown Princess Hotel – Kuala Lumpur City

Istana Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Golden Triangle

Legend Hotel – Kuala Lumpur City

Ritz Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Golden Triangle

Nikko Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur City

Pan Pacific Hotel – Kuala Lumpur City

Shangri-la Hotel – Golden Triangle

Other Hotel Listings – 4 Star Hotels & Accommodation In Kuala Lumpur:

Melia – Golden Triangle

Coronade Hotel – Bukit Bintang

Dorsett Hotel – Golden Triangle

Corus – Kuala Lumpur City

Dynasty Hotel – Kuala Lumpur City

Micassa All Suite Hotel – Kuala Lumpur City

Boulevard Hotek – Mid Valley

Impiana – Kuala Lumpur City

Somerset Seri Bukit Ceylon – Golden Triangle

Other Hotel Listings – 3 Star Hotels & Accommodation In Kuala Lumpur:

Capitol – Butik Bintang

Alpha Genesis Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Golden Triangle

Hotel Grand Continental Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur City

Quality Hotel – Kuala Lumpur City

Cititel – Kuala Lumpur City

Concorde Inn – Kuala Lumpur International Airport

City Villa – Kuala Lumpur City

Pearl International – Kuala Lumpur City

Vistana Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur City

Hotel Grand Central Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur City

Noble Hotel Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur City

Brisdale Hotel – Kuala Lumpur City

Leo Palace Hotel – Kuala Lumpur City

Low Budget;

If you’re completely broke, then low-budget options in Chinatown are a dime a dozen. Here are a few of the places you may want to consider:

- Backpackers Travellers Inn
- Red Dragon (Hostel)
- Pudu (Hostel)
- YWCA

There are many more too, but the above are fairly comfortable and reputable.

Other Hotels & Places To Stay In Kuala Lumpur…

The other offerings in Kuala Lumpur tend to be based in and around places such as Little India. There are quite a few places to choose from if you do decide you want to stay outside of the heart of Kuala Lumpur – though if you’re a tourist looking for the essential Kuala Lumpur experience, you really should try and find a place inside the Golden Triangle.

Kuala Lumpur Hilton – You cannot have a major city without a Hilton operating somewhere within the city boundaries. Like it’s global siblings, Hilton Kuala Lumpur is a five star treat with lavish rooms and outstanding service. The location in Stesen Sentral is not bad either.

Sheraton – Similar to Hilton in class, style and price the Sheraton is located along lively Asian Heritage Row.

In Little India, the reputed Coliseum is the place of choice, but a couple of other operators are also around.

Kuala Lumpur – Eating, Drinking & Nightlife

Kuala Lumpur is a culinary experience that must be seen (or eaten) to be believed. There is a wonderful choice of foods to be enjoyed and no matter what your budget, you will eat and drink like a king during your stay.

Types Of Local Malaysian Foods To Enjoy On Your Holiday

The beauty of Malaysian food is in it’s variety – because of it’s evolution, Malaysia has the culinary influence of many traditionally exciting food cultures, including China and India. What results is a great offering of traditional Chinese and Indian cuisine along with some terrific fusions.

Here are some of the foods you’ll enjoy during your stay:

Bryani – A colourful rice dish with fruits such as pineapple being part of the dish.

Pakoda – Initially an Indian starter where onion & vegetables are rolled into a ball and fried till crispy and golden brown. It’s pretty heavy on the garlic but not especially spicy.

Char Siew – Fillet of roasted pork.

Char Kway Teow – Broad noodles in a soy and chilli base.

Poopiah – Soft savoury pastry.

Ikan Asam – Slightly sour fish.

Laksa – Noodles in a coconut gravy which often has a variety of other ingredients such as chicken eggs and prawns.

Nasi Campur – Selection of cured meats usually served with a side of rice.

Nasi Goreng – Fried rice.

Nasi Padang – A Malay dish of meat, rice & vegetables.

Rasam – Soup based dish which can be quite spicy.

Rendang – Coconut based curry that can have either chicken or meat.

Roti – Indian style bread often served with a curried sauce

Tom Yum Kung – Spicy fish soup.

Malay Sweets – Often made with green & white rice, Malay sweets have a very delicate sweet flavour to them.

That’s just some of the foods you can expect to be on a Malaysian restaurant menu. To find the others, you’ll have to experience a night at a traditional Malaysian restaurant yourself.

Restaurants Of Choice – The Places To Eat In Kuala Lumpur

There are no shortage of wonderful dining experiences in Kuala Lumpur – you can opt to dine in five star luxury within many of the opulent restaurant catering to the five star crowd – or choose to eat at a roadside stall in one of the many night markets that the city hosts. It’s up to you, and no matter your choice you shall eat well.

We’ll segregate the dining options by the type of cuisine:

For The Best Chinese Food In Kuala Lumpur…

Obviously, Chinatown is your port of call for the best choice in world class Chinese food.

West Lake Restoran has some well priced meals popular with both tourists and locals. It’s located within Chinatown.

Crystal Jade is a favourite for good quality Chinese fare within the Golden Triangle area of Kuala Lumpur.

Si Chuan Dou Hua – For a more upmarket Chinese restaurant in lush surroundings, this one is highly rated by businessmen in Kuala Lumpur city centre.

Chynna – Also rather upmarket, Chynna is located in the Bangsar Baru district.

For The Best Indian Food In Kuala Lumpur…

Vansh, located in the golden triangle region of Kuala Lumpur has what many believe to be the best Indian food in the city. Nearby, another good option is Restoran Nagansari which offers some world class curries.

In the Little India region of Kuala Lumpur there are a few good Indian restaurants including the glitzy That Indian Thing, Bilal Restoran and Sangeetha.

Elsewhere, in Brickfields you’ll find the highly regarded Gem Restaurant – reasonably priced and always very good.

If you’re doing some shopping, world class Indian food is served up at Spice Of India inside the Pavillion Mall. Try their Lamb Chettinad which has to rank as among the best in the country.

Above – The Spice Of India Restaurant In Pavillion Mall

For The Best Traditional Malaysian Food In Kuala Lumpur…

Little Penang Kafe, located in the Golden Triangle is a great place to try some traditional Malay dishes, as is Old China Café in Chinatown. Also within the Golden Triangle district, you’ll find speciality Malay eateries such as Bijan and Seri Angkasa.

More Superb Eateries Within Kuala Lumpur…

Asian

Mythai Jim Thompson is a superb place to find Thai food within the Golden Triangle area. You can find other Asian restaurants like Ginger (general Asian dishes), Wa-Raku (Japanese) and Sao Nam (Thai) in the Golden Triangle too.

You can find one or two nice Japanese places outside KLCC (Golden Triangle) too – Yu Re Tei for example is situated within Little India and is set amidst pleasant surroundings and décor.

Western

There are a good selection of Western places to eat – eateries that provide Tapas, Italian and more are all available provided you know where to look.

Prego, inside the Golden Triangle is one of the best places to find quality Italian fare. Also within the Golden Triangle boundries are Sentidos Tapas (Spanish fare) and the upscale Frangipani.

Moving away from the Triangle, Little India has the popular Coliseum Café which offers a myriad of European & American style dishes.

In Chinatown you can go for French and Italian cuisine through outlets such as Café Café and Dining Room (both offer a pleasant ambience to enjoy a casual dinner). Finally, the buzzing Carlos restaurant is a great place to get some tasty mexican fare set within a loud party atmosphere – try their mexican pizza and signature cocktails.

Bars & Clubs In Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a late night city – while many shops remain open to ten (clothes shops & malls), restaurants stay open often till 2am and beyond. This is a city that rarely sleeps, so you can imagine the plethora of bars to be found.

The City Centre, Golden Triangle, has an incredibly good selection of bars to enjoy – for example Ceylon Bar is particularly popular and Finnegan’s is the place to go if you want to catch a live sports game while having a few drinks.

Elsewhere, Bar Savanh is a popular place in Asian Heritage Row, and more bars can be found in Chinatown (such as Reggae Bar), as well as Flam’s bar in Bangsar Baru.

The above is just a selection – your hotel will be able to recommend a good bar close to your residence, wherever that may be. The clubbing scene within Kuala Lumpur is also thriving – many of the most popular ones are located along Asian Heritage Row, including Cynna, Maison and Loft.

Other Entertainment In Kuala Lumpur – Cinemas, Theatre & More

Theatre goers may find something that appeals to them at either Istana Budaya (drama shows & musicals) and similarly the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts centre also hosts plays and cultural events.

There are some cinema’s in a couple of the large malls that are located throughout the city, but specialist cinemas can be found at the Digi Imax Cinema in Berjaya Times Square, or at the Golden Screen Cinemas in Bangsar (the biggest cinema complex that Malaysia has to offer).

If you’re in the mood for some Malay type music then pop into Seri Melayu where you can see traditional Malay dances and cultural shows.

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