2024 has been an adventurous year for me, and I explored many new destinations on my various road trips in Malaysia. Travelling solo, I planned to break my routine and choose some budget option hotels for a new experience. There is an increasing trend in boutique hotels in Malaysia, offering a unique stay experience within nominal budgets.
Some hotels I experienced offered amazing comfort and facilities enjoying a 9+ on my favourite booking platform Agoda.com.
The starting point of my trip is normally Kuala Lumpur, where I rent a car from KLIA2. Driving is the best way to explore Malaysia at your own pace. It gives you an amazing opportunity to veer off the main roads and explore new places and adventures.
In March 2024, I stayed in Malaysia for two weeks and drove from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru. During this trip, I stayed at several budget and luxury hotels to take advantage of online offers and discounted stays I earned with my loyalty points on my Agoda.com account.
Here are some benefits of staying with Agoda.com
1. "Price Match" with any other online booking platform
2. A wider pool of hotels to choose from
3. Authentic user reviews about property help you make the right choice about the hotel
4. The loyalty program helps you earn free nights, points and cashback rewards towards future bookings
5. Amazing customer service (I have faced no issues over the last 100 bookings online)
Other platforms I use occasionally include Booking.com, Trip.com and Expedia.com. Each platform offers a mix of different services and rates. For instance, the booking can include free breakfast, free parking or a late checkout facility.
1. Stay in Kuala Lumpur for 2 nights in a centrally located budget hotels in Chinatown KL/Central Market Area
This year I decided to stay in the Masjid India area to enjoy a different side of Kuala Lumpur. Choosing a hotel is important, as you are more likely to explore the neighbourhood in the vicinity of your accommodation.
The Travelodge Chinatown Kuala Lumpur is ideal for solo travellers seeking quality and safe accommodation at a very prime location in the old part of the town. The hotel is ideally located in the historical Central Market in Kuala Lumpur.
The online rates for a deluxe room as under USD 30 offering a clean and well-maintained room with all basic amenities. The ground offers plenty of sitting space which suits digital nomads and people planning to work or socialize in a relaxed setting.
The neighbourhood stays open till the early hours of the morning so there is no problem finding local cafes, Nasi Kandar restaurants and Seven-Eleven stores.
Avenue J Hotel in the Central Market Area
What did I enjoy at the Travelodge Chinatown Kuala Lumpur?
The accommodation at the hotel was very comfortable and the check-in was prompt and hassle-free. I found parking underneath the building for around RM 10 per night.
Staying in this establishment I enjoyed an early morning walk in Merdeka Square and Chinatown. This area is ideal for food lovers who are planning to enjoy the authentic flavours of Kuala Lumpur in Chinatown. Many old cafes have been serving the KL community for over 50 years.
On my return from Johor Bahru, I decided to book a new hotel in the same area as I loved the surrounding area and wanted to explore the Heritage Trail as well as Merdeka Square on foot. This time I selected Avenue J Hotel which is located behind the Central Market in Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka Square is located within 200 m of this establishment. The rooms were small but very well furnished. I liked the decor and services offered by the hotel including parking for RM 10.
The location is ideal for travellers trying to explore most historical places of interest in Kuala Lumpur on foot. A number of cheap restaurants and cafes within walking distance of the hotel make it easier to find food of your choice at very affordable prices. Nasir Kandar restaurants and noodle houses in Chinatown are worth a try for food lovers visiting KL.
Interesting Read: 20 Best things to do in Kuala Lumpur
2. Nights stay in Muar at a Budget Boutique Hotel
After checking out from Travelodge City Center Hotel I decided to drive up to Muar in Johor. The historical city claims to be the cleanest in mainland Malaysia and is known for its amazing food and architecture.
I booked Wood Boutique Hotel, a one-star budget hotel built in an industrial shed. The entire design of the hotel makes it a very unique place to stay as the rooms are designed as small huts inside a typical Malaysian budget.
There is plenty of free parking and very trendy cafes and coffee shops adjacent to the hotel. The hotel rooms were well-maintained and great value for money.
Places of interest in Muar including Tunjung Emas, Muar Riverfront, Heritage Lane and Bentayan Hawker Market are within driving distance of the hotel.
Muar has a very relaxed and laid-back feel and is a great place to visit if you are planning a trip to Melaka as the driving distance between the two cities is approximately 40 km.
3. Nights stay in a centrally located budget hotel in Johor Bahru
The next I planned to drive to Johor Bahru. The hotel I selected online was Z Hotel, which is ideally located within walking distance of night markets and the old part of the town.
The hotel is very well-managed offering easy access to Meldrum Walk and shopping malls in the neighbourhood.
The deluxe room was priced at RM 120 online. The room was spacious and well maintained offering a very comfortable stay. The amenities included a hot shower, air-conditioning, locker coffee etc for the guests.
There was parking on the top floors accessible by a life from the side of the hotel.
The best thing about staying at Z Hotel was the easy access to the night markets that are held every night in the old part of the town overlooking the hotel. The night markets are popular with bargain hunters looking for gifts, clothing items, kids' toys, perfumes or simply enjoying a karaoke night out at an outdoor restaurant.
Many popular eateries and breakfast places are located in the old part of the town, which gives you a unique opportunity to taste local delights.
4. A 4 Star Resort in Gohtong Jaya
On my return from Johor Bahru, I decided to spend two nights in Genting Highlands exploring the amazing Berjaya Hills. During this stay, I was looking for a luxury resort-styled accommodation with an outdoor pool and breakfast options as well. The hotels in Genting Highlands are quite expensive over the weekend. Gohtong Jaya is emerging as a popular new stopover for visitors to the region.
With several luxury hotels and resorts built in the area, there is a considerable improvement from a run-down old town to a flourishing tourist town with several dining options, a service station and a Starbucks Cafe.
The Scapes Hotel in Gohtong Jaya was a great find and I loved my stay in the hotel. The rooms were very nicely furnished and offered a comfortable stay. The best part was the continental breakfast option in the morning which set the tone for the entire day. The menu was extensive and included Western food items as well as local delights. The views of Berjaya Hills from the balcony of the restaurant were breathtaking.
5. Two nights in Ve Hotel and Residences in Bangsar South in Kuala Lumpur
On my returen from Berjaya Hills I decided to indulge in culinary adventures in Kuala Lumpur. The culturally rich suburb of Bangsar was on my list for some time. I decided to stay at a 4 Star Luxury residences in Bangsar South. The online offers got me a deluxe room with breakfast under AUD 70 on Agoda.com. This was an excellent deal as it included a lavish breakfast and free parking under the complex. The luxury accommodation is ideal for families as the rooms are very spacious and lavishly furnished.
The best things about Bangsar South is the number of new developments in the area with a good mix of modern cafes, bars, restaurants and coffee shops. KL is undergoing massive transformation and with a mix of digital nomads and foreingers seeking longer stays in the region, the services are designed to cater to high paying customers. "The Sphere" a modern complex with a number of modern and tradional eateries is located adjacent to the Ve Hotel and Residence making it very convenient to enjoy a good mix of local cuisine.
The Bangsar Village, one of my favourtie places in Kuala Lumpur is heart of activity on the weekend attracting local as well as expat community to enjoy fine dining and vibrant atmospher of this commerical area.
Hotel Deals in Malaysia by KLOOK
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