Discover the top 9 luxury resorts in Malaysia

Beyond Kuala Lumpur's bustling cityscape, travelers can uncover pristine beaches, lush hill stations, UNESCO World Heritage cities, and some of the most lavish resorts in Southeast Asia.

For those seeking a blend of modern Malaysian hospitality with a touch of colonial grandeur, these are some of the finest resorts in the country.

1. Pangkor Laut Resort

Located three miles off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Pangkor Laut Resort demonstrates that the 'one island, one resort' concept isn't just a Maldives trademark.

Guests of the resort enjoy 300 acres of ancient rainforest as their private retreat, with four acres dedicated to the tranquil spa village.

The 140 villas and suites include the 242-square-meter Pavarotti Suite, named in honor of the tenor who performed during the resort's grand opening and spa village launch.

Whether you're staying in a sea villa above the Straits of Malacca, a hill villa, or a beachfront villa, the stunning surroundings might just inspire you to sing an aria.

Chapman’s Bar on Emerald Bay is the historic site where, in 1945, a British colonel met his submarine to flee occupied Malaya during World War II.

Pangkor Laut Resort, Pangkor Laut Island, 32200 Lumut, Perak; +60 5 699 1100

2. Cameron Highlands Resort

Located about hours north of Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands offers a charmingly English experience, complete with afternoon tea.

This is no surprise, as the area was once a favorite retreat for British colonials, drawn to its mild climate at 1,500 meters above sea level.

The region’s landscape is defined by rolling hills, lush tea plantations, and temperatures that rarely rise above a pleasant 25°C to 26°C.

Cameron Highlands Resort features classic colonial design elements, from white-shuttered windows to four-poster beds in each of its 56 rooms and suites.

The plateau is also the site where famous silk merchant Jim Thompson was last seen, with the mystery of his disappearance continuing to be explored through one of the resort’s many ‘trails.’

At Cameron Highlands Resort, activities include preparing a picnic hamper for a romantic outing in the tea gardens, indulging in a tea bath, playing a round of golf at the nearby 18-hole course, and exploring strawberry fields.

Cameron Highlands Resort, 39000 Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang; +60 5 491 1100

BORNEO

3. Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa

For a romantic escape, the Treehouse Villa at Bunga Raya offers the perfect retreat.

Pulau Raya, located in the South China Sea off Kota Kinabalu, is part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Marine Park.

At Bunga Raya, guests can choose from 48 standalone villas and suites made of dark timber, each featuring open-air balconies with views of either the sea or the jungle.

The Treehouse Villa, complete with an outdoor Jacuzzi, offers the utmost privacy for couples seeking secluded bliss. The most luxurious option is the two-bedroom Royal Villa, nestled between the South China Sea and jungle, with its own private barbecue pit, two plunge pools, and a dedicated round-the-clock service team.

Activities include Borneo's iconic adventures – jungle trekking, wildlife watching, or diving alongside turtles, whale sharks, and stingrays.

Guests can also take a tour of the Marine Ecology Research Center at the nearby Gayana Eco Resort and even adopt a piece of coral, with periodic updates on its progress.

Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa, Polish Bay, Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; +60 88 380 390

4. Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort

Kota Kinabalu, with its international airport, serves as a popular entry point for travelers to East Malaysia, offering lush rainforests, expansive beaches, and incredible biodiversity – all of which can be experienced at Shangri-La Rasa Ria.

The resort offers 416 rooms and suites spread across two main wings, all overlooking a three-kilometer-long beach. At one end of the beach, guests can visit a 64-acre nature reserve, which also includes an orangutan conservation and rehabilitation center.

Adjacent to the resort is Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club, home to an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course and the luxurious Chi Spa.

Guests can explore Shangri-La's 400 acres of lush landscape on an all-terrain vehicle, or plan excursions to Mount Kinabalu – Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage site – or dive into the vibrant South China Sea.

Shangri-La, Pantai Dalit Beach, Tuaran, Sabah, 89208; +60 88 797 888

LANGKAWI

5. Casa del Mar

Casa del Mar is a charming boutique retreat located along Pantai Cenang, Langkawi’s most popular and developed beach.

True to its name, the resort is designed in a Mediterranean architectural style.

Deluxe and Junior Suites offer spacious balconies with hammocks, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the view.

For those who enjoy exploring, guests can take a leisurely walk along the beach lined with shops and restaurants, or opt for a more private experience with a castaway picnic on a secluded stretch of sand, complete with a tent and day bed.

Casa del Mar also offers weekly sunset cruises aboard its 27-foot boat, along with twice-weekly day cruises and sailing lessons on the resort's Hobie Cat.

Casa Del Mar, Jalan Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang, 07000 Langkawi; +60 4 955 2388

6. The Datai Langkawi

The only problem with The Datai's stunning new pool villas is that you might never want to leave.

While Langkawi offers tempting duty-free shopping and the incredible biodiversity of its UNESCO Geopark, guests at The Datai may find it hard to leave the resort at all.

Located on the northern shores of Langkawi, this luxury resort is tucked away in the rainforest, with rooms connected by a network of winding pathways.

Of the 124 rooms, suites, and villas, 14 new one- and two-bedroom beach villas were introduced earlier this year, with only a lush lawn standing between the residences and the beach.

Each room comes with a private balcony or veranda, perfect for spending hours mimicking David Attenborough while observing the dusky leaf monkeys, eagles, and hornbills in their natural habitat.

The resort's full range of facilities includes a beach club with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea, stretching all the way to Thailand’s Tarutao Island, and a serene spa tucked into the forest next to a gentle stream.

There are plenty of water sports to enjoy, and the resort offers twice-daily wildlife tours where expert guides point out the various wildlife residents that call the area home.

The Datai, Jalan Teluk Datai, 07000 Pulau Langkawi; +60 4 9500 500

7. Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

As a renowned brand, you likely have high expectations for service and amenities, and this resort delivers with all the usual five-star features.

Designed to evoke a traditional Malay village, though with a luxurious twist, the 91-room resort spans 48 acres of lush gardens along Langkawi’s northern coast. The rooms and facilities are interconnected by scenic pathways and stretch along a 1.5-kilometer beach.

Limestone cliffs enhance the dramatic scenery, playing a key role in the design of the spa and the expansive Royal Villa – a three-villa compound complete with its own dedicated spa treatment room.

Kilim Karst Geoforest Park safaris are guided by the resort’s in-house naturalist, with an added photographic mangrove safari that teaches camera techniques. Adventurers can climb a 12-meter limestone outcrop, and fans of Katniss or Robin Hood can hone their archery skills at the on-site range.

The Four Seasons is perfect for families, offering a kids' club and newly launched Family Beach Houses, but also provides a more serene retreat with an adults-only pool for those seeking quiet relaxation.

Four Seasons, Jalan Tanjung Rhu, 07000 Langkawi; +60 4 950 8888

PENANG

8. Eastern & Oriental Hotel

E&O is ideally located within walking distance of Georgetown's iconic heritage landmarks, such as Fort Cornwallis and the City Hall.

Although the Eastern & Oriental Hotel as it stands today opened in 2001, its history dates back to 1885 when the Sarkies brothers, also behind Raffles Singapore, merged the Eastern Hotel with the nearby Oriental Hotel.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Straits of Malacca, the E&O features the 100-room Heritage Wing and the Victory Annex, which opened in March 2013 with an additional 122 suites.

The rooms in the Victory Annex maintain the old-world charm of the hotel while incorporating a more modern touch in the interior design.

With white plantation shutters, clawfoot tubs, and twirling ceiling fans, the colonial atmosphere is beautifully preserved. A private butler service adds a personal touch (just be careful, the 'call butler' button might look like a light switch!).

E & O Hotel, 10 Lebuh Farquhar 10200 Penang; +60 4222 2000

9. Macalister Mansion

Even though Macalister Mansion is housed in a century-old building, its facilities are sleek, modern, and cutting-edge.

Named after the island's former British governor, Macalister Mansion offers just eight exclusive guest rooms within its 100-year-old walls.

This boutique property is a fusion of contemporary style and classic charm, with each room featuring bespoke artworks, including a love sonnet on the walls, fabric collages, and intricate wire sculptures.

While the design leans toward modern minimalism, some original features of the building remain, such as exposed truss beams in certain rooms and a wrought-iron spiral staircase leading up to the turret room.

If you're craving a break from the light pastel and white tones, indulge in the darker wood and leather of The Cellar and The Den, two of the five dining and drinking venues on site, where fine wine, single malt whiskies, and cigars await.

Macalister Mansion, 228 Macalister Road, 10400 George Town, Penang; +60 4 2283 888