Cover Photo: 1975 Avenue & Hotel

From Kota Kinabalu's first design hotel, The Luma, to the newly opened DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i‑City in Selangor, check into one of these luxurious properties for your next vacation

This article was originally published on August 11, 2022 and updated on September 7, 2022

The Luma Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

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Photo 1 of 4 Photo: The Luma Hotel
Photo 2 of 4 Photo: The Luma Hotel
Photo 3 of 4 Photo: The Luma Hotel
Photo 4 of 4 Photo: The Luma Hotel

The Luma Hotel, a member of Design Hotels, opened in January 2022 and is Kota Kinabalu’s first design hotel. Inspired by the lush beauty of its North Borneo locale, its elegant interiors are replete with design features that celebrate the beauty of the Bornean rainforest, from lush displays of hanging plants to a spiral staircase made from indigenous wood.

The Luma Hotel | Lot 2-5, Block A, Sutera Avenue, Jalan Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah | +608 8286 900

Related: First Look: New Boutique Hotel Else Takes Up Residence at Lee Rubber Building

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

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Photo 1 of 3 Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
Photo 2 of 3 Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu's ON22 Restaurant patio
Photo 3 of 3 The Sea View King Guestroom at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

The Hyatt Centric brand's first hotel in Southeast Asia, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is a stylish and modern boutique hotel slated that opened in the city's downtown area on October 26, 2022. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu boasts 222 rooms and suites each with a private balcony overlooking the South China Sea, the verdant Signal Hill and the islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Travellers can also soak up these wonderful views from the ON22 restaurant and ON23 rooftop bar as well as from the sea view suites, which boast floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony with outdoor furniture.

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu | 8 Jalan Haji Saman, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah | +60154 874 1234

See also: A Food Lover’s Guide to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

M Resort & Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

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Photo 1 of 4 M Spa at M Resort & Hotel
Photo 2 of 4 The lobby at M Resort & Hotel
Photo 3 of 4 Fairway Coffee House
Photo 4 of 4 The bedroom of the Executive Suite

This new hotel in Bukit Kiara overlooks the lush Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA) within the city's beautiful green belt of Damansara. The five-star urban resort opened its doors on August 31, 2022 with 385 guest rooms along with an all-day dining restaurant, a destination spa, a freeform swimming pool, and a 24-hour fitness centre equipped with Technogym equipment and a pillar-less ballroom that can comfortably accommodate up to 1,000 people. 

M Resort & Hotel | 1, Jalan KGPA, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur | +603 7932 6582

More: 3 New Hotels in Kuala Lumpur With a Strong Design Character

DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i‑City, Selangor

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Photo 1 of 3 Photo: DoubleTree by Hilton
Photo 2 of 3 Photo: DoubleTree by Hilton
Photo 3 of 3 Photo: DoubleTree by Hilton

Opened in July 2022, this 300-room hotel is a new addition to Shah Alam’s i-City, a highly-anticipated mixed development in Selangor’s Golden Triangle, not far from Shah Alam’s i-City Convention Center and the Blue Mosque & Garden of Islamic Arts.

The new hotel is also home to the award-winning Eforea spa, an outdoor pool with a swim-up bar, and digital key-enabled guest rooms with eco-friendly bath amenities in line with Hilton’s commitment to reduce single-use plastics.

DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City | Finance Avenue, Shah Alam, Selangor | +603 5521 8808 or +603 5650 0200 

More: Parkroyal Collection Kuala Lumpur is a Luxury Hotel With Green Ambitions

1975 Hotel, Johor Bahru

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Photo 1 of 4 Photo: 1975 Avenue & Hotel
Photo 2 of 4 Photo: 1975 Avenue & Hotel
Photo 3 of 4 Photo: 1975 Avenue & Hotel
Photo 4 of 4 Photo: 1975 Avenue & Hotel

Set to launch in Q4 of 2023, 1975 Avenue & Hotel is Johor Bahru's first aviation-themed lifestyle hub. Situated within an integrated township in Kempas, the 38-room 1975 Hotel will feature a stunning man-made beach playground with two redesigned Boeing 747s overlooking the surrounding resort-style garden. In line with its aviation theme, the hotel's all-suite cockpits and cabins bear a 1970s vintage interior with grandiose finishings to pamper guests with a nostalgic and whimsical stay.

1975 Hotel | Jalan Kempas Lama, Johor Bahru, Johor | +6012-999 1975 (Leasing opportunities and inquiries)

Related: 6 Of The Most Exclusive Real Estates In Johor

Sunway Resort, Sunway City, Selangor

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Photo 1 of 3 The living room area of the Sunway Grand Suite
Photo 2 of 3 Premier Suite Bedroom at Sunway Resort
Photo 3 of 3 The Club Room at Sunway Resort

In 2020, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur’s flagship property embarked on the most extensive renovation exercise in its 25-year history. August 2022 marks a new chapter for this luxury resort as it welcomes guests back to explore eight stunning new rooms and suites including the Deluxe and Club Rooms, the state-of-the-art Wellness Suites, Business Suites, Executive Suites, Premiere Suites and the ultra-luxe Sunway Grand Suite.

The refreshed resort also features the adults-only 20th Club Executive Lounge where guests can unwind to afternoon tea or cocktails against panoramic views.

Sunway Resort | Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, Selangor | +603 7492 8000

In case you missed it: What We Love About Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill KL at Sunway Resort

Le Méridien Petaling Jaya, Selangor

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Le Méridien Petaling Jaya
Above Le Méridien Petaling Jaya

In June 2022, New World Petaling Jaya Hotel was rebranded to Le Méridien Petaling Jaya. While the food market-inspired Pasar Baru all-day dining restaurant and the PJ Bar & Grill rooftop bar remain, its Lounge is now the luxury hotel chain's signature Latitude 03⁰ 06’. This is the fourth Le Meridien hotel in Malaysia. 

Le Méridien Petaling Jaya | 1, Jalan SS7/26a, Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Selangor | +603 7682 0000

Related: Le Méridien Opens Its First Resort In Maldives

Granite Luxury Hotel, George Town, Penang

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Photo 1 of 4 Photo: M Summit Group
Photo 2 of 4 Photo: M Summit Group
Photo 3 of 4 Photo: M Summit Group
Photo 4 of 4 Photo: M Summit Group

The M Summit 191 Executive Hotel Suites in George Town, Penang will soon be rebranded as Granite Luxury Hotel. Located opposite the iconic Komtar Tower in the heart of George Town, the hotel’s new extension will feature Superior, Luxury Rooms and Premium rooms.

In June 2022, the hotel was named Best Leisure Development and Best New Hotel Design and Architecture at the Asia Pacific Property Awards in London. It’s also been featured in the Malaysia Book of Records for having the highest acrylic bottom swimming pool and the tallest automated hotel car park.

Granite Luxury Hotel | 191, Jalan Magazine, George Town, Penang | +604 296 9191

Related: 7 Luxury Hotels in Penang to Check Out

Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur

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Above Photo: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts’ first hotel in Malaysia is set to open in 2024 in Bukit Bintang. The Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur will have 279 suites, a state-of-the-art wellness centre and F&B offerings such as Peacock Alley, the Waldorf Astoria’s iconic bar and lounge.  

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