Asia
Unusual & Unique Places to Stay in Malaysia
Malaysia's unusual stays sit at the edges of the country: chalets on stilts over the sea along the coasts and islands, lodges in the rainforest of Borneo and the peninsula, and rooms made inside old shophouses in George Town and Melaka.
The catch is the weather and the getting there. The east coast of the peninsula takes the northeast monsoon from roughly November to March, and many island resorts on that side close for it. Rainforest lodges in Sabah and Sarawak are often a long road transfer or a boat ride from the nearest airport, and the forest brings heat, humidity, insects and leeches with it.
Cliffside & Capsule
What's the catch? The access is part of the adventure — steep, exposed, not step-free.
Time Capsule RetreatSungai Lembing, PahangCapsule rooms built from concrete pipes in an old tin-mining town.See the stay
The Culvert Hotel ResortSantubong, Kuching, SarawakRooms made from giant refurbished concrete culverts on a rainforest-edged beach.See the stay
Overwater
What's the catch? Reached by boat or a long transfer, and open to sun and tides.
Lexis Port DicksonPort DicksonSee the stay
Transport Conversions
Seaventures Dive RigMalaysiaConverted oil rig, dive resort off SipadanThe machine was never built for guests — a lift and steep industrial stairs to a cab that sways in the wind, and a rig is a dive resort before it is a hotel.See the stay
Historic Conversions
You Le YuenGeorge TownA former dilapidated shophouse in the city, restored as a boutique hotel.See the stay
The Frame GuesthouseChulia Street, George TownOriginally used as a frame maker's shop.See the stay
The EdisonLebuh Leith, George TownA former Victorian-era building has been restored as a boutique hotel.See the stay
Liu Men MelakaJalan TokongBuilt from former shop-houses, the hotel preserves its rich history.See the stay
A stay shows a checked date only once a person has confirmed it is open and taking bookings. Verification is never for sale.