Where to stay · Kuala Lumpur · Malaysia
Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur
6 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Haakon S. Krohn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in KLCC. The Petronas Towers, Suria KLCC mall, a landscaped park and international hotels. Best alternatives — budget: Chinatown (Petaling Street); nightlife: Bukit Bintang.
Key facts
- First visit
- KLCC
- Families
- KLCC
- Budget
- Chinatown (Petaling Street)
- Nightlife
- Bukit Bintang
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | KLCC | The Petronas Towers, Suria KLCC mall, a landscaped park and international hotels |
| Families | KLCC | The Petronas Towers, Suria KLCC mall, a landscaped park and international hotels |
| Budget | Chinatown (Petaling Street) | Shophouses, temples, street stalls and hip cafés around Petaling Street |
| Luxury | KLCC | The Petronas Towers, Suria KLCC mall, a landscaped park and international hotels |
| Nightlife | Bukit Bintang | Malls, massage parlours, Jalan Alor's food street and Changkat's bars |
| Food lovers | Bukit Bintang | Malls, massage parlours, Jalan Alor's food street and Changkat's bars |
| Solo travellers | Chinatown (Petaling Street) | Shophouses, temples, street stalls and hip cafés around Petaling Street |
| Shopping | Bukit Bintang | Malls, massage parlours, Jalan Alor's food street and Changkat's bars |
| Quiet stays | Kampung Baru | Traditional Malay village of wooden houses below the city towers |
Kuala Lumpur neighbourhoods in detail
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families and luxury
KLCC
Kuala Lumpur City Centre is built around the Petronas Twin Towers, with the Suria KLCC mall at their base, KLCC Park behind and Aquaria KLCC in the convention centre. Many of the city's five-star hotels are here, with rooftop pools facing the towers, and an air-conditioned walkway leads to Bukit Bintang in about 15 minutes.
- Good
- Tower views from many hotels; Park and aquarium for children; LRT station and covered walkways
- Watch out
- Higher hotel prices; Corporate feel and few local eateries
- Nearby
- Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC Park, Aquaria KLCC, Menara KL
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, nightlife and food lovers
Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang is KL's shopping and entertainment district, with Pavilion, Lot 10 and other malls along Jalan Bukit Bintang. The Jalan Alor food street comes alive at night, and Changkat Bukit Bintang has bars in old shophouses. MRT and monorail stations put the rest of the city within easy reach.
- Good
- Huge choice of hotels at every price; Food and nightlife on the doorstep; Excellent rail links
- Watch out
- Crowded and noisy; Touts for massages and restaurants
- Nearby
- Jalan Alor, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Changkat Bukit Bintang, KLCC
$ · Best for budget, culture, solo travellers and food lovers
Chinatown (Petaling Street)
Chinatown mixes the covered Petaling Street market with Chinese and Hindu temples, Central Market's crafts and a growing number of cafés, bars and boutique hostels in restored shophouses. Merdeka Square and the Masjid Jamek are a short walk away, and Pasar Seni station links to the rest of the city.
- Good
- Walkable to historic sights; Inexpensive hostels and hotels; Excellent street food
- Watch out
- Some streets feel run-down; Market touts and copy goods
- Nearby
- Petaling Street, Central Market, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Merdeka Square
$$ · Best for budget, food lovers and first-timers
Brickfields and KL Sentral
Brickfields is KL's Little India, with sari shops, flower-garland stalls and banana leaf restaurants along Jalan Tun Sambanthan. Next door, KL Sentral is the hub for the KLIA Ekspres, KTM trains to Batu Caves and the LRT, MRT and monorail, making it a practical base for short stays and early flights.
- Good
- Direct train to the airport; Excellent Indian food; Good-value hotels
- Watch out
- Few sights in the area itself; Heavy traffic on main roads
- Nearby
- KL Sentral, Perdana Botanical Garden, National Museum
$ · Best for culture, food lovers and quiet stays
Kampung Baru
Founded in 1900 as a Malay agricultural settlement, Kampung Baru still has wooden stilt houses and gardens within sight of the Petronas Towers. It is known for Malay food stalls and night markets, and a few guesthouses and serviced apartments offer stays with a local feel.
- Good
- Authentic Malay atmosphere; Inexpensive local food; Walk to KLCC across the Saloma Link bridge
- Watch out
- Limited hotels; Little nightlife; no alcohol at most eateries
- Nearby
- Petronas Twin Towers, Chow Kit Market, Saloma Link bridge
$$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife and quiet stays
Bangsar
Bangsar is where many locals go out to eat and drink, with restaurants and bars around Jalan Telawi and the Bangsar Village malls. Its LRT station connects to KL Sentral in a few minutes, and serviced apartments make it popular for longer stays.
- Good
- Excellent dining and cafés; Calmer than the centre; Close to KL Sentral
- Watch out
- Few sights; Need transport to reach the old centre
- Nearby
- Jalan Telawi, Mid Valley Megamall, KL Sentral
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| KLCC | $$$$ | Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC Park, Aquaria KLCC, Menara KL |
| Bukit Bintang | $$$ | Jalan Alor, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Changkat Bukit Bintang, KLCC |
| Chinatown (Petaling Street) | $ | Petaling Street, Central Market, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Merdeka Square |
| Brickfields and KL Sentral | $$ | KL Sentral, Perdana Botanical Garden, National Museum |
| Kampung Baru | $ | Petronas Twin Towers, Chow Kit Market, Saloma Link bridge |
| Bangsar | $$$ | Jalan Telawi, Mid Valley Megamall, KL Sentral |
Getting to your hotel
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), with Terminals 1 and 2, is about 50 km south of the city at Sepang. The non-stop KLIA Ekspres reaches KL Sentral in about 30 minutes; buses and ride-hailing cars take about an hour. Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport at Subang, about 20 km west, handles some regional turboprop flights.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur for first-time visitors?
KLCC. Kuala Lumpur City Centre is built around the Petronas Twin Towers, with the Suria KLCC mall at their base, KLCC Park behind and Aquaria KLCC in the convention centre.
+Where should families stay in Kuala Lumpur?
KLCC: Tower views from many hotels.
+Which area of Kuala Lumpur is best for a budget stay?
Chinatown (Petaling Street) ($): Shophouses, temples, street stalls and hip cafés around Petaling Street.