As the nation celebrates another year of independence, Malaysia’s luxury hospitality scene enters a new era with a wave of international hotel brands and new resorts expanding into its current landscape beyond its established icons. This significance goes beyond the arrival of another collection of five-star hotels and resorts – these destinations reflect Malaysia’s growing presence as a luxury destination. From Kuala Lumpur to Borneo, these new and forthcoming hotels give travellers more reasons to experience the different beautiful parts of Malaysia, while signalling where the country’s hospitality industry is headed next.
These new international names arriving in Malaysia surpasses other five-star competitions. It is more than a place to stay with immersive nature- and destination-led dining to wellness, design and stronger connection to the local culture — this truly marks a new chapter for Malaysia hospitality industry.
Waldorf Astoria, Kuala Lumpur
Making its Malaysian debut later in 2026, Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur is set to bring an elevated residential-style luxury to the capital. Located in the Golden Triangle, the hotel is within easy reach of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang and the Twin Towers. What sets it apart from other hotels is that all 268 luxury suites acts as a spacious private residence, with floor-to-ceiling windows that further frame Kuala Lumpur’s skyline.
Waldorf Astoria’s experience expands further into dining and wellness, with high-profile culinary collaborations with acclaimed chefs such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Garima Arora, alongside the hotel’s signature Peacock Alley lounge. The Waldorf Astoria Spa further elevates the experience with vitality pools, herbal steam rooms and a cryotherapy cabin.
Address: 73, Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
For more information and bookings, click here.
Conrad, Kuala Lumpur
Another addition to Kuala Lumpur in late 2026 is by Conrad Hotels & Resorts, with 481 rooms and suites occupying a prime position within the Golden Triangle, close to Kuala Lumpur’s major shopping and dining destinations. The 50-storey property is designed to be more than just a hotel, offering floor-to-ceiling skyline views, with interiors drawing inspiration from Kuala Lumpur’s tin-mining history and featuring contemporary art by Malaysian artists.
Conrad Kuala Lumpur features six distinctive dining and bar concepts, such as China Blue by Jereme Leung, Gami Gami Teppan, Charter 47, Kiri Lounge and Hibiscus Pantry. The hotel also offers a range of wellness facilities, including an infinity pool, Conrad Spa and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Address: 25, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
For more information and bookings, click here.
Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur
Towering over The Exchange TRX mall and in the heart of the city’s financial and lifestyle district sits Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur, which was launched February 2026. Housing 466 guest rooms and suites across 26 storeys, the interior is led by Hassell, an award-winning design studio, and features monolithic surfaces, sinuous forms and abstract art depicting the Malaysian rainforests, contrasted with bold-hued tiles, leaf-shaped mirrors and gilded bathroom installations.
Guests are complemented with luxury bath amenities from Argentum and Penhaligon’s, alongside a minibar stocked with local treats such as Pandan Gula Melaka Granola and salted egg yolk potato crisps. The hotel also offers four dining experiences — Tuai + Till, Four Siblings, Rise & Grind and Sabato’s. Kimpton Naluria offers complimentary workout sessions by expert instructors at Pulse, the hotel’s rooftop fitness centre, ranging from Pilates and personal training to high-intensity interval training and early morning yoga sessions.
Address: Lingkaran Trx, Tun Razak Exchange, 55188 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
For more information and bookings, click here.
The Westin Hotel, Penang
The Westin Penang is opening its doors this year, offering another way to experience Penang beyond George Town’s heritage streets. Situated along the sea-facing Gurney Drive, the hotel features 217 rooms and suites equipped with the brand’s iconic Heavenly® Bed, alongside views overlooking the surrounding greenery and the Andaman Sea.
Wellness remains central to the Westin experience, with the WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio, Sky Gym and Heavenly Spa by Westin. Other amenities include an all-day dining restaurant, specialty restaurants, a lobby lounge and a pool bar.
Soori, Penang
Soori Penang takes on a quieter approach to luxury — trading the scale and spectacle of a conventional resort for architecture, privacy and a close relationship with its surroundings. Opened in January within George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 15-suite boutique hotel is housed within a collection of restored 19th-century shophouses. Designed by Singaporean architect Soo K. Chan, who spent part of his childhood in the very buildings that now house the hotel, the property offers a deeply personal connection to its setting.
The suites range from one to three bedrooms and feature generous living spaces, private terraces and plunge pools. While deliberately small in scale, the hotel also features a wide range of facilities, including a pool, fitness centre, spa and restaurant offering modern interpretations of local flavours.
Address: 48, Lebuh Acheh, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
For more information and bookings, click here.
JW Marriott, Johor Bahru
JW Marriott’s arrival in Johor Bahru in December marks another step into the city’s transformation. Housing 410 rooms, it is situated on Jalan Sungai Chat in central Johor Bahru and have been designed around the history of the city and its riverine past, with interiors drawing on the 19th century Kangchu settlements that shaped Johor’s early trading communities.
Four dining concepts will be introduced, including an all-day restaurant, Chinese restaurant, smokehouse, bakery and coffee kiosk as well as an executive lounge that offers a more private retreat. The wellness and leisure facilities are particularly extensive, spanning a resort-style outdoor pool, fitness centre, five treatment room spa with hydrothermal facilities, tennis court and three pickleball courts.
Address: Jalan Sungai Chat, Pusat Bandar Johor Bahru, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
For more information and bookings, click here.
Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast
Set within 128 acres of rainforest on Desaru Cost in Johor Bahru, Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast offers a secluded take on the Malaysian beach resort. Having rebranded in 2026, the resort offers 44 suites and one four bedroom pool villa spread across the rainforest, with every suite inclusive of its own plunge pool, outdoor courtier and shaded veranda overlooking either the forest or South China Sea.
The resort’s architecture was designed by the late Kerry Hill, drawing inspiration on the traditional Malaysian kampung with green roofs, rainforest framed walkways and open air spaces. While the resort does feature numerous facilities, the most notable ones would be the 56 metre infinity pool that overlooks the coast, a seven-room spa, pedi:mani by Bastien Gonzales, a 24-hour fitness centre and yoga studio. Guests are also encouraged to try water sports or join a nature-led experience including guided rainforest walks.
Outside of activities and wellness, there is also five dining concepts including Ambara for Malaysian coastal cuisine and Dusky Monkey for Straits inspired dishes and cocktails.
Address: Darul Ta’zim, Persiaran Damai, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
For more information and bookings, click here.
Hilton Burau Bay Langkawi Resort
Set along the shores of Burau Bay on Langkawi’s western coast, Hilton Burau Bay Langkawi Resort is positioned between tropical rainforest and the Andaman Sea, with a 650-metre private beachfront and views towards Gunung Mat Cincang. The resort houses 251 rooms and is designed around its natural setting, with rooms and suites featuring private terraces or balconies overlooking the rainforest, mountains or sea.
The resort takes an extensive approach to wellness and nature, with its eforea spa featuring an open-air design, outdoor sauna barrels, a dedicated salt room, five meditative rock pools and three swimming pools catered to different types of stays. Food is also a notable experience at Hilton Burau Bay Resort, with four dining concepts ranging from Asian and international dishes at Gingerfire to Yunnan-inspired cuisine at MINGZHU and Italian fare served beside the Andaman Sea at Trattoria Mare. Beyond the in-house facilities, the resort also organises guided rainforest walks and nature encounters.
Address: Jalan Telok Burau, Padang Matsirat, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
For more information and bookings, click here.
The Nautilus Resort, Langkawi
Set to open in 2027, The Nautilus Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton is set to bring a more design-conscious approach to Langkawi’s luxury hotel scene. The 278-room beachfront resort combines direct access to the sea, views towards the Straits of Malacca, and a location just nine kilometres from Langkawi International Airport, while remaining close to the island’s restaurants, bars and attractions — making this a convenient island escape.
What sets it apart is its design concept of a ship emerging from the sea, taking inspiration from Langkawi’s coastal environment. To complete the resort experience, there are three dining concepts, including an all-day restaurant, speciality restaurant and rooftop bar, alongside a swimming pool, fitness centre and kids’ club to cater to family stays as well.
InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort, Sabah
Another major luxury property is set to open in 2027 on the beachfront in Melingsung, Papar: InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort. It houses 450 rooms, suites and villas that are designed with the concept of “back-to-nature” in mind, with interiors drawing inspiration from Borneo’s culture.
The resort’s facilities include three outdoor pools, a spa, fitness centre, kids’ club and Club InterContinental Lounge, alongside four restaurants and bars. However, what makes the experience at InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu stand out are the activities available for guests to enjoy in Sabah itself, such as island-hopping and snorkelling, forest walks, mangrove kayaking and cruises to spot fireflies and proboscis monkeys.
Sustainability is also a major focus of the resort, with plans for natural ventilation, extensive shading and rainwater filtration, alongside targets covering energy, water, landscaping, materials and even waste.
Kimpton Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Rather than positioning itself purely as a resort, Kimpton Kota Kinabalu will mark the brand’s first appearance in Sabah in 2031. Located on a beachfront site at Tanjung Aru, the resort will house 350 rooms overlooking the South China Sea and Mount Kinabalu. True to Kimpton’s design-led identity, the hotel is set to take on a more intimate approach to luxury, with individually styled spaces, considered dining and a focus on crafting a stay that connects guests with its surroundings.
The resort itself offers a wide range of facilities, but what makes it appealing is its social lounge and event spaces, with programmes centred on local artists, musicians, food and culture — encouraging guests to take part in experiencing Sabah.
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