Muslim Friendly Malaysia

Muslim-friendly Hotels in Malaysia (+ Where To Stay According to Areas!)

Ladies-only, Halal food galore, all in Malaysia!
23 Min Read
Muslim-friendly Hotels in Malaysia (+ Where To Stay According to Areas!)

“Where to find Muslim-friendly Hotels in Malaysia?” A question you (aka we all) might have when you’re on your first or fifth solo trip in Malaysia.

From ladies-only pools to Halal-certified kitchens, Muslim hoteliers and the ease of access to faith-based amenities like prayer rugs and the Quran, distinguish Muslim-friendly Hotels in Malaysia, in comparison to the rest.

In this article, we will also list Muslim-friendly Recognized Hotels in Malaysia, according to the areas, for your ease of reference when traveling in #MuslimFriendlyMalaysia!

If you are in a hurry, here are some of the run down of the hotels to check out within and outside of Klang Valley, Malaysia.

But if you want to know what are their specialties, we recommend you reading the entired Muslim-friendly Recognized hotels so you know what type of hotel to look our for, when in Malaysia!

Muslim-friendly Hotels in Klang Valley

Mardhiyyah Hotel & Suites in Shah Alam
Book here
Grand Hyatt KL – Overlooks KLCC
Book Here
Perdana Hotel KL
Book Here
Movenpick Hotel KLIA
Book here
Tamu Hotel & Suites in Kampung Baru KL
Book here
Premiere Hotel, Klang
Book here
Sunway Resort Hotel
Book here
Sunway Putra Hotel (Near Putra World Trade Center)
Book here
Seri Pacific Hotel (Near Putra World Trade Center)
Book here
Dorsett Grand Subang Jaya
Book here

Muslim-friendly Hotels in Malaysia, Beyond Klang Valley

Penang, Kota Bharu, Kuching, or even Johor Bahru, these are the listed MFAR-certified hotels

Perdana Kota Bharu
Book here
Duyong Marina & Resort, Kuala Terengganu
Book here
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang (on the island)
Book here
The Light Hotel (Mainland Seberang Perai)
Book here
Amari Johor Bahru
Book here
Grand Ion Delemen, Genting Highlands
Book here
Pullman Hotel, Kuching
Book here

Fact Check: What’s the Difference Between Halal and Muslim-Friendly Hotels?

If you’re on Google, it’s common to see the terms Halal and Muslim-friendly being used interchangeably when it comes to hotels in the country.

This can be misleading because a hotel’s premise is not necessarily free from alcohol entirely, as it does have non-Muslim patrons to cater to. But it does have better handling and clear segregation of non-halal and halal sections. It offers Muslim-friendly amenities, aka why some of the hotels (as mentioned below) in Malaysia are certified “Muslim-friendly” instead of “Halal”.

Halal is a term best reserved for the kitchen, and only applies to the authority of the country’s Halal governing body, JAKIM.

Most of the hotels mentioned below, have separate kitchen and utensils used, between Halal and non-Halal. Hence why, they’re certified “Muslim-friendly”, or MFAR-recognized.

Muslim-friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR) – The Country’s Premier Logo to Look For!

Muslim friendly hotels in Malaysia

MFAR is the country’s program that recognizes Muslim-friendly tourism products based on globally accepted standards developed by Malaysia’s Islamic Tourism Centre. It is also one of the first kinds of Muslim-friendly recognition in the world initiated by the government for the hotel industry!

Depending on the nature of the businesses (currently, there’s about ten or more areas!), MFAR helps travelers like us distinguish which hotel to consider, depending on our needs, business or personal solo travel-wise!

When it comes to hotels in the country accredited with ITC’s MFAR, you can expect Muslim-friendly amenities like the provision of prayer rugs, prayer direction signages, and halal food and beverages! You can rest assured to travel confidently and comfortably when you stay at any MFAR-certified hotels in Malaysia!

Criteria that Define Muslim-Friendliness of a Hotel in Malaysia

Under the selected criteria determined by ITC, these hotels listed below have met all, if not some of the criteria that qualify them to be a “Muslim-friendly hotel.

In general, there are the seven criterias that ITC looks for when certifying a hotel under is MFAR program.

While there are seven criteria in total, here are just a couple of the criteria that determine the Muslim-friendliness of a hotel.

Guest rooms, Food & Beverages, Public Restrooms, Islamic Activities, Etc!

  • Having Islamic content through TV, providing Muslim amenities like the Quran or sajada, has Halal kitchen, prohibits pets and immoral activities, public prayer rooms, premises are clean and hygienic at all times, the bidet is provided, Muslim-friendly tourism packages be it through Ramadhan promotions or Tarawih prayers, knowledgeable staff to assist Muslim guests, offering safety, hospitality and security adhering to the tenets of Islam.

Hence, depending on the depth and breadth of these services, the hotels are certified Muslim-friendly by the Islamic Tourism Centre! Better yet, some of these hotels are already top-notch in their services, so you know there’s nothing to worry about!

Muslim friendly hotels in Malaysia

Muslim-friendly Hotels in Kuala Lumpur & Greater Klang Valley Area

It is without a doubt that most of the Muslim-friendly Hotels in Malaysia are located within Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley areas. As that is where most of the happenings are, leisure, personal, or business-wise. Depending on where you want to stay, here are some Muslim-friendly hotels in KL and Klang Valley that you can opt for!

Muslim-friendly Hotels in Klang Valley

Mardhiyyah Hotel & Suites in Shah Alam
Book here
Grand Hyatt KL – Overlooks KLCC
Book Here
Perdana Hotel KL
Book Here
Movenpick Hotel KLIA
Book here
Tamu Hotel & Suites in Kampung Baru KL
Book here
Premiere Hotel, Klang
Book here
Sunway Resort Hotel
Book here
Sunway Putra Hotel (Near Putra World Trade Center)
Book here
Seri Pacific Hotel (Near Putra World Trade Center)
Book here
Dorsett Grand Subang Jaya
Book here

In The Heart of Shah Alam – Mardhiyyah Hotel & Suites in Shah Alam

Top of the list regarding Muslim-friendly hotel in Malaysia is Mardhiyyah Hotel & Suites in Shah Alam.

With a bedroom view overlooking the famed Blue Mosque of Shah Alam “Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah,” this hotel is Syariah-compliant at the highest level.

You can expect to be greeted by hoteliers in Hijab, a fully Halal kitchen that extends beyond Malay cuisine – their Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine are yummy! There’s a ladies’ swim hour, and guess what – bikini is not allowed!

You can expect all the Muslim-friendly amenities to be provided here without even asking the receptionist, so when in Shah Alam, check out this hotel.

Overlooks and Accessible to KLCC – Grand Hyatt & Perdana KL

There are a lot of hotels that you can choose for a view of the iconic KLCC, or located nearby the famous Twin Towers.

But only a couple of them are Muslim-friendly certified hotels.

Grand Hyatt and Perdana Kuala Lumpur City Centre are two hotels that overlook the towers, and KLCC Park, and are within walking distance of the famous KLCC. You can expect the hotels to have very comfortable prayer rooms (surau in Malay) within their premises.

During Ramadhan, Perdana Kuala Lumpur City Centre hotels also feature a special in-house Tazkirah program (Ramadhan talks) with invited Ustadh while at the same time serving guests with Ramadhan buffet for Buka Puasa (Iftar), Sahur (suhoor) and Moreh (Malaysian supper tradition during Ramadhan).

Muslim friendly hotels in Malaysia
Photo by nalmaryam on Instagram

Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur

Perdana Kuala Lumpur City Centre

Nearby to KLIA

Halal hotels in Malaysia

If you want a stay near Kuala Lumpur International Airport, but still, not too near the airport, Movenpick Hotel & Convention Centre KLIA is your bet.

What’s great about this hotel is that the select rooms feature a view of Masjid Sultan Abdul Samad in Sepang, and there are separate gym, a pool and spa for the Muslimahs!

A fantastic choice for the Muslimah Solo Travelers looking for a short respite from the international airport.

Halal Hotels nearby KLIA

In The Heart of KL’s Only Village, Kampung Baru

Halal hotels in Kuala Lumpur
Photo by ivoherawaty on Instagram 

Tamu Hotel & Suites is the only Muslim-friendly Hotel in Malaysia that is located in proximity to Kampung Baru, where all the good food is.

If you have been to Kampung Baru, you’ll know how hard it is to find parking here or get a taxi to drop you there.

So, if you’re on a foodie trip to Kuala Lumpur, book a hotel nearby right at Tamu Hotel & Suites, so you can get 24/7 access to the street vendors in KL’s only village.

Muslim friendly hotels in Malaysia

This hotel provides surau (prayer room) and an Iftar buffet during the Ramadhan month

In Port Klang Area

What comes to mind when to Klang? GM Klang for the all-in-one shopping at the biggest wholesale mall in the country. Or unless you have a business to conduct in Port Klang, Premiere Hotel is your best choice of Muslim-friendly hotel in the area.

There’s superb Halal food and services, and surau (prayer room) is available too for your ease of worshipping.

Muslim-friendly Hotel with Direct Access To Theme Park

Muslim friendly hotels in Malaysia with theme park

Do you want to stay in a Muslim-friendly hotel that has a theme park integrated within, but is still accessible to Kuala Lumpur and a shopping mall? If yes, Sunway Resort Hotel is your answer.

The theme park and shopping mall are accessible all within a walking distance via an air-conditioned walkway so you don’t need to go beyond the area to have some fun or splurge when in Muslim friendly Malaysia.

And if you’re a foodie, this hotel will satisfy all your tastebuds. It has a separate Halal kitchen that serves all kinds of dishes from Mediterranean (Shakshouka lovers, anyone?) to Local delights and there’s even Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza served!

Of course, comfortable prayer rooms are available and sajada available on request.

In Kuala Lumpur’s Business Destination, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) – Sunway or Seri Pacific Hotel

For the Muslimah Solo Travelers on business trip to Kuala Lumpur, World Trade Centre is usually your spot for all the convention meetings, besides KLCC.

There are a couple of hotels nearby WTC KL that are certified Muslim-friendly Hotel, which are Seri Pacific Kuala Lumpur, and Sunway Putra Hotel.

Both hotels are just adjacent to one another, connected via a skybridge that provides convenient access to Sunway Putra Mall, and World Trade Centre KL.

Usually if one is booked during high peak convention seasons, you’ll surely find the other one would have some slots available.

Muslim friendly business hotels in Malaysia

Both hotels have their own in-house surau (musolla), offer iftar packages but Seri Pacific has an in-house Muslim-friendly Certified Spa, Teratak Spa for your convenience!

Sunway Putra Hotel

Seri Pacific Hotel

In Cosmopolitan District of Subang Jaya – Dorsett

Muslim friendly hotels in Malaysia

On the other side of Subang Jaya, just centrally located to access Kuala Lumpur and major cities in Klang Valley is Dorsett Grand Subang.

This is a Muslim-friendly hotel in Subang Jaya with rooms providing a stunning view of Subang Jaya.

The Muslim-friendly facilities on offer here include all-day dining at Terazza Brasserie with The Emperor Chinese Restaurant, offering handcrafted dim sum and a-la carte dishes.

Swimming pool for Muslimah in Malaysia

Muslim-friendly Hotels in Malaysia, Beyond Klang Valley

There are also Muslim-friendly hotels beyond Klang Valley. Whether you’re on a vacation on an island, or want to experience a slower-paced life in Kota Bahru or have a convention to attend in Johor Bahru or Penang, these are some Muslim-friendly hotels that you can trust.

Muslim-friendly Hotels in Malaysia, Beyond Klang Valley

Penang, Kota Bharu, Kuching, or even Johor Bahru, these are the listed MFAR-certified hotels

Perdana Kota Bharu
Book here
Duyong Marina & Resort, Kuala Terengganu
Book here
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang (on the island)
Book here
The Light Hotel (Mainland Seberang Perai)
Book here
Amari Johor Bahru
Book here
Grand Ion Delemen, Genting Highlands
Book here
Pullman Hotel, Kuching
Book here

Right in the Heart of Kota Bharu – Perdana Hotel

This Muslim-friendly hotel serves no alcohol, and for the Muslimah Solo Travelers wishing to dive in the pool with a burkini, you’ll easily find hotel guests doing the same thing too so there’s no sense of awkwardness there.

Perdana Kota Bharu is situated perfectly in the town, with easy short walking distance to shopping centers, kopitiam (local cafes), and of course, the famous Siti Khadijah market!

Located on Kuala Terengganu’s Pulau Duyong – Duyong Marina & Resort

If you want a Muslim-friendly certified hotel that has a resort vibe, all-inclusive exotic retreat that is still Muslim-friendly, Terengganu’s Duyong Marina & Resort has a quaint setting that checks all the boxes for that much-needed resort getaway in Malaysia.

Infinity pool, Halal regional delicacies, splendid view of the Marina and Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge and charming chalets that will rejuvenate you after a weekend in the luxurious resort.

For the ladies who want privacy, the Royal Suites feature private jacuzzi tubs so that’s something worth eyeing for!

Muslim-friendly Hotels in Penang (Double Tree by Hilton in Mainland and Light Hotel in Seberang Perai)

When in Penang, there are two Muslim-friendly Malaysia hotels that you can opt for, depending on where you stay.

On the Island, we have DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang on the island and The Light Hotel on Seberang Perai Mainland.

DoubleTree is located at Batu Ferringhi, with a nice view of the Miami beach that is easily accessible via the hotel’s overhead bridge. Meanwhile, if you’re not on the Island, but would want a stay on the Mainland instead, The Light Hotel is located nearby shopping mall and local restaurants.

Of course in Ramadhan, these hotels provide one of the best buffet packages from Iftar, Sahur (suhoor). Muslim amenities like surau are provided, so there’s no worries when staying here.

The Light Hotel Penang

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang

In Johor Bahru City Centre – Amari Hotel

Johor Bahru is an interesting place to be in Malaysia, as you’re in close proximity to the nation via its Southern gateway and the tiny island state of Singapore.

Whether you’re from Singapore or Malaysia, or passing by this route, Johor is not a state to simply brush through. You should stay there and take time to experience the beauty of what this state has to offer.

Where to begin your #MuslimfriendlyMalaysia adventure in Johor? By staying over in Amari Johor Bahru. This is a Muslim friendly hotel that is centrally located to all amenities, convenience and transport hub that can bring you anywhere you wish to in Johor Bahru, beyond Johor state or the country!

Halal buffet in hotels Malaysia
Photo by @putrialiyahezllie_  on Instagram

Up in the Clouds in Genting Highlands – Grand Ion Delemen

Located over 6,000 feet above sea level, Grand Ion Delemen is a great Muslim-friendly hotel getaway to the country’s premier theme park destination: Genting Highlands.

Muslim friendly hotels in Genting Highlands, Malaysia

You can see cloud rolls with the view from the top and experience chilly 14 degree Celcius weather. It is just 10 minutes away from Genting Skyworld Theme Park.

For Muslim solo travelers looking for a place to decompress after a whole day of adventure in Genting Highlands, Grand Ion Delemen is the Muslim-friendly certified hotel you should think of.

In the Hornbill Land of Sarawak, East Malaysia – Pullman Hotel

After all those list, you must be wondering, where are the Muslim-friendly hotels in Borneo?

Here it is – Pullman Kuching! An establishment that is known to serving one of the best Halal Dim Sum in Kuching, it’s in-house Chinese restaurant Nu Er Hong will satisfy all your cravings, and of course, help you relax comfortably as a Muslimah Solo Traveler when staying over.

Halal buffet in hotels in Malaysia

The Ramadhan buffet experience here is something to look forward to, and together with the surau (musolla) available within, you won’t have a problem enjoying Ramadhan buffet here.

Wrap Up: Muslim-friendly Hotels in Malaysia

There you have it! A gist of some of the Muslim-friendly hotels in Malaysia according to areas which travelers usually frequent. For the entire and latest directory updates on Muslim-friendly hotels in Malaysia, check out this directory page by the country’s Islamic Tourism Centre!

Still confused about what to book? Check out the options here on Hotels.com, Booking.com or KLOOK here. While looking for great deals, do check out our Current Monthly Deals page here.

What’s your favorite hotel in Malaysia?

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