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!

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!

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 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!

In The Heart of 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.

• Persiaran Perbandaran Seksyen 14, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor
• Phone : +60 3 5511 8811
• Website 

Overlooks and Accessible to KLCC

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).

Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur

• 12, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
• Phone : +603-2182 1234
• Website

Perdana Kuala Lumpur City Centre

• 10, Jalan Binjai, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
• Phone : +60 3 7490 3333
• Website

Nearby to KLIA

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.

• Komples TH Sepang, Jalan Masjid KLIA, 64000 Sepang, Selangor
• Phone : +60 3 8661 8661
• Website

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

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.

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

• 120 Jalan Raja Abdullah Kampong Bharu, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
• Phone : +60 3 2603 1999
• Website

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.

• Bandar Bukit Tinggi 1/KS6, Jalan Langat 41200 Klang, Selangor
• Phone : +60 3 3325 6868
• Website

Muslim-friendly Hotel with Direct Access To 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.

• Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
• Phone : +60 3 7492 8000
• Website 

In conjunction with Islamic Tourism Month 2023, some (if not all) of these hotels have exclusive offers for Muslim Solo Travelers! Check out this website for the entire list of discounts happening till September, with stay validity up till the end of the year in Malaysia!

In Kuala Lumpur’s Business Destination, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)

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.

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

• 100, Jalan Putra, Chow Kit, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
• Phone : +603-4040 9888
• Website 

Seri Pacific Hotel

• Jalan Putra, Chow Kit, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
• Phone : +603-4042 5555
• Website 

In Cosmopolitan District of Subang Jaya 

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.

• Jalan SS 12/1, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
• Phone : +60 3 5031 6060
• Website 

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.

Right in the Heart of Kota Bharu

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!

• Jalan Mahmood, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
• Phone : +60 9 745 8888
• Website 

Located on Kuala Terengganu’s Pulau Duyong

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!

• Duyong Marina & Resort, Terengganu
• Phone: 09-627 7888
• Website 

Muslim-friendly Hotels in Penang (Mainland and 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

• Lebuh Tenggiri 2, Bandar Sebarang Jaya, 13700 Seberang Jaya, Pulau Pinang
• Phone : +60 4 382 1111
• Website  

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang

• 56, Jalan Low Yat, Puncak Ria, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang
• Phone: 04-892 8000
• Website

In Johor Bahru City Centre

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!

• No. 82C, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
• Phone : +60 7 266 8888
• Website 

Up in the Clouds in Genting Highlands

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.

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.

• No. 1 Jalan Ion Delemen, 69000 Genting Highlands, Malaysia
• Phone : +60 3 6433 2200
• Website 

In the Hornbill Land of Sarawak, East Malaysia

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.

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.

• 1A, Jalan Mathies, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak
• Phone : +60 8 222 2888
• Website 

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!

And while the country is celebrating Islamic Tourism Month now, do visit their website for a list of all the #MuslimFriendlyMalaysia hotel packages on offer! Some are happening up till the end of the year so make sure you don’t miss out on that!