Where to stay in KL? — Top 8 best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for the first-timers

Perhaps, this is the most frequently asked question because anyone traveling to Kuala Lumpur for the first time is: “Where to stay in KL (best area to stay in KL) is best for me?” As a large city with countless locations with unique and strange names, Kuala Lumpur also has many options for accommodation. From small hotels for backpackers to upscale five-star hotels with stunning views of the city for luxury travelers. How to know that you should stay in any place when to visit Kuala Lumpur? Let’s discover with Living Nomads through our where to stay in Kuala Lumpur (KL where to stay) blog and review (best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for tourists)? — Top 8 best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for the first-timers below.

Where to stay in KL? — Top 8 best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur for the first-timers

Bukit Bintang

As the premier shopping and entertainment district in Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang gives you everything you want from shopping malls with theme parks too crowded nightclubs. The hotel is modest and comfortable for backpackers, but luxury types are also available. Due to it has a central location, it is also easy to get to Bukit Bintang from anywhere in Kuala Lumpur via public transportation.

Who is this place for?

• Visitors want to stay in the center of Kuala Lumpur
• Travelers enjoy a wide variety of choices when dining
• People who love shopping
• Those looking for a busy nightlife
• Travelers want to travel easily with the monorail

Advantages

• It is a perfect blend of luxury and comfort
• Easy walk to shopping centers

Disadvantages

Vehicles and streets are busy

KLCC

As the heart of Kuala Lumpur, KLCC is a place where you will find some of Malaysia’s most feature and iconic spots such as the Petronas Twin Tower and KL Menara Tower. In addition to countless dining, art, culture and regeneration venues, you can also go sightseeing, enjoy and explore the nightlife, enjoy shopping and entertainment options here. Not only that, it’s so easy and convenient to travel anywhere you want from KLCC, thanks to the LRT MRT station here.

Who is this place for?

• Those who want to stay in the center
• People who want to be close to tourist attractions and spots to visit
• But who loves shopping
• Visitors are more prone to nightlife and more fun

Advantages

• Top-floor bars and great restaurants are more wonderful
• Attractions such as Petronas Twin Towers, Aquaria KLCC, and KL Menara Towers
• Numerous luxury hotels in this area

Disadvantages

• Lack of cheap or affordable places
• Not suitable for those who save cost for traveling
• The area is more expensive than other places in the city

Chinatown KL

Chinatown (Petaling Street) is a popular haven for bargain hunters, where you can find a whole range of cheap products. It is immersed in the Asian culture with many carefully preserved Buddhist temples, and there are many traditional cafes in the native Chinese community. Hotels for backpackers as well as budget hotels can be found anywhere in the district.

Who is this place for?

• Those who are looking for cheap hotels or backpackers accommodation
• Those who want to stay in a historical area
• Travelers love to go shopping and bargain the price
• Those who want to be near the LRT

Advantages

• Take a 2-minute walk to the Pasar Seni LRT station
• Many eateries and cheap items

Disadvantages

• There are not many bars and pubs in the area
• The streets are not very clean
• Heavy traffic at peak hours

KL Sentral

The center of Kuala Lumpur’s hub of traffic. KL Sentral gives you impressive choices of luxury hotels, many international and local companies as well as food outlets from around the world. In addition, there are two retail trade centers. Brickfields and Little India are just a 10-minute walk away. Also in this area, you can find countless beautiful and exotic Buddhist temples, colorful shops that feature South Indian cuisine.

Who is this place for?

• Those who love to have a wide choice of hotels and their prices
• Travelers want to travel by public transport easily
• Transit travelers prefer to stay in the city rather than the airport’s hotel
• Those who want to do business in this area

Advantages

Easy to move to KL center and airport

Disadvantage

• Vehicles are heavy at peak hours
• Sentral KL Station and nearby commercial centers are crowded at lunchtime

Bangsar / Mid Valley

Bangsar is one of the most vibrant nightlife and dining venues in Kuala Lumpur. There are many local and international cafes, whiskey bars, pubs and small eateries along Jalan Telawi and Lorong Maarof. It is also a great place to shop, you also have two prominent commercial centers to choose from, Bangsar Shopping Center and Bangsar Village with its beautiful boutique shops. Mid Valley Mall is also located very near there, just one KTM station.

Who is this place for?

• Those who want to relax in a lighter nightlife
• Travelers are a bit better of money
• Those who love shopping
• People who like to stay away from the crowded city center

Advantages

• There are many choices from popular and premium brands
• Restaurants, as well as trendy cafes, are reasonably priced

Disadvantages

• Rarely, there are places to visit as well as local culture
• Vehicles can become extremely bustling
• There is no direct connection to the city center by train
• Quite far from central Kuala Lumpur

Chow Kit

Chow Kit is a district in the center of Kuala Lumpur, home to a many retail and wholesale outlets, and the Bundle Chow Kit, a daily market that is regularly visited by locals. Types of affordable accommodation are reasonable in the Chow Kit. Guests can enjoy a variety of local specialties here and can also visit the largest Sikh temple in Southeast Asia. This area is connected to most other places in KL through the Chow Kit monorail station, just 2 minutes walk from Jalan Haji Hussein.

Who is this place for?

• People looking for affordable accommodation
• Guests want to taste the authentic local cuisine

Advantages

• Cheap local food and specialties
• Numerous outlet shopping malls

Disadvantages

• Few places to go and famous places to visit
• The nightlife is nothing special
• The streets are not clean

Petaling Jaya

Located 14km from central Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya is home to countless shopping, dining, entertainment and nightlife attractions. There are also many indoor activities as well as family-friendly outdoor activities. While this place is connected to the LRT and KTM, this area is a large area with countless commercial centers.

Who is this place for?

• Travelers traveling with children
• People who like to enjoy specialties at an affordable price
• Travelers prefer quiet nightlife
• People who like to have a wide choice of hotels
• Travelers want an all-in-one destination.

Advantages

• There are many restaurants and cafes with reasonable prices
• Countless all-in-one shopping centers

Disadvantages

• Lack of tourist attractions
• No direct train to Kuala Lumpur center
• Away from the city center

Subang Jaya

Subang Jaya is another district in Kuala Lumpur, consisting of many international universities and companies, as well as independent retail stores and eateries. With a wide variety of hotels to choose from, visitors can enjoy exciting activities, including ice skating, water skiing, golf, and archery. There are also full-day restaurants. Not only that, you can walk to bars and cafés or go by public transport.

Who is this place for?

• Guests traveling with children
• Golf enthusiasts
• Travelers prefer to have many choices for eating

Advantages

Luxurious hotels are connected to a business center and theme park

Disadvantages

• Busy and crowded traffic hours
• There are not many local cultural sites to visit
• Very far from the city center

Finding a suitable accommodation can be a difficult task, so Living Nomads has summed up the list above. Along with the advantages are the disadvantages of the most famous districts in Kuala Lumpur, enough to you choose the most appropriate area. Hopefully, it will help you in making the first decision in Kuala Lumpur, which place to enjoy and stay and have a good holiday in the capital city of Malaysia.

You can find, check rates & availability for hotels in Kuala Lumpur on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to from Kuala Lumpur you can refer to

• Private Airport Transfers (KLIA/KLIA2) for Kuala Lumpur
• Shared Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Transfers for Kuala Lumpur
• Premium Private Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Transfers
• Private Transfer between Genting Highlands and Kuala Lumpur Airport (KLIA/KLIA2)
• Shared Bus Transfers between Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 and KL Sentral by AeroBus
• Kuala Lumpur Half Day City Tour
• KL Pass in Kuala Lumpur
• Kuala Lumpur City Full Day Tour
• Kuala Lumpur Suburbs and Batu Caves
• Kuala Lumpur Food Experience
• KL Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass (24/48 Hours)
• Genting Highlands Day Trip
• KL TravelPass (Metro Card) in Kuala Lumpur
• [SALE] 4G Prepaid SIM Card (MY Airports Pick Up) for Malaysia
• 4G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for Malaysia
• KLIA Ekspres Airport Train Tickets (QR Code Direct Entry)

Are you looking for more Kuala Lumpur travel guide and top things to do in Kuala Lumpur: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Kuala Lumpur blog (KL blog) — The fullest guide for a budget trip to Kuala Lumpur And Kuala Lumpur 1 day itinerary — How to spend 24 hours in Kuala Lumpur?