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The Best Quirkiest non-dodgy hostels You Must Try

From the buzzing heights of Kuala Lumpur and the pearl orient island of Penang to Sabah’s cultural towns. Malaysia has an abundance of incredible adventures to offer travellers from around the world.

If you are young, travelling long-term solo, a small family on a budget, chances are hostels (and affordable hotels) are your best bet. They are cheap. But just because it’s cheap it doesn’t always have to be a dodgy experience. You just need to find the right one, and Malaysia is never short of really cool, quirky and cosy hostels to stay in. I’ve put up a selection of Malaysia’s finest hostels (and hotel) that are easy in the pockets and are definitely not dodgy! While they may not all have pools or the most luxurious facilities, they do have their own set of character and charm to offer you plenty when you’re away from the comforts of your home.

Reggae Mansion
Dorms from RM 43 | Private rooms from RM 103

Great news for party enthusiasts! This hostel only accepts guests under the age of 50 and emphasizes clearly that it is a backpacker and party music hostel. Reggae Mansion’s set up is in a stylish colonial building, close to Central Market and Chinatown. With frequent rooftop parties that has a handsome view of the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower, backpackers can end the night in a pod-style bed dorm offering optimal privacy and curtains.

Compare prices on HotelsCombined or check availability on Booking.com

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Mingle Hostel
Dorms from RM 43 | Private Rooms from RM 88

Mingle is highly rated for its cleanliness. This quirky contemporary hostel is a guest favourite because of their friendly staff and it’s strategic cultural scene — Chinatown. It’s set up is in a historical building dated back to the 1920’s. Imagine, it’s colonial aesthetic mixed with modern spaces equipped with present-day facilities.

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Tido Hostel Penang
Dorms from RM 25 | Private rooms from RM 81

Unlike most hostels, Tido is perfect for all kinds of traveller.  Which means families with kids, students, school groups, young corporate travellers, solo traveller, and backpackers can bunk down in this cosy urban updo. In the morning, if you are feeling up for roti canai, Roti Canai Transfer Road is at the opposite of the hostel; and if that’s not enough, take a 14-minute walk to Nasi Kandar Beratur and feast on some serious mount of rice and succulent lamb, beef or chicken on your plate.The editor will endeavor to create a new page and post building experience that makes writing rich posts effortless, and has “blocks” to make it easy what today might take shortcodes, custom HTML, or “mystery meat” embed discovery.

Compare prices and check availability on HotelsCombined

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Time Capsule Retreat
Capsule from RM 139 | Parallel from RM 298

Here’s one to consider! Ever been to Sungai Lembing? Well, if you ever decide to go, you might want to stay in this cosy, and quiet little retreat. Right smack in the middle of Sungai Lembing town in Kuantan, Pahang, Time Capsule Retreat offers an out of the world-post-apocalyptic getaway amongst rich green forests with a charming and calming atmosphere. What’s even cooler is that the capsules are made out of pre-cast concrete pipes.

True to its name, The Retreat only allows you to visit when you’ve booked a room. It’s privately owned, so if you’re thinking of escaping from the highs of the big and busy cities of Malaysia, this could be the right place for you.

Check availability here.

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Dock In
Dorms from RM 42 | Private rooms from RM 90

Calling nomads, female travellers, the power couple with kiddies and lovebirds looking to un-dodgy your stay in Sabah. Well, Dock In! If anything, this hostel has every budget traveller in mind.

Dock In is specially designed to pamper you with a groovy social lounge, a 24/7 reception, Indulgent mattresses that are so cushy you can snuggle in, and a pantry fully stocked for all you night foodie monsters, and hot showers to keep you squeaky clean. All because Dock In knows that by the end of your adventurous escapades, you’ll want a safe haven to be able to recharge in so you can carry on with your next adventure while you’re in Kota Kinabalu.

Compare prices on HotelsCombined or check availability on Booking.com 

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Suite 18 Boutique Hotel
Dorms from RM 36 | Private rooms from RM 102

Terengganu! It has one of the world’s most beautiful islands in the world. True story. But with beautiful islands comes humble hosts like Suite 18 Boutique Hotel. Its contemporary style decor offers a snazzy up do, an artificial grass courtyard where you can hang with other fellow travellers on bean bags, and rent a bike to check out the town for only RM 10 for two hours.

When you’re done at the end of the day, Suite 18 Boutique Hotel will get you up to speed with some fresh linens, cool air-conditioned dorms, and rooms, plus a 24-hour front desk if you need something in the middle of the night.

Good news for couples! The hotel is highly rated on Booking.com for a two-person trip. Which means, lovebirds, best friends, mother-daughter, father-son, married couples looking to escape from your kid(s), adult brothers and adult sisters who’re also trying to escape from your parent’s kids (did I miss anyone?), can consider Suite 18 Boutique Hotel if you are ever in Kuala Terengganu.

Compare prices on HotelsCombined or check availability on Booking.com

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