Malaysia is quietly emerging as one of the safest and most appealing holiday destinations for British travellers, precisely because many other parts of the world now feel unsafe to visit. The Southeast Asian nation offers direct flights from London Heathrow — with British Airways resuming services in April 2025 — meaning there is no need to fly over the Middle East. It is also notably more developed than its rugged neighbours yet far less overrun with tourists than Bali or parts of Thailand. With temperatures rarely dropping below 30°C, a blend of city life, beaches and exotic wildlife, and an affordability that rivals South Africa, Malaysia presents a compelling package. The UK is a key market for the country’s “Visit Malaysia 2026” campaign, which aims to attract 500,000 Britons by 2026.
Kuala Lumpur: The Starting Point
A trip to Malaysia is best begun in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, a city that pulses with energy and chaos. After a 13-hour flight and a seven-hour time difference, travellers need a sanctuary — and the Golden Triangle business district is the place to find one. The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, owned by YTL Corporation Berhad and operated by YTL Hotels, opened on 1 December 1997 and underwent a major renovation led by New York designer Alexandra Champalimaud, relaunching in March 2016. The hotel offers 251 rooms, 110 suites and four penthouses, three of which have private swimming pools. It is located within the Starhill Gallery Mall and is billed as Malaysia’s first “all-butler hotel”, with dedicated butler service for every guest.
The property’s two-bedroom suite on the 20th floor — the writer stayed with her husband and two children — was described as luxurious and spacious, with double-aspect windows providing commanding views of downtown Kuala Lumpur. Her nine-year-old son was thrilled to spot Merdeka 118 from his bedroom; at 2,227 feet, it is the world’s second-tallest building, more than twice the height of London’s Shard. The hotel also features a Spa Village that includes Asia’s first Sensory Sound Bath Room, a 24-hour gym, an outdoor swimming pool, and a kids’ room with books, games and organised afternoon activities such as decorating eggs, origami and playing Congkak, a traditional Malaysian board game.
A Culinary Melting Pot
Malaysia’s food scene is one of its greatest draws, blending Malay, Chinese and Indian influences into a sizzling mix — and the Ritz-Carlton’s dining options showcase this diversity in spectacular fashion. The breakfast buffet alone is eye-popping: dim sum, noodle soup, baba ganoush, guava smoothies, nasi lemak and, of course, the usual cereals, pastries and fresh fruit. The writer’s seven-year-old daughter impressed staff by eating three roti canai with dhal in one sitting. Come evening, the hotel’s Michelin-selected restaurant Li Yen serves authentic Chinese classics, while at weekends the “Ritzy Weekend Feast” offers a buffet with bold, smoky Malaysian flavours. The writer’s husband loved the lamb biryani and chilli pomelo salad; she swooned over a slow-cooked beef rendang.
The elaborate dessert table, complete with a chocolate fountain, delighted the children, and a highlight was the pandan crème brûlée. The famous durian, known as the “king of fruits”, was not to the family’s taste — they passed on the durian donuts. The hotel also offers afternoon tea, a very British affair that provides a cool, calm break from the humid city. The scones and cakes are a welcome respite after “overdosing on rice and noodles,” and the tea selection ranges from English breakfast and Darjeeling to fragrant herbal blends and an “Irish Whiskey cream” variety. The staff handled the writer’s daughter’s peanut allergy with sterling care, allowing her to try most items, while a live band played a mix of modern pop and classic tunes.
Beyond the Capital: Orangutans, Beaches and Street Art
After checking out from the hotel, the family continued their two-week Malaysian adventure with three distinct stops. First was Bukit Merah Orang Utan, also known as Orangutan Island, located about an hour from Penang. This sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of Bornean orangutans and uses a unique tunnel system that puts humans inside the enclosure while the orangutans roam freely — an educational and research centre designed to raise awareness about the species.
Next came Langkawi, an archipelago famous for its stunning beaches. The writer’s family made sandcastles on the sand, but the island offers much more: Pantai Cenang is the most dynamic and bustling stretch, Pantai Tengah is more serene, Tanjung Rhu is often called the most beautiful, and Burau Bay provides another option. Langkawi is a duty-free zone, and activities include water sports, exploring mangroves in Kilim Geoforest Park, and visiting the Sky Bridge.
Finally, Penang delivered vibrant street art in George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The murals, many by artist Ernest Zacharevic — known for interactive pieces like “Children on a Bicycle” — celebrate local life, history and culture, with steel-rod sculptures dotted around the streets. The family also visited Bukit Merah, Langkawi and Penang as part of the same two-week trip.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur — where the writer was a guest of YTL Hotels — remains a refuge in a hectic city. Rooms start from around £141 a night for a Deluxe room. “I’m sure we’ll return to this vibrant country one day,” she wrote, “and when we do, I know where we will rest our weary heads when we’re back in Kuala Lumpur.”
