After months of being cooped up at home – no partying, no dining-in, no holidaying – just the thought of booking a dreary place to stay while you travel interstate may make you say out loud: “why even bother?”
But keep your spirits up, for these unique Airbnbs scattered across Malaysia are here to save the day and up your staycation game.
1. NAMI by the sea
First on the list is ‘NAMI by the sea’, two self-contained cabins joined by a wooden staircase, complete with separate entrances. The staircase leads right up to rooftop spaces, where guests can enjoy either breathtaking sunrises or mesmerising stargazing.
Half an acre of outdoor space is also all yours to occupy during your vacation whether for outdoor activities like sports, kiting, or backyard barbecues.
For RM450 per night, up to four adults can relax and unwind with the turtles for a weekend, but still be a five-minute drive away from the nearest town.
2. Stranded cabin by the river
Bring your hiking shoes, because this ‘Stranded cabin by the river’ requires a 15-minute trek before you reach it. One of the few secluded rivers in Sarawak is right outside your door should you stay here.
Tucked away in the middle of the jungle, this cabin can accommodate up to six adults.
For RM187 per night, you can immerse yourself in a pseudo off-the-grid life and get your yogi mode on to the sound of flowing waters.
Fun fact: unlimited fresh mountain mineral water is always available, just be sure to boil it first!
3. Ancient Loft House
Up to six adult guests are able to revel in the ultimate Japanese experience at the ‘Ancient Loft House’ for RM420 a night.
Strategically situated in Bukit Bintang, this one-of-a-kind Airbnb is usually fully booked, and for good reason – it is the perfect place for one to rest after a full day of shopping and dining.
Furnished with tatami flooring, Japanese-style lighting, an indoor garden, and Sakura trees, the apartment aims to recreate the feeling of a traditional Japanese home. As if that isn’t enough, kimonos and a tea-making set are also provided.
4. Big Guesthouse
If you stand on the suspension bridge that goes across the Kiulu river, you can spot the ‘Big Guesthouse’, a huge cabin overlooking the hills of Tamparuli, Sabah.
This authentic rural Sabah abode can accommodate up to 12 adult guests, at RM400 a night. It is perfect for those who want to get up close and personal with nature.
A Sabah-style barbecue pit is available for guests, with an extra charge for charcoal.
Be sure to inform the owners before going on night walks in the area – barking deer, slow loris, civet cats, and even tarsiers await the unsuspecting visitor.
5. Old Soul Studio
On the top floor of a three-storey bookshop-turned-shophouse is a loft filled with vintage furniture.
The ‘Old Soul Studio’ can be found within the Unesco Heritage Zone of Melaka, just walking distance of Jonker Street.
Both minimalist and eclectic, the apartment was designed to look as if guests were living in a 1930s time-warp. This home away from home is perfect for self-professed old souls, and costs RM200 a night for up to four adult guests.