Malaysia, being a popular tourist destination, certainly has no shortage of hotels and resorts. While many have come and gone over the past 10 years, a few have been around for much, much longer. This doesn’t even include those heritage buildings that have been refurbished and repurposed to welcome guests with modern comforts and nostalgic settings.
The following hotels have been in operation for numerous decades, one of them close to 100 years, and have rich and storied (or should that be multistoreyed?) histories.
1. The Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
It is not often a hotel can boast of having witnessed World War II, the independence movement, and other moments in history.
Kuala Lumpur’s oldest hotel, the Majestic, opened in 1932. Strategically situated close to the KL Railway Station, the 51-room building – with facilities such as modern plumbing and imported silverware – catered to wealthy travellers and was a gathering place for the city’s elite.
It was also an alternative to the more affordable Station Hotel, itself a historical hotel that has since ended operations.
The Majestic was used as a transit camp for Japanese troops during occupation, and only returned to its former function once the war had ended. In the years leading up to Merdeka, Dato Onn Jaffar and Tunku Abdul Rahman would meet regularly at the rooftop club to discuss the future of Malaya.
The hotel, now a national landmark, closed in 1983 before housing the National Art Gallery for a decade or so. When the gallery moved to its present location, the building was left idle until it was redeveloped.
As of 2012, the Majestic Hotel remains in business.
2. Eastern & Oriental Hotel, George Town
In the late 19th century, Penang island was a busy commercial hub that saw visitors from all around the world. A pair of brothers from Armenia, Martin and Tigran Sarkies, realised the potential for a hotel there and, in 1884, founded the Eastern Hotel on a beachfront facing the Penang strait.
Business boomed so much that they ended up opening another hotel the following year, namely the Oriental Hotel. This led to the merger and establishment of the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in 1889.
At the time, it was the biggest hotel in Penang, with 80 rooms that played host to famous guests including Rudyard Kipling, Douglas Fairbank, Noel Coward, and Herman Hesse.
The success of the hotel would lead the Sarkies to go on and establish famous hotels elsewhere – the Raffles in Singapore being one of them.
The E&O temporarily closed in 1996 for major renovations and was reopened in 2001. It remains the only hotel within George Town to have prime sea frontage, giving it a substantial advantage over newer accommodations.
3. The Jesselton Hotel, Kota Kinabalu
The first hotel in Sabah’s capital, formerly known as Jesselton, was built in 1954 amidst reconstruction of the war-torn town.
With the encouragement of the colonial governor, one Herbert Ralph Hone, the Jesselton Hotel was constructed with funds invested by Hong Kong entrepreneurs, who ended up influencing the design of the building. This resulted in a hotel that drew inspiration from the architecture of 1940s Hong Kong.
Come 1971, the Jesselton’s management would fall into the hands of Wong Tze Fatt – incidentally the founder of the Gardenia bread brand – who added a lift to the hotel and an additional floor of rooms.
Many renowned personalities have walked the hotel’s halls, including the likes of British aristocrat Edwina Mountbatten and American boxer Muhammad Ali.
4. The Federal, Kuala Lumpur
While passing through Bukit Bintang it is unlikely you would pay much attention to the Federal Hotel, with its dated architecture. But in its heyday, visiting and staying there was an experience to boast about.
The Federal Hotel showed off Malaya’s first revolving restaurant, which granted guests an exquisite view of the city skyline. Imagine what KL looked like back then without its skyscrapers!
Founded by local entrepreneur Low Yat, whose name lives on thanks to a certain plaza in the city, the hotel accommodated foreign envoys in the lead-up to Merdeka Day in 1957.
Tunku Abdul Rahman himself officiated the opening of the Federal, which would later regularly play host to local football teams competing in the Merdeka Cup.
5. Concorde Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
When it opened in 1959, the then Merlin Hotel was considered to be among the most prestigious in the young nation – if not the most prestigious.
Its strategic location in Bukit Bintang certainly helped. With its comfortable rooms and state-of-the-art facilities, this was the go-to place for any traveller who could afford to stay there.
The Merlin was famous for its luxurious Chinese restaurant, its ornate dragon pillars being just a small part of the extravagant embellishments.
Now with the new name Concorde, the hotel remains very much alive, still treating guests to a good night’s rest in the beating heart of the city.