Pros

  • Right on Pantai Cenang beach, near eateries and duty-free shopping
  • Spacious rooms have mini-fridges, kettles, and desks
  • Many rooms have balconies with sea views
  • Cozy, beachfront cabins and Tree Houses ideal for groups
  • Sunny ocean-view outdoor pool with waterslides
  • 24-hour front desk
  • On-site tour desk and water sports (fees apply)
  • Free Wi-Fi (only reliable in lobby)
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Cons

  • Basic rooms can be dated, and have noise or maintenance issues
  • Beachfront units suffer sand-filled floors
  • Rooms lack phones, hairdryers, and Wi-Fi (save a few)
  • No meals or snacks served on-site
  • Pool lacks loungers, and pool towels aren't provided
  • Many rooms require walking up stairs
  • No parking or cribs available
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Bottom Line

Beachfront settings are attractive at the Malibest Resort, which offers little more than its 61 rooms and outdoor pool. Low-frills decor and amenities are reflective of the two-pearl rating and budget rates, and complaints range from dated decor, noise issues, and maintenance issues. Further drawbacks include a lack of a restaurant, bar, and parking, plus Wi-Fi is unreliable. Still, rooms have kettles, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning, plus many offer sea views. Stand-alone cabins and tree house units are also directly on the sand. It's worth considering the Tropical Resort, which offers dining and parking on-site.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Malibest Resort

Scene

Budget, no-frills property along the beach

The low-frills Malibest doesn't live up to its resort moniker, but its location right on Pantai Cenang's beach and buzzing main drag is unbeatable. The tiny lobby sets the simple tone, outfitted in mismatched woods, blue plastic chairs, and wall-mounted Malaysian portraits. Dingy drapes and exposed wiring here enhance the budget feel, and with no restaurant or bar, there are no common areas except for the pool (which lacks loungers). Accommodation varies, and our 2017 visit saw construction underway for what will be a new wing. Dated or poorly maintained rooms in the main building have motel vibes from exterior walkway access, as well as maintenance and noise issues. The 2016-constructed beach cabins or Tree Houses are in better shape, and many offer room-to-beach access, although this translates to sand-filled floors. Although inexpensive rates reflect the property's caliber, the beach setting is fantastic.

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Location

Smack dab on Pantai Cenang beach

Its location right on Pantai Cenang's white-sand beach is why travelers choose Malibest Resort. Pristine shores and warm, tropical waters here are great for swimming, and loungers and umbrellas can be rented. Water sports are available from the front desk (fee) or independent operators on the beach. The adjacent drag is packed with street food, local or fast-food restaurants, bars, markets, and stores. Cenang Mall is six minutes away on foot, with the Zon Duty Free Shopping Centre and Underwater World are twice that. A 7-eleven is next door. The Langkawi Cable Car and town of Kuah are a 30-minute drive away. Langkawi International Airport is about a 20-minute drive.

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Rooms

Basic rooms often with noise or maintenance issues

Straightforward rooms come in a range of categories, from two- or four-person units in the main building, to stand-alone cabins or Tree Houses that sleep six and are directly along the beach. Largely neutral-toned decor is fairly spartan, consisting of minimal basic wood furniture, white linens, and tile or patterned-carpet flooring. Colorful accents are limited to old-fashioned floral-print curtains or busily patterned carpet. It's worth upgrading to the 2016-built Deluxe Cabins or Tree Houses, where log or wood-beam paneling is cozy, sea views are guaranteed, and direct access to the beach is sensational. Prepare for sand-filled floors in the these units though, while older rooms suffer minor maintenance issues, and those near the pool can be noisy.

Desks, tea- and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TVs with limited English-language channels, mini-fridges, AC, and ceiling fans come standard Worn or modern bathrooms have handheld, wet room, or rainfall showers. Some units offer tubs or outdoor spaces (furnished or unfurnished), and a select few (during our visit) have free Wi-Fi. Equally lacking are crib availability, TV remotes in some rooms, and hairdryers (reception cab loan them, though). Note, many rooms require a stair approach, which is particularly steep for Tree Houses.

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Features

Beach outside and a pool, but nothing else

Limited features let the beach take center stage here. It also helps keep rates low, and with guests generally heading to the sand, the limitations aren't too problematic. Endless nearby eateries make up for the lack of on-site dining, and the only real complaints are regarding the lack of parking (street parking is limited). The 24-hour reception can arrange water sport rentals for the beach, which is the undeniable highlight here.

The outdoor pool overlooks the ocean and backs directly onto it. It lacks loungers, umbrellas, towels, or a pool bar, but it's well-maintained. It also gets the sun, and small or large blue waterslides here are reached by fun tree house structures. Poolside potted plants and palm trees give the space some character. The hotel doesn't accept pets. Free Wi-Fi is only accessible in the lobby, save a few rooms.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Malibest Resort

Scene

Budget, no-frills property along the beach

The low-frills Malibest doesn't live up to its resort moniker, but its location right on Pantai Cenang's beach and buzzing main drag is unbeatable. The tiny lobby sets the simple tone, outfitted in mismatched woods, blue plastic chairs, and wall-mounted Malaysian portraits. Dingy drapes and exposed wiring here enhance the budget feel, and with no restaurant or bar, there are no common areas except for the pool (which lacks loungers). Accommodation varies, and our 2017 visit saw construction underway for what will be a new wing. Dated or poorly maintained rooms in the main building have motel vibes from exterior walkway access, as well as maintenance and noise issues. The 2016-constructed beach cabins or Tree Houses are in better shape, and many offer room-to-beach access, although this translates to sand-filled floors. Although inexpensive rates reflect the property's caliber, the beach setting is fantastic.

See More Scene

Location

Smack dab on Pantai Cenang beach

Its location right on Pantai Cenang's white-sand beach is why travelers choose Malibest Resort. Pristine shores and warm, tropical waters here are great for swimming, and loungers and umbrellas can be rented. Water sports are available from the front desk (fee) or independent operators on the beach. The adjacent drag is packed with street food, local or fast-food restaurants, bars, markets, and stores. Cenang Mall is six minutes away on foot, with the Zon Duty Free Shopping Centre and Underwater World are twice that. A 7-eleven is next door. The Langkawi Cable Car and town of Kuah are a 30-minute drive away. Langkawi International Airport is about a 20-minute drive.

See More Location

Rooms

Basic rooms often with noise or maintenance issues

Straightforward rooms come in a range of categories, from two- or four-person units in the main building, to stand-alone cabins or Tree Houses that sleep six and are directly along the beach. Largely neutral-toned decor is fairly spartan, consisting of minimal basic wood furniture, white linens, and tile or patterned-carpet flooring. Colorful accents are limited to old-fashioned floral-print curtains or busily patterned carpet. It's worth upgrading to the 2016-built Deluxe Cabins or Tree Houses, where log or wood-beam paneling is cozy, sea views are guaranteed, and direct access to the beach is sensational. Prepare for sand-filled floors in the these units though, while older rooms suffer minor maintenance issues, and those near the pool can be noisy.

Desks, tea- and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TVs with limited English-language channels, mini-fridges, AC, and ceiling fans come standard Worn or modern bathrooms have handheld, wet room, or rainfall showers. Some units offer tubs or outdoor spaces (furnished or unfurnished), and a select few (during our visit) have free Wi-Fi. Equally lacking are crib availability, TV remotes in some rooms, and hairdryers (reception cab loan them, though). Note, many rooms require a stair approach, which is particularly steep for Tree Houses.

See More Rooms

Features

Beach outside and a pool, but nothing else

Limited features let the beach take center stage here. It also helps keep rates low, and with guests generally heading to the sand, the limitations aren't too problematic. Endless nearby eateries make up for the lack of on-site dining, and the only real complaints are regarding the lack of parking (street parking is limited). The 24-hour reception can arrange water sport rentals for the beach, which is the undeniable highlight here.

The outdoor pool overlooks the ocean and backs directly onto it. It lacks loungers, umbrellas, towels, or a pool bar, but it's well-maintained. It also gets the sun, and small or large blue waterslides here are reached by fun tree house structures. Poolside potted plants and palm trees give the space some character. The hotel doesn't accept pets. Free Wi-Fi is only accessible in the lobby, save a few rooms.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.