Hotels in Ipoh: prices, timing and areas
Ipoh is a nostalgic former tin-mining town in the Malaysian state of Perak, known for its colonial old town, famous white coffee and food that costs less than in Kuala Lumpur. Many people stay just one or two nights, on the way to the coast or the limestone caves, so a room is mostly a handy stopover. This list has 1 264 properties, from a capsule or hostel in the old town to boutique hotels and four-star places. Below is what really drives the price of a stay in Ipoh: the month, the day of the week and the type of property.
When to book a stay in Ipoh for less
The weather and the festival calendar drive the price. It is dearest in December, in the dry season and the holiday period, when rates can climb up to three times above the low season, and November is pricey too. March and June are the cheapest, when prices fall by about half. The day of the week matters as well: Monday usually works out cheapest, while Tuesday tends to be the dearest. Ipoh is booked fairly late, about three weeks ahead is usually enough, but for Chinese New Year in January or February book earlier, as prices and occupancy jump then.
What a stay costs by property type
Ipoh is cheap by Malaysian standards, so even a comfortable hotel costs little here. The cheapest sleep is in capsules and hostels in the old town, and a four-star or boutique property is still reasonable. Below are indicative nightly rates outside the December peak.
| Property type | Indicative price per night (from) |
| Capsule or hostel bed | from approx. MYR 65 |
| Economy hotel or two-star room | from approx. MYR 130 |
| Three-star hotel with breakfast | from approx. MYR 200 |
| Four-star or boutique hotel | from approx. MYR 350 |
Indicative rates for a double room, outside the December peak. Between quiet March and the dry season the gap can be wide, so check the real price for your dates in the search above.
Where a stay is cheaper and where it costs more
Ipoh splits into the heritage Old Town and the lively New Town, and you will see both centres on foot or a short ride. The most atmospheric area, closest to the cafés, murals and colonial shophouses, is the Old Town, with the most boutique hotels and white-coffee cafés. The New Town is more practical and a little cheaper, close to malls and restaurants. It is quieter and cheaper on the edges, around Tambun, near the theme park and hot springs, though a car is handier there.
Which stay suits whom in Ipoh
- First time in Ipoh. The Old Town or New Town centre is the easiest base. From here you can walk to the cafés, murals and best food stalls, and reach the caves and Tambun easily by Grab.
- For families. Hotels with family rooms and a pool, some by the Lost World of Tambun theme park with hot springs. A good base for a day of attractions and an evening back in town.
- For couples. Boutique hotels in the colonial shophouses of the Old Town, close to atmospheric cafés and restaurants. From here it is a short walk to dinner and a stroll through the lit old town.
- With breakfast. Many hotels include breakfast, though in Ipoh it is worth going out for the local food, from white coffee to dim sum. Handy before a full day of sightseeing.
- Near the airport. Properties with access to Sultan Azlan Shah Airport and along the main road. Good for a short stopover or an early flight, with some offering a transfer.
Sample hotels in Ipoh with prices
From a capsule in the old town to a four-star hotel, here are a few Ipoh addresses with a from price. This is only a starting point, as in December and during Chinese New Year rates can rise sharply.
| Property | Category | Price per night (from) |
| Miner's House Ipoh | Budget rooms | from approx. MYR 130 |
| Cititel Express Ipoh | Economy hotel | from approx. MYR 165 |
| Travelodge Ipoh | Three-star hotel | from approx. MYR 195 |
| M Roof Hotel & Residences | Mid-range hotel | from approx. MYR 220 |
| Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites | Riverside hotel | from approx. MYR 260 |
| AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh | Upper-tier hotel | from approx. MYR 310 |
| WEIL Hotel | Hotel with a rooftop pool | from approx. MYR 390 |
From prices, for a double room. In Ipoh the rate for the same property in March and in December can differ a lot, so check your specific dates in the search.
When Ipoh is more expensive
It is dearest in the dry season, from November to March, when the weather suits sightseeing and tourists and families flock in. The peak falls in December and around Chinese New Year in January or February, when the streets light up with parades, lion dances and decorations and hotels get pricier. August brings the Ipoh Food Festival, a celebration of the city's famous cuisine. It is cheapest and quietest outside the dry season, especially in March and June, when there are fewer tourists and rates drop.