Perhentian Islands Accommodation Guide: Top 12 Best Resort In Perhentian Island [2024]

So you’re doing it! You’re going to the beautiful Perhentian Islands. Great choice! But now it’s time to find the best resort in Perhentian Island for you and your budget.

On arrival, you’ll find yourself utterly captivated by the enchanting allure of the Perhentian Islands. Imagine stepping onto the pristine, white sandy beaches, the sun gently warming your skin as the azure waters of the South China Sea lap at your feet. The islands offer an idyllic retreat, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life, where you can immerse yourself in nature’s beauty and tranquillity.

Whether you’re an avid snorkeller or prefer to lounge on the beach with a good book, the Perhentian Islands cater to every taste. Beneath the crystal-clear waters, a vibrant world of coral reefs and colourful marine life awaits exploration. On land, the lush tropical rainforests beckon with their exotic flora and fauna. In the evenings, the breathtaking sunsets paint the sky in hues of pink and orange, promising a memorable end to each day. The Perhentian Islands truly are a slice of paradise waiting to be discovered by you.

However, to enjoy the Perhentian Islands, you need somewhere to stay.

In this guide, I’ll help you decide where to stay in Perhentian Islands. I’ll first give you a rundown of the different islands and the pros and cons of each area so you can work out which is best for you. Then I’ll compare each of the Perhentian Islands accommodation options including their prices before giving you a Pulau Perhentian hotel review of each one.

So don’t worry! By the end of this article, you’ll be able to book the best place to stay in Perhentian Islands!

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Where to Stay Perhentian Islands

The Perhentian Islands consist of two main islands:

• Pulau Perhentian Besar
• Pulau Perhentian Kecil

Besar means big in Malay and kecil means small and this is what you are getting – a bigger island and a smaller island. They are close together and you can take boat taxis between the islands so you can see them both. Pulau means island.

However, you are likely to spend most of your time on the island where you choose to stay so it’s important to pick the right one for you.

Perhentian Besar has a bigger range of resorts. They are more spread out, and it’s quieter. This can be the better resorts in Perhentian Island for families. I think this is where you’ll find the better value Perhentian Island hotels as well. For example, all the best hotels in Perhentian Besar listed below are much cheaper on average than the ones on Perhentian Kecil.

Perhentian Kecil is more developed and is known as a backpacker island. There is more opportunity to party. The Perhentian Kecil accommodation is not necessarily cheaper, but there are a lot more budget options. However, the Perhentian resorts here do tend to be lower quality than on Besar. I also saw more trash here.

Alcohol is more readily available on this island and there are places that open late – compared to just about everything shutting on Besar by 11 pm.

Backpackers do tend to make up most tourists on Kecil, but actually the best resort in Pulau Perhentian is here so if you want the absolute best place to stay in Pulau Perhentian, you may want to pick this island.

I prefer to stay on Perhentian Besar because the Perhentian Besar hotels offer better value. If you want to party though, I definitely recommend Perhentian Kecil as it’s not recommended to be getting boats between the islands once it is dark.

But either island is beautiful so you really can’t make a mistake!

Note: Keep scrolling to see a map of the islands and where the best resorts in Perhentian Island are located.

Where To Stay In Perhentian Besar

The main areas for Perhentian Besar accommodation are the western coastal parts of the island near Perhentian Kecil and the southern big bay area along Teluk Dalam.

Perhentian Island Resort Beach

This is my favourite beach of those on Perhentians. It’s a beautiful spot and is home to only one resort, the Perhentian Island Resort, a top Perhentian Besar resort option, but you can walk here quickly from the West Beach area.

Boat traffic is restricted here so you can snorkel which is highly recommended since this bay is home to turtles. There is a good snorkelling area around the jetty too.

West Beach

This beach is just around the corner from the beach above and may be the worst of these beaches with the beach having been mostly washed away.

There are some beach parts where you can swim but, if you stay in this area, you’re better off walking to the Perhentian Island Resort Beach. Still, there are some restaurants and good Pulau Perhentian Besar hotel options here.

Tuna Bay

Tuna Bay is also sometimes called Main or Government beach and is home to some mid-range Pulau Perhentian resort options. It’s a pleasant beach in a very scenic spot especially for swimmers with a reef offshore and some pontoons to play on. There is a fair bit of boat traffic though.

The beach has some palm trees and deck chairs making it a nice place to hang out.

Teluk Dalam

Teluk Dalam is on the south of the island and the place to go for a cheaper Perhentian Besar hotel. It’s a long beach with fine sand. There is a busier patch with many Perhentian Island Besar accommodation options, and then there is the eastern side of the beach which is undeveloped.

You can walk here with a jungle trail stretching to the Perhentian Island Resort beach.

The downside is that there is also a rubbish problem here and it’s not as pretty as some of the other beaches on the island, but it does have a nice, relaxed vibe in this area. The beach is also not ideal for swimming with much dead coral and boats. It’s my least preferred Perhentian Besar option.

Where To Stay In Perhentian Kecil

There are two main areas to stay in Perhentian Kecil and then a scattering of Perhentian Islands Kecil accommodation around the rest of the island.

Long Beach

The most popular area is Long Beach. This has a mixture of Perhentian Island Kecil hotels from cheap shacks through to the best hotel in Perhentian Island at Bubu Villas and a new option with Mimpi.

The beach is beautiful with white sand and clear, calm water. It’s a great place to swim. The only problem is that there is a trash problem which is easily visible behind the main stretch of hotels. There are also quite a few boats in the water. It is a shame they don’t partition off a big area for swimmers.

However, this is the place to be to party, and there are many Long Beach Perhentian hotel options as well as options like camping right by the beach. It can be loud at night, so consider this if you aren’t a party person yourself.

Coral Bay

Coral Bay is on the opposite side of the island to Long Beach, but this is only a ten minute walk from Long Beach on am easy trail.

It isn’t the most attractive area on the islands as it is relatively built up with resorts, bungalows and restaurants as well as a long pier. However, there is still a nice beach and, if you walk over the rocks at the north end of the beach, you can find some patches of sand you may be able to have to yourself.

There is some nice snorkelling here off the beach, but the amount of boat traffic can make that tricky. Head to either end of the beach to be safer. There is also a lot of coral on the beach so watch where you are stepping.

Where Coral Bay really wins is with gorgeous sunsets. Even if you don’t stay in a Pulau Perhentian Kecil resort here, try to watch one!

Petani Beach

Petani Beach is at the southern end of the island which helps it feel more removed from the rest of the islands since you aren’t facing them and there is less boat traffic. This makes it more peaceful.

Yet, you are only a short sea taxi ride away from the action or there is a good hiking path to the main village or on to Coral Bay (read all about it here).

The beach itself is one of the prettier beaches on the islands, and there are a few accommodation options as well as some restaurants. I would like to stay here next time.

Map Of Best Resort In Perhentian Islands

Perhentian Islands Accommodation

People have been coming to the Perhentian Islands for years for paradise and there is a wide range of Perhentian Island resorts available. However, don’t expect the flash resorts that you can find in places like Langkawi. In fact, I don’t consider there to be any true Perhentian Islands luxury hotels – just hotels that are relatively luxurious compared to what is an offer on the islands.

On the upside, this is part of the appeal of this part of the world. Everything is low level and there is a lack of mass construction. You definitely feel like you are away from it all in the Perhentians.

On weekends, holiday periods and public holidays, the Perhentian Islands can be very busy so make sure you book in advance! There is a handy booking link so you don’t miss out in each of the Pulau Perhentian accommodation reviews below.

Peak season is July and August when you can expect Perhentian resort prices to be at their highest. The surrounding months, April, May, June and September are also high with March and October generally being cheaper. It’s best not to visit in November to February when much of the Perhentian Islands shuts down during the monsoon.

Do not expect resorts in Pulau Perhentian to have prices like they have on the mainland of Malaysia. The value on Perhentian is just not the same and all the Pulau Perhentian resorts seems overpriced in comparison, and there are few bargains anymore.

In these reviews and best places to stay in Perhentian Islands recommendations, we have chosen the best hotels with a wide variety of price points so you can pick according to your budget.

Comparison Chart Of The Best Hotels In Perhentian Islands

You can choose your best hotel in Pulau Perhentian by simply picking the area that most appeals to you from those above and your price point from the following table. Easy!

If you still aren’t sure, the individual reviews for each of the Perhentian Islands hotels are below.

Name	Location	Best For People…	Price	Book
Bubu Villas	Kecil – Long Beach	Looking for the best room and have cash to burn	$$$$	Click here
Alunan Resort	Kecil – Petani Beach	Looking to escape the crowds in fabulous surroundings	$$$	Click here
Bubu Resort	Kecil – Long Beach	Want a great resort on the main Long Beach area which is a little quieter than Bubu Villas	$$$$	Click here
Mimpi Perhentian	Kecil – Long Beach	Looking for a swimming pool with great views and a more affordable price on Long Beach	$$$	Click here
Ombak Dive Resort Perhentian Island	Kecil – Coral Bay	Who dive or are looking for midrange accommodation on Kecil	$$	Click here
Seahorse Diver Guesthouse	Kecil – Long Beach	Who want to be in the centre of everything for relatively cheap	$	Click here
Shari-La Island Resort	Kecil – Teluk Aur Beach	Looking for a private beach and a pool	$$	Click here
Perhentian Island Resort	Besar – Own Beach	Who want to stay on the best beach in the islands. The setting here is perfect	$$	Click here
Tuna Bay Island Resort	Besar – Tuna Bay	Looking for a midrange hotel on a nice beach which may be the best value on the islands	$$	Click here
The Barat Perhentian	Besar – West Beach	Who want great value and don’t need a beach out their front door	$$	Click here
Samudra Beach Chalet	Besar – Teluk Dalam	Looking for budget accommodation which is much better value than on Kecil	$	Click here
Flora Bay 1	Besar – Teluk Dalam	Who want budget accommodation and don’t mind not being able to swim at the beach	$	Click here

Perhentian Islands Malaysia hotels are not particularly good value. In fact, they are expensive compared to most of the rest of Malaysia, especially since the pandemic. Many places seem to have tripled in price compared to 2019!

The price ranges here are relative with the cheap accommodation Perhentian Islands listed above around the RM120 mark, mid-range from RM250 and higher-end from RM600. Four dollar signs is over RM1400 per night. Generally the earlier you book, the better deal you will get.

In the lists below, the best places to stay in Perhentian Islands are more or less in price order from most expensive to cheapest for each island.

Perhentian Kecil Accommodation

Bubu Villas

While there are no Perhentian Islands 5 star hotels, the Bubu Villas is the best choice if you are looking for a Perhentian Island luxury resort.

This Perhentian Kecil hotel offers beautiful spacious villas, that are somewhat removed from the rest of the Pulau Perhentian Kecil accommodation. They have thatched roofs and are well presented with air-conditioning, bathrobes, personal safe and tea and coffee making facilities. Some villas feature an outdoor bathroom and there are also family villas options.

While you won’t find a ton of facilities at this best resort in Perhentian Kecil, there is an outdoor restaurant and some lounge chairs by the beach. The breakfast is great and there is a complimentary cocktail later in the day.

As this is one of the Perhentian Island Long Beach hotels, this hotel is in a good spot if you want to party. However, if quiet luxury is what you are after, this place does not have it. While some villas are quiet, others can be quite loud thanks to surrounding bars.

There is also a fair bit of trash on the beach at times around here. This is a good swimming spot – but the area can be overrun with boats making that difficult.

Best Parts

Best rooms on the islands.

Worse Parts

Overpriced and can be noisy.

Conclusion?

This Perhentian beach resort is the most expensive on this list and while it does have the nicest rooms, the lack of facilities and the fact that there are nicer spots elsewhere makes it overpriced. However, if you have cash to burn, want the nicest rooms and don’t mind the position then this is a great choice of where to stay in Pulau Perhentian.

Click here for the latest prices.

Alunan Resort

Located on the southern part of the island, this Perhentian Kecil Island resort is a more relaxed option on this island.

Set between the jungle and a beautiful beach, you can see coral and snorkel right in front of the Perhentian Island hotel although the beach can disappear at low tide and it’s not really the best place for swimming.

The downside of the location is that you do need to travel by water taxi to visit other parts of the island which can add up. This resort Pulau Perhentian offers is also built into the hill which can mean a lot of steps to your room.

The Alunan Resort has its own restaurant and bar. There is also a library, day spa and multi-level sundeck.

Rooms are of a high standard and this is one of the best hotels in Perhentian Kecil. You can stay in a double, twin, quad or family room. All rooms are spacious and come with sundecks with sea views, air-conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobes and TVs with satellite channels. The sundecks are awesome and feature furniture to relax on.

Best Parts

Great resort in a quiet, secluded area. Great range of room types including family options.

Worse Parts

You need to take a long hike or water taxi to get to more eating options and more popular parts of the islands. The restaurant and excursions are overpriced, and there can be a lot of stairs to the rooms.

Conclusion?

This resort is my top pick of the hotels on Perhentian Kecil – as long as you are happy to take water taxis to get around. The rooms are great and the location is more chill than being at Long Beach or Coral Bay.

Click here for the latest prices.

Bubu Resort

This big brother of the Bubu Villas listed above is another choice of Perhentian Long Beach accommodation located at the northern end of the beach which is generally cleaner.

There are two restaurants on-site and, like its little brother, there is a great breakfast and a complimentary evening cocktail on offer. Tours and activities can be arranged as well as massages.

There are two main room types at this Perhentian best resort – one for doubles and a twin room with two double beds. Rooms come with air-conditioning, bathrobes, lovely balconies and safes and are on the small and simple side. Some have sea views.

Best Parts

Great rooms and well trained staff.

Worse Parts

Expensive for what you get. Some rooms can be noisy.

Conclusion?

This Pulau Perhentian Kecil hotel is the one to pick if you want a nicer room standard than the average on Long Beach in a quieter spot than the Babu Villas. However, in terms of Perhentian Kecil resorts, it is overpriced for what it is.

Click here for the latest prices.

Mimpi Perhentian

Right at the northern end of Long Beach is the new fancy-looking option, Mimpi Perhentian.

Visible from all along the beach and right next to the jetty, this new (in 2019) Perhentian Island accommodation is the highest rise building I saw on the islands and many rooms have great views over the length of Long Beach. There is a nice infinity pool out the front as well with definitely the best location of any on the islands.

There is a restaurant on-site, snack bar, day spa and a dive centre. No alcohol is permitted.

There are several room types at this Pulau Perhentian luxury resort, and families will love the family suites which have bedding for four as well as a living area. There are also large premier suites. Rooms come with air-conditioning, balconies, safes and tea and coffee making facilities. I highly recommend you book one with sea views.

Best Parts

It’s a nice hotel with fabulous views and a great pool. It’s better value than some of the other hotels on Long Beach.

Worse Parts

They seem to run out of things like toiletries regularly and aren’t the best at making sure rooms are always clean.

Conclusion?

This is the top pick if you want the Perhentian Island best resort with nice views and a great pool. It’s also the newest hotel on this list which has its perks. However, this best resort Perhentian offers is quite expensive and standards inside are not as high as they should be. But, if you are looking for a top resort on Perhentian Islands in a spot close to the action where you can really enjoy where you are, the Mimpi is a great choice.

Click here for the latest prices.

Ombak Dive Resort Perhentian Island

Ombak Dive Resort is the perfect choice if you are looking for the mid-range resorts in Perhentian and is in a handy location on Coral Bay.

The on-site restaurant is the perfect place to be to watch a beautiful sunset. The Ombak also alternates movie nights with fire dancing shows and live acoustic. This resort at Pulau Perhentian is a fun place to be.

This best resort Pulau Perhentian has includes a choice of room types with the budget fan-only room to more expensive, air-conditioned rooms with fridges, TV (although they don’t always work) and kettles.

This is a certified PADI dive resort so a great choice if you are a diver. This best Perhentian resort also run snorkelling and kayaking tours.

Best Parts

Friendly staff and a range of room types.

Worse Parts

Food is overpriced at the restaurant (but you’re near other options). The power turns off a few times a day.

Conclusion?

The Ombak Dive Resort is a great option if you are looking for a good location on Kecil with a bit more comfort where you won’t break the bank. The hotel is on the basic side but it is relatively good value for Perhentian Kecil.

Click here for the latest prices.

Seahorse Diver Guesthouse

The Seahorse Diver Guesthouse is a Perhentian dive resort perfect for those wanting to be in the action of Long Beach and want one of the cheap Perhentian Island hotels – well relatively so anyway.

This guesthouse right on the beach has a range of rooms including dorm beds all with shared bathroom and fans. Rooms are simple but clean. There is also the choice of a deluxe room with sea views and a balcony.

There is a shared kitchen and lounge and the chance to go diving and snorkelling but otherwise, this guesthouse is lacking other facilities which isn’t a problem as there are plenty of restaurants and bars around.

It can be loud here and there can be a trash problem on the beach. Electricity is only available in the evenings so rooms do get hot during the day.

Best Parts

The price. The location if you like to be in the middle of the party.

Worse Parts

It’s noisy, it’s basic and it’s hot.

Conclusion?

If you want to a budget guesthouse in Long Beach and plan to do a lot during the days then this is one of the best resorts in Perhentian Islands to consider.  It offers great value relative to the location. If you are a diver, they have great prices for in-house guests. Just be mindful that there is no electricity during the day so you will want to be out and about. This is normal for accommodation in this price range.

Click here for the latest prices.

Shari-La Island Resort

Shari-La Island Resort is located in Perhentian Kecil and is nestled in a tropical rainforest facing the South China Sea.  The resort is also a quick 5-minute walk from the famous Teluk Aur Beach.

The resort features vibrant, wood panelled chalets that come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and private verandas. Upgraded rooms offer sea views, suites come with spacious living rooms, and villas can sleep up to 10 people. 

Other facilities of this best Pulau Perhentian resort include free WiFi, a restaurant that offers stunning sunset views, an outdoor pool with small waterslide, beach access, and an in-house bar. The resort also offers fun activities for guests like snorkelling and diving.

Best Parts

Relatively inexpensive for Kecil (but you also get what you pay for). There’s a pool

Worse Parts

It could do with a renovation and cleanliness levels are very hit and miss.

Conclusion?

Shari La Island Resort is the perfect place to stay if you want to get away from it all- a gorgeous, private beach perfect for unwinding and soaking in nature. It’s one of the Pulau Perhentian beach resorts in Perhentian Kecil Island for people who don’t mind lacklustre cleaning.

However, I suggest that you book in advance especially on peak season as these chalets in Perhentian often are fully booked.

Click here for the latest prices.

Perhentian Besar Accommodation

Perhentian Island Resort

The Perhentian Island Resort arguably has the best position of any of the resorts in Pulau Perhentian Besar. Located by its own beach which has restricted boat access and turtles swimming around, this is the best place to relax and go for a swim.

Out of all the Pulau Perhentian Besar hotels, this resort has maybe the best set of facilities of any on the islands – including a swimming pool. There are also water activities, kayaking, tennis courts, beach volleyball and soccer facilities and massages. You can sing your heart out in the karaoke room.

On-site, this Pulau Perhentian Besar resort also has a restaurant and cafe although food isn’t the best. Note that no alcohol is available in this resort.

The rooms are all doubles or twins and come at three different comfort levels. All rooms have a fridge, kettle, air-conditioning and balconies. At the premier level, you also get a sofa. I recommend paying extra to be beachfront and for the best room type you can. The older rooms are not so pleasant and badly need renovating.

The resort is aging and could do with a renovation of some of its facilities and rooms, and since the covid shutdowns, the grounds could do with a facelift and more care as well.

Best Parts

The location is absolutely superb. In fact, the home page of this site features this beach. It’s gorgeous.

Worse Parts

If you end up in an unrenovated room, you may wish you stayed elsewhere. Definitely pay for the best room you can! The resort facilities could use an upgrade, and the restaurant food is very average.

Conclusion?

If you want access to the best beach and a range of resort facilities then you can’t beat the Perhentian Island Resort. The rooms aren’t as flash as the most expensive options on Kecil but they also aren’t anywhere near as expensive, and I think this resort is relatively good value for the Perhentians. It’s where we like to stay and is my top choice.

Click here for the latest prices or read my full review here

Tuna Bay Island Resort

Tuna Bay Island Resort is another contender for the best Perhentian Island resort and is located on a nice stretch of beach.

It has a great restaurant, bar and snorkelling right off the beach. There is a diving centre nearby and they have great sun loungers on the beach. This is definitely a good spot to watch the sunset.

Rooms are air-conditioned wooden chalets right on the beach or in a garden area. There are interconnecting chalets especially made for families. The chalets are basic but comfortable with balconies complete with two chairs.

Best Parts

It’s on a nice beach and is great value for the Perhentians.

Worse Parts

Rooms are on the basic side. They can book out thanks to being great value so book ahead.

Conclusion?

This Perhentian Island beach resort is in a great spot on a nice beach and, with booking ahead and getting a great deal, is great value for the Perhentians. I definitely recommend a beachfront chalet. This is my second top choice for hotels in Pulau Perhentian Besar and the entire Perhentian Islands.

Click here for the latest prices.

The Barat Perhentian

The Barat is located on West Bay which means that while the beach isn’t great, you are just a close walk to the beach at the Perhentian Island Resort and a short walk from Tuna Bay.

The Barat has a tasty restaurant and diving centre on site. They serve alcohol and there are great sunsets here.

The air-conditioned rooms are chalets which are small, cute and on the basic side, but they do come with extras like TV, safe, minibar, kettles and balconies.

The deluxe chalets come with big balconies complete with good outdoor furniture. I recommend a sea view one of these. They are also more spacious.

Dorm beds are also available in 4 bed rooms with private bathrooms and air-conditioning. However, they are expensive for a dorm bed and the chalets are only slightly more.

Best Parts

The restaurant is good, and it’s great value for the Perhentians.

Worse Parts

The beach isn’t any good and the rooms could use a facelift. If your room is near the restaurant, it can be loud.

Conclusion?

This is a great value option as long as you don’t mind not having a beach to swim at right outside the front door.

Click here for the latest prices.

Samudra Beach Chalet

The Samudra Beach Chalet is located on the southern part of the island at Teluk Dalam. There is an on-site restaurant and, unfortunately, a trash problem in the surrounds.

All rooms have their own bathrooms, and you have a choice of fan or air-conditioned rooms depending on how much you want to pay. For a little bit more, you can also have a wooden chalet room with sea view and your own balcony. Rooms are basic.

For private bathrooms and air-conditioning, this resort is very good value on the Perhentians.

Best Parts

It has a good restaurant with good prices.

Worse Parts

Rooms are basic and the air-conditioning not great. Their cleanliness can be an issue and the beach is not the best.

Conclusion?

If you are looking for a bargain, this is it! The prices are very reasonable for air-conditioning and sea views right by the beach but don’t expect much else. It’s not a good spot for swimming.

Click here for the latest prices.

Flora Bay 1

Flora Bay 1 is another option for bargain seekers located close to the Samudra. It has the same problems as that option with the beach having some trash and not being ideal for swimming.

There is a dive centre on-site as well as a restaurant and a souvenir shop. No alcohol is available here.

To fit into the budget price point, you need to be happy with a fan cooled room but it does come with an ensuite bathroom and breakfast as well.

There are air-conditioned rooms available too which cost a fair bit more. They are compact but more nicely presented. They also come with a small fridge. For more money, you can stay in a premier room with single and double bed and a TV as well as a sea view. Basic quad rooms are also available.

Best Parts

Cheap, fan rooms can be a good choice for budget travellers. The restaurant is good.

Worse Parts

The rooms are old and need cleaning better. The beach is not great. Other than the fan rooms, the rooms are poor value and you are better off elsewhere.

Conclusion?

If you are looking for a cheap, fan-cooled room this is a choice worth considering. The air-conditioned rooms can be more expensive than the nicer, better located resorts on the rest of the island, however.

Click here for the latest prices.

I hope you have found the perfect Perhentian Islands accommodation for you! You can find more Perhentian guides here where you can find full details for how to get to the Perhentian Islands, things to do in Perhentian Islands, the best Perhentian Island resort packages and more.

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