The Best Airport Hotels at Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Spending two years travelling around Southeast Asia as digital nomads meant we had plenty of stopovers in Kuala Lumpur. I’ve also been visiting for medical appointments, which only require being in the city for a day or two.

The journey into the city can take quite a long time on the road or be expensive with taxis or trains, so I often opt to stay at the airport rather than in the city itself.

So where is the best place to stay at Kuala Lumpur International Airport?

Best Overall: Tune Hotel

Of all the places I’ve stayed at KLIA, this is my favourite. The Tune Hotel is located just outside Terminal 2. You can access it via the travelators that take you to the transport floor. After the first travelator, you’ll see signage in front of you to the airbridge.

They offer a great breakfast, with many buffet options to suit Asian and Western tastes. There is a bar and restaurant on-site, but I haven’t utilised them, so I can’t comment.

The rooms are more spacious than the other Tune Hotel, with more room for repacking your suitcase.

Best for Price: Tune Hotel KLIA Aeropolis

The Tune Hotel Aeropolis looks like it’s onsite at KLIA, but it’s a short drive around the runway to get there. Rather than taking a taxi, there is a limited shuttle bus.

To access the shuttle bus, head to the Tune Hotel outside KLIA2. It is accessed from the platform between the two travelators heading towards Level 1.

Once there, speak to reception, and they’ll show you the schedule. It runs only at limited times, so make sure you plan ahead.

This hotel isn’t much, but it’s clean and comfortable. AirAsia used it for their staff while I was staying there.

There isn’t a restaurant on site; however, there is a snack bar with items like pot noodles, coffee, and ice cream for sale.

Best for Short Stays: CapsuleTransit KLIA2 (Landside)

I’ve only stayed in a capsule hotel once. I’m not claustrophobic, so the space size felt cosy to me.

However, I didn’t like that the CapsuleTransit KLIA2 (Landside) rooms only had a paper door that didn’t lock. The paper door meant that the cubicles weren’t very soundproof. You could hear people moving around and swiping key cards, which is not ideal if you’re trying to sleep in a different time zone.

There are lockers onsite but outside of reception for your stuff. I was only travelling with a backpack, so it didn’t make sense to leave it there. Otherwise, I would’ve had to get it to brush my teeth, change my clothes, or use my laptop.

So, I kept everything with me. But that didn’t feel very secure. If I went to use the shower or to sit in the common area, anyone could access my capsule.

Speaking of the shower, the bathrooms felt more like a hostel than a hotel. There was one large room with three cubicles for showers and three for toilets. The cubicles' locks were busted, and you had to choose between heat and pressure in the shower.

This place would be a great option for a few hours of sleep between flights, but I wouldn’t recommend it for an overnight stay.

It is nice that the provide slippers, dental kits, tea and coffee for all guests.

Not Recommended: Nearby Airport Hotels

There are plenty of hotels nearby KLIA, some of which are priced lower than hotels onsite at the airport.

However, when I stayed at these hotels, I found that the taxi or Grab rides to and from the hotels completely wiped out any savings.

Before you book a hotel, always check the price of a taxi to get there. Then, you’ll have a better price comparison.

Best Day Option: CapsuleTransit Max

A lounge day pass is great if you have a few hours spare and don’t feel like sipping on an overpriced latte until it gets cold.

The CapsuleTransit Max lounge at KLIA2 is open to all travellers and located on the landside, so you don’t have to have checked in (or be flying out of terminal 2).

Inside are comfy seats, buffet food, hot meals, and good Wi-Fi. What sold me, though, was the gym and the showers. Having stayed the previous night in the capsule hotel, I hadn’t had space to stretch out, let alone get in a workout.

Honestly, I don’t know if paying for a lounge is usually worth it. I can get better, cheaper, more interesting food elsewhere in the airport. A gym and a fantastic hot shower, though? I will pay for that.