About Perlis accommodation

Perlis is Malaysia's smallest state, tucked into the country's far north on the border with Thailand. It's one of the least-visited corners of Peninsular Malaysia, so don't expect a big resort scene here. Accommodation is centred on Kangar, the state capital, with a small number of budget stays near Kaki Bukit and Wang Kelian for travellers heading out to the caves and the border market.

Most visitors use Perlis as a quiet, low-cost stop of a day or two on a wider Malaysia trip rather than a long holiday base on its own, so hotel choice here comes down to convenience and comfort more than variety.

Where should you stay in Perlis?

Kangar, the state capital, is the most practical base. It has the widest range of hotels, the best access to food and shops, and the easiest onward transport around the rest of the state. If you're mainly visiting Gua Kelam or the Wang Kelian weekend market, staying in or near Kaki Bukit cuts down on travel time, though your options there are limited to a handful of small guesthouses and homestays rather than proper hotels. Kuala Perlis, the ferry point for Langkawi, is another option if you're combining Perlis with an island stop.

How much is Perlis accommodation?

Perlis is one of the most affordable places to stay in Malaysia, well below what you'd pay in Langkawi or Penang.

• Budget guesthouses and rest houses: around AU$10 to AU$25 a night
• Mid-range hotels in Kangar: around AU$25 to AU$45 a night
• Serviced apartments and resort-style stays: around AU$45 to AU$70 a night

What is Perlis known for?

Perlis is small, but it has a genuine handful of drawcards worth planning a visit around.

• Gua Kelam, a 370-metre limestone cave near Kaki Bukit crossed by a wooden pedestrian suspension bridge, once used to haul tin ore out of a mine during the tin-mining era
• Wang Kelian, a border town best known for its weekend market, where stalls sell clothing, snacks, fresh produce and local handicrafts
• Perlis State Park, Malaysia's first state park, with limestone hills, forest trails, cave systems and the rice-paddy countryside that gives the state its quiet, rural character

What are the best hotels in Perlis?

Perlis has a genuinely small hotel scene, almost entirely concentrated in Kangar. There's no international chain presence to speak of, and options thin out fast once you leave town, so it's worth picking a hotel based on location as much as star rating.

• Putra Regency Hotel, a mid-range hotel in central Kangar with an on-site restaurant
• Hotel Seri Malaysia Kangar, a familiar budget-to-midrange chain option with an outdoor pool, a short drive from town
• Lembah Saerah Resort, a resort-style stay that's popular with families
• Savana Hotel & Serviced Apartments, a serviced-apartment option based in Kangar

Tips for booking a stay in Perlis?

A little planning goes a long way in a state with this few rooms to choose from.

• Book ahead for weekends, since the Wang Kelian market draws local day-trippers and the small number of rooms near Kaki Bukit can fill up
• Base yourself in Kangar if you want the widest choice of hotels and the most straightforward onward transport
• Carry cash for smaller guesthouses and market stalls, as card acceptance is patchy outside Kangar
• Check air-conditioning and hot water at budget properties, since amenities vary more than the star rating suggests