Kuala Lumpur (KL)
😓 Our Toughest Week Yet: A Full-Time Travel Family’s Honest Experience in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
After a dreamy few months in Thailand (a land of smiles, sun, and the smoothest travel experiences), we arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, full of hope and excitement. We'd heard KL was clean, green, modern, and budget-friendly, with plenty to do for families with kids or teens.
But little did we know… we were about to experience our most stressful week in 7 months of full-time travel.
😩 Arrival in KL: Not Off to a Good Start
We’d booked a homestay in Kuala Lumpur through Airbnb, planning ahead for a longer stay. But as soon as we arrived, we knew things were off. The listing didn’t match the actual place, and we felt uncomfortable from the start. So we pulled the plug and began the dreaded search for last-minute family accommodation in KL… not ideal in peak season (August), when everything central is fully booked or overpriced.
Welcome to the hotel!
A notice from the government that the host owes fees and taxes, not the best start. The hotel was basically sat on top of a train station that ran all hours and it was super dirty and overpriced…. our first impressions (not great 😌)!
Airbnb Accommodation
It doesn’t come up with a name so I have applied a screenshot for preference. Luckily the host refunded us for this one ☝️
🚕 Attempt #2: Booking.com Disaster
After some frantic searching, we found another place on Booking.com and grabbed a Grab taxi to get there. Upon arrival? No reception desk. No hotel sign. Just a block of apartments. All we had was a phone number from the booking confirmation… and it didn’t work.
Eventually, we managed to contact someone on WhatsApp. They told us to “wait at the entrance near the car pull-up area.” So there we were—stood outside, bags in tow, sweating under the Malaysian sun, surrounded by strangers, and not really sure what we were waiting for.
30 minutes later, a man appeared, barely made eye contact, didn’t tell us the room number, handed over one key card, and then demanded an extra 750 RM in cash (about £125)—fees that were never mentioned on Booking.com.
We were stunned. I said, “No way, that’s too much.” He insisted it had to be cash only. We told him we didn’t have any. He left and said to pay later.
We were officially in scam territory.
The apartment? Dirty, grimy, overpriced (£58 a night!) and clearly not a legit rental. We didn't feel safe—especially not with our child—so we did what any responsible family would do: spent the next two hours searching for another place to stay.
Avoid at all costs!
Unfortunately I cannot remember the room number so unable to pin point the host to this accommodation. Approach with caution ⚠️
Booking.com Scam
These people are using official website platforms which is a huge shame. Look out for additional fees before booking! This was the original price online then we turned up and he demanded 750 RM more 😫
🏃♀️ Scam City or Bad Luck?
As we scrolled through Booking.com listings, we noticed a worrying pattern: “fees may apply” with no details until AFTER you book. Then the reviews—many reported similar scams across KL, with surprise fees, no reception, and dodgy hosts.
Were we in scam city? Or just unlucky?
Eventually, Joe spotted a nearby hotel that looked more legit. We left the keycard behind and jumped in another Grab—only for the host to start messaging us demanding the full payment. Madness. We ignored him and moved on.
😰 Third Time Lucky? Hotel Check-In Drama
At the new hotel, we were relieved to see an actual reception desk. We explained we were a family of three needing urgent accommodation. The receptionist said he had a room with two single beds for £42—Joe checked it out and said, “Not enough beds.” So the receptionist upgraded us to a room with two doubles… but upped the price to £50.
At this point, I was completely done. We accepted, paid, ordered food delivery, and crashed into bed—exhausted, anxious, and still unsure of where we’d stay the next day.
3rd Attempt!
Luckily, we are still smiling. Joe found a motorbike outside the hotel 😅.
📵 No SIM, No Data, No Help
We were also without SIM cards and had run out of data on our roaming app. Cue another stressful outing to a 7-Eleven, where they couldn’t process our SIM registration without physical passports. (We had photos of them, which worked in Thailand, but not here.)
Defeated, we walked away… and then noticed a small mobile shop advertising 5G SIMs. Desperate for data, we walked in. The lady offered us SIM cards at 45 RM each, but then suggested a better deal—25 RM with full data.
But then she called her boss… and said he was coming. The man arrived 20 minutes later with a stack of loose SIM cards and no packaging. Dodgy vibes were setting off alarm bells. They put the SIMs in our phones—and nothing worked.
I panicked. All our savings, travel plans, and work are stored on our phones. We ripped the SIMs out and left, £30 down and still with no data.
🏡 A Miracle Find on Airbnb
Determined to find something safe, I booked a modest-looking apartment just outside the city on Airbnb, with good reviews and payment via credit card—so at least we’d be protected if it went wrong.
We arrived 3 hours early, waited outside on the floor, and messaged the host for early check-in. To our surprise, they replied an hour before check-in saying the room was ready and clean!
We rode up to the 20th floor, nervous, preparing for the worst…
But WOW.
✅ Spotless floor
✅ Clean shower
✅ Comfy beds
✅ All amenities
✅ Rooftop pool, gym, yoga space
✅ Safe and secure
✅ £95 for 3 nights = absolute bargain
We extended another 3 nights on the spot. We could finally breathe.
This accommodation can be found on Airbnb 5*****
🧘♀️ Finding Peace in the Chaos
Even in this peaceful little pocket of KL, the city is intense. Loud, fast, and busy with traffic everywhere. It's not the kind of place where peace comes easily. And that’s okay. We came here for adventure—but we weren’t expecting it to be this challenging.
We also faced other issues—unfriendly service, uncooked food, and more queues than you could imagine. Attractions were overcrowded in August, and public transport was rammed.
🤔 Is Kuala Lumpur Family-Friendly?
In our experience, Kuala Lumpur with kids is tough—especially if you’re visiting during peak season.
Many full-time travel families may find KL overwhelming, especially coming from Thailand or quieter parts of Southeast Asia. If you're travelling with kids or teens, here's our honest advice:
👎 Challenges:
Scams and hidden fees in accommodation
Lack of friendly service
Difficulties with SIMs and phone data
Overcrowded attractions
Noise, traffic, heat
👍 Positives:
Affordable if you find the right spot
Clean, modern apartments (once you vet them properly)
Malls and aircon escapes
Good public transport system
Great views from high-rise stays
💬 Final Thoughts from a Travel Family in KL
There’s no denying it—our first week in Kuala Lumpur was rough. We seriously considered flying out of Malaysia altogether. But on reflection, it’s unfair to judge a whole country based on one city.
We’re staying open-minded and planning to explore more of Malaysia—like Penang, Langkawi, and maybe even the Cameron Highlands.
This blog isn’t here to sugarcoat travel. We share the real and the raw—so other families don’t have to make the same mistakes.
Full-time travel with kids is rewarding, yes—but it’s also chaotic, tiring, and unpredictable. And that’s part of the story too.
📌 Tips for Full-Time Travelling Families in Kuala Lumpur:
Avoid booking last-minute during peak season (August is hectic!)
Always double-check listings for hidden fees
Use trusted hotel chains if possible
Get a SIM card at the airport or official telco stores
Stay outside the city centre for a quieter experience
Don’t expect the same warmth as Thailand—it’s a different vibe
If you're a digital nomad family, worldschooling with teens, or just travelling full-time with kids, follow along as we share more about our journey through Malaysia and beyond.
Real stories. Real lessons. And real laughs (after the fact). 💛
