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First World Hotel, Genting Highlands: An Honest Stay Review
- Jenn & Leon
- Dec 15
- 10 min read
In this post, we share our honest experience staying at First World Hotel in Genting Highlands, including room comfort, amenities, food access, theme park tickets, smoking issues, and practical tips for first-time visitors.
Malaysia has a way of serving contrast on a platter.
In Langkawi, we rode the SkyCab, crossed the SkyBridge, and wandered through immersive attractions like Dream Forest and the towering Maha Tower.
Evenings were spent drifting through night markets filled with music, smoke, and everything deep-fried.
In Kuala Lumpur, we climbed the colorful steps of Batu Caves, grazed on street food, and became fully obsessed with the Ramly Burger, which still ranks as one of the best burgers we have eaten anywhere.
Genting Highlands is something else entirely. High altitude, high volume, and built for scale, it feels less like a town and more like a self-contained resort city.
First World Hotel sits right in the middle of that intensity. This is our honest review of staying there.
In This Post...
Quick Hotel Overview
First World Hotel is one of the largest hotels in the world, made up of three main towers and designed to handle a constant flow of guests visiting Genting Highlands attractions.
It is busy, functional, and unapologetically high volume. If you are expecting calm or boutique charm, this is not that kind of stay.
If you want convenience, food access, and theme park proximity, it delivers.
Altitude and Climate at Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands sits at around 1,800 meters above sea level, which has a noticeable impact on both temperature and weather.
Compared to Kuala Lumpur, the air here feels cooler and fresher, especially in the evenings and early mornings. This is one of the reasons First World Hotel can operate without air conditioning, relying instead on ceiling fans and openable windows.
That said, the altitude also brings frequent cloud cover and mist, which can roll in quickly and linger for hours.
When we visited in October, conditions were extremely misty. At times, visibility outside was so limited that you could barely see beyond nearby buildings. It gave the area a surreal, almost eerie atmosphere, but it also meant views were largely nonexistent during parts of our stay.
💡 If clear views matter to you, weather timing is important when planning a Genting Highlands visit.
Our Room at First World Hotel
⪢ Room Comfort and Setup
Our room was simple and practical.
There is no air conditioning, which is one of the most important things to know before booking. Instead, the room relies on a ceiling fan and the cooler mountain climate. The windows do open, which helps significantly, especially in the evenings.
The bed itself was decent, but despite booking a double, we were given two single beds. It was not a dealbreaker for us, but it is worth noting if bed setup matters to you. Each bed came with two pillows, which was fine for a short stay.
⪢ Cleanliness and Bathroom Reality
The room was generally clean, but not spotless. The bathroom mirror had visible marks and had clearly been missed during cleaning.
More frustrating was the bathroom mirror light, which does not switch off. At night, this becomes noticeable, especially if you prefer a darker sleeping space.
Hot and cold water worked well throughout our stay.
⪢ In-Room Amenities
Ceiling fan
Windows that open
Mini fridge
Electric kettle
Tea and coffee provided
Shampoo and body wash
Conditioner provided
Hair dryer
TV with limited channels
British UK 3-pin plugs available
"No air conditioning" is repeated here intentionally, because it will be a deciding factor for many travelers.
Smoking Issues Despite No-Smoking Signs
There are no smoking signs everywhere, but enforcement feels inconsistent.
During our stay, it was obvious that guests were smoking in their rooms. The smell travelled into hallways and was noticeable at various points.
If you are sensitive to smoke or smells, this is something to seriously consider before booking.
Hotel Layout and Facilities
This hotel is massive, and it feels that way.
Three main towers
Long corridors
Constant movement
Extremely busy atmosphere
There are self-service check-in kiosks everywhere, and for good reason. They keep things moving, but the experience is very impersonal.
Hot and cold water dispensers are available in communal hallway areas, which is genuinely useful and saves constant kettle boiling.
If you arrive via the Genting Skyway Cable Car, you will enter on Floor 3. The main lobby and reception area are on Floor 1, so expect a bit of navigating on arrival.
Food Options at First World Hotel
Food is one of the hotel’s strongest points.
There are lots of easily accessible food outlets spread throughout the complex. Almost everything is Asian cuisine, and there are no Western fast-food brands.
If you enjoy Asian food, this is a win. If you are craving familiar Western chains, options are extremely limited.
We will be sharing separate posts covering the mall and specific places we ate, as they deserve their own spotlight.
Theme Park Tickets Explained
One of the biggest perks of our stay came from booking through booking.com.
Two theme park tickets included per night
We stayed three nights and received six tickets
Tickets are redeemable at the theme park entrance
You redeem them using your room slip receipt
We did not need all of our tickets, so we paid some forward, which was simple to do.
For anyone planning to visit the theme park, this adds genuine value to the booking.
If you wish to purchase separately, you can buy your tickets here with GetYourGuide.
Who This Hotel Is Best For
⪢ First World Hotel works best if you:
Want direct access to Genting Highlands attractions
Are visiting the theme parks
Are staying short term
Do not need air conditioning
Are comfortable with busy, high-volume environments
⪢ It may not suit you if:
You are sensitive to smoke
You want quiet or privacy
You prefer boutique or relaxed hotels
You struggle with constant foot traffic and noise
Best Time to Visit Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands can be visited year-round, but the experience changes significantly depending on the season.
⪢ Drier Months: December to February
Cooler temperatures
Better chance of clear views
Popular with local visitors
Busier during weekends and holidays
⪢ Shoulder Months: March to June
Mixed weather
Some mist, some clear days
Slightly fewer crowds than peak season
A good balance if you want flexibility
⪢ Rainy and Misty Months: September to November
Higher chance of fog and cloud cover
Visibility can drop dramatically
Outdoor attractions may feel limited
The atmosphere can feel moody rather than scenic
October, when we visited, sits firmly in this mist-prone period. While the cooler air was welcome, the lack of visibility affected the overall experience.
💡 If you want views and outdoor exploration, avoid peak rainy months if possible.
How to Get to First World Hotel, Genting Highlands
Getting to Genting Highlands is straightforward, well organized, and clearly set up for visitors.
Despite being in the mountains, connections are smooth and clearly signposted at every stage.
From Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the journey typically takes around 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and the route you choose.
⪢ From Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA or KLIA2)
Option 1: Taxi or Grab (Most Direct)
Travel time: Around 2 to 2.5 hours
You can go directly from the airport to Genting Highlands
This is the easiest option if you have luggage or are travelling in a group
Drop-off points are clearly marked within the Genting complex
This option costs more but removes all transfers and is very straightforward.
Option 2: Airport Train + Bus + Cable Car (Most Popular)
This is a very common route and works smoothly.
KLIA Express or KLIA Transit
From KLIA or KLIA2 to KL Sentral
Travel time: About 30 minutes
Bus from KL Sentral to Awana SkyCentral
Frequent buses run throughout the day
Travel time: Around 1 hour
Genting Skyway Cable Car
From Awana SkyCentral to Genting Highlands
Travel time: About 10 minutes
Scenic and efficient
When you arrive by cable car, you will enter the Genting complex on Floor 3. First World Hotel’s main lobby and reception are on Floor 1, so allow extra time to navigate down.
💡 Everything along this route is clearly signposted and designed for tourists. Transfers are easy, and staff are used to helping first-time visitors.
Option 3: Bus Only from Kuala Lumpur
Buses run from KL Sentral and other terminals directly to Genting Highlands
Travel time: Around 1 to 1.5 hours
Some routes stop at Awana SkyCentral, where you then take the cable car
This is a budget-friendly option and still very organized.
Option 4: Driving Yourself
Well-maintained mountain roads
Clear signage throughout the journey
Parking is available but can be busy during weekends and holidays
If driving, allow extra time during peak periods, especially evenings and weekends.
Comparing transport routes and tickets across Malaysia, we often use 12go Asia.
💡 Once inside Genting Highlands, moving between hotels, malls, and attractions is easy (although the place is HUGE). Elevators, escalators, and indoor walkways connect most areas, making it manageable even with luggage.
Practical Tips for Visiting Genting Highlands
These are the things we wish we had fully considered beforehand.
Dress in layers: Evenings can feel cool, especially when mist rolls in.
Expect crowds: Genting Highlands is designed for volume. Weekends and school holidays are especially busy.
Plan indoor activities as backups: Mist can disrupt outdoor plans quickly, so malls, shows, and food courts become your fallbacks.
Allow extra time for navigation: The scale of the complex means getting from A to B takes longer than expected.
Do not rely on views: Treat clear mountain views as a bonus, not a guarantee.
Check weather forecasts closely: Conditions can change rapidly at this altitude.
💡 Genting Highlands works best when you lean into what it is, a high-altitude entertainment complex, rather than expecting a classic mountain retreat.
Final Thoughts on First World Hotel, Genting Highlands
First World Hotel is not trying to be charming or luxurious. It is built for scale, speed, and convenience, and once you accept that, the experience makes more sense.
For us, this stay was about location and access rather than comfort. The cooler mountain air made the lack of air conditioning manageable, but the constant crowds, occasional smoke smells, and small maintenance issues reminded us that this is a high-volume hotel first and foremost.
Add in the misty October weather, where visibility was often extremely limited, and the experience leaned more toward practical than scenic.
That said, food access, connectivity to attractions, and the value of bundled theme park tickets worked in the hotel’s favor.
This is a stay that works best when expectations are realistic.
Our Ratings: First World Hotel, Genting Highlands
Room Comfort 3/5: Basic but functional. The bed was comfortable enough, but the lack of air conditioning, twin bed setup instead of a double, and always-on bathroom mirror light lowered the score.
Cleanliness 3/5: Generally clean, but small details were missed, particularly in the bathroom.
Food Options 4/5: Huge variety within the complex, especially for Asian cuisine. No Western fast-food chains, which may be positive or negative depending on taste.
Location 5/5: Excellent if you are visiting Genting Highlands attractions. Everything is connected and easy to reach once you understand the layout.
Noise and Crowds 2.5/5: This is a very busy hotel. Noise, foot traffic, and the sheer volume of guests are constant.
Value for Money 4/5: When booked with theme park tickets included, the overall value improves significantly.
⪢ Would We Stay Here Again?
Yes, but only for the same reasons.
If we were visiting Genting Highlands primarily for the theme park or events, we would consider staying again for the convenience. For a quieter or more scenic mountain experience, we would look elsewhere.
First World Hotel does exactly what it is designed to do. The key is knowing what you are signing up for before you arrive!
FAQs: First World Hotel, Genting Highlands
Below are answers to the questions we would have wanted before booking.
Does First World Hotel really have no air conditioning?
Yes. There is no air conditioning in the rooms. Cooling relies on ceiling fans and the naturally cooler mountain climate. Windows can be opened, which helps significantly, especially at night.
Is the room temperature comfortable without air conditioning?
For most people, yes. Genting Highlands is cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Evenings and nights are comfortable, though mid-afternoons can feel warm if the sun is strong.
Are the windows safe to open?
Yes. The windows are designed to be opened safely for ventilation and are commonly used by guests.
Is the hotel noisy?
The hotel is very busy, with constant foot traffic. Noise can travel through corridors, especially during peak hours. Light sleepers may want to bring earplugs.
Is smoking allowed in the hotel?
Smoking is not allowed, and there are many no-smoking signs. However, enforcement is inconsistent, and we did notice cigarette smells coming from other rooms.
Are the rooms clean?
Overall cleanliness was good, but not perfect. Our room was generally clean, though the bathroom mirror had visible marks that had been missed during cleaning.
What is the bed situation like?
The bed itself was comfortable, but we were given two single beds instead of the double we booked. This seems to happen and may depend on availability.
Are there enough food options nearby?
Yes. There are many food outlets within the complex, mostly serving Asian cuisine. Western brands are very limited. Inside the First World Complex, many food outlets are open 24 hours. In the mall, many close at around 11pm.
How do the theme park tickets work?
If booked through booking.com, two theme park tickets may be included per night. Tickets are redeemed at the theme park entrance using your room slip receipt.
Alternatively, you can purchase on-site.
Is First World Hotel good for first-time visitors to Genting Highlands?
Yes, as long as expectations are set correctly. It is busy and basic but extremely convenient and well located for exploring Genting Highlands attractions.
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