The world’s largest hotel can welcome a staggering 14,000 guests at once, and it has its own shopping centre and indoor theme park. There are some absolutely colossal hotels across the world, but one stands out as the largest, boasting more than 7,000 rooms. For context, if it were full with 14,000 guests at the same time, it would have a higher population than UK towns such as Beccles, Whitby and Buckingham. 

You might expect a hotel like this to be located in one of the world’s most modern cities, such as Abu Dhabi or Dubai. But you will actually find it just outside another modern Asian city. The First World Hotel is located just outside the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. It was first opened in 2002, and by 2015, it had become the world’s largest hotel by number of rooms, a title that it holds more than 10 years later. 

To get here, you would fly into Kuala Lumpur Airport and organise a transfer there. The complex in which the hotel is located also features a train station, connecting it to Genting Highlands Premium Outlets. 

However, you don’t have to travel far to find everything you need. The hotel complex is home to SkyAvenue, which boasts countless international retail brands, cafes and restaurants. 

Additionally, there is Skytropolis Funland, an indoor theme park that offers thrills for visitors of all ages. It is home to 20 rides, including an adrenaline-inducing lie-down rollercoaster. If that kind of thrill seems a bit too much for you, you can opt for amusements such as bumper cars and a Ferris wheel. 

Other attractions inside the hotel complex include a cinema, a casino and an indoor pool. Guests also have more than 50 cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from when it comes to food and drink. 

While many have been impressed by the world’s largest hotel in Malaysia, some reviews caution visitors to be prepared for crowds. One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: “Service was efficient considering the massive number of guests. The self-check-in kiosks made things quick, but I’d recommend arriving a bit early to avoid the rush. Elevators can get crowded during peak hours, so patience helps!”

There are many room options available when booking to stay at First World Hotel. Guests have the option of booking the Standard Room, Deluxe Room, Superior Deluxe Room, Triple Room, Y5 Deluxe Room, Y5 Triple Room, World Club Room and World Club Room 2. 

Overall, the hotel has mixed reviews. One previous guest wrote: “I stayed at First World Hotel during my yearly Genting visit, and even with a higher-level room thanks to my status, the experience left much to be desired. The only real upside was the naturally cool weather — you don’t even need a fan, just open the window and the mountain air does the rest. The hotel’s location next to the main mall is convenient too, with easy access to shops, the indoor amusement park, and a short walk to the outdoor park.”

Others complained of long check-in times, despite the hotel introducing self-check-in technology to make things smoother. One person wrote: “Waited for hours to check in because we booked on Trip.com since 2pm and still waiting as of 6pm.”

On a more positive note, one reviewer said: “The room is spacious and super clean as it is the new building/tower. Easy access but a little bit far from the lobby. The elevators are a bit confusing because there are few towers and not every elevator connected to the towers.”

While there are massive hotels in Europe and impressively-sized ones in Africa, this Asian hotel takes the top title.