Located on the Genting Highlands plateau (Pahang state, Malaysia), First World has long been known as the hotel with the largest number of rooms on the planet.
With 7,351 rooms, this building not only holds the Guinness World Record but has also become a unique tourist destination, where visitors can get "lost" among thousands of rooms and a vast entertainment ecosystem.
According to The Sun, opened in 2001 and expanded in 2015, the First World Hotel comprises several 28-story towers, capable of accommodating up to 14,000 guests simultaneously. The hotel is located on Jalan Major Philip Lim, Genting Highlands, a popular resort area about an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur.
What sets First World Hotel apart is not only its enormous number of rooms, but also its integration into the Genting Resorts World complex, which includes a shopping mall spanning hundreds of thousands of square meters, an indoor amusement park, a virtual reality gaming area, a cinema, a bowling alley, and even "Snow World" (a rare artificial snow experience in Southeast Asia)...
Additionally, the hotel features a gym, a conference center, a children's play area, a bar, and a 24/7 casino.
From the hotel, guests can walk to Skytropolis Park with its dozens of attractions or experience the Awana SkyWay cable car ride across the million-year-old rainforest.
Therefore, many travel magazines describe this place as a "mini-city," where tourists can eat, have fun, and relax almost without leaving the premises.
One of the factors that makes First World Hotel attractive to a large number of guests is its relatively affordable price compared to its size. According to data from booking platforms, the average rental price ranges from approximately $29-$104 per night (around 763,000-2.7 million VND), depending on the time of year and room category.
Some promotional offers have even recorded prices as low as $16 per night for a standard room.
The hotel offers a variety of room types, from standard rooms of approximately 16-17m² with basic amenities, to premium rooms such as the World Club Room, which is about 40m² and features a seating area, flat-screen TV, mini-refrigerator, and tea and coffee making facilities.
The more luxurious rooms are typically located in the newer towers, offering mountain views, more spacious interiors, and better amenities such as safety deposit boxes and minibars.
Thanks to its mountain location, many rooms offer views of the rainforest and the characteristic mist of Genting Highlands, a feature highly appreciated by many guests. However, even in the higher room categories, the hotel is still classified as mid-range, prioritizing affordability over luxury.
Despite its impressive size and price, the First World Hotel has received mixed reviews from travelers. According to one booking platform, the hotel has an average rating of 3.2/5 based on over 3,500 reviews.
Many praised its convenient location, close to entertainment and shopping areas, making it suitable for families or budget-conscious travelers. However, a number of opinions suggested that the actual experience "didn't live up to its scale."
One guest complained about the overcrowding at the reception desk: "Over 250 people are lined up ahead, and you might have to wait 3-4 hours to check in." Another commented that the rooms were "basic and cramped," and the service was slow and unfriendly.
In addition, many people have commented that the rooms in the older building need upgrading, the Wi-Fi is unstable, and the amenities are limited. Furthermore, some budget-friendly room types may not include amenities such as complete toiletries, so travelers should check the information carefully before booking.
Nevertheless, many tourists still appreciate the reasonable prices and convenient location, considering it a suitable option if cost is a priority over a high-end experience.
Photos: Alarmy, iStock, Booking, Agoda, Klook...