Malaysia recognised for exceptional hospitality

6 March 2025

SINGAPORE: Malaysia secured fifth place with its 311 hotels at Agoda's prestigious 16th Gold Circle Awards, celebrating Southeast Asia's exceptional hospitality. Thailand retains its top position, while Vietnam makes its debut in the top five, coming in at number four for the first time.

The awards highlight Southeast Asia's outstanding performance, with four out of the top five accolades awarded to markets within the region, a feat last observed in 2021. The national ranking is based on the number of hotels receiving a prestigious award within each market.

Japan claimed second place with 432 hotels, followed by Indonesia in third with 365 hotels, Vietnam in fourth with 315 hotels, and Malaysia rounding out the top five with 311 hotels for 2024.

This year's awards ceremony observed a 53% increase in Gold Circle Award winners compared to 2023, recognising a record-breaking 3,545 exceptional properties worldwide in 2024. Notably, nearly 50% of the awards were given to independent hotels, underscoring the growing appreciation for unique, personalised guest experiences that emphasise creativity and individuality.

Vietnam's groundbreaking climb from 9th place in 2023 to securing a spot within the top 5 this year highlights its 209% increase in award-winning accommodations to the hard work of accommodation providers across the market in ensuring that their customers receive the highest level of service.

"Our Gold Circle Awards serve as a tribute to the dedication and remarkable achievements of our global accommodation partners. Achieving excellence in guest service is ever challenging, yet our partners rise to the occasion year after year," said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply at Agoda. "Vietnam's entry into the top five showcases its efforts to enhance service quality, reflecting the growing potential of Southeast Asian hospitality."

Meanwhile, Thailand's retention of its top spot from 2023 is testament to its enduring excellence. The adaptability of Thailand's hospitality sector to shifting traveler expectations demonstrates strong reliability and leadership within the industry.

Over the past five years, Agoda has celebrated more than 2,500 unique winners, cementing its reputation for recognizing unparalleled service across the hospitality sector.

The Agoda Gold Circle Awards are presented to properties that excel in several key areas, including offering value-based pricing for customers, providing outstanding traveler experience, and engaging with Agoda's programs and campaigns.

These criteria ensure that the winners represent the best in the industry, offering guests an outstanding experience. Agoda's vast network continues to support travelers worldwide in discovering diverse accommodations, flights, and activities.

The awards ceremonies for the 16th Gold Circle Awards will take place in Nine Asian markets with celebrations happening in Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, India and Thailand.