Are you a digital nomad? Or has your work been shoved over to your newly established home office? Unfortunately (or fortunately, in some cases), working from home is the norm now, and there is no stopping it unless you want to put time in the office again. I’m not sure about you, but I, for one, do not. However, working from home can get a little dull unless you have your working space tricked out with some Nanoleaf lights and a gaming—I mean, working PC.
Sometimes too much of the same thing is a bad thing, and an escape is needed. This is where coworking spaces come in to solve your escaping-the-dull-WFH-life needs. We scoured the whole of Malaysia and found five cool coworking spaces.
1. PAPER + TOAST X SEEDSPACE
Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Paper + Toast is said to be the first coworking space in Malaysia. It opened back in 2010, where masks were only a norm during the haze season. More than a decade has passed since then, and the only thing that has changed is the implementation of COVID-19 prevention measures; the space is still thriving to this day.
The first reason to visit is the location itself. Where is it, you ask? It is in one of the most bougie places in Kuala Lumpur: Pavilion Mall. This makes it easy for your clients, coworkers, or spouse to find you (make sure your spouse does not get any ideas about a Hermes bag en route to you). Plus, it could pose a very favorable first impression with your clients, with Pavilion being what it is.
Okay, so maybe you do not like to be surrounded by the Richy Rich of Malaysia, but working at Paper + Toast is honestly excellent, with their lightspeed WiFi connection, multiple video conferencing rooms, and good security, with a view of the Petronas Twin Tower to boot. What more could you want? Want to sit on a plush couch while working? You can. Heard that sitting causes heart damage? Try their standing desks! Work in the comfort of a space better than your own home at Paper + Toast.
PAPER + TOAST X Seedspace address: Level 6-01, Fahrenheit88 Office Tower No, 179, Bukit Bintang St, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. AKA Fahrenheit88.
Paper + Toast is open only on weekdays from 9AM to 6PM.
2. WORQ
Probably the most convenient of coworking spaces in Kuala Lumpur, WORQ has everything located not under one, but three roofs scattered around Kuala Lumpur. WORQ boasts of having amenities such as ATMs, a yoga studio, a cycling gym, and a grocery store. Oh, and did I mention that they have three coworking spaces? Yes? Well, it is because they are that impressive.
Coming with a great membership plan, which allows you access to the space at any time of day (yeah, they are open 24/7), blazing fast internet connectivity, mail handling, printing—which also includes photocopying and scanning—and an endless list of community events, ranging from 101 classes for freelancers to coding bootcamps.
Alright, let’s talk about facilities: besides the aforementioned ATM, yoga studio, cycling gym, and grocery store, the actual working spaces have four different categories of tables (or spaces) for members to work in; HotDesk, Dedicated Desk, Private Suite and Virtual Office.
Yes, I know you still have questions, like what do you get for the different spaces (which all cost differently, by the way). So, let me break it down for you:
- HotDesk (RM200-300 a month per pax)
Choose whatever free desk you want. You will get 24/7 access to the space, member-only events, the shared facilities, internet access, printers and scanners, 10% off the event, and meeting rooms. However, you will not get a lockable filing cabinet.
- Dedicated Desk (RM525-600 a month per pax)
You get your own desk. You will get 24/7 access to the space, member-only events, the shared facilities, internet access, printers and scanners, 10% off the event, and meeting rooms, plus you will get a personal space with a personal filing cabinet.
- Private Suite (Starting from RM525-600 a month per pax)
You get your own working suite, a whole room for you and your team or if you like, just you. You will get 24/7 access to the space, member-only events, the shared facilities, internet access, printers and scanners, 10% off the event and meeting rooms, plus you will get a personal space with a personal filing cabinet. You also get RM200/month meeting room credit.
- Virtual Office (RM40 a day per pax)
No contracts, perfect for the digital nomad and freelancers. You will get full access to the space and all amenities that come with it, including the member events. The space is available for you from 9AM to 6PM daily, except on weekends and public holidays. You also get 10% off the event and meeting rooms.
WORQ locations;
GLO Damansara: Lot 1.02 Level 1, Glo Damansara Shopping Mall, 699, Jalan Damansara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur.
UOA Subang: Unit 2-1, Level 2, The Podium, Tower 3, UOA Business Park, No 1, Jalan Pengaturcara U1/51a, Seksyen U1, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor.
KL Gateway: Unit 3.07, Level 3, KL Gateway Mall Gateway Mall, No 2, Jalan Kerinchi, Pantai Dalam, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.
WORQ is open daily, 24/7 for members only and from 9AM to 6PM, daily with exceptions on weekends and public holidays for Virtual Office patrons.
3. SCOOPOINT
Beautiful beaches, lovely sea view hotels, and just some of the best food in Malaysia, Penang has it all, together with one of the coolest coworking spaces in Malaysia: Scoopoint. Scoopoint is the hub for hustlers in Penang, as it is like a beacon for everything freelancing and entrepreneurial.
Scoopoint moonlights as a multifunctional event space by night and has hosted a digital marketing workshop that some reviewers describe as “really insightful and fun.” Now that sounds like a load of fun, doesn’t it? Another plus point for Scoopoint is that they are also a branding and advertising agency that provide consultation and tips to its members. If you want some inside….scoop, or advice on advertising and how to get a tailored branding pitch for your product or service, just ask the crew for help.
Facilities and services time! Scoopoint offers a Mentorship program to help local businesses to succeed, and it is also available as an online course. If you are the type to take naps mid- or post-working, Scoopoint’s the place for you, as they offer members a power napping room, and if you appreciate a quiet work environment and beautiful harbor views, they also have that.
Scoopoint location: Persiaran Bayan Mutiara, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang.
Scoopoint is open only on weekdays from 9AM to 6PM.
4. iCUBE INNOVATION
Having the largest, most connected coworking space and innovation anywhere in East Malaysia, iCube is built for Sarawak’s young entrepreneurs to utilize to the very maximum so they are ready to tackle larger markets in Malaysia and be internationally competitive.
Having a 12,000 square foot space means you can fit the incubation and growth of a company in-house before they soar to greater heights. iCube believes that they can and will take your company to the next level with the inclusion of the community in Sarawak to collaborate and grow together and learn to be better in any way possible.
iCube is the place for you if you are new in Kuching and have no idea how to start a business or what the market is like, start in iCube and mingle with the innovators in Kuching to get the best-painted picture you want. Enjoy fully furnished facilities including workstations, rooms, high speed WiFi connectivity and other start up essentials such as:
- meeting, seminar and training room
- fax/scanner/photocopier/printing machine
- security: door with access card only
- high speed Wifi
- premium lounge
- dedicated workstations
- private office rooms
- 24/7 office space.
Packages start from RM150/month for Hot Desks to RM1,900/month for 220 square feet space.
iCube Innovation location: ICOM Square, B423-B433, Tower B2, Level 4, Jalan Pending, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak.
iCube Innovation is open 24/7 for members and non-members can use the space every weekday only from 8AM to 6PM.
5. OPIS
Following the trend of staying in East Malaysia, we have Opis located in the beautiful state of Sabah. Opis is a coworking space under the innovative, and some say, the best Social Hostel in Kota Kinabalu: Toojou Social Hostel.
Located on the first floor of the hostel, Opis has a very comfortable working space that goes hand in hand with the contemporary design. They offer members or pass owners access to the kitchen and entertainment center. The areas mentioned above have unlimited access, which includes an array of complimentary snacks and refreshments. The hostel’s patrons have access to the vibrant rooftop bar and many other creature comforts that come with a travel hostel.
Okay, now is the segment for their facilities. Besides safety for their visitors and hostel patrons, they have plenty of exciting things to offer:
- a vibrant rooftop bar (I say this twice because it is simply beautiful)
- personal cubicle open to users 24/7
- open lounge with comfortable sofas if you want to lepak and work
- a napping space, with bean bag chairs
- full pantry, or kitchen and coffee machine available always
- office copy machine that can scan and print your every document
- full collaborative workstation for you social beasts
- fast internet access, so you can get anything done fast
- common area/entertainment center that has a pool table, foosball table, and a full-on Nintendo 64 console (yeah, they are that cool).
Packages start from RM30/day for Daily Pass to RM350/month for Monthly Pass.
Toojou Social Hostel’s Address location: 12, Jalan Masjid Lama, Bandaran Berjaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Opis is open 24/7 for any pass owner.
