Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) was initially established by a group of concerned and dedicated hoteliers to bring about a more dynamic hospitality industry and was given the approval to operate on 1 March 1974. It was officially registered with the Registrar of Societies on 18 May 1975 as Malaysian Association of Hotels & Restaurants (MAHAR). The secretariat was located at 76B Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur and operated with 92 members.

In 1982, MAHAR amended its constitution and it came to be known as MAH. In 1983, the secretariat moved to MATIC (now known as MTC) Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur before moving on to Desa Pandan in 1996.

Its company, MAHTEC Sdn Bhd commenced its fiscal year in 1998 to profile MAH as a human resource development provider and to upgrade the skills and knowledge of staff-in-service in the industry.

With all the support of its members, MAH purchased a permanent home for its secretariat and operated from Wisma MAH at One Ampang Avenue, Jalan Ampang Kuala Lumpur on 17 March 2001.