Are you planning a vacation to Langkawi, Malaysia? Check out these four unique hotels and resorts that will make your stay on the island unforgettable...
After months of hard work, it was time for an island escape and some relaxation! I've never been to Langkawi but I've heard so many friends of mine raving about the island that I finally decided to visit.
Naturally Langkawi helped me to organize my trip and experience the beauty of Langkawi. Make sure to also check my other blog post 10 Fun Things to do in Langkawi if you're planning a trip to the Jewel of Kedah.
I've spent almost 3 weeks in Langkawi and had some time to stay at some of the island's most unique hotels and resorts. The following four were my absolute favorites, you can't go wrong with them. But decide for yourself which one you like the most! Happy travels!
1. FOUR SEASONS RESORT *****
Extraordinary is an understatement.
This place needs to be named first, because it's the kind of resort that takes your breath away from the moment you enter the stunning Moroccan style lobby. The architects did an impressive job here.
Location
The wonderful Four Seasons Resort is located on the most beautiful beach in Langkawi, Tanjung Rhu. Surrounded by lime stones, a lush jungle and white beaches, this place is just perfect to rediscover yourself and enjoy the ultimate relaxation.
Rooms
Guests will stay in gorgeous beach villas, all of them are spacious with spectacular views and beautiful furnishings. Every villa has a gigantic bathroom with a jacuzzi bathtub.
Features
There are two pool areas for adults and families. Well, guess where I was spending most of my time? The 55 meter wide infinity pool facing the Andaman sea offers a lot of privacy with separate lounging areas for couples. The Four Seasons features its own spa where I enjoyed a brilliant massage. They also do yoga classes in the morning and around sunset time.
PRO
The staff offers an exceptional service, they will go above and beyond to make everything possible. If you're looking for privacy and serenity, this place is a peaceful
retreat, perfect to relax & rejuvenate. Fast WiFi!!
CONTRA
Luxury and quality has its price. The Four Seasons is surely not for budget travelers. But honestly, that place is extraordinary! I caught myself silently calculating how many nights I could afford at this first class resort. It's worth it!
If you like to stay at the Four Seasons, you can check here rates and availability.
2. THE DANNA *****
The most relaxing resort in Langkawi.
The Danna is the place I enjoyed the most because I really got to relax here at this fabulous property with beautiful rooms, designed in a mix of Mediterranean style and British Colonial decor. The Danna is currently ranked on Tripadvisor as #01 Hotel in Langkawi. So, you can believe that this place is extraordinary!
Location
The 5-star beachfront resort is located on the west coast of Langkawi, surrounded by almost 3 acres of lush gardens, the sea and the mountains. The Danna is just a couple minutes away from the Cable Car and the 3D Museum which makes it a very convenient location.
Rooms
Lovely decorated rooms of a large size, unbelievably comfortable bed with giant pillows and a spacious bathroom with bathtub and rain shower. The big balcony offers panoramic views over the marina and the white sandy beach.
Features
The infinity pool is massive in its size, with several jacuzzi pools. They have some pretty cool sun beds on the beach, I fell asleep in one of their cocoons (look at the image at the top of this post).
There is an excellent in-house spa with sauna, a library, kids clubs and many more.
My highlight was the daily Afternoon Tea, a fine selection of tea with several delicious snacks like quiches, sandwiches, wraps, cakes and pastries. Superb!
PRO
Fantastic variety of food and generous portions, nobody stays hungry at The Danna. My favorite were the incredibly comfy beach beds along the poolside, I really got to relax there. Excellent staff, I received a welcome massage before check in.
CONTRA
I'm trying to think about anything I didn't like about The Danna, but nothing comes up in my mind. I was really treated like a princess at this resort. No complaints. Loved the place, will definitely come back!
If you like to stay at The Danna, you can check here rates and availability.
3. BERJAYA RESORT ****
I'm still dreaming of that breakfast buffet...
The glorious Berjaya Resort has been around for a while and is probably the most popular hotel in Langkawi. It's one the biggest resorts with over 350 rooms on 70 acres of land. This place is gigantic.
Location
Located in a spectacular setting surrounded by a tropical jungle and the emerald Andaman sea. Expect to see monkeys and birds and other amazing wildlife because you're right in the rainforest.
Rooms
I stayed in one of the rainforest chalets, a wooden bungalow, build on stilts. The room had everything I needed for a comfortable stay, bathroom with shower and a balcony facing the seaside. Monkeys stopped by from time to time on our terrace so we had to keep the door closed.
Features
Berjaya Resort has an excellent designed pool area with a bridge, waterfall and impressive views over the mountains and the beach. There is a bar inside the pool and a happy hour which makes the pool a fantastic place to hang out for a while and enjoy a couple of cold drinks.
PRO
The breakfast at Berjaya is to die for. Nothing to miss - It was the best breakfast I had in Langkawi, the variety was absolutely overwhelming!
CONTRA
With over 300 rooms, it can get quite busy at the Berjaya. The lobby feels more like a bus terminal and the check in procedure took over a half hour.
If you like to stay at the Berjaya Resort, you can check here rates and availability.
4. GEMALAI VILLAGE ***
A magical place to stay in Langkawi.
The Gemalai Village is surely not a first-class or luxury resort, but it's in such a fairytale setting and incomparable to most of the resorts I have seen, that's why it deserves to be named here!
Location
Gemalai Village is located at Pantai Cenang, the touristic center of Langkawi. It's a small hotel with only six bungalows, built on stilts in the middle of rice paddies. It's magical to wake up in this unique setting and watch buffalos, ducks and birds from your window...
Rooms
I stayed in a house on two floors with an outdoor living area on the ground floor and a comfortable sleeping room and open air bathroom upstairs. Rooms are well sized with wooden decor and large windows.
Features
No pool, but the beach is less than 10 minutes walk away. Grab one of the bicycles and explore the surroundings. The breakfast was served on the terrace which was very convenient.
PRO
The Gemalai Village is undoubtedly a spectacular place to stay, magical views over the rice fields and stunning sunsets. Free bicycle rental to get around. Very good location, close to the beach, the airport and the nearest duty free store. Plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants nearby.
CONTRA
Quite noisy, there is a busy road next to the resort. There were a couple of half full shampoo bottles in the bathroom, made me feel like I'm using someone elses leftovers. The room tend to get super hot, even when A/C was running high.
The two-storey house is built on stilts, every time the wind blows, the house becomes shaky.
Travel Tips Malaysia
Are you ready to fly to Malaysia? Here are some quick booking links and resources that I use myself for travel planning. These websites will help you to get started with your Malaysia itinerary!
Cheap Flights to Langkawi, Malaysia
Going to Langkawi is a breeze! Langkawi is an International Airport, served by plenty airlines. Skyscanner is my favorite search engine for finding cheap flights to Malaysia, from anywhere in the world. I always start my flight search here!
Transport within Malaysia
Bus, boat, and trains: 12Go is one of the most reliable websites when it comes to booking buses, ferries and railway. Get an instant seat confirmation and start your overland travel worry-free. You can travel by bus/train and ferry from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi. The overland trip will cost between US$20 - 35 from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi.
Taxis: Indrive is my go-to app to call a cab. No more hassles with taxi drivers who don't like to use the meter!
Find a Place to Stay in Malaysia
Hostels, hotels and resorts: Agoda is excellent if you're looking for hotels from budget to luxury! It's one of the largest hotel booking websites in the world. Plenty of options to book now and pay later, or even pay at the hotel. Risk-free booking, many with free cancellation. My other go to is Booking.com.
Homestays and Housesits: For a more authentic and local experience I recommend Homestay.com, a website where you can find places to stay with locals for such a great price. Personally, I'm obsessed with Trusted Housesitters, where you get to stay completely for free in exchange for pet care. Find out more in my article on How to Become a House Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation.
Fun Tours and Activities in Langkawi
Get your Guide has plenty of fun activities in Langkawi, such as island hopping, hiking tours and water sport activities. There is plenty of choices to keep yourself entertained!
Klook is similar than the one above, but offers additional options such as airport transfers, SIM cards, and food & dining experiences. It' a great way to meet other travelers while exploring a new place!
eSIM - Stay connected with Internet
Get an eSIM before you go and have Internet available from the second you arrive! I highly recommend Roamless or JetPac - they're both highly ranked, inexpensive and reliable.
Travel Insurance
Never go adventuring without travel insurance! I recommend Genki or SafetyWing - they're both very affordable and will cover you in an emergency.
Do I need a Visa for Malaysia?
Travelers from most countries are allowed to enter Malaysia visa-free, for a period of 30 - 90 days. You can check on iVisa whether you need a visa and how long you are permitted to stay.
More Blog Posts about Malaysia
- Hotel Review: Casa del Mar Langkawi - A Peaceful Retreat that makes you feel like Home
- Langkawi Island - The Perfect Getaway for Luxury and Adventure Seekers
- Kuala Lumpur In 24 Hours - Five Things To Do In One Day
- 10 Fun Things to do in Langkawi, Malaysia
- 10 Amazing Things to do in Kuala Lumpur (+ 3 Fantastic Places to Stay)
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About the Author:
Sabrina Iovino started JustOneWayTicket.com in 2012. She's half German, half Italian and has traveled to 75+ countries around the globe. She feels weird to write about herself in the third person, so she'll switch now. Let's restart:
Hi, I'm Sab! This is my blog and I write about the things I love. Mostly.
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