From soaring eagles and emerald mangroves to golden sunsets that colours the horizon – and this is not just hyperbole as The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi is hidden within lush rainforest and beside pristine shores along the Andaman Sea that offers a rare connection to the island mystical beauty.
Nestled on the south west coast, a short 10 minutes drive from Langkawi international Airport and 20 minutes away from the bustling Pantai Cenang - the 2 kilometers long beach also is the hub for street market, beach bars, nightlife entertainment and shopping precincts. The location is close to what you need but once you step into this secluded resort, tranquility and serenity awaits. You are worlds away from what lies outside the resort’s perimeter. For the resort has such a unique perspective and it is ideally positioned for guests looking to experience the best of this magical island for a luxury escape.
Our journey to the tropical paradise began with airport arrival where we were met and greeted by a hotel representative and introduced to our driver Aslan, who was a font of information and offering such genuine warmth in hospitality as well as a great conversationalist on our 12 minute journey. As we passed through the resort entrance the mystery gradually unfolded as we drove up a circuitous driveway through the lush rainforest foliage.
The moment we pulled up at the arrival lobby we were met by the dedicated hotel’s Ladies & Gentlemen for a very warm welcome greetings and immediately we felt the warmth of a home coming. We were then escorted to the Arrival Lodge - an elevated lobby lounge living room area with a partial view over looking the sea through the rainforest A refreshing Pemandangan Indah (beautiful scenery/view) - a blend of fresh coconut water, calamansi, and a delicate touch of hibiscus syrup was served.
Romain, the witty front office gentlemen briefly introduced us to the resort’s facilities and efficiently settled the formalities. We then had the soft spoken Daniel who drove us to our Rainforest View Junior Suite in the buggy and explained every part of the suite’s amenities and facilities.
Inspired by local heritage and enriched with modern refinement, this luxurious resort boasts the island’s only overwater spa, three swimming pools, Ritz Kids programme, four distinct dining venues and a private beach and bay with direct access to the region’s diving sites.
This resort is all about a mix of adventure and relaxation and it is not difficult to see why once you arrive and explore the environs of this luxurious seaside oasis where ancient rainforest meets tranquility.
This five-star 119 room resort, with 90 rooms and 29 villas really goes all out on impressions and follows through with refined and unpretentious service. You just need to kick back, relax and start unwinding while observing and immersing yourself into the beauty of nature.
#Room 243. The suite was of unexpectedly large proportions at 100sqm and was not exactly a square layout, which made the design more intriguing. From the entrance an immediate right takes you into the open wardrobe and storage area with a make-up table that looks into the bedroom or can be closed off for privacy.
Then to your right is an incredibly spacious and luxurious marble bathroom featuring a semi open rain shower with a signature green marble feature wall, a built up marble stand stood atop the bathroom for the strong shower pressure control as well as the luxury Dyptique amenities which are placed orderly for your enjoyment.
The white bathroom marble flooring tiles gives a cooling effect in the tropical heat. A separate toilet cubicle is opposite the vanity and enclosed in opaque glass but gives complete privacy.
The large oversized free-standing stone bath is inviting, not only we had the spa bath prepared over turndown service but it is a way for the Ladies and Gentlemen to pamper their guests during the stay. There are two walls of windows that can be left unscreened to let natural light flood in or screened off for privacy while taking the bath.
The very long and sturdy double vanity in stunning and dramatic green veined marble is affixed with a huge mirror running the full length of the vanity which is simply elegant and utterly practical!
The minibar is located adjacent to the bathroom and behind the bedroom entrance from the other end that comes with a chilled wine cellar fridge, offering an excellent selection of wines, beers and soft drinks. TWG selection of tea bags in more than 3 varieties as well as Nespresso capsule coffee machine and sensibly with more than sufficient supply of complimentary bottles of drinking water.
On entering the front section of the suite you immediately have your breath taken away with the lushness of the rainforest view and a glimpse of the Andaman Sea. The bedroom is luxury personified: a proper King bed with a solid wood bedhead, featuring neatly made luxurious Frette linens and a choice of pillows; a chaise lounge opposite the bed in its own bay window with an elegant metal and wood coffee table; a wall mounted television to the side that can swivel out to be watched from the bed.
The sliding panels above the bed that open to the bathroom have an abstract blue ocean theme design and add a pop of colour to the room, which is flanked by statement bed column lights composed of a glass cylinder wrapped in a diagonal metal web that are affixed to their own wall niche. Low bedside tables frame the bed which is softened with the addition of a floor rug sat on the hardwood flooring.
To the side is a small work desk and elegant wooden chair decorated with some objet d’art.
Off to the side of the bedroom is a separate living room well decorated with two small size lounge chairs and a standing lamp together with a large sofa on the side which creates that residential feel.
It is well sectioned off for privacy with sliding doors and panels, the intimate living area has three walls of windows and is the perfect room to relax and admire the scenery without subjecting yourselves to the outdoor heat and humidity.
A sturdy sliding door allows you to step out to the spacious outdoor wooden deck balcony that comes with a day bed sofa, attractive designed table and two chairs for some fresh air nature gazing.
Remember not to forget to close the door at all times, not only to avoid mosquitoes and insects but to prevent the uninvited guests trespassing - the in-house monkeys are there to invade your privacy. You don’t want to get “robbed”.
This would have to be one of the more elegant and luxurious suites we have had the pleasure of staying in and the devil is in the details: beautifully chosen furniture and earth tone fabric choice, carefully selected objet d’art placed around the suite: the metal bird towel hooks, the metal bamboo design towel rails, the wood and metal coffee tables. The amenities also exude luxury with plush bathrobes, slippers and toiletries.
Some guests may prefer a brighter lighting mood features for the evening but we enjoy the dim illumination as it was that creates a calming and more cozy ambience to embrace the elegance from this sanctuary of nature. We loved the personalized turndown service by Prakash as our suite was ever neatly made and cleaned. His thoughtful hand written card always so heartfelt and sweet.
While we decided not to leave the resort on day one, there are plenty of leisure options to occupy our time, besides having ourselves to get the bearing in this gigantic rainforest estate either by foot or the on-call buggy services for a brief resort tour, we went meeting up with the marine biologist and resort ambassador for environment & sustainability, Fadzli Luqman at the resort’s Eco Discovery Center that features a sea cucumber nursery. A brief educational session and a hands-on experience to support the sustainability of these unique creatures and to understand the important roles they play in the ecosystem and for humans.
At Coco Beach by 6pm, guests are invited to witness the <Dance of Thanks To The Sea> - as local folks sway to the mellow sound of gamelan music, awaiting the safe return of their friends and family and praying that the sea will bless them with abundant catch just as their ancestors have done for thousands of years while refreshment is served.
You may also explore the air-conditioned Library and the Activity Centre for games.
The Nibong Garden, the Tree Adoption Area, the Ritz Kids Club and Eco Discovery Centre are other interactive options to venture with kids.
For exercise and wellness, the well equipped gym may encourage you to shake off the extra calories or the outdoor Teluk Ara Tennis Court for a good swing.
Sunset by the Adults only infinity pool
A family pool on the other side of the beach with a separate kids recreation pool is best for social bonding at the same time to keep children active and also offers low-impact fitness for adults.
In additional, if spa treatment for your body and mind rejuvenation is your thing, head to the the resort’s award winning spa that features six stunning overwater treatment pavillions shaped like bubus - a traditional Malay fishing net with treatments inspired by local Malay healing and royal bathing traditions with the only hamman facility on the island.
We were also booked in for a Mixology Class at the Horizon Bar with Eric. You think bar tenders (it is now better known as Mixologist) have an easy job shaking and mixing cocktails until you take this educational mini-master-class. Eric had lined up two different types of gin - Black Forest Germany and the Spanish Atlantic Coast - and all sorts of little bottles which are extracts of various ingredients that looked more like the alchemist of a science laboratory.
As it turned out, Eric has created some cocktails by extracting flavours from herbs and fruits by processes of fermentation and sous vide - “under vaccum” - where food is sealed in a plastic bag, slow cooked in a precisely controlled water bath, and all the hard work of creating these intense potions was done. We were just guided through the sequence of measuring and how and when to mix after he had explained the process of creating ingredients from scratch that allows cocktails to have much more complexity and brought the flavours back to life.
We created a Kaffia Reverie and a Blueberry Sour and loved the finished concoctions and were won over by his artistry of bartending product knowledge and inventiveness. He entered a company competition among all Asian bartenders and finished in the top 12 among a large list of entrants, so he has a wanted skill. This is a must do activity!
“Breakfast in the rainforest”. Breakfast was located at Langkawi Kitchen amidst the rainforest and the long walkway from the buggy path takes you past the resort boutique and the sensible design of those screened-off outlet bathrooms.
Langkawi Kitchen features a long room anchored with a mix of marble and wood flooring, with a high A-Frame roof, so very airy with ceiling fans down the centre and many pendant lantern lights hanging down each side of the restaurant. Wall sconce lights and glass lamps are strategically placed along walls that illuminates the entire dinning area.
Plentiful of lattice screens are used to partially hide the back of each service station as well as decorative wall elements sectionized the seating arrangements. The dining chairs are akin to a proper lounge armchair and along with the banquettes were so comfortable that we stayed longer than intended.
The ambience inside is of darker tones which has a cooling effect when the harsh sun is present outside best reflecting on the unique design of this reminiscence of traditional Malay houses.
Windows are full length on one whole side looking out to the alfresco dining pavilions and the rainforest, adorned with plush Malayan tigers randomly positioned and sitting in different postures on the balcony ledges, guarding the venue to prevent the uninvited intruders - the resident monkeys. Whimsical yet practical and a sensible approach from the resort.
Breakfast can be the make or break of a hotel/resort stay and The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi was a definite hit of the most positive kind. What it does so well is the wide variety of food cooked and presented in various cooking stations as well as the inviting and well displayed buffet setting.
The buffet was more than expected in every possible way. Apart from the massive buffet spread which there are a lot more you can keep going back for. We got hooked immediately from the Asian station that was serving mostly Malaysian breakfast classics ranging from the local’s all time favorites: Nasi Lemak, Roti Jala, Roti Canai, Curry Chicken, Rendang dishes, assorted stir-fried, noodle soups, congee and even whole grilled fish.
A good daily rotation from the condiments and accompaniment for the Nasi Lemak was a very thoughtful gesture by highlighting the Malaysia’s cooking and traditional eats at its best.
There are Malay, Chinese, Indian sections featuring local delights, egg station sections as well as a good selection of daily juices freshly made and bottled. TWG Tea selection and coffee was in good nick. Fresh salads and cheeses well laid out and multiple choices of home baked pastries and so on. Despite the pastries were a bit industrial in taste - if not eaten straight out of the oven they get dry and chewy very quickly and not quite pleasant to enjoy at all.
We were lucky to savour the Langkawi version of Beef Rendang on the second morning. The darker sauce version of this comfort food was utterly delicious, aromatic, rich and peppery on the palate yet with a hint of sweetness to balance the flavour. The meat just fell apart at the touch of a knife, tender and flavoursome. Every mouthful was to be savoured and that also made it the highlight of our breakfast experience.
This breakfast selection elevates the food with local specialties and international favourites that won us over with every bite and resonated with us. In addition, there is the small crafted a-la-carte menu that piqued our interest. Signature dishes such as the delectable Pandan French Toast, the popular and umami Lobster Mushroom Omelette and Onzen Egg on Kaya Toast are the must-order that are hard to fault for such a gourmet breakfast that delighted us at every turn.
Chef Hafiz manages the local and regional dishes so well and gave us some personal attention, along with Jamira who made the most crispiest crepes that delighted us every morning together with her contagious smile. A touch of luxury that we also enjoyed was the French sparkling wine from Alsace on offer over breakfast which is something you don’t see in too many luxury hotels/resorts. This elevated sparkling wine that reeked of quality could also be enjoyed with a Mimosa or Bellini cocktail.
The service was quite switched on and never fails to deliver from the moment you walked in, you feel very much welcome from the gesture of the service team that are so obliged to deliver their warmest hospitality. Anis, Kai Ern and Ayie who all ensured all guests are well-looked after and attended to, so never a problem getting attention or having the plates cleared and simple requests were dealt with without hesitation. Breakfast was an absolute joy and the highlight of every day during our stay.
Food and Beverage does not begin and end with just breakfast at Langkawi Kitchen, the signature Chinese restaurant Hai Yan serves refined Cantonese cuisine and is worth spending time at.
Our stay was too brief - aren’t they always when you are really enjoying yourselves! We thoroughly took the great pleasure in comfort in the island life and the immersion into the rainforest, truly relaxed and de-stressed. If you ever to step outside of the resort and explore the magical island of Langkawi, getting some insight tips from Muhendra and his dedicated concierge team will certainly sought out the wanderlust on your wonder list.
Langkawi is a place of timeless wonder, sometimes when we take a step back before we could gain another mile and The Ritz Carlton, Langkawi is there to find your unforgettable journey and feel cocooned and cosseted by the resort team and as hard as we looked, it was difficult to find a chink in the armour. This was another Ritz-Carlton resort where all the Ladies and Gentlemen lived the brand ethos and treated us like family and we can’t wait to book another stay!
Tried & Tested:
Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 5/5
Design & Decor: 5/5
Housekeeping: 5/5
Food & Beverage: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Value For Money: 5/5
Experience: 5/5
Food & Beverage: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Value For Money: 5/5
Experience: 5/5
Jalan Pantai Kok,
Teluk Nibung
Langkawi, Malaysia
Tel: +6 04 9524 888
Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.
