Holiday Asia

January/February 2004

Hotel Watch: Langkawi, p.64

The stunning beauty of Langkawi's unspoiled beaches and rainforests sets this island apart, making it ideal for low key beach life and simple relaxation. asia-hotels.com recommends:

Tanjung Rhu Bellhop rating: 4.5 Star rating: 5 Prices from: US$198 Cleanliness: 4 Facilities: 4.5 Staff Attitude: 4 Value for Money: 4 Overall rating: 4	Do not let the concrete apartment tenements fool you. Tanjung Rhu is one of the nicest resorts on the island - style, elegance and absolute seclusion. The resort is spread over 30 acres, with a 2.5 km stretch of private beach. Remote is an understatement: there is no immediate neighbor for miles, but a 30-40 minute car ride should get you to the airport or to town. Rooms are huge - among the largest in Asia - and delightfully done. There's reception desk, but instead a personalized in-room check-in while soft music plays and you sip on a drink. The resort also has a secluded beach with stunning views. A major plus is the library with its live piano music and wonderful sea vistas - great for eveining cocktails. There is a well-shaded kids' pool and a huge, rather unusual main pool with gazebos and fountains. Recently the hotel opened a pleasant spa, Jiva Rhu. The hotel is very remote so you really are tied to its three restaurants; generally the food is acceptable. At Rhu, the fine dining is excellent but not cheap. The resort does have "all-inclusive" packages which offer exceptional value.
Casa del Mar Bellhop rating: 4.4 Star rating: 5 Prices from:US$114 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 3 Staff Attitude: 4 Value for Money: 3.5 Overall rating: 4	Casa del Mar is a delightful intimate hotel right on the beach. The compact terracotta tiled rooms, each with a small balcony, overlook the sea. Stepping out of the room, you are virtually on the bach. All rooms have a four-feature bathroom with a separate shower and batch and with walk-in wardrobe and spa toiletries. Suties are especially suited for families. The hotel's best feature is its delightful staff, all extremely helful and war, especially with kids. Dining is also a joy. The restaurant extends past the swimming pool and into the garden, so you can pick exactly where you want to browse over a new menu that fuses Japanese cuisine with Mediterranean. The spa is small but good, with the foot reflexology particularly recommended. The ambience of the hotel is wonderful, especially in the evenings when the palm trees are lit up. Although it is little more expensive than some hotels on Langkawi, it is worth every penny. A pocket size hotel with a very homey atmosphere.
Pelangi Beach Resort Bellhop rating: 4.4 Star rating: 4 Prices from: US$112 Cleanliness: 3.5 Facilities: 4.5 Staff Attitude: 4 Value for Money: 3.5 Overall rating: 4	The architecture of this huge, sprawling and beautifully maintained resort is traditional Malay with the use of dark, heavy woods. All buildings are chalets on stilts. Every room, regardless of the location on the sprawling 25 acres, has a large balcony with chairs and table set out to relax on. Although the hotel has improved the soundproofing between floors, noise does still carry; this is the downside of using wood. The Pelangi has an extensive stretch of beach and two large pools with a jacuzzi pool and swim-up bar. The two main eateries, serving xcellent food, are well worth the price. Everything about the Pelangi, like Langkawi island itself, spells "relax." If you want to stay on Pantai Cenang beach and have a little extra money to spend, this is the place to spend it. Note that Pantai Cenang is on the flight path to Langkawi airport and is one of the nearest beaches to the airport. But planes are so infrequent this should not bother most guests. Facilities include watersports, tennis and squash courts, as well as a well-run kids' club. A great family destination.
The Datai Langkawi Bellhop rating: 4.3 Star rating: 5 Prices from: US$320 Cleanliness: 5 Facilities: 5 Staff Attitude: 5 Value for Money: 4 Overall rating: 4.5	Everything about the Datai is beautifully done. The deluxe rooms, in two wings next tot hte main pool and dining room, are large and spacious with stunning balconied views over the rainforest and Datai Bay. Stand-alone villas are sprinkled below in the rainforest en route to the beach. Villas and pool villas are spacious, romantic and have sundecks - albeit somewhat oddly off the bathroom. The hotel sets itself up for couples, although children are welcome, and rooms are large enough to accommodate a family. If, however, your children are raucous, this is perhaps not a good choice. Food outlets are first class and the meals are among the best in Langkawi, the spa massages are a dream, and the beach is spotless. Many top-end hotels exude an irritating arrogance - but not here. General manager Jamie Case and his team have been together since the hotel opened and it shows. The professionalism and charm with which everything is handled make this hotel very special. There is no doubt the hotel is expensive. However, given the quality of the whole experience, no one can begrudge the price. Definitely one of the best in Asia.