Ritz-Carlton Langkawi: Top-Notch Luxury and Exclusivity in Southeast Asia

Between Tropical Forest and Sea

On an island paradise in the Andaman Sea, this gorgeous resort welcomes a limited number of visitors looking to enjoy a natural setting that’s untouched by mass tourism. After an hour-long flight from Kuala Lumpur followed by a fifteen-minute drive, we discovered an enchanting site featuring about a hundred rooms and villas in the midst of a tropical forest. The architecture harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding nature, offering an exclusive experience to each visitor. Those looking for peace and quiet will be right at home in one of the villas, while energetic travelers can check out the hotel’s numerous activities, including hikes through the jungle, cooking and bartending classes, and outdoor yoga sessions.

Rooms and Villas That Blend with Nature

The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi includes 70 rooms, 15 suites, and 29 villas scattered throughout the forest, with the option to be among lush green trees or nearer to the sea. Philippe Villeroux turned this resort into a work of art that will leave you speechless: large, comfortable rooms, contemporary décor with Malaysian design elements, and enormous picture windows will help you feel perfectly integrated into the natural environment.

The 200 m² Rainforest Villa where we spent two nights is an excellent example. Incredibly spacious and bathed in sunlight, the interior design features a harmonious color palette with neutral parquet floors and natural materials, punctuated by works from Malaysian artists. But the villa’s highlights are of course its various outdoor facilities, such as the superb private pool with a patio and deckchairs, where we spent many hours lounging about. This establishment offers true holiday homes with bright and airy interiors and private outdoor amenities, disturbed only by local birds and monkeys that stop by to say hello.

A Divine Spa Alongside the Sea

The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi wouldn’t be complete without its breathtaking spa, a universe devoted to well-being that seems to melt into the sea. The spa menu includes several flagship treatments from the Ritz-Carlton collection, but also rituals inspired by local culture, such as the “Mandi Bunga Inspired Ritual.” This 90-minute treatment is influenced by royal bathing rituals meant to eliminate bad energy. The various treatments are administered in one of five pavilions which are designed to look like Malay Bubus (baskets for catching fish) and appear to be literally floating on the ocean. You need only enter into one of these pavilions to be filled with a sense of calm before being pampered by a highly-skilled therapist.

Local Inspiration at Langkawi Kitchen

Much to the delight of lovers of haute cuisine, the Ritz-Carlton Langkawi offers four restaurants, all of which share a fabulous view of the sea. Langkawi Kitchen will thrill lovers of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. Perfectly integrated into its surroundings, this wooden building is also the place where we enjoyed our breakfast, including a delicious and exotic buffet!

The Beach Grill: A Delight for the Taste Buds in a Beautiful Setting

The Beach Grill features a menu that emphasizes seafood, such as the catch of the day on offer every evening. The setting alone is worth the trip, with a wooden platform overlooking the bay from which guests can view the most spectacular sunsets. The location pays homage to local heritage through its décor, while the menu mixes the best elements of Malaysian cuisine with international influences. A few examples include the Beach Grill-style lobster salad, the Nasi Lautan Wok paella, and the Buah-Buahan crumble dessert, which combines pineapple, banana, and mango flavors.

Hai Yan, High-Flying Cantonese Cuisine

Lovers of top-notch Cantonese cuisine will be enchanted by Hai Yan restaurant. The décor transports guests into a Chinese-inspired universe, featuring dark-stained wood and lanterns along with a 180° view of the sea. The resort proposes several festive soirées throughout the year, such as the Chinese New Year celebrations which took place last February, as well as a special dinner planned in collaboration with the prestigious Baron de Rothschild champagnes (which will soon be on the hotel menu).

Horizon, a Spot That’s Romantic As Can Be!

Horizon is the perfect spot for admiring the sunset with a cocktail in hand. In a refined ambiance reserved for adults only, this restaurant proposes Thai-inspired cuisine at lunch and dinner time, as well as a pool for splashing about during the rest of the day.

The Verdict

The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi sets the bar very high for luxury hospitality on this island. The privacy of the resort with its personal villas is ideal for a peaceful vacation. The rooms and villas are designed to make the most of the preserved natural environment, while still offering contemporary décor that looks like it came straight out of a magazine. The resort’s top attractions include admiring the sunset from one of its four restaurants while enjoying the cuisine on offer. A luxury resort that’s among the best in the country!

• My villa with private pool: I had the luxury of total privacy with this luxurious villa and sizeable pool!
• The delicious restaurants: enchanting places with excellent food!
• The location: you feel like you’re alone on the island, and you never grow tired of it!

• The quality of the personnel and service were below the 5-star standards of the hotel’s brand…

Practical Information

Thank you to the Ritz-Carlton Langkawi for the invitation to explore their establishment.Of course, the content of this blogpost was left entirely up to me!