The Best Hotels to Book in Langkawi, Malaysia, for Every Traveller

Situated in a jungle along a rocky strip of coastline, the Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, feels as if it’s located at the end of the road – in a good way. Accommodation ranges from spacious rooms to private pool-equipped villas, but you may find yourself spending much of your stay in the communal areas, which include three outdoor swimming pools.

A youthful-feeling hotel on a lesser-known beach, the Aloft is the perfect place to get a fresh perspective on Langkawi. The loft-influenced design of the rooms offers space to move, and large sea-facing windows allow you to take in views over the Strait of Malacca. An emphasis on activities for kids and a location on a vast stretch of beach make this one of the best Langkawi hotels for families.

You’ll scale a steep, jungly hill to reach this clutch of diverse rooms with apartment vibes that almost feel like luxury treehouses. From the hotel, it’s a five-minute walk to Pantai Tengah, one of the quieter Langkawi beaches, or you can stay on the grounds passing the time at the spa or developing new skills by taking cooking lessons. A pool and a charming cafe overlooking the greenery round out the offerings at Ambong Ambong.

Langkawi is big enough that it never feels crowded, but if you really want to get away from it all, consider checking in at the St Regis. Occupying a private cove at the southeastern tip of the island, the ambience here is private and isolated. The Middle Eastern influence visible in the architecture adds to the feeling of being far from home, and the luxurious accommodation options range from suites to villas.

Head to the southeastern corner of Langkawi for a bit more space. The Westin delivers in this respect, offering a vast compound with a private beach, a swimming pool the size of a small ocean and activities ranging from tennis to water sports. The huge variety of accommodation on offer means that you can also opt for a room with space to roam around in.

Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa is an old-school resort in the best sense of the term. Taking up an entire corner of buzzy beach town Pantai Cenang, there’s an almost village-like vibe here, with breezy, Malay-style, tile-roofed chalets interspersed with palm trees and other flora. A massive pool with slides and other activities for children make the Meritus a smart Langkawi hotel for families.

This compound of luxurious and inviting villas nestles in the shadow of dramatic karst cliffs. The low-slung verandas, warm-wood features, textured cloths and breeze-swept curtains make the accommodation homely and inviting, while the semi-private beach is a pleasant reminder that you’re on a tropical island. When you need a fresh perspective on your surroundings, board a boat for a tour of the cliffs and mangroves of the Langkawi Unesco Global Geopark, located virtually next door.

Set in and along a strip of rocky jungle on the east coast of Langkawi, the Berjaya might remind you of your childhood summer camp – if your camp happened to be based in a tropical jungle. Although the resort isn’t located on a beach, some of the Malay-style villas here are elevated over water, giving a whole new meaning to the concept of a private pool.

Follow a windy, hilly drive through almost impossibly thick jungle to arrive at what might be the most secluded resort in Langkawi. The main structure appears to melt into the hillside, spilling down to a private, cove-based, white-sand beach. Accommodation here ranges from spacious rooms in the main structure to pool-equipped beachside villas, with nature and seclusion as the common thread.

Telaga Harbour has an almost Monte Carlo-like atmosphere, so the imposing, European-influenced Danna fits right in. The 135 rooms look over the harbour, while a clutch of private villas edge the beach. With an emphasis on service and a location only a brief drive from some of the premier sights of the island, the Danna hits that sweet spot between relaxation and adventure.