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Langkawi

It’s no Phuket. Not even a Koh Samui but that’s Langkawi’s charm. Just off the Malaysian peninsular in the Andaman Sea, Langkawi is an island of dramatic limestone cliffs, ancient rainforest and stunningly beautiful beaches. It’s also home to some of Southeast Asia’s most stylish resorts. A deliberate effort to limit development has helped preserve much of Langkawi’s natural beauty and the island’s. If you want a tranquil retreat to get away from it all, without having to give up the luxuries of modern life, then Langkawi is the answer.

 

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Essentials

01 Apa Khabar is "How are you?" The response is always Khabar Baik ("I’m very well").
02 The jungle’s worth the effort – even if it’s nothing more than self-styled junglewalla Irshad Mobarak’s 90-minute nature walk at the Datai. Don’t forget the bug spray. Good shoes are a must.
03 For top quality Malay cuisine don’t miss the Gulai House, midway along the beach between The Datai and the Andaman.
04 Stock up with Langkawi’s own buffalo mozzarella at Friendly Farms in Padang Matsirat, add in a few specials from McPhee’s Australian deli nearby and have a picnic by the beach.
05 Take time out to admire the work of Malaysian artist Ibrahim Hussein in his gallery overlooking the sea on Jalan Datai.

Hotels

Independent and easy
Bon Ton Resort
Pantai Cenang
+ 60 4 955 1688
bontonresort.com

Dependable chain
Four Seasons Langkawi
Jalan Tanjung Rhu
+ 60 4 950 8888
fourseasons.com/langkawi

Premium
The Datai
22 Jalan Imbi
+ 60 3 2145 9599
ghmhotels.com

Dining

Fast breakfast
Taste
Westin Langkawi,
Jalan Pantai Dato Syed Omar
+ 60 4 960 8888
starwoodhotels.com/westin

Leisurely breakfast
The Dining Room, The Datai
Jalan Teluk Datai
+ 60 4 959 2500
ghmhotels.com

Mid-morning coffee
The Loaf
Perdana Quay, Telaga Harbour Park
Pantai Kok
+ 60 4 959 4866
theloaflangkawi.com

Lunch with friends
Sun Café
Jalan Teluk Baru, Pantai Tengah
+ 60 4 955 8300
sungroup-langkawi.com

Lunch with a sea view
Saffron
Tanjung Rhu Resort

Lunch on your own
The Lighthouse
Pantai Cenang
+ 60 4 955 2586 
thelighthouse-langkawi.com

Sunset cocktail
Rhu Bar, Four Seasons
Jalan Tanjung Rhu
+ 60 4 950 8888
fourseasons.com/langkawi

Romantic dinner
Nam
Bon Ton Resort
Pantai Cenang
+ 60 4 955 1688
bontonresort.com

Alfresco dinner
The Pavilion
The Datai
Jalan Teluk Datai
+ 60 4 959 2500
ghmhotels.com

Dinner for two
Ikan Ikan
Four Seasons Langkawi
Tanjung Rhu
+ 60 4 950 8888

Big dinner with friends
The Gulai House
The Andaman
Jalan Teluk Datai
+ 60 4 959 1088

Late drinks
Sunba
Jalan Teluk Baru
Pentai Tengah
+ 60 4 953 1801
sungroup.langkawi.com/sunba

Reading

Four Seasons Newsstand
Tanjung Rhu
+ 60 4 950 8888

Basics

Joe's Pharmacy
111 Main Road Mukim Kuah, Langkawi

Shopping

Something you can't get anywhere else
Custom crystal housewares by Langkawi Crystaal
2 Jalan Pandak Mayah
+ 60 4 966 9688

Lost luggage - where to buy  shirts, socks and underwear
Langkawi Fair Mall
Persiaran Putra
+ 60 4 969 8100
langkawi-fair.com

Something for the kids
Malay knick-knacks  at Langkawi Craft Complex
Teluk Yu, Mukim Bohor
+ 60 4 959 1913

Shopping by the sea
Jetty Point
Kuah Town
+ 60 4 966 7560
jettypoint.com

Something for someone you love
Boutique
The Datai
+ 60 4 959 2500

Two hour tour

Sunset charter yacht for an outer island boat trip in the 99-isle archipelago.


01


708m peak of Gunung Mat Cinang


02
Malay cooking course hosted by Lighthouse chef Shukri in his own home.
+ 60 4 955 2586

03
Follow the road past the Tanjung Rhu beach for seafood at sunset.


Limousine/car

Best organised through your hotel. Kasina offers self-drive vehicles. Bargain for the best rate.
+ 60 4 644 1842
kasina.com.my

Transport

Rent a bike
Bon Ton Resort
Pantai Cenang
+ 60 4 955 1688

Fitness

Good gym
Westin Langkawi
Jalan Pantai Dato Syed Omar
Kedah
+ 60 4 960 8888

Good running route
Tanjung Rhu Beach

Alternative diversion
Nature walk with Irshad Mobarak at the Datai.
+ 60 12 584 6184
junglewalla.com
+ 60 4 950 8888

Credits

Writer: Rob McKeown

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