Langkawi's splendour

Utter luxury was our hotel, absolute splendour was the island.  

Sheer bliss and extreme tranquillity all wrapped into one is the archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea. 30km off the mainland coast of north-western Malaysia, Langkawi offers so many ways to relax and at the same time, be involved in adventurous activities depending on what you’re looking for in a holiday.

Langkawi Permata Kedah translating to be the ‘Jewel of Kedah’ is surrounded by turquoise sea and its paddy fields and jungle-clad hills.

Its beauty will easily help you escape your everyday routine back at home, helping your mind unwind and chill when you sip the welcome drink which The Andaman Hotel provides guests with on arrival.

Luxury is the word to describe the hotel. Talk about the perfect location, the perfect food, the best of everything, well, The Andaman Hotel is the place where all this and even more is on offer. With its beautiful setting of being tucked in the 10 million year old rainforest, the hotel’s location on the Datai Bay and having an 8,000 year old coral reef, makes your stay at the resort such a splendidly, wonderful experience. Its private beach is recognised as the 9^th best in the world by the National Geographic, as well as the National Geographic filming the flying lemurs there.

National Geographic came to film the flying lemurs at The Andaman Hotel because of its rich diversity and abundance in wildlife, and to their surprise, the flying snake was also captured on film. Aired globally in 2011, the ‘Snakes that Fly’ documentary showcases them. It’s fascinating as we actually saw the lemurs and snakes in action whilst staying at the Andaman.

As Southeast Asia’s first Coral Nursery, the Luxury Collection Resort boasts many magnificent ways to be involved in saving coral. Coral clearings and guided coral reef walks are just some of the ways you can help make a difference.

When walking around the hotel, going down to the beach and sea or strolling along to the spa, it was incredible to see the mixture of exotic animals living their daily lives. Some of the creatures seemed out of the ordinary, not ones you’d come across every day unless you lived on the stunning island of Langkawi. 

The nature walks and trails through the hotel and its grounds were splendid as we noted particular animals and plants which our guides pointed out. Flying lemurs and many other creatures were nestled amongst the trees and were amazing to look at.

The V Botanical Spa is perfectly located on the hillside where you can look out at the beautiful views whilst being pampered, feeling the calmness and serenity. We all did just that in our own private villa-like spas, and felt rejuvenated, having experienced such pampering.

Langkawi, such a gorgeous island, has an abundantly rare selection of wildlife and an exotically striking flora. Nature-lovers will be in their element on the island, with a shoreline of powder-fine sand and swaying coconut trees.

Be intrigued by learning about the mangroves and how they helped to stop the tsunami, and visit Langkawi Geopark where you’ll walk around and learn about Langkawi’s fascinating legends and myths. Visit Datarn Lang (Kuah), also known as ‘Eagle Square’, to see a 12-metre tall monument of a sea eagle preparing for flight whilst standing by the Kuah Jetty.

The Oriental Village is just a splendid place to visit over and over again as it’s the place where the Cable Car and Skybridge (near to Pantai Kok) can be accessed. Sit back as you ascend up into the air by cable car and admire the stunning views all around until you reach Mount Mat Cincang, Langkawi’s second highest peak, where views are simply breathtaking. Walk across the Skybridge, a steel bridge suspended across Mount Mat Cincang at 125 metres or 700 metres above sea level, to soak in more spectacular views.

Kayaking in the Andaman Sea was sheer bliss, so we went on a kayaking tour which was out of this world. We saw animals of all sorts, monkeys swinging from tree to tree: the Macaque and the Dusky Leaf Monkey, as well as birds like the Brown Eagle soaring above us to shore. Dipping our hands into the sea, but not immersing them in too deep in case of what lay beneath to feel the coolness of the water or on other days, to feel how surprisingly warm it was. My brother happened to drop his sunglasses in the sea, so dove in after them to shortly realise it was best to come back to the surface without them, thinking of what sea life could be lurking around. Having kayaked to shore, we laughed at the thought of something deep below us wearing his Persol sunglasses, and how many people must have dropped items into the Andaman’s turquoise sea full of exotic marine life.    

Langkawi is a place you ought to visit. Its magical essence and lush foliage including the 300 species of butterflies, lures every visitor and adds to the tranquillity and luxury which the island has to offer.