Langkawi Accommodation Options 🦅
Langkawi, an enchanting tropical paradise in Malaysia, has long been a magnet for travelers seeking sun-soaked beaches, lush landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. With its breathtaking scenery and vibrant culture, Langkawi offers a range of accommodation options that cater to every traveler’s preferences and budgets.
Whether you’re drawn to luxurious resorts, charming boutique hideaways, budget-friendly hotels, family-friendly retreats, ECO-conscious stays, or serviced apartments, Langkawi offers a diverse range of accommodation options that cater to every traveler’s preferences.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top Langkawi accommodation choices, ensuring your stay on this picturesque island is nothing short of perfect.
Langkawi island – known as ‘the Jewel of Kedah’
Budget-Friendly Hotels: Comfort Without Compromise
Langkawi warmly welcomes budget-conscious travelers with a variety of affordable accommodation options. From cozy guesthouses to comfortable hotels, you can enjoy a fulfilling stay without breaking the bank.
The Box Chalet offers cozy rooms in a central location, while ZEN Rooms Basic at Pantai Kok provides value and convenience. These options ensure that your Langkawi experience remains affordable without compromising on comfort.
With just 1 week in the archipelago, we didn’t have as much time as we’d have liked to experience Langkawi island life. Between hopping over from Phuket and then boating onwards to Penang, we hoped to pack as much into our schedule as possible while varying our Langkawi accommodation options.
To make the best use of the time we decided to spend a few nights in the capital – Kuah – before heading over to the beaches of Cenang for the remaining days (see our Langkawi island map).
The Seaview Hotel
In Kuah there is a limited but good variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets. For our first three nights on the island, we chose to stay at the Seaview Hotel not far from the Jetty.
At just €22 per night (including breakfast), this is a 3-star hotel aspiring to 4-star values. Excellent service accompanied by a clean room (with a view) and a good breakfast was all that we were looking for.
The hotel features the Kingfisher Cafe where you can indulge in local and international favourites. You can also cool off at the outdoor swimming pool and enjoy a Langkawi sunset.
Twice a week (every Wednesday and Saturday) there is a night market just up the road not far from the Seaview hotel. Not to be missed if you want to really soak up the local atmosphere.
Boutique Hideaways: Intimate Charm
Travelers seeking a more intimate experience can opt for boutique accommodations that exude charm and personality. Casa del Mar, with its beachfront setting and personalized service, creates a sense of tranquility.
Ambong Pool Villas offers stunning sunsets and a minimalist design that harmonizes with the surrounding rainforest. These boutique gems provide a cozy atmosphere for a truly memorable escape.
Family-Friendly Retreats: Fun for All Ages
Traveling with family? Langkawi has you covered with family-friendly resorts designed to keep both kids and adults entertained.
Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa offers family suites and a kids’ club, while Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa features a waterpark and spacious accommodations. These resorts ensure that every member of your family enjoys a memorable vacation.
Located just off the coast of Langkawi, Rebak Island Resort is a hidden gem that offers a serene and tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. If you’re looking for a destination that offers peace, relaxation, activities and natural beauty. Rebak Island delivers on all fronts.
This tiny island boasts pristine beaches, lush rainforest, & rich biodiversity, for nature lovers and beachgoers alike.
If you’re interested, checkout our full article Rebak Island, Malaysia ⛵ Paradise for the Soul.
ECO-Friendly Stays: Embracing Nature Responsibly
For ECO-conscious travelers, Langkawi offers ECO-friendly accommodations that prioritize sustainability without sacrificing comfort.
The Bon Ton Resort combines traditional Malaysian architecture with environmental initiatives, and Ambong Rainforest Retreat features eco-suites immersed in the lush rainforest. By choosing these accommodations, you contribute to preserving Langkawi’s natural beauty for generations to come.
Langkawi Accommodation Options – Village 19 Retreat
The Village 19 Retreat is not an easy place to find – unless you have the GPS coordinates. And when you do eventually find it, you might be sorry you bothered.
Their promotional pictures and descriptions promise a 2-level Malay-style wooden house: Open living area below and spacious bedroom, bathroom and balcony area above.
However, what we were sold in the advertising is not what we got. The building is effectively an extension of a pretty grotty hostel.
What you’re expecting is not what you’ll get
The downstairs area of the house we rented had never been cleaned, and was therefore unusable. The dirty outdoor fridge still contained leftovers from the previous guests.
There was a hotchpotch of dusty kitchen utensils, but we didn’t fancy risking an intestinal infection.
Our first sight of Lloyd – the manager – was behind a group of dissatisfied backpackers. He was telling them that it wasn’t his fault they were double-booked, and that he rented out his bunks on a first-come-first-served basis.
Not a great start.
Welcome to Bedlam
Every night around midnight the kids from the hostel would party into the early hours with plenty of screaming and drunken revelry. The next morning the tables in front of the hostel buildings were left covered with empties, beer cans and food leftovers.
There was also usually a pile of fresh dung in front of the Reception door, since this was where the resident cows preferred to take a dump (see intro picture).
No wonder the place was infested with cockroaches.
Luckily for us, we befriended a local street cat we called Hvost. He stayed around our building the whole time and kept busy chasing away the giant roaches. For this very welcome service we fed him premium cat food every morning.
We’re not usually into cat pictures, but this cat was special
Village 19 Retreat – A missed opportunity
In truth the house we rented had great potential. The upstairs bedroom, bathroom and balcony were large and airy. There was just clearly no maintenance or proper cleaning.
The bed comprised an old and really uncomfortable mattress with one undersized threadbare sheet on top, and no mattress cover.
Lloyd stayed out of the way during our stay. The only contact we had was with the young foreign backpackers. They got to stay at the hostel for free in return for a few weeks ‘manning’ the reception desk. It’s no wonder the place and their bookings are in such chaos.
And all this for a hefty €40 per night (excluding breakfast).
So what about breakfast?
From the Village Retreat it’s a 25-minute walk to the beaches and shops of Pantai Cenang. However, next door just 5 minutes away is the Smiling Buffalo Bistro.
The Smiling Buffalo is a great place for breakfasts and lunches, if a little pricy. Count on around Rm 60 (€12) for breakfast for two. The bistro is closed in the evenings.
Serviced Apartments: Home from Home
Travelers seeking the comforts of home will find solace in Langkawi’s serviced apartments.
The Lagoon Resort Private Residence offers spacious units with kitchenettes, and Adya Hotel provides apartment-style rooms with separate living areas. These options are perfect for travelers who value autonomy and extra space.
If you’re looking for more of an independent longer-term stay in a fully-equipped apartment, it’s worth checking out the Sri Lagenda condominium in Kuah. It isn’t close to any decent beaches but it does have a good private swimming pool and the location is very handy for access to local shops and malls.
If you’re looking for an apartment to rent for longer than just a few days, you can also try the Laguna near Pantai Cenang. Closer to Kuah there is also the Kondo Istana and Century Suria.
The Ultimate Luxury: Rent a Private Villa
Elevate your vacation experience with the unmatched allure of Langkawi’s private villas. Offering seclusion, comfort, and breathtaking views, these exclusive retreats redefine luxury. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of your own space, complete with personalized amenities and a direct connection to the island’s natural beauty.
Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a family reunion, or a group escape, renting a private villa in Langkawi promises an unforgettable stay that combines opulence and privacy in perfect harmony.
Cathaya Villa – Peaceful & Spacious[
The Rice and Garden Museum is 1.3 miles away, while Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre is 1.6 miles from the property. Many dining spots are within a short drive from the villa, and it is just 8 minutes’ drive from Langkawi airport.
Don’t forget to bring along your cocktails 🍹
Sunset Valley Holiday Houses & Villas offer a variety of accommodations within 15 minutes by car from Langkawi airport. This venue has a contemporary kitchen provided with amenities, such as an electric kettle, refrigerator and toaster for self-catering.
The accommodations have a sensational view.
Sunset Valley Holiday Houses
Hole Recreation Park Semilang is 5 minutes’ drive away. Gunung Raya is 3 km from the villa. You can get to Makam Mahsuri in a few minutes by car.
Guests can relax by an outdoor swimming pool. There are high chairs and toys provided for children. A range of activities, such as diving, hiking and horse riding are offered on site and in the area.
Luxury Resorts: Basking in Opulence
For those who dream of indulgent getaways, Langkawi’s luxury resorts are a slice of paradise. Nestled along the pristine coastline, these resorts offer lavish rooms, private beach access, and world-class amenities.
The Four Seasons Resort Langkawi promises a blend of elegance and natural beauty, while The Datai Langkawi boasts rainforest villas and panoramic ocean views. Whether you’re looking for spa treatments, gourmet dining, or your own private pool, Langkawi’s luxury resorts have it all.
The St. Regis
If you’re looking for something considerably more up-market in the Kuah area, then head back to the east side of the island. Just a short walk along the coast south-east of Kuah brings you to the idyllic, refined paradise that is the St. Regis.
This 5-star luxury resort is one of the newest hotels on the island, embodying the pinnacle of sophisticated island living.
Set between centuries-old rain forest and the Andaman sea, the resort covers a huge area with an immaculate white sand beach, 85 suites and 4 over-water villas.
Langkawi accomodation options- St. Regis resort near Kuah
Here you can expect to pay something in the region of €500 per night for a standard room. If you’re feeling flush, one of the over-water villas will cost you €800 per night (excluding taxes).
To put this into perspective, 5 nights in a St. Regis water villa would cost the same as our complete 32-day Malaysian budget (including flights from Europe).
Langkawi accommodation options – St. Regis over-water villas
Tanjung Rhu Resort
Experience world-class service at Tanjung Rhu Resort. Situated on the north eastern coastline, this resort offers outdoor pools, multiple dining options and a spa. Activities provided include cruises and watersports. Spacious rooms feature garden, pool or sea views.
Tanjung Rhu Resort houses tennis courts and a fitness centre with sauna rooms and steam baths. Other activities available include fishing trips and eagle-feeding sessions.
Tanjung Rhu Resort – The best pool on the island
The resort is less than 4 km from Air Hangat (Hot Springs) Village and just a 30-minute drive from the Langkawi International Airport.
Indulge in the ultimate blend of comfort and natural beauty, making it the perfect escape for discerning travelers.
Where to after Langkawi?
With its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant culture, Langkawi offers an unforgettable escape, made even more special by the right accommodation choice. So choose carefully, and make your Langkawi journey an experience to cherish.
Following our all-too-short 7 night stay in Langkawi, we were next taking a boat south for a week on the popular island of Penang. Similar in size to Langkawi, Penang reputedly offers a more vibrant and animated lifestyle… one which we were keen to try out.
Get to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur
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