Discover Langkawi: The Underrated Tropical Paradise of the Last Decade

The night before our return, I’m compelled to share my thoughts on Langkawi. This was our first adventure during the National Day holiday. The first part of our journey took us to Singapore, which, frankly, left us a bit underwhelmed. However, the second half in Langkawi brought an overwhelming sense of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Ten years ago, my best friend and I, both child-free at the time, visited this enchanting place. This morning, she unearthed old photos of the beach and sunset from that trip. Her reaction then was “surprising,” and I never imagined that I would be equally surprised by its beauty ten years later!

P1-P9: Four Seasons Hotel. Let me start by saying that this is undoubtedly one of the best value-for-money Four Seasons hotels globally. We purchased a three-night stay voucher from Putike, which turned out to be more affordable than Ctrip. In my previous post, I mentioned the allure of its rainforest, but over the following days, I discovered that the beach was equally captivating—long, wide, and teeming with shells and hermit crabs!

The combination of ancient coconut trees and Moroccan-style architecture made me almost forget the beauty of the Maldives. I highly recommend the Western restaurant: P1 showcases the entrance view, which is fully open. It serves light Western meals during the day and more formal dinners at night. Since breakfast is served until 10:30, our group of six, ranging from young to old, enjoyed just breakfast and dinner every day, along with a delicious pizza after our midday swim.

I particularly recommend the fresh shrimp pizza, which perfectly suits Chinese palates.

The breakfast hall’s entrance is captured in P6-P7. You can savor your meal from 8:00 in the morning until 10:30, as the children can happily play in the sand and collect shells right outside, always within your sight. The scenery is truly more appealing than the food itself. While most Malaysian dishes didn’t quite hit the spot for me, the fish and shrimp were absolutely delightful.

The hotel boasts both adult pools and family pools, each designed with thoughtful and impressive features.

The SPA area (P5) is a visual treat, but the massages here are a bit too intense for my liking. So far, my experiences in Thailand, the Maldives, and Bali have been more about the ritual and essential oils. This money could be better spent on massages back home, hahaha.

P8 captures the view from the garden room. We also had a partial sea-view room, which cost nearly 2000 RMB more for three nights. In hindsight, I don’t think it was worth the extra expense; the garden view is much more soothing and serene.

Photos 10-14 showcase the second hotel, nestled in the vibrant Pantai Cenang area, under the prestigious Pan Pacific Hotels Group. This brand is also highly regarded in Singapore. While I typically shy away from new hotels due to their often superficial focus on exterior design, this one truly stood out.

The moment you step into the lobby, the striking lighting and thoughtful design create a warm and inviting atmosphere, highlighted by the stunning pool bar (P10-11). P12 captures the breathtaking view from the room’s balcony, where you can gaze out at the serene surroundings. On the 5th floor, the adult pool (P13-14) offers a front-row seat to one of the top ten sunsets in Southeast Asia.

Though it may not rival the Maldives, the spectacle of the sun dipping below the horizon in just a few seconds is nothing short of magical.

P15-18: If you’re in Kuah Town, do not miss “Zhuofeng Seafood”! I didn’t capture photos of the dishes, but the tiger prawns, fried in cream yet surprisingly light, were simply divine. Today, my daughter and I went sea fishing, and she caught the most delicious grouper—two steamed and three grilled. We ordered six dishes, and each one was a delightful surprise. It was a culinary experience that far surpassed even the best seafood in Ningbo!

I hope these insights provide some valuable guidance for anyone planning a trip to Langkawi. There’s so much more I could share, but alas, I’ve reached the word limit!