This article was first published in August 2017 and updated in December 2019
Langkawi is Malaysia’s Bali and Phuket all in one but in a much more manageable and reasonable size, and without the massive traffic jams of the high-season. There are laid-back beach parties at Pantai Cenang, thick jungles to explore, rich UNESCO-listed mangroves, white sand beaches, posh marinas and, of course, beautiful luxury hotels in Langkawi.
It is no surprise then that the list of hotels in Langkawi is long and includes beach resorts as well as marina hotels, tropical getaways and some which have it all. To help you make the right decision, I have picked the top hotels in Langkawi for each type of traveler. Scroll to the bottom to get a summary table with all of them in one.
And don’t forget to read our guide on 10 Essential Things Travelers Must Know Before Visiting Malaysia.
The best luxury hotels in Langkawi
Below is the list of our top picks of hotels in Langkawi, from the remote to the more central, but all are super luxurious in their own way.
1. Casa Del Mar – The best hotel in Langkawi for a home by the sea
Casa Del Mar is one of the friendliest, most relaxed and comfortable resorts I have ever stayed at and it shows in its perfect five star TripAdvisor rating. The food is amazing and the location, right on the main beach, perfect to laze and relax during the day and enjoy some action at night.
The hotel is designed as a Mediterranean hacienda reminiscent of an Andalusian property. The adults-only beachfront suites are spacious and have everything you need, but you won’t be spending any time there because you will most likely either enjoy the large seahorse pool or the beach, a mere few meters from the suites and the pool area. You will not need your shoes for the duration of your stay at Casa del Mar Langkawi, unless you decide to venture out of the resort.
Casa Del Mar is one of the best hotels in Langkawi for great service. The long tenured staff love to welcome back repeat guests who get a hand painted fish with their name on display by the pool bar. La Sal, the hotel’s restaurant, consistently ranks at the top of the list of the best restaurants in Langkawi and can organise private beach dinners with flickering candles, sand between your toes and the stars above. It is no surprise then that Casa del Mar is also one of the most romantic hotels in Langakwi.
In short, nothing beats this type of low-key, unassuming luxury, a true home away from home for a bit of couple’s TLC. Read my full review of Casa Del Mar here.
Rates starting at US$235. Check more photos and latest availability here.
2. St Regis Langkawi – Top hotel in Langkawi for fine marble elegance
Looking for marbled grand luxury resort and beautiful views of the Andaman Sea? Look no further than the St Regis Langkawi, one of the latest luxury resorts to open in Langkawi. The St. Regis has a decided Riviera chic feel to it and is located on the southern tip of the island.
As opposed to Casa Del Mar, the St Regis Langkawi is not on the beach but comes with a lot of flash, sparkle and an international Asian design with all the touches of a luxury resort, including an infinity pool with sea views and a Sunset Royal Villa over the water which has been called “Dream Suite” by The Telegraph.
The decor is elegant, golden splashed and grown-up. The service, as expected from the St Regis luxury hotel chain, is fabulous. You do not need to book The Sunset Royal Villa to enjoy a Maldivian style vacation overwater in Langkawi, the other more modest overwater villas have also made the covers of many a travel magazine thanks to their beautiful design and balmy feel.
Rates at this top hotel in Langkawi start at US$560. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda.
3. Four Seasons Langkawi – For Malaysia’s most expensive resort
Located among beaches and jungle, the Four Seasons Langkawi is as wild and remote as its location, away from the busier south, close to the Kilim karst and mangrove area and located in expansive grounds against the sea on a strip of white fluffy beach and emerald waters.
Inside, the Four Seasons Langkawi is a blend of East meets West with Asian, Arabic and Western influences reflecting Malaysia’s heritage. Outside, the lush jungle overtakes the resort, one of the most beautiful hotels in Langkawi without a doubt.
The rooms have either beach or jungle access and some come with their own outdoor rain showers and sunken baths. They are also the largest you will find on the island, and perhaps in Malaysia, measuring more than my one bedroom flat in Singapore.
This is considered the most expensive and luxurious resort in Malaysia so expect service and facilities to match, including a floodlit tennis court to play when the weather is less suffocating. It’s far apart from the marble-fitted Venetian-esque Four Seasons hotel in Seoul, but the luxury is definitely there.
Rates starting at US$770. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
4. The Datai – For a Jungle retreat in Langkawi
The Datai is located away from it all and on its own private beach and is one of the most secluded and unique hotels in Langkawi. The villas are set on the hill and have lovely views mostly of the jungle.
This is a wild retreat, despite its beachside location, and all the rooms are surrounded by nature. Modern wooden rooms with open plan and real tranquility. Some have their own private plunge pools, some are on the beach (without the views) and some face a stream.
You will be eating in unless you fancy taking cabs as the resort is far from everything. Coming to The Datai means truly disconnecting and retreating. Because the property is so large, there are buggies that will fetch you to and from the rooms and the main area. Its secluded jungle positioning makes it the perfect romantic hotel in Langkawi to hide and feel completely alone in your very own Tarzan and Jane dream. The hotel is part of The Leading Hotels of the World.
Rates starting at US$360. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
5. Bon Ton – For a uniquely Malay hotel in Langkawi
Years ago, on my first trip to Langkawi, I stayed at Bon Ton with two friends. We came on a girl’s weekend getaway and just wanted some fun and some exploration on scooters and Bon Ton’s rooms allowed us to share one among the three of us.
Bon Ton is not your typical hotel in Langkawi, it is a special place. The rooms are made of traditional Malay houses on stilts, kampong-style, in the dark wood normally used for such constructions. That makes for a very unique experience. The luxury here comes in the shape of the authentic experience more than the facilities or the room itself.
The Bon Ton is built in an ancient coconut plantation and the resident trees still fill the space. It is located close to Pantai Cenang Beach so it is still quite central but you will need scooters to get around as the beach is not within walking distance. There is a pool surrounded by sun loungers and grass.
Rates starting at US$150. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
6. The Danna – Best hotel in Langkawi for marina living
Located on the marina surrounded by yachts, The Danna dishes out classy and luxurious stays with a side of mooring boats and British colonialism. The Danna is located right by the cable car to the Skybridge, Langkawi’s main attraction, and not too far from the main beach so you are well located for some island exploration.
The rooms are modern with a colonial feel. Four poster beds and expansive windows and balconies over the water and the beach give a sense of being in the Mediterranean more than on Langkawi. The hotel boasts the largest pool on the island, layered over three tiers, for those who prefer freshwater.
This is perhaps one of the best hotels in Langkawi if you are looking to enjoy sailing, fishing and other water activities or if you want to feel close to the sea rather than the beach.
Rates starting at US$350. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
7. Vivanta by Taj – Langkawi’s only island resort
Vivanta by Taj is located on Rebak Island, a small private island off the main Langkawi Island and only accessible by boat. This means that this is the only hotel in Langkawi that sits on a private island. It is truly removed from the rest but it is also easily connected to Pantai Cenang, from where the boats depart every hour for a short ride.
However, the hotel is right under the flight path of the planes landing at Langkawi Airport so if that bothers you, this may not be for you. I love watching planes land and imagine the stories they hold so it is something which I find mesmerising.
The rooms at the Vivanta are rattan chic, the beach is cozy and the feeling is that of total seclusion.
Rates starting at US$200. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
8. The Andaman – Best hotel in Langkawi for a family getaway
The Andaman is located between the rainforest and the sea of the Datai Bay, named 9th Best Beach in the World by National Geographic in 2011. The hotel was renovated in 2014 and reopened with a range of rooms including an impressive Presidential Suite and some pool and jacuzzi suites.
Its location by the rainforest allows for rainforest walks offered free of charge and for the resident monkeys to do the needful. The hotel participates in coral conservation through its nursery which guests can visit and participate in. The golf course is also very near.
For the little ones there is an extensive program, as there is at the Four Seasons and the St Regis, but here, it comes at a more affordable price. Its educational approach to the jungle and the corals is also a good way to teach the young ones about conservation.
Rates starting at US$260. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
9. The Ritz Carlton Langkawi – Classic luxury hotel in Langkawi
The Ritz Carlton Langkawi is the first hotel of the brand in Malaysia and took seven years to build. You can expect every details to have been thoroughly considered and carefully thought. The brand’s service standards and aim to anticipate guest’s needs are well pervasive and so you can be sure your every need will be taken care of.
The resort is both by the sea, by the beach and in the forest. Located in the southern part of the island, the RitzCarlton Langkawi is expansive and has lots of family-friendly as well as adult-only sections. The spa is particularly interesting and shaped like local fishing traps.
The 90 rainforest rooms are pure tropical living and will make it hard to remember you are in fact by the sea. There are another 29 villas some of which has sea or beach views and private pools.
Rates starting at US$260. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
10. Dash Resort Langkawi – Couples looking for a party
Pantai Tengah Beach is a continuation of Pantai Cenang, the party beach of Langkawi. Right at the end of Pantai Tengah sits the hip and fashionable Dash Resort Langkawi. Covered in hues of turquoise that seem to extend from the Andaman, this is a party resort for those who don’t mind loud music pumping into the night.
With an array of local and international DJs at their own Beach Club, you can sip cocktails at the edge of their infinity pool with views of the ocean. This is a hotel for the beautiful people who want to see and be seen in style and luxury. You can also take some champagne to your own private cabana.
There’s a patisserie, kitchen and cocktail bar and a spa if you want some pampering. There are five types of rooms available with different views of the ocean or the pool. The Premium Jacuzzi Sea View has its own hot tub and if you’re traveling in a group, you can always hire the Dash Villa 2 Bedroom.
While it’s not the most luxurious resort in Langkawi, it’s a good option for those holiday-makers that enjoy a bit of a fun time with their holiday.
Rates starting at US$100. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
11. The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa – A luxe family getaway
Perched in a more isolated part of the island, a stone’s throw from the St. Regis, The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa is another five star luxury hotel in Langkawi that is geared toward vacationing families. The hotel is also very close to the Langkawi International Convention Centre, so if you’re coming on business, you can bring the family along.
The resort has four amazingly designed outside pools that feel like you’re in the jungle, with adult-only and kids options. And if you want to keep fit on your travels, the Fitness Studio has all of the top of the range equipment, there is also golf, treks, tennis and a range of water sports from kayaking to wind-surfing.
The award-winning Heavenly Spa by Westin is probably one of the best on the island, surrounded by lush greenery and design that reminded me a bit of Joali in the Maldives. There are also multiple restaurants to enjoy so if your stay is longer, you have a few options when it comes to dining.
Their 202 rooms sprawled out on the 104 acre property. Choose on of the 20 ultra luxury Ocean View Pool Villas for indulgence. But no matter which suite you choose, you’ll have one of the best sleeps of your life on their patented Heavenly Beds.
Rates starting at US$320. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
12. Tanjung Rhu Resort – A remote stay in tranquil nature
Close to the Four Seasons, but in an even more remote location with its own isolated beach that stretches 2.5km, Tanjung Rhu Resort is where you need to come to have a truly tranquil stay. The 1,100 acre resort is located right on the northern tip of the island where you can easily explore Kilim Karst Geopark. Other adventures can also be had from katamaran tours to exploring the limestone caves.
Their dining options enhance the remoteness of the location with options like al fresco dining on the beach, private picnics and BBQs under the stars. There is also a modern-contemporary restaurant on site and a quaint outdoor all-day dining restaurant by the pool that serves Asian and international cuisines.
Get some much deserved relaxation at Mandara Spa for some Asian inspired treatments. The resort is also child-friendly with babysitting services and a kids club. The rooms are spacious, calming and fitted with hardwood floors – a fine blend of old and new.
Rates starting at US$200. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
13. Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa – For a luxury resort feel
Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa is the next property over from Casa Del Mar on Pantai Cenang and is worlds apart. Where Casa Del Mar is a more intimate and child-free affair, Meritus offers a typical resort feel with a 355 rooms in a range of different accommodation options scattered around the large 14-hectare garden area.
The rooms come on lake, garden, pool and beach front options with family-friendly options too. The idyllic Malaysian architecture provides spacious suites in an airy environment. There are a range of watersports on offer including parasailing and of course fitness facilities and a spa.
Dining can be taken poolside, at the Pelangi Lounge, indoor at the Spice Market restaurant or on the veranda at CBA. It’s also a popular spot for weddings if you want to tie the knot barefoot on the sand.
Rates starting at US$300. Check more photos and latest availability on Booking.com | Agoda
Check the table below for easy access to all the hotels mentioned in this article.
| Hotel/Resort | Beach resort? | Family-friendly? | Remoteness | Price | Book here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casa del mar | Yes | No | * | From $235 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| St. Regis | No | Yes | **** | From $560 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| Four Seasons | Yes | Yes | **** | From $770 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| The Datai | Yes | Yes | *** | From $360 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| Bon Ton | Yes | No | * | From $150 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| The Danna | No | Yes | ** | From $350 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| Vivanta by Taj | Yes | Yes | **** | From $200 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| The Andaman | Yes | Yes | **** | From $260 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| The Ritz Carlton | Yes | Yes | **** | From $260 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| Dash Resort | Yes | No | * | From $100 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa | Yes | Yes | **** | From $320 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| Tanjung Rhu Resort | Yes | Yes | ***** | From $200 | Agoda | Booking.com |
| Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa | Yes | Yes | * | From $300 | Agoda | Booking.com |
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