The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is opening an oceanfront resort on the idyllic tropical island of Langkawi, the largest in Malaysia’s archipelago of the same name. Surrounded by lush rainforests (said to be 10 million years old) and the Andaman Sea, The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi is now accepting reservations starting from July 1.
Architecturally, the resort was inspired by a traditional kampong village—designed in a contemporary style to blend in with its surroundings, and decorated with ample indigenous art. There are 90 guest rooms and suites, plus 29 pool villas, some situated to optimize rainforest views (and watching wildlife) while others afford panoramic views of the sea.
Three dining outlets will serve Malay, Chinese, Indian and western cuisine. We like the sound of the platform suspended above the rainforest canopy (!) and the “Malay Bubu,” designed to look like a local fish trap.
There will be plenty of resort attractions: three swimming pools, a Ritz Kids Club, tennis courts, private sandy beach, and a spa housed in cocoon-shaped pavilions—complete with a Hammam and vitality pools. For thrill-seeking adventurers, a resident naturalist will lead excursions to discover geological sites, explore the Pulau Payar marine national park, and learn about rainforest flora and fauna. Other outdoor activities on Langkawi include water sports, horseback riding, waterfall hikes and cable-car rides.
In the official press release, Herve Humler, Ritz-Carlton’s President and Chief Operations Officer, said, “Langkawi is one of the great escapes of Asia with its exceptional experiences on land and sea for the well-travelled guest looking for something authentic and unspoilt.”
After Kuala Lumpur, this is the second hotel in Malaysia for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.