Best Resort Hotels in Malaysia

Set on two miles of clean beach, this resort has two areas – the Ocean and Garden wings – designed for adults and families respectively. There are enough amenities to ensure you never need to leave, other than for an excursion further into the rainforest. Lagoon-style swimming pools, croquet and putting lawns, tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, a spa, a watersports centre, a children’s club and creche are all found onsite. Guests can dine in Malaysian, Indian and Japanese restaurants, with snacks on the coffee terrace and drinks in the lobby lounge.

An island off the coast of an island, this idyllic 40 acres resort, is part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and is an excellent choice if you’re keen to spot some of the native wildlife, not least as the hotel provides its own guided nature walks. Guests are hosted in 120 contemporary villas, crafted using locally sourced materials — book a Canopy Villa to be close to the beach, a Bayu Villa if you’d like an outlook of the tropical mangrove or a Kinabalu Villa for lofty sea views. Several restaurants include the adults-only Fisherman’s Cove, serving freshly caught seafood.

Take the 15-minute boat ride from Marina Island to Pangkor Laut Resort where you can check into your overwater or jungle villa with up to four bedrooms. Some come with butler service, an outdoor tub, a private pool and a dining pavilion, overlooking Emerald Bay in the Strait of Malacca. The resort is built beside a rainforest (listen out for the resident macaque monkeys), which you can explore with the resident naturalist. It encompasses two swimming pools, a spa village employing Malay, Chinese, Indian and Thai practices, yoga facilities, squash and tennis courts and seven restaurants.

Nestled between the rainforest and the tranquillity of Datai Bay, the Andaman has 178 luxurious rooms and suites, each outfitted in a contemporary Malaysian style. That means plush bedding, top-of-the-line amenities, and lush views of both the rainforest and the water. The resort offers premier diving opportunities in the 8,000-year-old coral reef that fringes the shores. The spa offers a one-of-a-kind menu and the nature walks organised by the resort enable you to take in everything the area has to offer. Premier dining and a lovely bar round out all the perks you can take advantage of at The Andaman.

Evoking the architecture of 17th-century Malay palaces, this tranquil resort emphasises local traditions. Its philosophy follows the Malay principle of Sucimurni, focusing on purity of spirit, health and well-being and has devoted a mini village of structures, gardens and pools as its spa area. The two main restaurants’ names give a hint as to what may be expected from them; Di Atas Sungei means ‘Above the River’ and Nelayan means ‘Fisherman’. Plus there’s the Teratai Terrace beside the pool, for healthy fare and steamboat dinners — movies are shown here nightly at 9 pm. Bedrooms overlook the sea or the resort’s tropical gardens, while beach villas have private verandahs.

Situated right on the beach, the Hyatt Regency is just a 15-minute drive from the town centre. The hotel offers watersports, has two stunning outdoor pools with lounge areas and a spa. Rooms have wooden flooring and furnishings, minibars, tea/coffee makers and some have private terraces with sea views. Guests can play tennis, go to the gym and take excursions organised by the front desk. The Hyatt Regency has three dining options; Kampung Restaurant for authentic local food; an award-winning Italian Bistro with an open kitchen and split-level dining room; and Coals on the Beach for Malaysian tapas.

The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi is a stunning beachfront hotel comprised of deluxe rooms, suites, and villas. The hotel’s design is inspired by nature, local architecture, and indigenous art. Each room has been carefully decorated with a modern, Malaysian twist and invites guests to step into nature with a blend of natural materials and light from floor-to-ceiling windows. Panoramic views of the ocean are the Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi’s signature and allow guests to marvel at the spectacular sunsets on the island. Situated in a private bay that is home to a 10-million-year-old rainforest, you can host unforgettable functions for up to 380 guests in one of six unique, indoor, outdoor, and overwater event spaces. Tranquillity is at its finest in the hotel spa where guests can receive treatments embracing indigenous healing and beauty practices. Guests can dine out in any of the Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi’s first-class restaurants, including one adults-only lounge.

This delight of Mediterranean architecture is located at Telega Harbour Park, giving you gorgeous access to the rainforest and the ocean in one place. The Danna has been awarded the Best Hotel in Langkawi for four years running and you can see the dedication to an opulent tropical getaway in the attention to detail. That includes well-outfitted suites, villas, and rooms that are comfortable and luxurious, as well as a 3-tiered infinity pool and spa. Four full-service restaurants offer the utmost in fine dining, but there’s also 24-hour room service available.

This 5-star luxury hotel is found on the southern tip of the Jewel of Kedah and is the true picture of seaside paradise. With the gorgeous flora and fauna of the rainforest on one side and the sparkling blue of the Andaman Sea on the other side, this resort is one of a kind. Your sophisticated beachfront holiday is complete in any of the hotel’s 85 suites, but you can experience the island in a unique way by booking one of the four over-water villas. Premier butler service, six restaurants, an oasis like spa, and chauffeured limousine service make this opulent hotel a great choice in Langkawi.

The unique Berjaya Langkawi Resort features individual chalets that float above the clear waters of the Andaman Sea in addition to those which are nestled in the verdant rainforest. The dining experience in this hotel invites guests to indulge in the sumptuous flavours of Malaysia and the rest of the world with a wide range of restaurants and cuisines available. Getting to and from the airport and around the resort is made easy with the transfer and shuttle services on offer. Guests can explore the natural beauty of the archipelago thanks to a range of activities available on land and at sea – including island hopping by jet ski, a round island tour by boat and jungle trekking. Berjaya Langkawi Resort is also home to 9 event spaces to suit any occasion, including the largest ballroom in the island, which can host up to 900 persons. The hotel is home to a delightful spa, swimming pool and fitness centre.

The lavish seaside Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa is home to the ultimate, luxury getaway for all the family. There are 221 stylish rooms, suites, and villas – ranging from two to five bedrooms – with private infinity pools on offer. The hotel is perched near a Jetty point on the Andaman Sea and facilitates a range of on-land and at-sea activities to entertain guests of all ages. First-class dining options are on hand as well as alfresco, cabana and terrace eateries. Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa has a selection of child-friendly and adult-only pools and a lush, swim-up bar to cater to guests at all times. For guests wishing to keep active, the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® fitness centre is on hand in addition to an award-winning personal trainer to get you moving. The Wellness program prioritises wellbeing and Heavenly Spa by Westin™ provides complete serenity. For young guests, there is an exciting recreation centre and kid’s club.

For a tropical stay that combines the luxury you crave with the ethnicity of the area, the Meritus Pelangi resort certainly delivers. Nestled along the shores of Cenang Beach, the resort boasts a full kilometre of white sandy beach. A variety of suites and rooms each offer plush bedding, opulent amenities, and views of the lush scenery out every window. Premier dining abounds throughout the resort and you can also take advantage of an exclusive spa menu, two beautiful pools, and plenty of recreational opportunities, including biking and squash.