4 Best Hotels in Langkawi, Malaysia

Spread over 70 acres, this tranquil resort's chalets stand on stilts above the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea, with the green mountains of the rain forest providing a lush backdrop. Among five restaurants, Pahn-Thai is built over the ocean and serves innovative Thai cuisine, Mizumi serves a selection of Japanese dishes and is located on the lake at the Oriental Village, and Oriental Pearl serves Cantonese and Sichuan dishes. Honeymooners can opt for a candlelit dinner under the stars on the beach. Animal lovers will be excited to spot monitor lizards, monkeys (don't leave any snacks on your balcony or they'll snatch them), and dozens of birds lurking the grounds.

All 34 Mediterranean-style rooms at Casa del Mar are situated along Pantai Cenang beach, offering guests a serene seafront setting. The staff does a nice job creating truly personalized experiences. For instance, you might be whisked away by speedboat to a private beach, where the staff will pitch a glamorous tent and prepare a gourmet picnic with cocktails. Guests can then stick around and catch the sunset from La Sal, the cocktail bar that fuses Mediterranean drinks with Asian flavors. Try the tom yam martini or five-spice poached apple and cinnamon mojito. Only a 10-minute drive from Langkawi airport, the resort is within walking distance of several local restaurants and cafés.

Right in the middle of Pantai Cenang, Langkawi's most popular beach, these beachfront bungalows are basic but among the better budget options in the area. Of the 91 rooms, the five treehouses are worth the extra money and provide clear views out to the sea. What this place lacks in terms of luxury or decor, it makes up for with beach access; you can easily roll out of bed onto the perfectly powdery sand and spend the day lounging on a deck chair.

Walking around the grounds of Temple Tree is like taking a trip back in time; the eight villas that make up the hotel are restored antique buildings of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian origin. With more than 110 years of history, the former family homes were collected from around Malaysia and thoughtfully renovated. Guests have the option of renting out entire villas or individual rooms. Each house offers unique traits like a Mahjong room in the Chinese House or a private gym in the Black and White House. The hotel owner supports a local animal shelter, and cats roam freely here. Breakfast is set up in your in-room refrigerator the night before so you can prepare it yourself in the morning.