Malaysia Resorts?
 

Anyone have personal experience with a hi end beach resort in Malaysia? Pref. near KL. (ilydk)

When are you going?
There is a new Four Seasons Resort nearly complete on Langkawi Island. Very quick hop from KL. Due to have a soft opening late December and be fully operational by March. It's right on the beach, near Tanjong Rhu.
Most likely it will be the nicest resort in Malaysia once it's open.

I have stayed at Tanjong Rhu and seen the Datai at Langkawi - check both of them out. Tanjong Rhu was great - amazing food, great rooms, take their vintage convertible for a joy ride...we really enjoyed it.

I had dinner at the Datai a week ago. The food and service were outstanding but I thought the resort itself looked a little tired. Could benefit from a good rehab.
Also, it's not really a beach resort. It sits right in the rainforest, high above a small beach.
The Andaman is a few km down the road and it is right on the beach. Did not visit that one so I can't comment.

If you prefer something closer to KL I would recommend that you look at Pangkor Laut Resort and depending on your budget I would suggest the estates or spa/sea villas - be sure to ask for the newest villa in the catagory that you choose but skip the Hill Villas as they appear quite dark. This is a really outstanding resort and our experience in the estates was comparable to an Aman stay. The food was excellent and the spa is great too. We have also stayed several times at the Datai and I would agree with Lindsey that it has definitely more of a rainforest feel than a beach feel to it although the resort does have a beach which is connected to the Andaman Hotel beach. I have not stayed at the Andaman but have heard it is quite nice just a little bit less "adult" and slightly more kid friendly than the Datai. We stayed in the pool villas at the Datai and they may have been renovated more recently than the main building, or possibly have deteriorated since April, so I did not notice the tired feel that Lindsey noticed in the main building. But, will say that, with the exception of the Thai Restaurant, we have never experienced the "award winning service" that they tout in their literature. Also, we just booked (yesterday) at the Four Seasons Langkawi for March and the reservation agent indicated that they could only confirm bookings from February forward but it would be worth a call/try if they are soft opening in Dec. Another option for a high-end beach resort (but a step down from the others that have been mentioned) close to KL is the Tanjong Jara which is quite nice but doesn't have lots to do in the surrounding city/area - Terengganu (sp?). I would suggest staying in the beach villas or ground floor rooms (do not book the second floor rooms) and the food is only average. Haven't heard fabulous things about Tanjong Rhu in Langkawi but I haven't stayed there so it is nice to hear something nice from a previous poster. Honestly, if you are asking about true high-end beach resorts in Malaysia that's it. The Avillion in Port Dickson is much lower-end and the E&O in Penang isn't really a beach resort. I would love to hear about others though - we love to travel in Malaysia - so, it you find something else let me know!

What about the Berjaja Beach Resort in the Regang Islands which is getting a total face-lift to be completed in late-Nov. or early Dec? Any recent experiences at their Sea View Deluxe Viila's and the quality of the food and staff? The flight is 55 minutes from KL then a 30-40 minute drive to shore where you meet a boat so I am told for a short trip to the island. We arrive at 1:30 PM so we are not at the boat marina until 3:00. Is this a problem??