The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi

This is a gorgeous resort built and integrated within a rainforest (said to be 10 million years old). All the rooms/suites are contained within 10 separate low rise buildings spread throughout the resort rather than concentrated into a single main building. And there are around 25 standalone villas. The effect is quite spectacular: it feels like living in a traditional Malay rural kampong (village) albeit a very luxurious one. Being in the rainforest, there is some wildlife: the most common being squirrels, macaques, dusky leaf monkeys, and hornbills. All are generally harmless though - it does mean you have to keep the doors/windows to your accommodation closed at all times to prevent any from getting in. The beach and pools face south-west and the sunsets are jaw-dropping. There are 4 dining venues in the resort combined with 2 bars (one at each pool). Staff and service are outstanding and I'll give special shout outs to: Farhan, Danial, Rizal and Freddie (Beach Grill). Farhan makes the greatest teh tarik and I had several enjoyable conversations with him during my stay. Qistina (Langkawi Kitchen). She manages the waiting staff at the main restaurant and is super sharp and attentive with service. Ling Lee and Shana (Horizon Bar). Ling has a gift for remembering guests' names and their preferences e.g. which sun loungers they like, how spicy they take their food, their favourite drinks/cocktails. An absolute star of the hospitality industry. Given there are relatively few rooms/villas, there are never too many guests throughout the resort, and an atmosphere of peace and tranquility is generally present all over. Definitely worth a visit if you've not been there before and worth a revisit if you have.

This was an exceptional stay in every respect. The staff are incredible and work so hard. A very relaxed and respectful environment. The location is stunning. We will definitely return soon. Thank you so much!

Great resort with amazing service. The location in the middle of the rainforest is pristine. The staff right up to the Director of Rooms is attentive to every detail. Food at the restaurants is delicious.

We recently spent a week at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. The Horizon restaurant and pool area are exceptionally well run, with flawless, genuinely attentive service. Bartender Alif deserves special mention for his creative cocktails - the Hornbill presentation is spectacular - while Ling Lee consistently ensures smooth and attentive service. The sunset views from the bar are among the best imaginable. The adjacent pool area is a wonderfully relaxing space, with complimentary chilled fruits, juices, and sunscreen in various SPF levels regularly offered. Hai Yan restaurant is visually beautiful, but both service and food did not fully justify the higher-end pricing. Several wines listed were unavailable, and while the food was tasty, the portions and overall quality were comparable to a standard Chinese restaurant in a major city. The butler service via WhatsApp is excellent, with near-instant responses 24/7 and a genuine one-stop solution for any request, whether from bed or poolside. Housekeeping was excellent throughout and clearly a strong team effort. Several attendants looked after our room during the week, all to a consistently high standard. One particular mention goes to Khadga, whose thoughtful gestures - such as leaving a bookmark on a book we were reading or providing cable organizers without being asked - stood out. This level of care was clearly shared across the entire housekeeping team. Breakfast is excellent, with an opulent buffet of Western and Asian dishes complemented by an inclusive à la carte menu. The villas include a generously stocked minibar with beer, juices, cider, chocolate, and snacks (complimentary except wine and champagne), restocked daily. The beach is very clean, and buggy transport around the resort is efficient and easy to use - particularly helpful given that distances can vary depending on the location of your room or villa. The spa is calm and well maintained, offering both a sauna and a steam room, as well as a relaxation area with water and juices after treatments. While the sauna lacks a traditional heater with stones, the overall spa experience remains very pleasant. Massages are highly professional - special mention to Gue for both skill and a genuinely customer-centric attitude. The resort’s senior leaders, Ramy (Resort Manager) and Mafalda (General Manager), are visible and engaged throughout the property, actively supervising quality and interacting with guests. Our family has traveled extensively across all continents (except Antarctica), and I have spent an average of around 100 nights per year in five-star hotels for over 30 years. We are therefore very picky travelers - and after a full week here, we genuinely struggled to find anything to criticize. A beautifully run resort with impeccable service, cleanliness, and landscaping. We would return without hesitation.

From the warm welcome to the food and wonderful setting in its own private bay, this hotel exceeded expectations and was a fantastic introduction to Langkawi. We loved every minute and will definitely be back!