Langkawi is the principle island in a chain of around 100 islands that share its name. Situated off Malaysia’s north-west coast, close to the border with Thailand, it’s Malaysia’s best-known holiday destination, home to verdant rainforests, emerald rice paddies and many of the country’s best beaches.
Langkawi deserves its name the Jewel of Kedah State, its luxurious resorts offering easy access to pristine beaches, calm turquoise seas and pristine primary rainforest.
The beaches are among the most beautiful in the country, with the very best often attached to resorts we work with or among the outer islands, reachable by private yacht charter.
The island is a bird lover’s paradise, with around 230 bird species known to live among its jungles, rivers, mangroves and rice paddies, including a healthy population of sea eagles.
For traditional village life, make for the island’s interior, where fruit farms and rubber plantations nestle between jagged, limestone karsts, natural hot springs and thundering waterfalls.
Take home a piece of Langkawi’s exquisite cultural heritage by purchasing hand-blown glassware or handmade batik and ceramics from local villages.
Langkawi is Malaysia’s tropical jewel: a beguiling island where ancient rainforests meet pristine beaches, wildlife-rich mangroves and coral-ringed islets. Cradled by the Strait of Malacca, the island’s emerald interior is cloaked in rainforest, some thought to be up to 10 million years old, particularly around the ultra-luxurious Datai Langkawi. Beyond the age-old trees and tumbling waterfalls, coastal mangroves teem with birdlife and nurture the island’s delicate ecosystem. The beaches are among the best in Malaysia, with several of the finest set inside luxury resorts that we’re proud to partner with. For even greater privacy, consider an excursion to the outer islands – coral-fringed, uninhabited and perfect for snorkelling.
For a bird’s-eye view of these natural wonders, take the Langkawi Cable Car (SkyCab) to the top of Gunung Machincang, the island’s second-highest peak. From there you can cross the epic SkyBridge on foot, one of the longest curved suspension bridges in the world. On a clear day, the views extend as far as Thailand and mainland Malaysia.
Surrounded by ancient rainforests and sweeping coastal views of the Andaman Sea, this fresh and contemporary resort offers guests the opportunity to experience the unique culture and natural beauty of Langkawi while also enjoying the many perks of a Ritz-Carlton.
Hidden amidst ancient rainforest on a crescent of golden sand, The Datai Langkawi is a luxurious hideaway offering pure escapism. Guests relax on the beach or in the spa, explore land and sea with resident naturalists and marine biologists, or play The Els Club Teluk Datai golf course set between jungle, mountains and ocean.
Set on the calm waters of a glistening bay in the south of Malaysia’s favourite holiday island, The St. Regis Langkawi combines luxurious suites and villas perched between beach and jungle with Andaman Sea views and exceptional service.
The Danna is a distinctive plantation-house-styled resort hidden in a quiet bay on Kok Beach in the west of Langkawi Island, between emerald hills and still waters.
Set amid tropical gardens on a mile-long beach, surrounded by rainforest covered hills and mangroves, the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi offers a secluded and scenic escape. The resort features luxurious beach villas and pavilions inspired by traditional Malay architecture with elegant Moorish influences.