I’m sitting in a sunken Jacuzzi overlooking the Andaman Sea, the sound of percolating bubbles intermittently interrupted by the breaking waves below. The azure sky above clustered with fluffy white clouds, providing a soothing backdrop for the verdant greenery of the hills in the distant horizon. A circling eagle soars elegantly overhead and lands on a mangrove tree not far from the shoreline, while the occasional jet ski whizzes across the emerald waters. I look at the time and see it’s only 3.30pm. It’s easy to fall into a lull amidst such a tranquil setting. I close my eyes and realise that I haven’t felt so relaxed in a long time.
I’m staying in a Premier Suite on Water at the Berjaya Langkawi Resort. This private and comfortable chalet perches elegantly on stilts above the waves but I might as well be on an ocean liner as all I see from the windows and balcony is the sea and nothing else. The soothing décor of my suite – polished wooden flooring, pastel patterned pillows and cushions, a gentle rotating fan attached to a wood-panelled ceiling with a relief design element and a headboard above my bed incorporating wave motifs – are all inspired by sea, sand, sun, forest and earth, echoing the warmth and natural charm of Langkawi island.
Berjaya Langkawi Resort is located on Burau Bay, at the west coast of the island. Romantically referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Andaman Sea’, Langkawi is the largest of an archipelago of 99 islands that lie off the coast of the northern Peninsular Malaysia state of Kedah. The resort is only a 20-minute drive from the airport, making it easily accessible, which is important when you only have a weekend to spare. There are 424 rooms and suites, consisting of either water or rainforest chalets. The property is set on a sprawling natural wonderland, where different species of trees, plants, flowers and rocks co-exist harmoniously with the wildlife that roam around freely.
Later that evening, I meet nature guide, Yong Sui Lan from Dev’s Adventure Tours, who takes me on a leisurely walk around the property, pointing out interesting titbits on the natural habitat surrounding it. I soon learn that one of my favourite tropical trees, the Traveller’s Palm, which originally hails from Madagascar, holds several litres of water in its lower stem that the desperate explorer can use to quench his thirst – which explains its name. We also spot several flying lemurs sleeping with their eyes wide open (in case of attacks by predators like eagles) under some leaves and branches, and even one gliding among the trees!
After the walk, I head for the award-winning Pahn-Thai Restaurant, which is built on stilts over the water. The open-air restaurant is the perfect choice for dinner as nothing beats nibbling on delicious Thai fare like gai hor bai toy (deep-fried chicken wrapped in pandan leaves) and pla kra pong sa mun phrai (fried seabass fillet with Thai herbs) al fresco under a cloudless night sky. Some dishes, like the tom yam goong, were quite spicy but the cool sea breeze that gently blew through the restaurant quickly cooled me down, as did glasses of chilled white wine.
As far as recreational activities go, one is really quite spoilt for choice in Berjaya Langkawi Resort. There are a host of things to do on site as well as off-site excursions which can be booked. One of the most popular is the mangrove kayaking or boat trip. Indeed, while I was there, the resort was in the midst of launching its Mangrove4Life campaign, which focuses on the conservation of mangrove forests. Having been awarded Geopark status by UNESCO, the mangroves along Langkawi’s Kilim River is the ideal place to see mudskippers and kingfishers, limestone outcrops and karsts, a crocodile cave, a floating fish farm and, if you are lucky, fossils dating back 500 million years.
Those who prefer a more manicured version of nature can visit Legends Park to admire the local blooms, plants and fruits trees, as well as various monuments around the area that depict the myths and legends of Langkawi. For a different kind of experience, head for the nearby Oriental Village, a unique shopping, cultural and culinary destination overlooking Burau Bay, where you can stock up on Prosecco, chocolates and other duty-free goodies. Your only problem might be deciding what to buy as the choices on offer are mindboggling.
Island hopping is another favourite: sip champagne while your skipper navigates through the playful waves and narrow straits between islands such as Dayang Bunting, Beras Basah and Singa Besar. Alternatively, soak up the sun’s rays on the resort’s beach during the day, and, when twilight falls, hop on a yacht for a sunset dinner cruise as the orange solar ball slowly disappears beneath the horizon while sipping on a selection of delicious cocktails. With a buffet dinner on board and drag net swimming, it’s no wonder most guests sleep soundly at the end of each day.
If you decide to spend time in the resort, the Beach Restaurant is the place for lunch if you have been lounging by the pool or in the sea. The menu offers both western and Indian dishes and, with a selection of fresh fruit juices and coconut water to cool you down, it’s the place to refuel before the afternoon’s activities, such as a batik painting class, conveniently held beside the Boat House Bar on the beach.
There are wide options for dinner. Apart from Pahn Thai, you can also find Chinese (at Oriental Pearl Restaurant) and Malaysian cuisine (at Dayang Café). Or, if you would like a little change of scene, head for Oriental Village, where you can find Mizumi Japanese Restaurant. When I was in Langkawi, however, Dayang Café was in the midst of its CHEFS (Cuisine, Hospitality Experience & Food Showcase) promotion, which features specialty dishes and live showcases from the resort’s seven chefs. Along with the usual buffet, this gave me even more reason to indulge, so much so that I decide to forgo the buggy service and, instead, walk back to my chalet. It’s a beautiful night out, with a star-sprinkled sky and silvery moon illuminating my way on the winding path that stretches along the beach front. I pause and breathe in the scent of night-blooming jasmine and the heady tang of salty sea breeze. Crickets buzz a soundtrack in the background. A perfect moment to encapsulate my stay here in Berjaya Langkawi Resort.
