BEACH AND JUNGLE RETREAT IN MALAYSIA
The Island of Langkawi is a popular beach resort destination in Malaysia for those wanting to experience beach and jungle holidays together in the one location. Our stay at Langkawi’s Berjaya Resort was an oasis nestled amongst the tropical rainforest and on the beachfront. It is often compared to the Island of Penang.
My extended family and I, a group of 9 of us, enjoyed a 4 day retreat in celebration of a family member’s big birthday. We booked 2 adorable over-water chalets, each complete with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette, dining area, lounge room and private balcony with uninterrupted water views.
Getting here
Langkawi is situated in the Andaman Sea, about 30km off the mainland of Malaysia. It also lies in close proximity to Thailand.
Most people either fly directly to Langkawi International Airport, or take a ferry from Penang, Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis on the mainland.
You can take a boat or ferry between Langkawi’s port and Thailand’s island Koh Lipe at Pattaya Beach, crossing the boarder with immigration checks.
We flew from Kuala Lumpur airport to Langkawi airport in just over one hour.
A Bit About Langkawi
Langkawi is actually a cluster of more than 100 islands but only four are inhabited. The capital of Langkawi is Kuah.
Malay and English are widely spoken here.
Things are generally cheaper here than in mainland Malaysia, as it is a duty free island. Hence, Langkawi attracts a few million tourists each year who come to shop and stock up on duty free products – cosmetics, alcohol, chocolates, gifts and more. There are shopping malls and markets in the centre of Kuah.
There is no public transport on the island so cars, motorbikes, scooters and bicycles are the only options for getting around.
The eagle is the symbol of Langkawi and you’ll find an enormous statue of one at Eagle Square.
About Langkawi's Berjaya Resort
Langkawi’s Berjaya Resort was established 1987 and is a 20 minute drive from the airport.
Nestled between rainforest and beaches, it offers individual chalets perched on stilts over the water’s edge with views of the Burau Bay, part of the Andaman Sea.
Berjaya Resort offers plenty of good facilities and activities for people of all ages and includes:
- Chalets with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, with beach views or jungle views
- Airconditioning
- Room service
- 4 Restaurants
- Bars
- Live band
- Pool with waterfall
- Swim-up-bar
- Gym
- Playground
- Tennis court
- Private beach
- Beach umbrellas/cabanas
- Beach bar
- Water sports
- Spa treatments
- Buggy shuttle service to and from your room, if desired.
Walking and swimming are of course some of the most popular activities to do here, along with simply relaxing and unwinding on the beach or by the pool with a cocktail. Oh and complimentary watermelon slices are offered by the pool. A nice touch in the hot afternoon.
Exotic animals native to Langkawi are many – eagles, birds, monitor lizards, flying foxes and monkeys to name a few.
Meals at Langkawi's Berjaya Resort
Breakfast buffet at Dayang Café was lovely with a large variety of food on offer, including freshly cooked roti bread, juices, waffles, pancakes, and eggs. However, there was an incident with a monkey that jumped down from the rafters onto a table, spilling breakfast dishes and scaring a child. Staff were of course, immediately attentive and quick to offer assistance, chasing away the offender.
We enjoyed a delicious evening meal at the resort’s Pahn Thai Restaurant, perched high above the water on stilts, with open-air dining. A very popular spot with patrons, and no monkeys in sight, thank goodness.
Also, quick meals are available at the Beach Brasserie, where we enjoyed afternoon tea. And the Lobby Lounge serves some great cocktails.
Things To Do In Langkawi
Around the island you can partake in various leisure pursuits – sailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, boating, golf, scooters, zip-lining, canoeing, biking, horse riding and more.
Langkawi also has some amazing places to visit and things to do, such as:
- Seven Wells Waterfall – located about 2 km away. You can hike, or drive part of the way then walk, to the waterfall which has several cascades and pools.
- Langkawi Geopark – a UNESCO site comprising of 100 islands that make up the Langkawi Archipelago. You can take a 40 minute drive to visit the Discovery Centre.
- Sky Cab ride and Sky Bridge – atop Mount Mat Chinchang for spectacular views of the island. The bridge is 660m high.
- Underwater World Langkawi is an aquarium, with a marine tunnel.
- Wildlife Parks to visit, if you wish as well.
- Island hopping boat tours around Langkawi.
My Opinion
Langkawi’s Berjaya Resort is in need of some tender loving care, rooms are a little tired and could do with updating. That said, it is still a lovely and relaxing setting, amongst nature, for a very pleasant and enjoyable vacation.
Cost of the stay was very affordable making it ideal for families and large group holidays such as ours.
All the staff are very friendly and assistance is available 24 hours. The chalets were cleaned each day and restocked, and the attention to detail in the housekeeping was very pleasing.
The location is super relaxing and ideal for nature lovers, with plenty of flora and fauna to explore in their natural habitat. Monkeys can be a concern if you keep your windows open and if they see you have food.
The sea water is a little murky and there are jelly fish signs to warn you of the risk at certain times of the year.
The sound of water lapping on the rocks beneath the chalet can be quite soothing, but also quite loud in the middle of the night, if you’re a light sleeper.
I definitely recommend a short stay at Langkawi’s Berjaya Resort for couples or families who love tropical getaways in a peaceful setting and reasonably priced accommodation, with loads of included items and plenty of activities and sight-seeing available.
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19 Comments
The Langkawi beach resort destination in Malaysia looks like an awesome spot to visit with my family. Thanks for introducing this wonderful place to me.
What a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the sun and the beach! That resort is like a slice of heaven for me! I should plan this soon.
That does look like a relaxing resort with all the views. I’ve never been to Malaysia. I’d like to go someday.
Wow! This resort is absolutely breathtaking—I can’t imagine wanting to leave. Your pictures are stunning, and the peace and tranquility they convey would definitely fill me with joy.
The place is gorgeous omg…I would love to spend a couple of months there, that would be perfect. Heavenly….
It looks really amazing – I would love to visit this resort so much, it looks beautiful and so peaceful. This is something that I would really love to save up for.
A beach and jungle holiday destination sounds lovely. This resort sounds and looks amazing. I love that there are a lovely range of thigs you can do whilst there depending on personal preference. The waterfall must be pretty!
How beautiful! The fresh air, the water views, the lush gardens.. it would be worth all the hassle and long flights to get there from the USA.
We’re actually planning a trip to Langkawi next year. We’ve never been to Malaysia. Berjaya Resort is definitely at the top of my list now!
That resort is absolutely gorgeous. That’s a dangerous place for me. I might not ever leave! LOL.
What a gorgeous place to have a family holiday! I’ve heard so many good things about Langkawi but have never visited. The rooms look lovely and I like the small touches in the rooms. Also the private beach is a plus, hopefully I get to visit one day.
I honestly found Langkawi to be a bit too touristy for my taste but Langkawi’s Berjaya Resort does look amazing! Saving it for my next trip!
WOW! This looks and sounds like paradise. I would absolutely love to stay in such a beautiful resort.
I’ve always wanted to go to Malaysia but I was never sure exactly where to go. This resort looks amazing. Great pics too!
So cool. I have often sailed past this resort and wondered if it was still open. Thank you for sharing this, it is nice to see what it is like.
I love that the balcony the chalet overhangs the water. It must be so relaxing!
This looks like such a tranquil place to stay. I’d love to try it out when we’re in that part of the world.
I am loving the look of this resort. I haven’t been to this part of Malaysia yet but defo would consider a stay here with the family. Not sure about walking on the sky bridge mind you. 😛
Langkawi is high on my bucket list especially because it is quite cheaper to travel there from India. And, it is a beautiful place.