'The best part of a trip to Malaysian islands of Langkawi is that it makes you forget about your woes. You can just surrender yourself to the nature and say, well, here I am “ take me as I am!,
Lee Daniels, famed director and filmmaker, thus explained to an interviewer his take on how it is like to visit Langkawi, and why it holds a cherished place in his heart.
He is, almost surely, not the only one to keep these views, as thousands of tourists flock these pristine islands throughout the year, in search of peace of mind, inner selves and just about every spiritual aspect you can think of.
Located at a short ferry ride from the north-western tip of mainland Malaysia, Langkawi is a group of islands that occupies the green waters of Andaman Sea. It is most famous for its beaches, laidback life and a curious blend of native and colonial culture that it has developed unto itself.
A trip to Langkawi, for you as a tourist, can hold many things that can be termed to be excelsior on many levels “ from spiritual to intellectual and from physical to cerebral.
So, get your shades and suntans out, pack the best of your swimwear and the least of other stuff, it's time to revel in Langkawi “ one of the best places on earth where you can forget your own self and give yourself to the bigger, unified sense that rules us all!
Affordable Stay in Langkawi
It should come as a sort of tacit understanding to frequent travelers, beach goers and merry makers that most of the places in the South and South East of Asia are pretty light on your wallet (with honorable exceptions of places like Singapore). Air fare, in such cases, constitutes the bulk of travel expenses, while hotel expenses take the back seat, allowing you to use the remnants of funds to find and enjoy more sights, activities and pleasures.
Keeping true to that trend are cheap hotels in Langkawi that can go, in comparison with their counterparts in most other parts of the world, abysmally low in prices.
Casa Fina Fine Homes is one among many of such cheap hotels that have fuelled the number of travelers ending up on Malaysian shores, seeking sun, revelry and some quality time to themselves.
Hotel Asia Langkawi in Kuah and Favehotel Langkawi at Cenang Beach are similar budget hotels in Langkawi that have the potential to cut your lodging budget by a handsome degree.
Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Langkawi
Places like Langkawi that are most famous for their beaches and nightlife are best enjoyed, nay celebrated, by staying at a fabulous luxury hotel that can bring your vacation alive like no other.
There are many perks of staying at such luxury resorts. The most obvious one, luxury, is right there at the top. However, other underlying benefit are no less compelling or attractive than the prospects of living in enviable luxury. For example, a stay at a luxury hotel or resort usually comes clear with the advantage of having the best of the views to wake up to, not to mention a host of add-on incentives like in-house spas, swimming pools, gyms, saunas and round the clock room service. Many of these luxury resorts have customisable bars, all decked up for their guests.
Four Seasons Langkawi, operated by Four Seasons (one of the most reputed hospitality groups in the world), makes the top of our list of luxury Langkawi hotels.
The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa is not too far behind of Four Seasons Langkawi, as it offers a similar experience of ultra-luxurious stay to its patrons.
To enjoy a more local and more authentic hospitality experience in Langkawi, you can 'resort' to the Andaman, a fully local five star hotel that boasts of proximity to all the best sights in and around Langkawi.
Things to Do and See in Langkawi
Moving on from the discussion about luxury hotels in Langkawi, let's overview what sights and activities are available for tourists to enjoy.
The most famous sight in Langkawi is the Langkawi Sky Bridge that offers awe-inspiring views of the island and the Andaman Sea. Dataran Lang (the Eagle Square) is also worth visiting.
The Underwater World in Langkawi can be a great way to take a closer look at the local marine life, while Langkawi Cable Car can give you the bird's eye views of this exquisite island.
Gunung Raya is the highest peak in Langkawi and a fine example of geological activity.
Hotels Near The Airport in Langkawi
Langkawi has one international airport (the Langkawi International Airport) that operates only short distance flights to other South East Asian countries.
Most travelers who visit Langkawi choose to land in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, and then board a connecting flight to Langkawi.
The airport is not too far from the tourism hubs of the island, as the island of Langkawi is itself quite small in area. So, tourists need to lay their worries about finding good enough accommodation near the airport (from convenience points of view).
Langkawi Local Transportation
Being an island, Langkawi faces inherent problems with the development of a good enough local transportation scheme and infrastructure.
As the things stand in 2015, Langkawi has a decent enough local bus and ferry network that can help tourists hop between various beaches and sights with relative ease.
Those who wish to have a better state of transportation at their service can choose to hire private taxis for the duration of their stay. Many tourists report that the state of private car rentals is neither affordable nor reliable in these parts of the world. So, the best option for tourists remains to choose public transport. Choosing one of many local sightseeing tours that leave every morning can also be an easy way of traveling around in Langkawi.
Many Langkawi hotels have private car rentals in place. You, however, need to pay over and top of your room tariff prices to avail of these facilities.