The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi

Despite travelling extensively i rarely write reviews however having just spent Christmas with my family at the Ritz Carlton Langkawi i feel compelled to write one. Firstly:- Rooms We stayed in 2 x Deluxe Rooms, the pictures on the website are very true to reality, they felt brand new, not in anyway tired, the Kingsize bed felt more capacious than normal and i don't know what mattress topper is used but it's probably the most comfortable Hotel bed i have ever had the pleasure of sleeping in, Deluxe rooms are a great size with added balcony, it felt very airey, i have to give a mention to the housekeeping which was impeccable. Pools There are 2, one a family pool by the Beach Grill and the other for Adults only by the Horizon Bar and Lounge, we spent a lot of time at the later, which again i really cannot find fault with, the cocktails and food at Horizon stood up to the mark, a special mention to Daniel whose service and attention was fantastic. Restaurants As already mentioned for casual dining and nothing too heavy you cannot go wrong with the Horizon Lounge, it has the added benefit of fantastic sunsets so you really are being spoilt! We also ate at the Beach Grill, seafood was amazing and extremely fresh having been caught that day. On the last night we ate at the Hai Yan, this was up there with some of the best Chinese cuisine I have had and the decor, setting and ambience reflected a high end experience. Nearly missed off the Breakfast, i'm sort of running out of superlatives but let's just say you want for nothing, all boxes ticked and more. In General We did go on a excursion arranged by the Hotel at our request and in fact had many suggestions from Amirul who arranged a 2 hour jet ski safari that i would strongly recommend (if fit and able) , Amirul i have to add catered for our every need, actually felt like we had our own personal assistant, nothing was too much. To Sum Up This is a long review and as i say i do not normally feel strongly enough to spend time doing so but when quality shines it deserves a mention, which brings me to my final comments. It takes a team to pull of this type of service and experience off, the Hotel is a shining star and a credit to the Ritz Carlton Group (i've stayed at quite few), it comes from the top down and in that regard two final mentions one to Ramy who was very welcoming and last but by no means least the General Manager Mafalda Costa Tavares who has managed to get the feel of what is quite a large Resort just right, warm, friendly, attentive but not overbearing and 5 star standards wherever you look, it is not an easy feat to pull off, congratulations. One and only downside, we had to leave!

First what was great: we stayed in a Beach Villa and it was gorgeous, beautifully designed, very comfortable, everything worked as it should. Great position directly overlooking the beach with a large terrace and good-sized private pool. Buffet breakfasts at Langkawi Kitchen were delicious, lots of choice and service pretty efficient (despite being *very* busy during our stay) The Malaysian buffet night at Langkawi Kitchen was a stand-out - absolutely delicious food and great value for money - and Hai Yan for excellent quality Chinese food. The food at the beach bar & grill was also good (though we found service there was very slow). The wildlife was an absolute delight: daily sightings of giant squirrels, dusky-leaf langur monkeys, hornbills, monitor lizards - all right around our villa. Senior management were prominently around at breakfast each day and we had touch-points with several of them, which is always appreciated. What wasn't so great: I find it interesting that some of the other recent reviews are positively raving about the wonderful personal service they received, because unfortunately that wasn't our experience! All staff were very polite, friendly, and clearly trying their best - but often, service wasn't 'joined up' (i.e. different departments obviously not communicating to each other consistently) and we had a several weird mis-communications. There didn't seem to be any particular 'point person' in charge of looking after us, which is a bit of a miss for villa guests, and would certainly have helped things run more smoothly. I found I had to spell out exactly what I wanted for very simple things like doing turn-down service while we were out for dinner, which at other resorts happens 'seamlessly' in the background without me having to ask (given we had to make a dinner reservations every evening - as the hotel was very busy during our stay - this would be really easy to anticipate). Our check-out experience in particular was messy: despite me proactively reaching out to request in-villa checkout, specify what time (which, again, they should have been able to anticipate given that I'd organized guaranteed late check-out and booked our airport transfer with the hotel), and request my bill to check in advance - nobody turned up and we had a last-minute scramble to get up to reception and check out there! So to sum up: fantastic in many respects, but they let themselves down a little bit on service standards, which could be an easy fix.

Langkawi had long been on our bucket list for travels in Asia, and after ringing in the previous New Year in Singapore and Desaru Coast (which, while enjoyable, was dampened by heavy rain), we were eager to find a place with better weather for NYE 2024. With our hectic schedules, planning happened late—flights and hotel were only booked at the end of November. Having stayed at luxury properties around the world like Four Seasons, St. Regis, Six Senses, Anantara, One & Only, and Mandarin Oriental, we were curious to experience Ritz-Carlton for the first time. As an international destination wedding planner, I place a premium on service, aesthetics, and attention to detail—qualities that can make or break a stay, especially for a full week. Ritz-Carlton Langkawi intrigued us, promising impeccable service, comfort, and beautiful design, all wrapped up in a tropical jungle setting. It’s worth noting that during our research, The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi consistently appeared at the top of the list of best resorts on the island, which further solidified our decision. From the moment we arrived, everything exceeded expectations. The welcome was warm, our room and amenities were thoughtful and luxurious, and the aesthetics of the resort, nestled within the lush jungle, were stunning. Every restaurant served outstanding food, and the kids’ club kept our 10-year-old daughter happily engaged with original activities. The staff, consistently friendly and professional, impressed us by remembering our names—a small but meaningful touch. General Manager Mafalda stood out, making herself available at breakfast to personally greet guests, creating a rare and personal connection that we deeply appreciated. A few highlights: • Breakfast: One of the most lavish and delightful spreads we’ve experienced. The selection caters to every palate, and everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. A special thanks to the Chef for preparing chia seeds with coconut milk for me every morning—a thoughtful and special treat that I truly appreciated. • NYE Gala Dinner & Party: we booked the dinner at the Beach Grill, the NYE gala dinner was nothing short of epic. The lavish buffet featured premium dishes—lobster, caviar, wagyu beef, sushi, and more. The extraordinary fireworks display lit up the sky and felt like a grand celebration of the new year. The after-party, set in the jungle garden, was beautifully organized with excellent entertainment, unlimited drinks, and late-night snacks reminiscent of street food. It was an unforgettable night. • Atmosphere: The presence of wildlife—monkeys and squirrels—adds to the magic of this resort. It feels like stepping into a nature sanctuary, with these playful creatures often spotted around the property, on pathways, and even on our balcony. We had moments where monkeys would relax nearby, curiously watching us while we sipped coffee in the morning, and squirrels would dart between the trees. This close connection with nature made the entire experience feel even more special and immersive. The jungle surroundings, paired with these charming encounters, created a truly unique and tranquil atmosphere that elevated our stay. Unfortunately, my husband fell ill the day after our arrival. He made a huge effort to enjoy NYE party, but after that got seriously sick. I want to clarify that his illness was not contracted at the hotel. It’s highly likely he was already incubating a virus before we even arrived in Langkawi, as he developed high fever and flu symptoms by the second day. Despite this setback, the hotel staff went above and beyond to care for him and us, even arranging a clinic visit to ensure he received the right treatment. Their compassion and attentiveness truly stood out during a challenging time. A Happy Ending: Thankfully, my husband recovered the day before our departure (Today!) We took the opportunity to plan a tour of the mangroves, where we had the chance to see monkeys in their natural habitat. It was such a fun and memorable experience for our daughter, and we enjoyed a lovely day out as a family. Upon returning to the hotel, I had booked a spa time and decided to unwind with a Mandi Bunga treatment. After an incredible massage by Alize, I was led to a floral foam bath, drawing inspiration from a traditional Malay ritual meant to dispel bad energy—“buang sui.” This full-body experience combines warm aromatic oils, long flowing strokes, and the therapeutic benefits of herbs and flowers to restore balance and bring a sense of calm. Right in the middle of this relaxation in the bath, as I gazed out at the ocean from the bath at spa cabin, something magical happened—two dolphins swam past, right in front of me. It was pure poetry. With my phone out of reach, I simply soaked in the moment, making it even more special. If you visit the spa, I highly recommend embracing the experience fully and keeping an eye on the ocean—you never know what you might see. Dining Delights: While all the restaurants were excellent, the Beach Grill stood out as our absolute favorite. The combination of fresh grilled fish, an incredible location, and attentive staff made every meal there a highlight. And just as our stay was coming to an end, the jellyfish that had initially made swimming in the sea less enjoyable disappeared for the last two days. This allowed us to fully enjoy the beautiful beach in front of the hotel. After exploring other beaches on the island during our final day, I can confidently say we had the best beach right at our doorstep. Poolside Experience: The family pool at The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi is one of the most beautiful we’ve experienced in any resort. Unlike many luxury properties that reserve infinity pools for adults, the family pool here is beautifully designed and perfectly located. The water temperature was ideal—neither too cold nor too warm, making it a joy to spend time there. The pool staff always went above and beyond, offering lovely touches such as fresh fruit, juice shots, wet towels, and constant attention, which my daughter and I deeply appreciated while my husband rested ill in the room. On another note, the Horizon pool and restaurant, reserved for adults, provided a calm and serene escape. I had the chance to enjoy it while my daughter stayed in the room with her father, and the experience was peaceful and refreshing. A Heartfelt Thank You to the Team: The true soul of this resort is its staff. Everyone we encountered made our stay incredibly special. Special thanks to Muhen, our “Santa Claus” (he knows why, and we are thankful he made it happen!) and to Daniel, his elf who delivered the parcel to our room for our daughter. Thank you to Iqram for assisting us with the late check-out request. Thank you to Mehedi, our housekeeper, for keeping our room impeccable throughout our stay. Additionally, thanks to Mina, Mimi, Alizia, Dayang, Hemawathi, Iqa, Que, Abdul, Natasha, Firdas, Adip, Din, and Liz. Apologies if any names are misspelled or if we missed anyone. Really, every staff member we encountered was phenomenal. The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi has given us an unforgettable experience, and we will wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking luxury, outstanding service, and a true connection to nature. We can’t wait to return and look forward to exploring other Ritz-Carlton properties around the world.

Ritz Langkawi is up there with Ritz Maldives, and if you’ve been to that resort before, you know it’s hard to find anything like it. My husband and I stayed here for 6 days, and spent NYE with them. We checked in after a 5 day stay at the St. Regis Langkawi. If you’re debating between these two resorts, just stop. It’s a no brainer. Book the Ritz. The St. Regis is nice but there’s a magic about the Ritz that makes vacations memorable. Every single thing about this resort is impeccable. We are huge foodies and the food at every restaurant is always fresh, the variety is huge, something new at the breakfast buffet every day. Hai Yan is delicious for a fancy night out and Horizon is perfect for drinks, hookah, and lounging after you’ve spent the day at the pool. The views you get while eating from both Beach Grill and Horizon are stunning. You’ll see some of the most gorgeous sunsets at Beach Grill. The service is top tier, best in the world. You could ask for the moon and they’d find a way to deliver. We became very close with our Kundang (the resort hosts), saying goodbye I honestly had tears in my eyes. Sara and Mustaqim are truly a talented duo, making you feel at home in every way possible. At the NYE Garden party, the fireworks were going off (which allow me to say, we’re from NYC and are no strangers to fireworks and RC Langkawi wins for best firework show we’ve ever seen) and Sara was behind my husband and I. She took a beautiful candid photo of us, had it framed, and gave it to us as a goodbye gift. She is truly a gem. The spa is a so good. We went 3 days in a row for different facials and massages. I had Rose for all my treatments and she was very attentive. What’s really special about this property is the level of involvement and attentiveness from everyone, but particularly the directors/managers. As soon as we walked on to the property, we met with Ramy, the Director of Operations and Duty Manager, Intiqam. At breakfast, Chef Moreno is always roaming the restaurant. Same with the Director of Restaurants, Hasan, and the Director of F&B, Kartik. They’re all constantly present, mingling with guests, making sure everyone is comfortable. We saw Mafalda, the GM, almost everyday, just talking to guests and truly getting to know everyone. If you’re planning to visit around December/January, know it is their jellyfish and sea urchin season. We were in Villa 2 and were graced with hornbills on the balcony every afternoon. Same with dusky leaf monkeys, they are peaceful and very entertaining to watch. We saw macaques and flying squirrels once. Great wildlife, beautiful villas, delicious food, and out of this world service. Will definitely be returning to RC Langkawi!

First up, a special hurrah for Farrah and Arissa before we forget. We had booked an ocean view villa, we were given villa no.5 for 3 nights and 4 days. Iqa was the lady who booked this villa for us, she gave us an excellent deal on the villa and we are grateful to her. We reached around 9am on the 28th and Farrah gave us the most warm welcome and she checked us in and within an hour she gave us the villa when she realized we were tired, she did not wait for the normal check in time of 3pm, this was just the start of an excellent higher then expected service based experience we had with RC. Similarly Arissa at the time of check out, she was very accommodating and kind, we loved a beach bag in our villa and we wanted it, we were willing to pay for it, yet the awesome hospitality that RC bestows on it's guests, she gave it to us complimentary. Another incident which stands out, Dec 30, we were sitting in Horizon and our kids were hungry in the villa, the lady who was serving us, (unfortunately I don't remember her name), we explained to her that our kids are hungry and gave her the order for delivery to our kids, she not only hurried with the order, she personally went to deliver the order to our villa, she served the kids, took a photo for us and completely bowled us over with her kindness and most awesome level of service, she not only served our table, she also served our kids in the villa. Other than this, every single person who is at the property, the gardeners, the buggy drivers, the restaurant servers, Kartik at the Langkawi kitchen was simply awesome, others as well whose names unfortunately I'm forgetting, but everyone at every restaurant was outstanding, we tried the 3 restaurant, Beach grill, Langkawi kitchen and the Horizon and bowled over with the quality of food, service levels and the taste of the food. Will definitely stay next time and would definitely recommend for anyone who wants to be pampered and learn what top quality of service can be expected from a property this grand.