For many people, Langkawi is the very definition of a tropical island paradise. With its 100 small islands sprinkled around the Strait of Malacca, the archipelago is one of the most blissfully attractive destinations in Southeast Asia. To fully appreciate a visit, you’ll want to compliment these natural wonders with an equally picturesque place to stay.
The four star Holiday Villa Resort and Beachclub Langkawi sits overlooking one of the best beaches in Langkawi, with fine dining, swimming pools, spas and luxury rooms waiting for you. And if you’re visiting Malaysia with kids, you’ll be pleased to hear that this resort is very family friendly. In fact, we loved our stay here so much, that we returned with the grandparents who were visiting from the UK, just a few months later. They loved the peaceful, outdoor space with beach views to read a book whilst the kids played football on the lawn in front of them. It really is quite an idyllic setting.
Disclaimer: We were provided with a 4 night, full-board stay in return for promotion across our social media channels and this blog you’re reading. As always, we don’t shy away from an honest review and keep it real for our readers so you know exactly what to expect.
Location and arriving to Holiday Villa Langkawi
Holiday Villa Langkawi is well-placed in the southwest corner of Langkawi Island, facing west for the beautiful sunsets. The smaller islands of Pulau Tepor and Pulau Rebak Besar sit just offshore, helping to keep the sea calm and the view picturesque.
Langkawi’s airport is fifteen minutes drive away to the north, meaning you’re close by for your flights, but not too close to cause any significant noise issues. Langkawi only handles a dozen or so flights per day and it’s actually quite interesting to see the small regional planes flying overhead.
The easiest way to reach the resort from the airport is to take a Grab taxi. If you’ve used Grab in Penang or mainland Malaysia, the app will work in exactly the same way and you shouldn’t have to wait too long for a ride. The e-hailing collection point at the airport is directly outside the main exit, although it can be slightly hectic at busy times. Stay in touch with your driver and be prepared to jump in as soon as they arrive.
It’s a friendly and straightforward entry to the resort, with a security post and sweeping driveway leading to reception. Once inside, the décor has a Balinese feeling, with high ceilings, dark wood and welcoming staff on the front desk.
Prima Beach Suite and adjoining family rooms
We stayed in the adjoining Prima Beach Suite rooms, which are located at the end of the ground level block overlooking the garden, beach and sea. LaVilla Poolclub is a few steps away with complimentary access included in the room rate.
The Prima Beach Suites have space for two adults in a large double or twin bed. Children can be accommodated on the two separate sofa beds, which is a comfortable option. If you’re a group of four or above, you can book the adjoining rooms which link together, giving you a generous amount of sleeping and living space.
On our return visit with the grandparents, the adjoining rooms with separate lounge was perfect as there were six of us. The grandparents had one bedroom with their own lounge, and our family of four had the other bedroom with lounge (the sofa in the lounge and the sofa in the bedroom were made up into beds for our two boys).
Each suite has its own ensuite bathroom (shower only, no bathtub), an extra toilet room, AC, fridge, safe, dining table and Smart TVs. Outside via the sliding doors, each suite has a private patio with sunbeds and direct access onto the garden. The sliding doors can only be locked from the inside though, so you’ll need to exit via the front door when you’re heading out.
With the sun setting in the west and the sea reflecting in front of you, the patio is a perfect place to enjoy a sundowner, and the spacious lawn is beckoning the kids for a game of football.
Swimming pool, beach and leisure facilities
The leisure facilities at Holiday Villa Langkawi are of the high standard you’d expect, with plenty of places to either relax and enjoy the view, or to venture out onto the sea for something more energetic.
The main swimming pool area is spacious and well-designed. The pool itself is huge, one of the largest we’ve seen in a resort this size. During our stay, the pool and sunbed area were exceptionally quiet with only a few people swimming at any one time. It’s always easy to get a sunbed and the parasols give plenty of respite from the hot sun.
There’s a swim-up pool bar if you fancy a drink and the short walk to the normal bar seems too taxing.
With the deep blue sky and emerald sea, it’s a treat to have a beautiful sandy beach to retreat to and dip in the sea. It’s quite a deep beach, with plenty of sand to sit on, even when the tide comes in. Another bonus is that, thanks to the jellyfish net, the water is much safer and inviting than other parts of Langkawi or the beaches in Penang.
The beach isn’t especially shady, other than a few fixed parasols. Some of the sunbeds have tree cover but they prove to be popular in the afternoon.
If you arrive earlier in the morning, the beach and sea are quieter with fewer jet-skis, parasailers and banana boats disturbing the peace. If you do fancy taking part in the water-sports yourself, they can be arranged at the kiosk on the left side of the beach.
For other leisure activities, you have the choice of volleyball, beach football, tennis and a well-stocked fitness centre. There’s also table-tennis and a giant chessboard in the lobby area.
And parents, you absolutely must make time to visit the onsite Thai spa. One of the best massages we’ve ever had!
LaVilla
For an extra dollop of luxury, guests can enjoy entry to LaVilla pool club, with its infinity pool, restaurant and relaxing pool deck. Its raised position in the resort gives an uninterrupted view of the sea and it’s a lovely place to kick back with a cocktail and watch the world swim by.
The atmosphere is relaxed and understated; if you’re here with kids, the main pool might be more your style. Entry to LaVilla is RM30 for hotel guests and RM50 for non-hotel guests. One soft drink or draft beer is included in the price, so it’s good value if you were planning on having a beer anyway.
Perhaps the main reason to come here is the infinity pool; if you catch it in the right light at the right time of day, it really does look as if the pool continues uninterrupted into the Straits of Malacca.
Kids activities
Whilst the LaVilla pool club might be more suited to adults, don’t think that kids aren’t included at Holiday Villa Langkawi. In the garden area there’s a small playground with swings and slides, although some of the equipment might be reaching the end of its maintenance cycle.
Elsewhere, the Villa Kidz Children’s playroom in the lobby area is a great option for younger kids under the age of seven. With a ball-pit, mini-slide, books, films, games and cuddly toys, younger kids will find it a great place to spend some time. Note that kids older than seven aren’t allowed in, and would find it quite limited in any case.
If you have kids older than seven, the facilities we’ve mentioned earlier (beach football, swimming, jet-skiing, etc) will be popular with them of course.
Dining options at Holiday Villa Langkawi
The dining options at Holiday Villa Langkawi are largely outdoors-focused around the pool and beach area, especially for lunch and dinner. LaVilla pool bar is open throughout the day and into late evening for meals. Incidentally, the same (extensive) menu is used throughout the hotel, at all of the restaurants and for room service.
A meal at LaVilla, especially in the early evening when the sun is setting, is a magical experience. You can choose to sit outside under fans, or inside in the air-conditioned section. The food choice ranges from Malaysian through to Western standards like burgers, pizza and pasta.
Without doubt, the best options for meat-lovers are the Hot Lava Stone meals which are delivered to your table on a sizzling hot stone plate. An apron to protect you and your clothes from the sizzle are included in the price. Choose from the Mixed Grill Platter, rack of lamb and beef tenderloin steaks, all served with mashed potato and three dipping sauces. Vegetarians need not worry, as there are lots of veggie (and vegan) options on the menu.
The buffet breakfast is served in the Lagenda Restaurant. If you’ve stayed in resorts like this before, you’ll know what to expect; different cuisines and options, with coffee and juices available from dispensers. Try to arrive early when the dishes are fresher and still stocked-up.
You can also choose to eat at the pool bar, the beach bar, or the small café in reception. As above, all offer the exact same menu, so you’ll soon learn what your favourite is.
Surrounding area
READ: Langkawi with kids – a relaxed 4 day itinerary
Immediately outside the resort are several local restaurants serving Malaysian dishes at reasonable prices. If you need to rent a scooter or car, there’s a rental office a couple of minutes away. Slightly further along the same road (about five minutes on foot) is the Hot Mart supermarket which is the closest place to buy beer if you fancy having a quick drink on your patio before dinner.
You’re never short of activities in the rest of Langkawi and the resort is well placed to reach most of them. You’ll find it easiest to book a Grab taxi and be picked up directly from reception.
Check our our guide to Langkawi with kids for inspiration on things to do, including Langkawi island hopping and a Langkawi mangrove tour.
How to book
Click here to check rates and availability.
Final thoughts on Holiday Villa Langkawi
Langkawi is a gorgeous island and, if possible, it deserves a luxury resort stay. Holiday Village Langkawi fits the bill perfectly, giving you a taste of island paradise living in a perfect location. This isn’t quite a 5* resort, but it is an excellent 4* resort and we whole heartedly recommend it for families. In fact, as we live in Penang, which is only a short 30 minute flight away, we’re sure to be back again!
The Prima beach suites are ideal for a multigenerational stay with their interconnecting rooms, and it’s a treat to wander out of your doors onto the patio and watch the sun setting with a cold drink in hand. Elsewhere, the resort offers top-class dining, leisure and water-sport activities, guaranteeing you an amazing stay on this beautiful Malaysian island.
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