Pangkor Laut Resort Review, Malaysia: A Luxurious Escape to A Private Island
Nestled on a private tropical island off the west coast of Malaysia, the Pangkor Laut Resort offers an unparalleled luxury experience surrounded by the natural beauty of the Malaysian coastline. The resort, situated on Pangkor Laut Island, is renowned for its breathtaking views, traditional wooden villas, and a plethora of amenities designed to provide guests with an unforgettable stay.
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How to Get From Kuala Lumpur to Pangkor Laut Resort?
Getting to Pangkor Laut Resort is an adventure in itself. The journey begins with a scenic drive from Kuala Lumpur to Marina Island Pangkor, which takes approximately 3 hours and can be arranged by the hotel. After checking in at the marina here, the short speedboat ride to Pangkor Island jetty takes only 15 minutes, and the boat leaves at predetermined times. The resort's website provides detailed instructions and can assist with transportation arrangements to ensure a seamless journey for all guests.
Villa Choices and Our Experience
The resort offers a variety of villas to suit different preferences. Simplifying the many options down to three main categories, guests can choose between:
Sea Villas: Perched on stilts over the water, these are the villas postcards are made of.
Garden Villas: Located in the lower areas of the mainland.
Hill Villas: Positioned atop the hill, these villas provide panoramic views of the resort and bay.
We opted for a Hill Villa and were absolutely delighted with our choice. Our villa featured a traditional wooden design, providing a cozy and authentic ambiance. While the decor was slightly dated, it perfectly complemented the resort's laid-back vibe. The highlight of our villa was undoubtedly the incredible view of the main resort area and bay. We enjoyed complete privacy, as no one would walk by or peek into our secluded sanctuary.
Although we were slightly removed from the central area, we actually enjoyed the experience of taking the elevator down a steep cliff to access the dining and pool areas.
Another delightful aspect of our room were the daily visits from hornbills, magnificent birds that provided fantastic photo opportunities right from our patio. However these creatures were not unique to the hill villas, as the entire island is swarming with them. Getting to see their bright yellow beaks all throughout your stay is thrilling. The resort is also home to a colony of bats, which can be observed fanning their wings to stay cool during the daytime in a tree near the pool area.
Amenities and Unique Features
Pangkor Laut Resort boasts a comprehensive range of amenities to cater to every guest's needs:
Gym: We don’t often say this, but we loved working out at this resort. Something about the gym being housed in a wooden pavilion with sea views out the window felt elevated.
Pool: The main pool is beautifully designed, with the Royal Bay Beach Club conveniently located nearby for a quick bite.
Beaches: Emerald Bay Beach, one of our top 10 beaches in the world, offers a private and relaxing oasis with its emerald green waters, soft sand, and gentle waves.
Spas: The resort's award-winning Spa Village offers a variety of treatments inspired by traditional Malaysian healing therapies.
Tennis Courts: For guests looking to stay active, the resort features tennis courts with lights for the evenings.
Karaoke Room: A unique feature that provided endless entertainment during our stay, allowing us to belt out our favorite tunes in the privacy of our own company.
Splish Splash
Our two favourite things at this resort were the private beach and the infinity pool. Both offer guests the ultimate aquatic retreat, while perfectly complementing the luxurious island setting. Emerald Bay Beach, regarded by us as one of the top 10 beaches we have visited, is a secluded paradise with its soft sand, warm emerald green waters, and gentle waves. It provides the ideal backdrop for sunbathing, swimming, or simply relaxing with a good book.
On the other hand, the resort's main pool is a masterpiece of design, featuring a stunning setting with the Royal Bay Beach Club conveniently located nearby for a quick bite or refreshing drink. The pool offers guests a serene environment to unwind, with breathtaking views not only of the ocean, but also the sea villas perched on stilts over the water. It was this incredible view that made us thankful we had instead chosen the privacy of the hill villa instead.
Activities
While the resort offers a variety of activities, we opted for the rainforest jungle trek with the resident naturalist and the sunset boat cruise. While the jungle trek was fine, we wouldn’t call it a must do. We found ourselves just eager to reach the beach at the end. The sunset boat cruise, on the other hand, was an absolute delight. With drinks on board and stunning views as you ride around the entire island, it provided the perfect opportunity to relax and soak in the natural beauty of Pangkor Laut.
Dining Options
The resort offers six different dining options to satisfy every palate, but we will touch on only our favourites:
Feast Village: A breakfast haven where we found ourselves unprecedentedly becoming early risers to indulge in freshly made waffles and roti canai.
Uncle Lim's Kitchen: Our favorite dinner spot, Uncle Lim's Restaurant, offers delectable Malay & Chinese cuisine served beside the ocean, which we enjoyed with the added bonus of a mesmerizing lightning storm across the water in the distance.
Chapman's Bar: Located at Emerald Bay Beach, this casual sea-side lunch spot serves up dishes like Hainanese chicken rice and fresh coconuts.
Is Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia Worth Visiting?
We spent three magical nights at Pangkor Laut Resort and would highly recommend a stay of 3-4 nights to fully immerse yourself in the relaxing and luxurious atmosphere. We may have rushed out as we were eager to continue our Malaysian adventure in our next stop, the foodie heaven of Penang. Still, we left the resort with unforgettable memories and a longing to return.
If you are planning a trip to Malaysia, we highly suggest adding this unique resort to your itinerary. Whether you're looking to stay overwater, be immersed in a dense jungle, or experience a combination of both, Pangkor Laut Resort offers a luxurious escape on a private island that is unlike any others.
