Full List of all 9 Places I've Stayed in Langkawi

After a friend commented that Datai Langkawi was still too expensive even with their post-MCO promo of RM990/night, Jon suggested that I share a list of not-so-popular accommodation options in Langkawi that are affordable, value for money and still offered a wonderful stay experience that we'd gladly recommend to our friends. So here's a full list of places we've stayed while in Langkawi in the past 5 years or so. All images taken from each property's website. 

1. Ranis Lodge (my IG Story on @lookagainaisha)

Run by ex-hoteliers (husband and wife), Ranis Lodge consists of 5 individual bungalow/villas that are each equipped with kitchenette, stove, and a marvellous outdoor dining area that overlooks paddy fields.  Jon first found them via AirBnB. The units are very spacious and has all the conveniences you could possibly want or need. The pool is a little on the small side, but with only 5 villas, it doesn't get too crowded at any time. I love the small but well-stocked library atop the pool, the hammocks, and Jon & I still reminisce about the most scrumptious homemade breakfasts we had each morning at the Balai. 

2. Ambong Pool Villas (IG Story)

This is a little on the pricy side, but well worth the price as each villa has its own private pool. We stayed at Samak, a one-bedroom villa which came with an outdoor hot tub, outdoor kitchenette & dining area. The bathroom was enormous with two vanities/basins, even though it lacked a tub. There was also a lounge area with a daybed and floor to ceiling windows that opened directly to the 10M infinity pool - perfect for sunset watching. Our stay was simply enchanting. Bonus: we were given a handphone (feature phone, not the Handy-kinds that you get in Singapore) to contact a driver who would take us anywhere within Pantai Tengah anytime we wanted. 

3. Villa Kelapa (IG Story)

Villa Kelapa is an assortment of four different villas of varying sizes, which can house 2-6 pax depending on the type. For our stay, we took the 60sqm Villa Tinggi which (besides the usual king-sized bed) had a large verandah with daybed and dining table. It was lovely to spend time outside and I saw langurs and even hornbills flying past! The kitchenette is one of my favourite features of Villa Tinggi - so well stocked (different pots, pans, etc) and in such a pleasing style (we were informed that the kitchen was salvaged/re-purposed from a yacht/sail boat). 

Other places we've stayed in Langkawi: 

• Meritus Pelangi Resort (covered in this old post from 2015 - our opinion has shifted since then)
• The Andaman (Stories)
• Lot 33 (covered in this post)
• La Pari Pari (has a very nice eatery on site, Fat Cupid)
• Chenang Inn 
• Langkawi Chantique Resort
• Bonton Resort

"But Aisha, where should I stay?" It depends on who you're travelling with and whether you want close access to a particular spot location on the island (the most popular beach is Cenang). There are also other parts of the island I've not stayed at before like Tanjung Rhu, so I can only give reco based on those I've been to: 

• If you're travelling with a young child, I think Villa Kelapa and Ranis Lodge are great choices. They're quite a distance away from the bustle but more importantly are outfitted perfect for "family with young children" travels. 
• If you're travelling for honeymoon, Ambong Pool Villas is top notch - great vibes and very romantic. It's on Pantai Tengah, and you have relatively easy access to Cenang after that. Meritus and Andaman are also good choices for lovebirds.
• If you're travelling on a budget & want to be close to Cenang beach, Chenang Inn & Langkawi Chantique can't be beat. There are others along the Cenang beach itself also like container hotels, etc and there are probably newer & nicer accommodation that we do not know about. Feel free to explore. 
• Or, if you want to be closer to Pantai Tengah, go for La Pari-Pari. I prefer Pantai Tengah over Cenang personally, because it's a little quieter and away from the foot traffic (which can get quite crazy) and Pari-Pari is walking distance to my favourite beach bar, Hidden Beach Bar. The new Aloft Hotel is also on Pantai Tengah, if you want a bit more mainstream option.

Fun fact: Langkawi has an obscene amount of 5 star hotels (The Westin Langkawi, Four Seasons Langkawi, St. Regis Langkawi, Ritz-Carlton Langkawi) and a Berjaya Resort. 

Next post (in about 6 months or so): places of interest to check out on the island.