Sheraton Langkawi Resort

My boyfriend and I stayed at the Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort from 16 to 25 June 2005.

The set taxi fare from the airport to the hotel was around 10MR (1.5GBP), from the hotel to Pantai Chenang was 15RM. We hired a tiny car (from Pantai Chenang) for 3 days at 45RM per day.

At the hotel we were allocated a garden room for which we had paid an extra 10GBP on the booking. In fact it appeared that most of the rooms were garden rooms: blocks of 4 rooms in wooden, chalet-type buildings. There was another large block of rooms above the swimming pool, but these all seemed to be in the middle of refurb.

Our room was huge and very impressive, with a massive bedroom with a King-sized bed, sofa, TV and balcony with table and chairs. The bathroom had a big bath, shower and toilet with integral bidet. We got a complimentary basket of fruit, which was nice. We were told not to leave the basket outside the room if there was any fruit left in it as the monkeys would steal it. On our second morning we woke to the patter of tiny feet and a scuffle outside the hotel room. The people in the room opposite had left their fruit basket, with fruit still in it, outside their room and the monkeys were stealing it. Not only that, but there were some units outside the rooms which contained stuff for the maids to replenish the rooms and the monkeys had opened all the doors and were taking it in turns to run the gauntlet and steal what they could. The floor was covered in debris and the monkeys were sitting around outside and on the roof eating CoffeeMate sachets, which was hilarious!

At the Sheraton you are transported around the hotel by golf buggy and minibuses. The drivers will stop for you if they pass you or you can call a bus from your room phone and they take a few minutes to get there.

The restaurants in the hotel charged 130RM + 10% service charge for a meal (about 20GBP or so) so we decided to eat out instead which cost us anything from 50RM to 100RM for 2 including drinks.

The hotel has a beach in front of the swimming pool and little secluded beach coves, all with loungers. Towels are supplied and the beach and pool never got very crowded.

Food around the pool was good, but a bit expensive compared to restaurants. For example a club sandwich and a few chips and 2 Cokes cost 50RM, which we felt was quite dear.

Oh, you get lots and lots of extra towels in your room (how many towels do they think we need?!), and bookmarks! We found this quite funny, as did other couples we spoke to.

All in all, top notch except the food and drink was too expensive in the hotel.

Just returned from a 4 day stay at this hotel. We were in a refurbished room but both my daughter and I ended up with what appear to be flea bites, so I'd hate to see what the unfurbished rooms are like. The spa is really just four rooms with massage beds- there's one sauna room and one jacuzzi in the fitness center, no steam room. The gym equipment is dated and not well maintained. Food at the restaurants was mediocre and room service menu is very limited. The water supply was cut for a few hours in the middle of the day. Everything about the hotel seems tired.

My wife and I found the Sheraton Langkawi a bit of a shock, surprised that a chain of their status had a place that was so run down and still calling it 5 star, frankly it aint! It was very tired indeed and in desperate need of refurb. I believe this is happening now but anyone considering staying there should check as the room we had was quite poor.

We stayed at here just before Christmas 2004, in a requested refurbished room, and were delighted. It was well worth the extra RM100 per night as it was clean, and beautiful. The room service was excellent, we had a day vegging out and catching up on sleep, as it rained the second day of our trip. Breakfast was brilliant, but not enough exotic fruits. The main restaurant was clean, had a good selection of food every night, and as we have children, we couldnt manage to sample the Captain's Grill or the Spice Trader, but will next time Inshallah. The Chavana spa offers many treats, and although hotel prices were more expensive on the whole for everything than outside the resort, the 2 day package was blissful. The beach is small, but adequate for a young family. THe more beautiful beaches are on the north side (Datai, etc), but the children loved the pools and so it was fine. I really hope to return again.

This is a really beautiful hotel set amidst very well maintained, landscaped grounds. The rooms are stunning (in bungalows) and are just like they are portrayed on the website.

Breakfast can be delivered to your room and it is well worth eating fresh fruit and drinking coffee on your own veranda in the early morning surrounded by the fabulous plants and the sound of insects buzzing, watching the sea eagles and occasional monkeys.

The hotel's restaurant, the Spice Trader, serves very good food at a reasonable price, and its dining room is quite spectacular, set on a cliff edge overlooking the bay.

And lastly and very importantly; all the hotel staff are very friendly and helpful and take an interest in you.

Highlights of the trip (other than sitting around pools drinking cocktails)....

HOTEL

Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort - Fantastic. Good prices, great staff and good cocktails. Had a villa on the water with undisturbed views of the Andamen Sea. Good spot for G&T's during an afternoon Storm.

TAXI's

Another highlight was the taxis as they have a system that has set the prices from point to point (i.e. Shearton to Kuah was 18 MGR - no matter howl long it took).



SIGHT SEEING



LANGKAWI CABLE CAR (Steepest in the world) You have to catch the cable car at the Oriental Village so you can kill two birds with one stone here and get two tourist attractions out of the way.



CROCODILE FARM - more than 1,000 crocodiles, the did a feeding for us because the afternoon was a little quiet, (LOOK AT THOSE SNAPPERS)



SUMMER PALACE LANGKAWI - this is movie set for the making of the film 'Anna and the King'and is at Pantai Kok where they are building a new development called Perdana Quays. The Palace is closed and out of bounds, but just get the taxi driver to have a quiet word to the security guards and they will let you onto the beach.



DATARAN LANG (Eagle Square) is Langkawi's "Opera House" - its a statue of the reddish brown eagle Langkawi derived its name from the eagle or "helang" while "kawi" denotes reddish brown - hence, Langkawi means reddish brown eagle. This is also a good start to your shopping..



CRAFT CULTURAL COMPLEX has a couple of museums in it about the commercial and cultural development of Langkawi, the Myths of the Island, and a special display on the marriage process of all the different cultures on the island.



SHOPPING



JETTY POINT DUTY FREE - We didn't get there but have been told that this is one of the best. It is at the Jetty Complex which is adjacent to Datran Lang (Eagle Square)



LANGKAWI FAIR SHOPPING CENTRE - more of what you would expect with clothing, music, perfume and MAcDonalds



KUAH TOWN CENTRE - Take a Spaghetti Western town, convert it from Italian to Malaysian, and mingle alcohol and electronic shops with local and traditional fashion, and some authentic Malay Restaurants (grotty as all hell, but great Keow Teo and Mee-goring) and you have Kuah. One piece of advice - buy you grog here. It was dirt cheap and they resemble more of an alcoholic super market then a bottle shop.



WARNING - As you would expect the airport is not cheap, and if you fly from Langkawi to Singapore you can not buy duty free from Singapore Airport on arrival - you can only bring it in from Langkawi. However it is so cheap in Langkawi you would be a fool not too...



EATING



OASIS - Eat on the beach. Situated on the main strip at Pentai Chenang the food is a combination of western cafe and Indian food. Go for the Indian with plenty of cheap cocktails. Great to get there for sunset for the first drink



THAILAND RESTAURANT - Situated on the main road just outside of Kuah, value for money food. The array of live fish tanks at the back of the restaurants guarantee fresh seafood and the server are overly generous.



WISH WE GOT THERE



TG. RHU BEACH - popular white, sandy beach located in the area of the same name. Meant to be great for swimming and sun baking.



SNAKE SANCTUARY - Need I say more. My wife wouldn't go. Big collection of venomous and non-venomous snakes from all over the world.



MANGROVE TOUR - Don't know too much about this other than you hope on a boat, tour Mangroves, and feed eagles. The Taxi driver would stop raving about this.

We recently stayed at the Sheraton and found it to be in desperate need of an update. The rooms were adequate, but not luxurious. The staff friendly with that ever-present Malaysian smile. And the guests comprised of noisy young families.

I would not rate this resort as 5 stars, and am surprised they maintain this rating. Look elsewhere.

An excellent destination for a relaxing weekend gateaway for our family and also friends from abroad. A small beach with soft gentle waves and plenty of soft sand just perfect for our active toddler!

Had an excellent few days here. Woke up to the sound of Long-tailed macaques running along the roof of our chalet-style room. Staff and service were excellent. The food is very good and there is a choice of 3 restaurants. A week is probably enough in langkawi, unless you plan to lie around all day sun bathing, as the island is quite small and you can get round it easily. The hotel is quiet and in a peaceful location, so probably most suited to families and couples. I would definately recommend checking it out if you are going to Langkawi.

My wife and 3-year old son spend 3 weeks there during X-mas and New Year 2003/2004.

Booking at the last minute we learned that The Tanjung Rhu was full and were re-directed to the Sheraton.The absence of a large beach was clearly indicated prior to our departure and the staff was always courteous, willing and helpful.

However ... this place needs an urgent and total rehab as in its current state it is more equiped to satisfy undemanding package deal travelers who feel quite satisfied with 2 and 3 star hotels.

Everything was outdated (restaurants, reception area, pool area, ..), the breakfast buffet, restaurant, bar and entertainment were horrendeous ... thank god for their excellent asian restaurant (and staff) with its more authentic atmosphere where we ate dinner every night for 3 weeks.

The bungalow-type rooms were kept clean but are equally in need of a complete renovation.

Given the full rate we paid, we clearly felt we didn't receive much value for our money and are eager to return to the Tanjung Rhu.