Langkawi Lagoon Beach Resort

Langkawi Lagoon Resort is located on the Andaman Sea next to its own private beach and bordering a fishing village. Public spaces are open and airy, and many feature Malay decor, dark woods, and rich colors of red and blue. First appearances here are deceiving, though, as there are issues with everything from maintenance to upkeep, noise is an issue throughout the property, and many guests have reported poor management that has lead to confusion over which hotel features they are allowed to use.

Those issues aside, the property has lush grounds with an herb garden, palm trees, bushes, shrubs, flowers, and lawns. Suites and villas are divided between Ombak Villa, Sea Village, and Beach Front sections. The Ombak buildings feature mostly Malay-style architecture, as does the Sea Village, which is built on stilts above the water. The Beach Front buildings are more contemporary, and feature facades in colors of white, pink, red, and yellow. A budget hotel -- the Kuala Melaka -- shares the resort property, but its guests are not allowed to use the facilities at the resort. 

The beach is dotted with palm trees, and features tables and chairs covered with thatched palapa-style umbrellas. It can get a little muddy, although this is also an issue for other resorts in the area. Guests gather here and around the infinity pool and beachfront freeform pool, that's spanned by a walkway and is big enough for a genuine swim. 

Rates here are lower than many large-scale resorts in the area, and the hotel sees a large number of families on vacation from the Middle East, as well as couples and friends.

The Langkawi Lagoon Resort is right on the Andaman Sea on the westernmost coast of Langkawi Island. The property is in an area shared with other resorts, but with a private bay and beach. Guests will need a car to see anything of interest. Underwater World aquarium is a 15-minute drive, and it's 10 minutes by car to Cenang Beach, with its duty-free shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Expect a 20-minute drive to get to the area with the Langkawi Cable Car, Langkawi Sky Bridge, and Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls. Located a 30-minute drive away, Kuah town is home to the Jeti Kuah ferry terminal, Dataran Lang (Eagle Square) and the eagle sculpture, and the Lagenda Langkaawi Dalam Taman folklore-themed park. It's also 30 minutes by car to reach Kilim Geoforest Park as well as Langkawi Wildlife Park and Bird Paradise. Guests coming from Langkawi International Airport and the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre will drive about five minutes to reach the Langkawi Lagoon Resort.

The 217 rooms, suites, and villas at Langkawi Lagoon come in a variety of configurations and are divided between Ombak Villa, Sea Village, and Beach Front sections of the resort. All are spacious, and start at 36 square meters (388 square feet). Some units have views of the beach and the Andaman Sea beyond Decor varies a bit, though most rooms have neutral color schemes, some with occasional pops of violet or blue. While some units have a Malay look -- with decor including carved wood and art, gilt-framed mirrors, and four-poster canopy beds -- others have a more modern aesthetic. Standard decor features include hardwood floors, wood headboards, paneling and furniture, and white cotton bedding. 

Despite their initially glossy appearance, many of the rooms are in need of some TLC. Many units have problems like worn wooden floor panels and unsightly gaps in flooring plus chipped paint, old furniture, musty smells, mold, and sliding glass doors and windows that are difficult to open. Some of the more modern units, like the Ombak Suite we visited, were in better condition -- with sharp wood veneer furniture, sleek tile floors, and bright photographs on the wall -- but housekeeping issues are frequently reported here.

All units come with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs with satellite and English channels. Minibars are available upon request and Wi-Fi is free, though it doesn't always work well. Some suites and villas have some combination of private terraces, barbecue grills, gardens, living rooms, iPod docks, pianos, kitchenettes, and private butlers. Bathrooms are clean, well-lit and spacious, with ample counter space around the sinks. Water pressure is occasionally weak in some bathrooms, which have walk-in showers; some also have jetted tubs. 

The beachfront Langkawi Lagoon Resort has a wide selection of leisure facilities and recreational activities, though guests of Kuala Melaka are not allowed to use them. Along with the private beach, there's a beachfront pool with a sunken bar and an adjacent hot tub and children's pool with slide. A second infinity-edged pool overlooks the sea. Other on-site outdoor activities include an outdoor fitness center, bicycle riding, fishing, kayaking, paddle boating, jogging, tennis, beach volleyball, and beach soccer. Nearby activities include catamaran sailing, wind surfing, canoeing, jet skiing, parasailing, water skiing, banana boat rides, wake boarding, knee boarding, island and mangrove tours, and bird watching. Indoor facilities at the resort include a sauna, a steam room, a fitness center, full-service spa, and plenty of games, including foosball. Children's amenities include a kids' club, an outdoor playground, and organized activities such as kite flying and sand castle building. There's also a business center, conference center, duty-free gift shop, and free Wi-Fi and parking. 

Dining options at the resort include a buffet restaurant offering a breakfast buffet (for a fee) and international cuisine for lunch and dinner with cooking stations and outdoor terrace dining. The menu places an emphasis on local seafood. The resort also has an all-day continental and Asian restaurant with terrace and views of the pool and sea, an authentic Middle Eastern Restaurant, and a bistro with sunset views and open-air canopy dining, and a lobby lounge with garden and sea views. Twenty-four-hour room service is also available.