Pangkor Laut Resort

Situated on its own 300-acre private island, the luxury Pangkor Laut Resort offers a secluded, tranquil getaway in a gorgeous setting. The locale is truly stunning: A private island covered in lush jungle and the hotel grounds studded with pretty, immaculately maintained gardens. Turquoise waters surround and the sandy beaches are gorgeous -- though guests note trash in the water washes up on shore (staff stays on top of it).

Guest villas and hotel facilities are spread out across the island, with some rooms more tucked away and remote than others. Architecture adheres to traditional Malaysian style with wooden structures topped with peaked roofs. Some of the guest villas are built on stilts over the water, a picturesque sight. Interiors are contemporary, with a simple yet chic and elegant look. Decor favors neutral hues, which lets the surrounding greenery of the grounds stand out. The architecture exhibits harmony with nature, and most structures are partially open-air and let the outdoors in.

The property attracts both couples and families with kids, and the resort does a good job catering to both. The Spa Village includes a lovely infinity pool that offers a more tranquil experience than the main resort pool as kids under 16 are not allowed. Spa Villas also do not allow kids under 16, so they're a good choice for those seeking a serene vibe. 

The resort occupies a 300-acre private island covered in jungle and featuring pretty sandy beaches. Guests register at the resort's office on Marina Island Pangkor, from where a 15-minute speedboat transfer must be taken to the island. This service is unfortunately not included in rates and incurs an extra charge. Helicopter transfers are also available. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is about a three-and-a-half to four-hour drive from the office on Marina Island. The capital city of Kuala Lumpur is three to three-and-a-half hours away. Other area airports include Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (one-and-a-half hours away) and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (about a three-hour drive).

The resort is composed of luxe private villas situated either in the jungle, higher up in the hills of the island, or built right over the water on stilts. Guests should note that some of the rooms are far away from the main hotel facilities and necessitate lots of walking, though there's also a shuttle service around the island. Much like the resort's common spaces, decor is contemporary and fairly simple yet elegant, with a subtle tropical feel thanks to the peaked ceilings, wicker elements, and ceiling fans. Attractive wood floors are paired with a color palette of neutral hues. Lots of windows fill the spaces with natural light, and there are shutter screens for those who want to dim some of the sunshine.

Garden Villas are close to the main hotel facilities, so they might be a good choice for travelers not keen on walking far. The picturesque Sea and Spa Villas have large balconies right over the water that are furnished with sun loungers, offering gorgeous views. Suria and Purnama Suites are also over the water and have separate living rooms. The spacious Pavarotti Suite (the famous tenor was a fan of the resort) is set in the hills and has two bedrooms, a living room, large balcony, and a massive open-roofed bathroom. Guests seeking something even more spacious can book one of eight private estates, which have two- to four- bedrooms as well as separate living and dining pavilions and a private pool.

Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, writing desks, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, safes, in-room climate control, and free Wi-Fi (courtesy of portable personal dongles that guests receive at check-in), plus guests receive a selection of international newspapers. Bathrooms feature luxe stone soaking tubs (some outdoor) as well as separate rainfall showers. 

Beyond the paradisiacal private island setting, one of the top highlights here is the resort's spa. The extensive Spa Village includes eight treatment pavilions, three healing huts (specializing in Chinese herbal, Ayurvedic, and Malay treatments), two bath houses, and three Nap Gazebos. Guests staying in Spa Villas have direct access to the spa facilities. Spa programs are organized into four categories -- rejuvenation and longevity, relaxation and stress reduction, detoxification, and romance -- and the menu of treatments is extensive. There's a well equipped fitness center with modern TechnoGym equipment placed in all-room studio with huge windows.

There are two outdoor infinity pools that are scenically set overlooking the sea. Umbrella-shaded wooden loungers provide seating around the pools, and there are more on terraced sundecks that lead down to the beach. One of the pools is in the Spa Village and offers a more tranquil experience (kids under 16 are not allowed here). Guests can also relax on the island's gorgeous beaches (sunbeds and umbrellas are provided). Past guests have commented that there can be lots of trash in the water that washes up on shore --  but staff regularly clean it.

Dining options abound, with plenty of choice including seafood at Fisherman's Cove, Nyonya and Hockchew Chinese-style home cooking at Uncle Lim's Kitchen, and Asian and international fare at the Royal Bay Beach Club. The Straits offers an intimate experience in private booths, with specially curated dinner menus based on guest’s preferences. Feast Village offers Malay and Asian cuisine, as well as featuring a patisserie, cafe, chef's table, and a wine cellar. There are several bars as well, including one on the beach and a health bar in the Spa Village. Note that some restaurants have dress codes and only welcome those 16 and over. Other than the free breakfast, many guests note that food is pricey and there are no other dining options on the island.

A number of activities are offered by the resort, such as jungle trekking, fishing excursions, morning yoga, and snorkeling. Reservations are required for most, and some incur a fee. There's a lovely library that guests can utilize, offering a collection of books and comfy seating. Wi-Fi is free courtesy of personal portable dongles that guests receive upon check-in.