Locations:

Tanjung Rhu (top eastern end) |  Pantai Cenang & Tengah (western part of the island) | Pantai Kok (Middle Part) | Kuah Jetty (Ferry landing area)

If you want to maximise your fun during the stay in Langkawi, make sure you do a bit of research on places where you want to stay. Different spots are quite far away from each other and you will have no choice except to catch taxis which will cost time and money. For instance here is a break-up of general fares from

1. Kuah Jetty to chairlift  - around 55RM

2. Airport to Kuah Jetty - 35 RM

3. Kuah Village to Cenang Beach - 40 RM

Flat rates are posted on the booking stands where you will get the ticket and pay a flat rate for your destination. A 4-hour rental will cost you around 150RM. Therefore, in order to avoid the hassle of catching public transport it is advisable to live close to most tourist attractions. 

Private resorts are located far from the most commercial places are quite expensive as compared to other normal hotels in the city. Pantai Cenang is the central commercial as well coastal part of the island offering a wide range of affordable options to stay. An average hotel/chalet in Cenang Beach will cost you around 120RM per night. The benefits of living here are that all shopping area is nearby and you will be walking distance from the beach. 

Here are some of the best destinations on the island for accommodation and exploration: 

1. Tanjung Rhu ( located on the top eastern end)

One of the most luxurious, scenic spot on the island enclosed by a cove and nice pristine beaches with easy access to adjoining islands Tanjung Rhu is home to Four Seasons Resort and Tanjung Rhu Resort. These are top-end resorts costing on average of more than 1000RM per night. You will find plenty of water sports and stay for the sunset to view the beautiful view of the sun setting on the horizon. While driving to this location you will see the mangroves and some of the most beautiful islands around Langkawi. This area is suited for a secluded holiday or a honeymoon. 

2. Pantai Cenang & Tengah ( western part of the island)

This is the most commercialised and developed area of the island with shopping centres, shops, restaurants and hotels/chalets. If you want to stay in the hub of all activity on the island Pantai Cenang is the place. You can find plenty of tour operators along the main walkway and you can book a tour with them.

The island is famous for seafood and you can find seafood in almost all restaurants which are cooked in various styles (Thai, Chinese, Malay) with sauces of your choice. Lobster, crayfish, crabs and various varieties of fish including pomfret etc. 

You can find very affordable restaurants selling quality seafood and local as well as international dishes. The menus have a mix of Thai, Malay, and Chinese dishes.

Most popular restaurants in this area are The Brasserie, Orkid Ria Seafood Restaurant, Shin Mi Seafood Village and Happy HappyCenang Seafood restaurant. For a nice night out you can hop into one of the bars along the main drag that stays open till late and play western music.

Most tour operators make their bookings from the stall in this popular strip. You can check with them for a list of tours available and book in advance. For morning day and three-hour tours, the tour operator will pick you from your hotel. There is plenty of local information available on the information desks in your hotel. For 4 and 5-star hotels, you will find offices of tour operators on the hotel premises. 

Pantai Cenang has a couple of nice top-end resorts offering exclusive access to beach and plenty of personalised tours of the island. If you are looking for something exclusive check out rates for:

• Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort 
• Temple Tree Resort
• Oceania Resort Langkawi

 

3. Pantai Kok (middle part) 

Pantai cook is nestled between Oriental Village and Telaga Harbour. If you go past Dana Hotel, there is public access to a beautiful lighthouse. Other resorts located in this area are Berjaya Langkawi Beach Resort, Mutiara Burau Bay Resort, Tanjung Sanctuary Resort & Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort. This area is very close to Langkawi Marina as well as the Langkawi Cable Car. SkyTrex Adventure Park is a new attraction located in this area. Other places of interest in this area are Seven Wells Waterfall, Langkawi Duck Tours, Pisang Handicraft and Art Village. 

Several hotels located in this area are: 

• The Danna 
• Berjaya Langkawi Beach Resort
• Langkawi Lagoon Hotel
• Four Point Hotel
• Perdana Beach Hotel

4. Kuah Jetty Area

Kuah Jetty is the entry point for people travelling from other parts of the country as well as Thailand using the ferry. The terminal is the hub of transport and most buses and taxi operators are based in this area. The landmark Langkawi Eagle is located in this area. For more than an entry point into Langkawi, this area does not have a lot of tourist attraction. You can find plenty of accommodation at walking distance from the jetty ranging from 4 stars hotels to budget accommodation under 50 RM per night. 

 

 

 

The picture on the left shows timings of ferry service from Penang to Langkawi. Catching a ferry from Penang is an easy alternative to travel to Langkawi if you do not want to catch a plan. You can book bus trips to various locations in Malaysia which would the cost of a ferry to the mainland. 

Langkawi is also a point of entry for ferries from Thailand. The immigration and departure terminal is located in the same building. 

Stepping out of the Jetty terminal you will find plenty of stalls and offices of local tour operators. Check for the available tours or book day tours which would take you around popular destinations on the island. 

You can charter you personalised boats for day tours costing around 450RM per day or join a shared group which would cost on average of 35RM per person. The tours take around 3-4 hours and can include a number of activities of your choice. The day tours start around 9 am so hitting the bed early is a must if you want to enjoy the day tour. Midday tours start around 2 pm which could take up to three hours. Besides, personalised custom tours can vary from a couple of hours to a day depending on activities and locations you want to visit. The list is endless and you would need to do a bit of research before time or visit a tour operator. Personalised fishing tours are also quite popular and you can charter small boats for a day costing around 300+ RM. 

 Some of the best places to live in Kuah Jetty are

• Bayview Hotel: Recommended by Ozasiatraveller
• De Baron Resort
• Bella Vista Garden Resort

The temperature in Langkawi round the year is between 25-32c. Best time to travel is between April and August. The dry season is from November until mid-April.  

Where to stay in Langkawi

Best Hotels in Popular Cenang Beach are:

• Century Langkasuka Resort
• Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spa
• favehotel Cenang Beach Langkawi: 3.5 Star located right on the beach

 

The benefits of staying at these hotels are that you are very close to all popular restaurants, shopping malls, and Cenang Beach. If you plan to take day tours and explore the commercial side of Langkawi, we suggest booking accommodation in this area. 

 

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