Why We Like It:
The 5-star Pangkor Laut is a stunningly beautiful private island near Malaysia’s Straits of Malacca with a pristine rainforest ringed by dreamy sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
For us it is one of Malaysia’s, and Asia’s, finest luxury resorts and as such attracts a sophisticated Malaysian and international clientele.
We think you won’t not find any kind of unnecessary formality or stuffiness here though, the atmosphere is notably pleasant, friendly, and relaxed.
Its facilities really are top of the range – Pangkor Laut’s spa in particular has won countless awards and is consistently named among the world’s very best.
Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation:
Their accommodation is divided into four categories: Garden, Beach, Sea, and Hill. The sea section is as you may have guessed where the overwater bungalows reside.
All are one double bedroom and as stylish and luxurious as you might expect from such a resort. They also feel thoroughly romantic.
We particularly liked the spa baths looking out onto the sea and the elegant wood-paneled interiors.
At 55 m2 / 592 ft2 they are not really large enough to impress with their size – an extra few meters of terrace would be great – but overall they feel airy and spacious.
Some of the overwater bungalows also allow direct access to the spa village for an extra 50 dollars a night or so. You’ll see them listed on the booking page as spa villas.
The Garden Villas though beautifully internally decorated have a relatively disappointing setting. The Beach Villas are certainly superior and for not much extra money.
If we had to choose something else beyond the overwater bungalows though we’d head for the hills – The Hilltop Estates, as they are described on the booking page, are really quite fabulous.
So much so that if money were not a factor we’d choose them over the overwater villas for a very memorable romantic vacation.
Tucked away in the hills surrounded by lush tropical forest they have an old colonial mansion feel and are the resort’s most private, and most opulent and expensive, accommodation.
They come in one, two, three, and four-bedroom units and guests are granted a personal chef and private butler service.
Note: Children under 12 are not allowed in the overwater bungalows though the rest of the resort is family friendly.
Overwater Bungalow Prices:
Enter dates & check prices here at Expedia or here at Booking.com
Resort Facilities & Things to Do:
If you’re not availing of a personal chef in one of the Hill Estates you still have plenty of culinary pleasures to look forward to among the island’s many dining venues.
Traditional Malay in the Garden, Chinese in Uncle Lim’s Kitchen, sophisticated fine dining at Fisherman’s Cove, burgers at Royal Bay Beach Club, or a whole range of International, Indian, and East Asian at Feast, we think there is something for everyone, and the quality of the food and service here is excellent.
The island has two swimming pools, hardly necessary perhaps with such sublime waters surrounding it, a number of tennis and squash courts, a fitness center, and of course its world-famous Spa Village.
It has a number of specially built structures offering an extensive range of treatments from India, Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
There are eight treatment pavilions, a deluxe Belian Treatment Pavilion, three ‘Healing Huts’ – Chinese Herbal, Ayurvedic, and Malay, two Japanese-style bathhouses, three Spa Huts, and a Spa Boutique amongst other things.
Other simple pleasures to be sampled at Pangkor Laut are jungle treks, perhaps in the company of the resort’s own resident naturalist – there is an incredible amount of exotic flora and fauna to be discovered on the island.
We’d recommend you go for a sail around on a kayak, a sail boat, or even charter a yacht to explore the famous Straits of Malacca.
Resort Location:
Pangkor Laut Island is by the aforementioned Straits of Malacca. We are a four-hour car ride and 20-minute speedboat from Kuala Lumpur here, with a direct private transfer, of course, being available.
Some Guest Reviews:
“Paradise on Earth – an absolutely fantastic resort where you would like to stay a little longer.
Extremely beautiful surroundings, very good breakfast buffet and a superb beach….
“This place is heaven on Earth. The location is perfect. You feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, isolated from the world in your own paradise.
We had a hill villa and it was beautiful. In between the jungle and with views of the ocean.
The hotel is gorgeous but our favorite thing was the staff and the breakfast! In all my years traveling around the world I have never felt so pampered in a hotel and the breakfast was simply superb.
I will recommend this piece of heaven to our friends and hopefully be back again! 🙂 Thank you for everything!…”
See all the reviews right here
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