Pangkor Laut Resort

We were very excited to spend 3 days and 2 nights at Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia. Pangkor Laut Resort is a 300 acre privately owned island located in the Straits of Malacca which opened in 1985. It’s an island where you can get away and relax in tranquility, luxury and be surrounded by nature. The late Pavarotti declared it a paradise. Only the guests and staff of the resort can stay on this island which enhances the secluded feeling. Since we have been there it has won more awards as follows:

Top Resorts in Asia
Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards 2017

Top 5 Hotels in Malaysia
TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards 2017

Top 10 Best Hotels & Resorts in Malaysia
Destination Readers’ Choice Awards 2017

Spa of the Year
AsiaSpa Awards 2016

Top 20 Overseas Hotel Spa
Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards 2016

Most Pampering Island Getaway
Harper’s Bazaar Spa Awards 2016

Travel Logistics

There are a few ways to get to Pangkor Laut Resort.

• From Singapore, you can fly into Ipoh Airport or Skypark Subang Terminal on Firefly, Tigerair or Malindo Air followed by a drive (1 hr 30 mins) to Lumut.
• From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia you can take a bus from KL Sentral to Lumut and then taxi to Marina Island Pangkor.
• Alternatively, from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), take the Star Shuttle to Sitiawan 48 RM one way (i.e. £10) and 85 RM (i.e. (£17) return which takes approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.
• From Australia, UK, Canada, Europe, fly to KLIA and then take the connecting flight to Ipoh (as above) and then Uber or pre-arrange a taxi to Marina Island Pangkor.

As we were already in KL, we took an air-conditioned bus to Sitiawan in order to get to Marina Island Pangkor.

Upon arrival at the resort’s office at Marina Island Pangkor, the VIP experience commenced where the resort’s staff welcome you and assist with your luggage. They then offered cold towels and ice cold beverages as we check-in which was much needed in the heat. As we waited for our pre-booked 15 minute speedboat transfer to Pangkor Laut Resort, we used the complimentary wireless internet access in the air-conditioned lounge.

Here are views of the jetty at Pangkor Laut Resort where guests arrive and depart. We could not wait to see more!

Accommodation

The standard features in each villa comprise of (i) complimentary WiFi (ii) tea and coffee making facilities (iii) powered safe (iv) international direct dialling telephone (v) minibar (vi) ceiling fan (vii) climate control (viii) selection of international newspapers. The 4 main types of accommodation are as follows:

1. Garden Villas are located amongst the garden and near the main facilities.

2. Hill Villas have a view of the sea and the gardens. This is where we stayed as we were upgraded from a Garden Villa. Please note that while there is a lift to the first floor you will need to walk further and potentially up stairs to reach your villa so this is not recommended for those with mobility problems. Our villa had a traditional luxurious decor and each villa had its own sun loungers on the terrace to laze on. The bathroom was very spacious and comprised of a shower, bath for two and two separate basins.

4. Sea Villas stand on stilts over the sea and are linked by wooden walkways with view of the turquoise sea. Listening to the waves that send you to sleep is blissful!

5. Spa Villas also stand on stilts over the sea and offers direct access to the Spa Village and its lap pool.

Dining

1. Feast Village is a large covered open air dining area offering asian and western breakfast buffet and dinner.  This is where we had breakfast each morning and enjoyed all the delicacies and fresh juices offered. It is definitely a great way to start the day.

2. Chapman’s Bar sits on a white sandy beach and has views of Emerald Bay. This bar was named after a British Colonel during the war who hid here for 36 hours before he escaped by submarine in 1945. It offers a selection of western and asian cuisine and beverages until 8pm. You can walk here or take the complimentary shuttle which is what we did. We recommend this option due to the humidity and terrain in some parts. This was our first meal of the day when we arrived. As you can see our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. We could have fed another person! It was delicious.

3. Fisherman’s Cove is next to the Spa Village and is only open for dinner and guests who are 16 years of age and above. Unfortunately we only managed to take one good photo of our meal as we were enjoying the ambience and food.

4. Uncle Lim’s Kitchen is another open air venue for dinner and specialises in Nyonya and Hockhew Chinese style home cooking. Uncle Lim’s Kitchen has been named after the Chef Lim Fang Tat who runs the kitchen since the resort opened in 1985. If you sit on the edges of the venue you can see the sea and sunset. The food was superb and was our favourite dinner.

Activities

1. Spa Village

We booked ourselves a Couples Spa Experience for 3 hours at the Spa Village. This comprised of the Royal Secrets of Puteri Lindungan Bulan (for women) and Bukit Gantang Warrior Treatment (for men). Each treatment comprises of the bath house experience, followed by a consultation, massage, hair treatment, face and body scrub, bath, steambath and herbal tonic drink. We came out completely relaxed and then spent the rest of the day by the Spa Village Pool.

2. Library

You can borrow books, recline on this lovely day bed and read which I took advantage of.

3. Tai Chi and Yoga

I did tai chi in the mornings which set me up for the day. This is the view from our open air class.

4. Main Pool

Before we knew it, 3 days had passed and we had to leave. We were so sad as we enjoyed ourselves on our short but sweet holiday at Pangkor Laut Resort. If you enjoy good food and relaxation in luxurious surroundings this is the place for you!