Where to stay in Langkawi

Langkawi is made up of nearly 100 islands in the Andaman Sea, the same sea that is home to Phuket, Koh Lanta and many other popular island getaways in Thailand.

Langkawi, though is part of Malaysia, so it attracts a different crowd than the party scene you’ll find on many Thai islands.

Langkawi is known as a more relaxing getaway, with lots of sightseeing opportunities. Langkawi is a popular destination for honeymooners and families, with a wide range of Langkawi hotels to choose from.

Whether you are wondering where to stay in Langkawi with a family, or just looking for a quiet place to stay in Langkawi, we’ve rounded up some of the best hotels in Langkawi.

❤️ Best Area first timers	Pantai Cenang
💸 Best Luxury Hotel	Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi
👪 Best Hotel for For Families	White Lodge Chalet Langkawi
🏨 Best Mid-Range Hotel	ZEN Rooms Basic Pantai Kok
🛏️ Best Budget Hotel	Sunderland Motel
✨ Best Hostel	Bed Attitude Hostel Cenang

Wondering how long to stay in Langkawi? Generally its recommended to stay between 3-5 days in Langkawi as it is a fairly small island but it depends if you are visiting to relax or on honeymoon or just getting away to Langkawi for the weekend.

We will cover off all types of accommodation in Langkawi from Hostels to luxury Langkawi resorts as well as how to decide where to stay in Langkawi 2023, the best Langkawi hotels, best places in Langkawi to visit, the best places to stay in Langkawi, hotels near Langkawi attractions, Langkawi neighborhood guide and many more.

Pantai Cenang – Best place to stay in Langkawi Island

The most popular destination in Langkawi is Pantai Cenang beach, and is probably the best place to stay in Langkawi if you want a decent social scene to explore. This is where you’ll find the widest price range of Langkawi hotels, with options for every budget.

Pantai Cenang beach is a 2km stretch of beautiful white sand beach and clear waters.  One of the best restaurants along this stretch of beach is a french bistro called MY french Factory, however if you want to enjoy some Malayasia cuisine, check out Cenang Hawker Center.

There are lots of beachfront bars and restaurants, as well as cafes and souvenir stands catering to tourists. Watersports are very popular in Pantai Cenang, with many rentals available. This is also the area most likely to be crowded in the high season, so make sure to reserve your hotel in advance.

The buzzing hub of Langkawi is the tried-and-tested resort town of Pantai Cenang. From chilled sunbathing spots under the coconut palms to sleepless street bazaars and cocktail bars on the beach, this one’s got something for everyone…

Why stay in Pantai Cenang?

The most popular destination in Langkawi is Pantai Cenang beach, and is probably the best place to stay in Langkawi if you want a decent social scene to explore. This is where you’ll find the widest price range of Langkawi hotels, with options for every budget. 

Visitors to Pantai Cenang will find a long, curvaceous run of sugar-white sand that doglegs around a bend in the island’s western coastline. That makes this prime beach-lazing territory, but it’s also a vibrant spot that’s got the best array of shopping and dining that Langkawai can muster.

Active travellers will be pleased to find a medley of sea kayak rental spots peppering the coast. Other shops tout snorkelling gear and flippers for those who want to paddle out and meet the multicoloured fish that often swim in the shallows just off the coast. Alternatively, there are also rows of sunbed rentals for those who simply want to crank up the R&R.

A few steps back from the water’s edge is the main beach road. Punctuated by big resort hotels and smaller guesthouses alike, it’s the epicentre of nightlife in the region, with more seafood joints and cocktail bars than you can shake your peanut satay at. If you’re after nocturnal energy and happy-hour drinks deals, this is unquestionably the place to be!

Things to do in Pantai Cenang?

• Cenang Beach – Cenang Beach is the piece de resistance of Pantai Cenang. It’s almost 2km in length, running from the ferry terminal in the north to The Cliff restaurant in the south. There’s oodles of room to unfurl the towel and top up the tan here, plus kayak outfitters and snorkelling rental spots. As the evening sets in, people will come from all over Langkawi to hit the beach bars and watch the sunset glow red and orange over the Andaman Sea. 
• Pantai Cenang Night Market – Sizzling stir fries, crispy spring rolls, and aromatic skewers of peanut-topped satay await in the Pantai Cenang Night Market. Come here to taste the zingy flavours of Malaysian cooking once the sun has set. The market opens around 6pm and is spread over a whole block at the very southern end of Cenang Beach. 
• Watersports – Cenang is a major hub for watersports in Langkawi. Hit the beach and you’ll find everything from boat operators willing to take you out to famous dive spots to jet ski rentals giving high-octane rides over the Andaman. It’s usually better to book your watersports activities ahead of time if you’re planning on travelling in the peak season (December-March).

Best places to stay in Pantai Cenang Langkawi

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Pantai Cenang:
Bed Attitude Hostel Cenang
Arch Dormitorio Cenang
Tubotel

Budget Hotels in Pantai Cenang:
Langkawi Village Budget Rooms
Dar Yasmine Motel
Luxor Empire

Mid range Hotels in Pantai Cenang:
Best Star Resort
The Gemalai Village
Cenang Plaza Beach Hotel
Sandy Garden Resort Langkawi

Family Friendly Hotels in Pantai Cenang:
Rainbow Lodge
Casa Idaman Motel
The Coconut
Sunset Villa Inn

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Pantai Cenang:
La Villa Langkawi
Camar Resort Langkawi
Casa del Mar, Langkawi
Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi

Pantai Tengah – Where to stay in Langkawi with family

Pantai Tengah has some of the best hotels in Langkawi for families. It’s not far from Pantai Cenang, but offers a more quiet place to stay in Langkawi. Many of the resorts here are of the all-inclusive variety, so naturally there are fewer restaurants and shops than Pantai Cenang as there’s little need to leave the resort.

While the beach is beautiful and the seas are generally calm and clear (although less so during monsoon season), watch out for jellyfish – keep an eye out for signs on the beach which will alert you to when they are in season. The northern end of the beach features some climbable rocks, just be careful as these can be very slippery.

Travelling with the kids in tow? Sun-splashed Pantai Tengah has family-friendly hotels with all-inclusive service. They’re close enough to Pantai Cenang for access to the nightlife and shopping if you want it, but also sit on a quieter run of clean sand that’s great for less-hectic chill sessions. 

Why stay in Pantai Tengah?

Pantai Tengah has some of the best hotels in Langkawi for families. It’s not far from Pantai Cenang – the liveliest area of the lot – but offers an altogether quieter pace of life.

Basically, the beachfront and streets here aren’t as crammed with restaurants and souvenir shops. Plus, many of the stays are all-inclusive, so you might not even need to leave the comfort of your resort. 

It takes around 15-20 minutes to walk to Pantai Cenang from hotels at the northern end of Pantai Tengah. That makes the area very convenient for enjoying the social scene without having to stay in the midst of it all.

The Cliff restaurant is the most popular restaurant in the area. It’s got jaw-dropping views of the Andaman Sea and the white-sand beaches rolling out to the north.

While the beach is beautiful and the seas are generally calm and clear (although less so during the monsoon), you will need to watch out for jellyfish – keep an eye out for signs on the beach which will alert you to when they are in season.

The northern end of the beach features some climbable rocks, but be careful if you go exploring on those as these can be very slippery when wet.

Things to do in Pantai Tengah?

• Tengah Beach – A 700-metre-long dash of yellow-tinged sand that fringes the whole coastal part of Pantai Tengah, Tengah Beach is up there with the finest in Langkawi. It’s never empty but also nowhere near as busy as neighbouring Cenang Beach. The far north and south ends have rocks that are great for snorkelling. Mainly, though, the order of the day is chilling with a book, sandcastle building, and soaking up the rays. Just beware of those jellyfish!
• Underwater World Langkawi – Reigning as one of the largest aquariums in the whole of Southeast Asia, Underwater World Langkawi is a doozy of an attraction for families. There are over 200 exhibits, which showcase everything from UFO-like jellyfish to rare turtles and even small sharks. It’s a great option for something to do when the rains come. The attraction is located  midway between Pantai Tengah and Cenang.

Best places to stay in Pantai Tengah

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Pantai Cenang:
Geopark Hotel
Bed Attitude Hostel Cenang
Boxpackers Langkawi

Budget Hotels in Pantai Tengah:
Cenang View Hotel
Sunset Beach Resort

Mid range Hotels in Pantai Tengah:
Delta Chenang Resort
Perintis Motel Cenang
Arch Studio Cenang

Family Friendly Hotels in Pantai Tengah:
White Lodge Chalet Langkawi
Royale Chenang Resort
Landcons Hotel & Resort

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Pantai Tengah:
Villa Molek

Pantai Kok – Cool Places to stay Langkawi

Another quiet spot in Langkawi is Pantai Kok, just 15 minutes from the Langkawi Airport. Telaga Harbour and Orien

tal Park are popular destinations in Pantai Kok for shopping, drinking and dining. Pantai Kok is where many of Langkawi’s attractions can be found. The Langkawi Cable Car is particularly popular, as it’s allegedly the steepest cable car on earth, whisking tourists over 700 metres above sea level.

If you choose to stay in Pantai Kok, there are luxury resorts with private beaches, but the public beach does not have any restaurants or hotels directly on it. Pantai Kok beach is one of the less popular secluded beaches in Langkawi, although on the weekend it can get busy with local families enjoying some fun in the sun.

Well sheltered from the onshore winds and swells, Pantai Kok has some of the calmest seas on the island. They lap against cotton-white bays that are threaded by pockets of coconut palms, providing a perfect backdrop for some seriously luxurious hotels, some of which even boast access to their very own private beaches. 

Why stay in Pantai Kok?

Pantai Kok is both convenient to get to – it’s only 15 minutes from Langkawi Airport –  and packed with draws. We’ll get to the beaches in just a moment but first focus on the fact that this is the home of the legendary Langkawi Cable Car.

It’s arguably the bucket-list attraction on the island and allegedly the steepest cable car on Earth, whisking tourists over 700 metres above sea level!

On top of that, Pantai Kok is home to Telaga Harbour and Oriental Park, two of the largest and best shopping precincts in Langkawi. Prep the credit card for a trip to those – they brim with craft stores, tax-free electronics emporiums, and fashion outlets. 

Pantai Kok also shines for luxury seekers. The area has a few uber-opulent resorts with private beaches and slick villa rentals. Meanwhile, the public beach does not have any restaurants or hotels built directly on it, so retains a sort of desert island feel.The only time that gets busy is on weekends, when local families flood in.

Things to do in Pantai Kok?

• Langkawi Cable Car – Said to be the steepest gondola on the planet, this amazing ride takes you more than 700 metres above the sparkling Andaman Sea to reveal sweeping 360-degree views of the island. At the top, you can walk the famous Skybridge, which crisscrosses sections of rainforest canopy that are often filled with tropical birds. You’ll also get to see broadside views of monstrous Mount Machinchang.
• Pantai Kok Beach – The main beach in Pantai Kok is a stunning horseshoe of glowing beige-yellow sand enfolded by emerald jungles. It’s almost totally undeveloped save for a few chic hotels at its western end. The eastern end of the beach past the island of Palau Burau has more protection, so is generally better for families and swimmers.

Best places to stay in Pantai Kok

Budget Hotels in Pantai Kok:
Api-api Eco Resort
OYO 90660 Rayyans Roomstay

Mid range Hotels in Pantai Kok:
ZEN Rooms Basic Pantai Kok
Berjaya Langkawi Resort

Family Friendly Hotels in Pantai Kok:
The Danna Langkawi

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Pantai Kok:
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi
The Danna Beach Villa

Kuah town – Where to stay in Langkawi for shopping

Kuah is Langkawi’s main town, and the main entry point to Langkawi Island for anyone traveling by ferry. Kuah is not a beach town, so if you are coming to Langkawi for the beach, Kuah is not the best place to stay in Langkawi. However, many travelers can only handle so many beach days before wanting to explore some cultural attractions.

Spending a few nights in Kuah at the beginning or end of your Langkawi vacation is a great way to experience some of the local culture. Kuah is also regularly cited as the best place for duty-free shopping in Langkawi.

Kuah town is likely to be the first port of call for travellers taking the ferry into Langkawi – the main boat terminal is a short drive to the south. It’s a bustling, workaday place with a bit more local character than many of the nearby beach resorts, along with the finest array of duty-free shopping options on the isle. 

Why stay in Kuah town?

Kuah is Langkawi’s main town, and the main entry point to Langkawi Island for anyone travelling by ferry. Kuah is not a beach town.

Repeat: This is not a beach town. If you’re coming to laze on the sand and swim in the Andaman, there are certainly better options. Where Kuah really excels is on the shopping front…

Yep, there are three or four main mall areas here, including the vast warehouse-style shopping spaces at Jalan Pandak Mayah and the markets at the Jetty Point complex on the south side of town. Both of those are home to a series of tax-free emporiums that tout everything from bargain confectionary to international clothing brand names. 

Spending a few nights in Kuah at the beginning or end of your Langkawi vacation is also a great way to experience some of the local culture.

There are parks with sculpture works inspired by Malaysian religious stories and folklore, along with night bazaars where you can taste BBQ fish and peanut satay straight off the grill.

Things to do in Kuah town?

• Jalan Pandak Mayah – A clutch of duty-free shops make this forecourt on the western side of Kuah town a bit of a gathering point for retail buffs after a bargain. On one side, you can delve into the vast concourses of the Langkawi Saga Shopping Centre, which play host to tax-exempt market places like Haji Ismail – go there for everything from chocolates to ceramic goods at a reduced rate.
• Legenda Park – Legenda Park spreads between a big green space on the mainland and a manmade jetty that juts out over the Andaman. It’s riddled with eye-catching sculptures that depict creatures from local Malaysian folk legends. Keep your eyes peeled for the oversized eagle at the end of the pier, which is probably the highlight. The area is also packed with street-food stalls come evening. 

Best places to stay in Kuah

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Kuah:
Best Seven Inn
Motodorm Langkawi

Budget Hotels in Kuah:
Sunderland Motel
Hotel Asia
We Hotel Langkawi
Geopark Hotel Kuah Langkawi

Mid range Hotels in Kuah:
Goldsands Hotel Langkawi
Eagle Bay Express
Citin Langkawi by Compass Hospitality
Langkawi Seaview Hotel

Family Friendly Hotels in Kuah:
Chill Suites Langkawi
Bayview Hotel Langkawi
Riverra Inn Langkawi
Rizqee Homestay

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Kuah:
Bella Vista Waterfront Resort, Kuah Langkawi (also very family friendly)

Datai Bay – Where to stay in Langkawi for peace and quiet

If you are ready to splurge on some of the best hotels in Langkawi, check out Datai Bay. Datai Bay is the best place to stay in Langkawi for those seeking an exclusive, five-star experience. There are just a handful of resorts here, and they cater to wealthy travelers.

The beach is fairly small, just 1.5 kilometers long and 30 yards wide, but it is shared exclusively by the resorts here, and is only accessible to guests of these resorts. There are fewer activities and attraction options in Datai Bay, but it is the best choice for a quiet place to stay in Langkawi.

One of the most popular attractions near Datai bay is The Els Club Teluk Datai, a rainforest 18 hole golf course.

Datai Bay is the upscale corner of Langkawi. It’s fronted by one of the most eye-wateringly wonderful beaches in the whole of Southeast Asia – think an arcing wisp of white sand with clear turquoise water that’s never very wavy. The hotels behind that ooze quality – it’s proper honeymoon territory.

Why stay in Datai Bay?

If you’re ready to splurge on some of the best hotels in Langkawi, check out Datai Bay. Basically, this is the best place to stay in Langkawi for those seeking an exclusive, five-star experience.

There are just a handful of resorts here, most of them opulent affairs with charming garden pools and suites that have views of the Andaman Sea.

The beach is fairly small, just 1.5 kilometres long and 30 yards wide. However, it is shared exclusively by the resorts here, and is only accessible to guests. The upshot? You won’t have to share sand space with thousands of other travellers. It’ll be just you, your other half, and a stooping coconut palm.

There are fewer activities and attraction options in Datai Bay than in, say, Pantai Cenang. Most people come to get the R&R flowing and escape the crowds. Perhaps the main local draw is the acclaimed Els Club Teluk Datai, a whole 18-hole golf course nestled in the jungles.

Things to do in Datai Bay?

• Datai Bay Beach – There’s no denying that the main beachfront at Datai Bay is a stunner. It clocks up just over 1,500 metres in length as it runs between two narrow headlands on the north side of the island. It’s almost entirely private, so sees nowhere near the same numbers of tourists as the popular sands to the south. Expect shimmering azure waters and groves of palms leaning over the sea. It’s paradise stuff.
• Els Club Teluk Datai – Arguably the most celebrated golf club in the whole of Langkawi – no, scratch that, Malaysia! – the Els Club Teluk Datai is also known as the Rainforest Course. The reason? It sprawls through thousands of acres of primeval rainforest, with greens tucked between ancient cottonwoods and tees perched above the lapping Andaman Sea. Fairways are often crossed by macaques and monitor lizards, so watch where you drive the buggy!

Best places to stay in Datai Bay

Mid range Hotels in Datai Bay:
Saujana Private Villas

Family Friendly Hotels in Datai Bay:
Villa Hutan Datai

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Datai Bay:
The Datai Langkawi

Padang Matsirat – Hotels in Langkawi near airport

Padang Matsirat is where the Langkawi airport is located, and like Kuah, it is not a beach town, but offers several cultural attractions. The Rice Burning Field mounment a historic place where the whole village burned to stop invaders.

As well as historic tombs and a batik art village here. The most likely reason to stay in Padang Matsirat is to be near the airport for an early morning departure, or late night arrival. However, you may just want a couple of days after your beach vacation to explore the tourist attractions in Padang Matsirat.

Padang Matsirat is the first place you come to when you leave the arrival hall at Langkawi International Airport. That makes it a very convenient place to bed down before or after an awkwardly-timed flight in or out of the island. On top of that, there are a few enthralling cultural and historical draws to get stuck into.

Why stay in Padang Matsirat?

Like Kuah, Padang Matsirat is not a beach town. It’s mainly known as the home of the ever-growing Langkawi International Airport, and there are now oodles of low-cost hotels in the area that are suited to quick layovers before or after catching a flight. Some are even pretty luxurious, with their own pools, spa and relaxation gardens.

But don’t go thinking that Padang Matsirat is only about hopping on a plane. It’s not. The town is home to the revered Beras Terbakar, or the Burnt Rice Field.

That marks the spot where islanders set fire to their food reserves to fend off the Siamese army back in the 1820s. Padang Matsirat also has a batik village where you can buy traditional Malaysian fabrics and crafts.

Things to do in Padang Matsirat?

• Beras Terbakar – Beras Terbakar is also known as the Burnt Rice Field. It’s a special historical monument that’s of great importance to the locals of Langkawi, since it chronicles the hard-fought wars that went on between the people here and the invading armies of Siam (now Thailand) back in the 1820s. Today, visitors can drop by to show homage to the onetime defenders of Langkawi, and shop through the local market that’s just outside the monument.
• Langkawi International Airport – There’s no question about it: The reason that hotels in Padang Matsirat remain popular is that they offer some of the best access to the terminals at the island’s main and only airport. Consider booking a stay here if you’re coming off a late flight and don’t want to travel far or if you have an early departure and don’t want the hassle of transfers in the morning.

Best places to stay in Padang Matsirat

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Padang Matsirat:
Dorm Master

Budget Hotels in Padang Matsirat:
Sabandy Guesthouse
Perdana Serviced Apartment & Resorts
AL Firdaus Homestay, Langkawi
Teriang Village Inn

Mid range Hotels in Padang Matsirat:
Bella Cottage
Villa Suria
Wave Langkawi Inn

Family Friendly Hotels in Padang Matsirat:
The Smith House
SeaRenity Suite
Kencana Homestay
Myangkasa Akademi & Resort Langkawi

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Padang Matsirat:
Wings by Croske Resort Langkawi
Ombak Villa Langkawi
Aroha sea view villa * Private pool *

Tanjung Rhu – Best beach on Langkawi

Similar to Datai Bay, Tanjung Rhu is an exclusive, quiet place to stay in Langkawi and is considered the best place to stay in Langkawi for honeymoon. However, unlike Datai Bay, Tanjung Rhu offers some beautiful public beaches in addition to luxury resorts.

There are fewer restaurants and shopping areas, here, but it’s a great place to take a day trip to Kilim Geopark & Mangroves, as this is where the boat tours depart. If you’re wondering where to stay in Langkawi for couples, this is the best area for you.

Jungle-tufted karst islands meet swirls of shimmering white sand at Tanjung Rhu, a beach that’s certainly up there among the finest on the whole island.

That idyllic setting has helped it emerge as one of the top luxury and honeymoon parts of Langkawi. You’ll now find five-star hotels with spa facilities and swimming pools clustering on the hills behind the bay.

Why stay in Tanjung Rhu?

Similar to Datai Bay, Tanjung Rhu is an exclusive, quiet place to stay in Langkawi. More than that, it’s considered the best place to stay in Langkawi for honeymooners and loved-up couples, mainly because of its array of uber-stylish and secluded hotels.

However, unlike Datai Bay, Tanjung Rhu offers some beautiful public beaches in addition to luxury resorts. They feather off a mangrove swamp on the northern end of the island, and are as white as clouds.

A lot of the attractions here are focused on the coast – you can sea kayak between sandbars and little islets and discover snorkelling reefs in hidden bays at your own pace.

For a real adventure, be sure to plan a trip to Kilim Geoforest Park. It’s a mere 20 minutes’ transfer from Tanjung Rhu and opens up wild sections of mangrove swamps and riverways to explore through rugged karst mountains. 

Things to do in Tanjung Rhu?

• Tanjung Rhu Beach – Tanjung Rhu Beach certainly sits among the top three most beautiful beaches in all of Langkawi. It’s a north-facing beach, which means plenty of protection from dominant westerly winds and swells. The sands are talcum-powder-white with seagrapes crawling out of the jungles here and there. Look out at sea and you’ll spot rocky karst islands that you can kayak to in a single day, each with their own secret coves and snorkelling reefs. 
• Kilim Geoforest Park – Experience the wilder side of Langkawi by taking to the waters in this protected geopark and forest reserve. It dominates almost the entire northern part of the island with its mangroves and lurching cathedral mountains. The highlight is probably the boat tours through the wetlands, on which it’s often possible to encounter rare dolphin pods and sea otters. 

Best places to stay in Tanjung Rhu

Budget Hotels in Tanjung Rhu:
Sunset Bay Cottage
DAOH’S Guest House

Mid range Hotels in Tanjung Rhu:
Red Coral Villa

Family Friendly Hotels in Tanjung Rhu:
Tanjung Rhu Resort, Langkawi

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Tanjung Rhu:
Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia
Kutum’s Cottage @eagleyevillage

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