Special feature: Tanjung Rhu Resort, Langkawi, Malaysia

We hadnt been to Langkawi island before, although weve been to Malaysia many times. Langkawi is an amazing place and the Tanjung Rhu Resort is ideal for getting away from all the stresses of modern life.

There are several ways to get to Langkawi. We tried two different methods of coming and going. First we flew into Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur the flight takes about an hour. At the end of our stay we left by going on the ferry to Penang. The small catamaran was absolutely fine for us but Id not recommend it for anyone who gets seasick. The journey takes about three hours and if the sea is a bit choppy, which it was on the day we travelled, then be prepared for a bumpy ride. The resort was very efficient about organising transport for our pick-up from the airport and drop-off at the jetty.

The Tanjung Rhu Resort is situated at the north east of Langkawi, where the islands best beaches are. And Tanjung Rhu has more than two kilometres of private beach! Most of their beach is tranquil but they also have an area set aside for activities such as volleyball and soccer. Theres so much going on at Tanjung Rhu that their activities merit a separate article.

On arrival, we were greeted and shown to our room for check-in. Its so much nicer doing the check-in process in your room rather than at a hotel reception desk. We were given cold drinks and there was also a bowl of fruit for us. The bowl was replenished every day, and also every evening the turn-down service provided us with luxury chocolates.

The room was! spaciou s and very well furnished with a comfortable sofa, coffee table, a big flat-screen TV, a DVD player, and a bed of course. The bathroom was huge, with an oversized bath, two wash hand basins, a separate shower cubicle, and a WC cubicle. The toiletries provided were beautifully presented in environmentally friendly packaging.

There was also a small balcony with two chairs and a table. This was very comfortable both for snacking and for being able to use our computers outside. The resort offers complimentary WiFi throughout so this was very handy indeed, as it enabled both of us to go online at the same time. For those who dont take their own computers everywhere with them, the resort also provides two private booths where guests can go online using the resorts computers, which are equipped with printers in case you need to print anything out.

During the check-in process we were given an attractive map of the resort to help us get oriented. As well as the guest accommodation, there are several public areas for guests to eat, drink, and play, or just sit quietly enjoying the superb views of the white sandy beach facing the Andaman Sea.

The resort has three swimming pools:

Sands Pool an ozonated (chlorine free) 50-metre swimming pool for adults only

Sunset Pool a 60-metre designer pool facing the horizon

Lagoon Pool a salt water pool shaped to emulate a natural lagoon

There are also three restaurants: The Sands an all-day dining venue; The Saffron a trendy Mediterranean style eatery; and The Rhu the resorts fine dining restaurant. Again, the options for eating at the Tanjung Rhu deserve a separate article.

For those who like being pampered there is the award-winning Jiva Rhu Spa, which offers a wide variety of treatments. Jiva is the Sanskrit word for life and the treatments leave you relaxed and ready for everything life offers. Most of the treatments are derived from traditional Eastern traditions dating back thousands of years and given a contemporary take. You can choose from Thai, Malay, Balinese, and Ayurvedic treatments as well as reflexology and aromatherapy.

The resort also has a Reading Room where you may sit quietly and read over tea or coffee, or borrow DVDs from their library to watch back in your room. The Reading Room has big picture windows offering the most perfect sea view.

As you can see, the resort has everything for those seeking tranquillity and, as youll also see from my next articles about leisure activities and dining at the Tanjung Rhu, theres lots to do. However, its worth a mention that the resort does not only cater to holidaymakers. You can also do business in this amazing environment. The Pavilion Meeting Room can accommodate from 45 to 100 people and offers teleconferencing, as well as state-of-the-art audio and video facilities. Theres also a lounge, which is a good place to have pre-meeting drinks. What a fantastic way to do business.

Finally, its definitely worth mentioning the staff. The staff w! ere trul y excellent. They did everything they could to ensure the comfort of their guests, and I really couldnt praise them highly enough.

All in all, if youre planning a luxury holiday in the Far East I suggest you look a bit further than the usual well-known haunts and give the lesser-known Langkawi a try. And if you do decide to visit Langkawi, then where better to stay than the Tanjung Rhu Resort?

Special feature: Tanjung Rhu Resort, Langkawi, Malaysia is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog