The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa offers a quality experience for a resort with a large number of guests and many families.
For this stay in Langkawi I chose to try two hotels. In normal circumstances I would have gone to the Andaman without question because I love this hotel so much. Unfortunately it burned down during the COVID and according to my information there is little chance that it will reopen, at least in its old form. I would have returned to the St Regis Langkawi but I wanted to discover new hotels so I split my week between the Westin and the new Ritz Carlton. The Ritz Carlton because it is recent, the Westin because I did not know it and that in terms of budget it was the Ritz Carlton or the St Regis but not both!
I might as well tell you that I am not a fan of resorts in general: too many people, mass service and not enough attention, too many people, too noisy… In addition, we prefer hotels where kids are not allowed under a certain age, or not allowed at all. In addition, Westin generally attracts a mid-range, family clientele, so not necessarily what I am looking for.
So it is with curiosity and a little apprehension that I head to the Westin.
You will find all the articles about this trip in Malaysia at the bottom of the page.
Booking
I already explained the reasons for my choice and so I booked a fortnight before my trip on the Marriott app a standard room at a rate of 150 euros per night very interesting considering the period (just at the beginning of the Christmas vacations) and the fact that I did it late.
I also used Suite Night Awards to secure a suite upgrade but without much hope given the property’s occupancy rate.
Arrival and Check-in
I arrive from the airport by Grab (the local Uber) in the middle of the afternoon. A bellman takes my luggage and leads me to the lobby where the reception is located.
A lobby that is in fact a large, totally open building.
It’s sober, clear and warm, it reminds me of some recent Courtyard or Scandinavian hotels whereas many hotels play the local design card which, in a recent building, sometimes gives a doubtful result.
The bellman accompanies me to the counter where I am taken care of. After a few seconds the hotel manager comes to greet me and introduce herself. She told me that there was a lounge dedicated to the check-in of Elite customers but since nobody asked me about it when I arrived…
She apologized because the hotel was full and she could not upgrade me to a villa or suite. However, she assures me that I will have one of the Deluxe with the best view possible.
The protocol of the loyalty program is carried out (for once) impeccably and I am asked if, as I am entitled to it, I would rather have bonus points or free breakfast. As usual I choose the points but the manager intervenes again: as I had a low upgrade, she will offer me the breakfast.
The hotel doesn’t have a lounge, but it also informs me that as an Elite guest I am entitled to two free drinks at the bar every night during the aperitif.
I’m going to take possession of my room right now.
The room
It opens onto an entrance with the bedroom at the back and the bathroom on the side.
The bathroom is nice, large, with a big shower but no bathtub.
Then I enter the bedroom.
It is sober, pretty and warm.
The large bed with very comfortable bedding.
Opposite is a large desk that is very pleasant to work at.
Then there is a small lounge area with an armchair and a coffee table on which a welcome service awaits me.
Finally, there is the balcony, which is quite large, with a view of the sea, the green areas and the pool.
I will add that for once the minibar is well filled.
Langkawi being a natural reserve, some precautions are necessary in relation to the local fauna…
A very pleasant room, comfortable, a beautiful view and for the moment I am more than satisfied with this Westin which for the moment has nothing of the mass resort in questionable state that I could fear.
To finish the visit in video.
Pool, beach, gym and spa
I won’t go to the spa, nor to the beach.
However, the hotel has three swimming pools.
The first one is more for bathing and refreshing than for swimming, shallow and perfect for families and children.
Then comes a second pool, large, suitable for all uses.
Finally, a third pool, much larger than the average, completes the offer. I will see this one mainly occupied by people who want to swim comfortably.
Without these pools being especially pretty in terms of design (which reflects the age of the hotel) they are I think sufficiently large compared to the capacity of the hotel, unlike the Westin Honolulu of sinister memory but without equaling the Le Meridien Phuket.
I also went to the hotel’s gym.
It is in a separate building that shows the age of the hotel.
The room is big, quite well equipped but very old, it would need a renovation.
The building also houses playrooms for children and there are tennis courts nearby. This is the area of the hotel where the sports activities are located.
Finally, I would like to add that the list of activities offered by the property is quite substantial. Something to keep parents and children busy.
Without being particularly pretty and without selling dreams, the hotel facilities are in good condition (especially the pools) and are suitably sized for its size, which is essential in this type of property.
Bar and restaurants
The hotel has a bar and two restaurants.
Let’s start with the bar.
Breeze Bar – Aperitif service
It is very large, located in the extension of the lobby and has a beautiful terrace.
Very lively and pleasant place. I would add that the staff is competent and very pleasant. In any case they make excellent negronis and that’s what matters.
Tide Restaurant – Dinner Service
Tide is advertised as a Grill and is ostensibly the property’s most premium restaurant.
There are not many seats considering the size of the hotel. It is totally open to the outside and its decoration is…what it is. I’m not a fan, it tries to give itself a personality that it doesn’t have.
The menu is nice but I expected a little better.
I will have dinner there one evening.
When I arrived, the restaurant was almost full and I had the last table. I am lucky.
I am seated and the card is brought to me…many minutes later I am asked if it is possible to take a chair from my table and put it at another table. That’s when the waiter realizes that they forgot to take my order. It starts well.
They bring me an assortment of bread with tapenade to wait. Delicious!
I will start with the scallops.
Light but good.
I will continue with the surf and turf.
Simple but impeccably cooked.
A little too simple for my taste, it lacks sophistication while it is supposed to be the high-end restaurant of the hotel but on the other hand it is perfectly executed.
Seasonal Tasting – Dinner Service
The second restaurant of the hotel is Seasonal Tasting with a menu that can be described as “pan-Asian”.
The room is beautiful and of a modern design. It is especially large. This is indeed where breakfast is served and we guess that most of the customers dine here and not at the Tide.
I will dine there twice.
Satay skewers: nothing to say.
Render mak tok(beef) : good.
Spring rolls. I would have liked a less pasty and sweet sauce.
Ikan siakap bakar: actually grilled fish. Very good.
A very decent restaurant at more affordable prices than the other without being less good. I will regret a little slow service and the air conditioning was much too strong, I will be almost transformed into an ice cube!
The staff
If we forget the slowness of the service in the restaurant it will be perfect whether it is at the reception, the bar, and in the restaurants. Friendly and very professional.
Check out
J’effectue mon check-out sur l’application mobile et je quitte l’hôtel sans repasser par la réception.
Bottom line
It’s rare that a resort finds grace in my eyes but the Westin Langkawi manages to do so without any problem. Of course I prefer more confidential and premium places but I would have no problem returning here because the promise is really kept and at an affordable price.
All articles on this trip to Malaysia
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