Introduction

Pantai Cenang

Pantai Cenang is Langkawi’s most popular beach. Stretching two kilometres along Jalan Pantai Cenang, this beach resort area offers a bit of everything: mid- to high-priced beachfront hotels, driftwood-constructed beach bars, bistros and restaurants offering seafood and delicacies from many international cuisines. There are spas, markets, clothing shops and of course duty-free offerings to temp you to part with your tourist ringgit. The inland side of this main thoroughfare and just behind it is where you’ll find most of the more inexpensive and backpacker lodgings and perhaps a respite from bustle of the beachfront.

Pantai Tengah

Pantai Tengah, the smaller of Langkawi’s two most popular beaches, offers a wide choice of places to stay. Along the beach, with the exception of Charlie’s Place, are the large beachfront resorts. On the inland side of the main road is where you’ll find small but upscale boutique hotels, guesthouses and homestays, which contribute to the more bohemian feel of Pantai Tengah. Many places, like La Pari-Pari and Ambong-Ambong Rainforest Retreat, are tucked away from the road and offer a more off beach but serene experience.

Datai

Jalan Datai is just off of Jalan Teluk Yu on the western side of the island. This area rises from the Kubang Padak River valley and meanders its way along the north coast at the edge of the mountains where they meet the Andaman Sea. There are only two options, both five-star resorts that climb the slope of the mountains from the beach along Datai Bay.

Pantai Kok

This area lies near Telaga Harbor, the Panorama Cable Car and the core area of the UNESCO-supported Geopark. Accommodation highlights in the area include the Berjaya and a rather funky Geopark Hotel and backpacker/flashpacker spot in Oriental Village.

Tanjung Rhu

This long stretch of white-sand beach runs along the north shore of Langkawi and overlooks the islands of Thailand that float off in the distance. This area offers a variety of accommodation, from small locally-run guesthouses through to two five-star resorts. This beach is amazingly underdeveloped and is often all but deserted, however a new watersports company now offers banana boat rides, jet-skis and parasailing.

Kuah

While most visitors opt to stay on one of Langkawi’s beaches, accommodation is available in Kuah town as well. There are quite a few choices in a variety of price ranges here. Many of the new but inexpensive hotels are located in Pekan Rabu and the Langkawi Mall (the older shopping district on the main road past the central traffic lights).

Around the island and the interior

Off the mainland