Langkawi Islands, Malaysia - Beach at Mutiara Burau Bay Resort

Mutiara Burau Bay Resort is separated from Berjaya Beach Resort by a small peninsula, but you can get across from one resort to the other by walking along the beach. The beach at Mutiara Burau Bay is often over-rated by travel websites and tourist marketing brochures. But it is still a great beach to enjoy and appreciate unless you have 'over-rated' expectations.

The beach here is shorter than at Berjaya Beach Resort, stretching for only 200 metres (650 feet). The beach is also not as wide, about 20 metres (65 feet) during low tide. Nevertheless, it is white, sandy, uncrowded and the waters usually calm for a swim. For a little adventure, you can walk across to Burau Island during low tide and explore the small island.

Beach in front of Mutiara Burau Bay Resort

Secluded section of the beach

View from a local eatery beside the resort

Langkawi Islands, Malaysia - Mutiara Burau Bay Resort

Mutiara Burau Bay Resort is the other resort on Burau Bay besides the 4-star Berjaya Beach Resort. It's a 3-star star resort comprising of separate wooden chalets with rates starting from around RM300 (USD93). The resort may not be in the same category as Berjaya Beach Resort but the rooms are large and equipped with modern room facilities for a comfortable stay.

The resort has a village atmosphere (well, may be not like my mother-in-law's village) with a laid back feel. Trees provide shady cover over the chalets and there are lounge chairs for reading a book or just lazing under the trees. The sandy beach here is smaller than at Berjaya Beach Resort (anyway, you can always walk across since it's a public beach) but quieter and more secluded.

Note: Mutiara Burau Bay Resort is currently closed for renovation and expected to reopen sometime around 2015.

Entrance to Mutiara Burau Bay

The wooden chalets

Beach in front of Mutiara Burau Bay

Langkawi Islands, Malaysia - Monkeys at Berjaya Beach Resort

Staying in the rainforest chalet at the Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort offered a unique experience of having (macaque) monkeys visiting your doorstep. Sure, in this part of Asia I have seen monkeys outside the zoo, roaming in the parks, in the villages, plantations and so on. But these hairy creatures coming right to your doorstep was a first for me and the family.

The rainforest is large enough for the monkeys to live undisturbed and sustain them, but have acquired a taste of we humans eat. Advice from the resort's management is to never feed the monkeys (leave them alone in their natural environment), close the doors and windows when they come visiting. Anyway, the monkeys don't bother anyone if you leave them alone.

The rainforest chalet

Uninvited but welcomed visitor

On the balconey

Langkawi Islands, Malaysia - Staying at Berjaya Beach Resort

The water chalets at Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort offer scenic views of the emerald waters of Burau Bay and a backdrop of the forested mountains. During high tide, you can hear waves roll below the floor. The rainforest chalet is situated on a foothill surrounded by lush tropical trees. If you have never visited a tropical rainforest, this is the closest you will ever get.

Whether it's the chalet in the sea or rainforest, the rooms are large with pleasant interiors and modern facilities - my previous stay was in the rainforest chalet. All the chalets are equipped with air-conditioning, colour TV, in-house cable movie, private bathroom, a mini-bar and coffee/tea making facilities. There are also balconies with chairs to relax and enjoy the view of the sea of rainforest.

Water chalet

Rainforest chalet

Inside the rainforest chalet

Langkawi Islands, Malaysia - Berjaya Beach Resort

Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort is a 4-star resort on Langkawi Island. It is situated on the coast of Burau Bay (western corner of the island), about 25 minutes drive from Langkawi International Airport and 40 minutes from Kuah Town. Rooms comprises of chalets situated on the fringes of a rainforest and on the sea coast. It may be designated a 4-star resort but give it 5-star anytime.

Berjaya Beach Resort is not for the budget traveller with rates during the low season starting from RM540 (USD167) and water chalet from RM700 (USD217), but doubles during the peak season. My family have stayed here and certainly on my recommended list of beach resorts in Langkawi, but expect to pay the price! Beautiful beach, fantastic rooms, splendid facilities and great food!

Langkawi Islands, Malaysia - Beach at Berjaya Beach Resort

The beach directly in front of Berjaya Langkawi Beach and Spa Resort is a public beach. Since the resort is a distance from the main tourist spots and the only other resort here is Mutiara Burau Bay, the beach here is fairly uncrowded. Even during the peak seasons, it is still an uncrowded beach. Don't miss the sun set at the beach - it's truly a beautiful sight.

The beach here is wide and sandy, sloping gently into the shallow water - great for kids and non-swimmers. Palm trees line the course of the beach and complemented with a scenic backdrop of the rainforest mountains. Besides swimming and strolling, sundecks are available along the beach for the resort's guests to relax and spend a lazy day.

Beach at Berjaya Beach Resort

Swaying palm trees along the beach

Backdrop of the forested mountains

Sunset at the beach

Langkawi Islands, Malaysia - Telaga Harbour

Telaga Harbour Park or simply Telaga Habour is a picturesque marina situated in Burau Bay on the western end of Langkawi Island. The marina is about 20 minutes drive from Langkawi International Airport and on the road to the beaches of Burau Bay and Datai Bay. Personally, I find the harbour and the surrounding scenic, relaxing and an attraction in itself.

Yachts berth either at the Marina Pier or Mega Yacht Pier. Facilities here include fuel and bunkering services, supply of water and electricity. Internet access is also available for the mariners to keep in touch. Other facilities at the marina include a petrol (gas) station, shops, currency exchange, KFC and a number of overpriced cafes and restaurants.

Telaga Harbor

Along the promenade

Outdoor cafe at Telaga Harbor

Petrol station and convenience store

Langkawi Islands, Malaysia - Burau Bay and the Beach

A favourite destination on Langkawi Island for me and my family is Burau Bay, about 20 minutes by car from Langkawi Airport. The beach here is a public beach but mainly used by guests from the 5-star Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort and the 3-star Mutiara Burau Bay Resort. The two resorts are about the only accommodation at Burau Bay and there are no cheaper accommodation here. The beach here is wide, sandy, not crowded (even with the two resorts located here) - the perfect place for me and my family.

Burau Bay

At the beach on Burau Bay

Palm trees along the beach