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!