Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi

The Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa attracts even numbers of families and couples with an excellent location and plenty of amenities on-site. The hotel is largely dated throughout, with some well-worn furnishings, though some locally inspired accents add charm. The busy lobby has hand-carved couches, colorful stained glass, red, patterned area rugs, and dangling ivy. Quirky touches include a giant chess board, dozens of tiny Malaysian flags, and a water fountain topped with a fish. Restaurants and bars have varying style, from charming red-checkered tablecloths and brick walls in Lagenda Coffee House, to bright green and orange retro chairs in the Matahari Lounge. Travelers more interested in the gorgeous beach and pretty pools are likely fine to overlook the outdated design, but it's worth noting that some guests have reported unpleasant smells in various public areas and rooms.

The hotel spans 13 acres and sits along Pantai Tengah -- one of the most peaceful beaches on the Malaysian island of Langkawi. It has a relatively quiet, relaxed feel since it’s not in the middle of a bustling town, but there are some restaurants, bars, and attractions within walking distance. There’s a Japanese restaurant a four-minute walk away and several bars and lounges within a seven- to 10-minute walk. Underwater World, Malaysia’s largest aquarium, is one of the top attractions in Langkawi and is only a five-minute drive (23-minute walk) from the hotel. There is no public transportation on the island, but the hotel has a taxi stand in front of it and assists in arranging car rentals. It’s a 15 minute drive from Langkawi International Airport, a 45-minute ferry ride from Kuala Perlis mainland, and a one-hour ferry ride from Kuala Kedah mainland. 

Rooms range from 355-square-foot (33-square-meter) Superior Rooms to much larger suites with separate dining and living rooms. Rooms are decorated in warm earth tones, but the design is largely dated and uninspired. They're outfitted with either maroon carpet or wood floors, a mix of wood and metal furniture, cheap-looking sitting areas, and locally inspired textiles on the beds. Some suites have hand-carved wooden seating or mosaic-tiled tables that add charm. All rooms have furnished balconies or patios facing the garden or pool, while suites with panoramic sea views are also available. All rooms have free (albeit spotty) Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, safes, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Some bathrooms have had their showers updated, while others have more old-fashioned shower/tub combos; all have free toiletries and hairdryers.

The hotel offers enough on-site to make it possible to never leave the premises. Most notable is the wide stretch of beach with loungers and umbrellas. There are also two outdoor pools, one of which has a large, separate kiddy pool, whirlpool, and swim-up bar. The other is a sea-view infinity pool that requires a fee for use, though this includes one drink. An indoor pool for women only is also available. There is also a small spa offering a variety of treatments, as well as steam and sauna rooms. A playground and kids' club are on-site for the little ones, while a spacious gym and tennis courts appeal to adults.

On-site dining includes the 24-hour Lagenda Restaurant, which offers coffee and nightly themed buffet dinners. Matahari Lounge serves specialty cocktails and drinks along with live entertainment, and Tropical Beach Bar is directly on the beach. LaVilla Poolclub and Restaurant serves food, drink, hosts entertainment and has a connected infinity pool that is available to guests for a fee.

Wi-Fi is free throughout but it's spotty.