As Americans living in Asia, one of the nicest things that we've found is that you can travel incredibly well at a fraction of the cost of what you'd spend at beach resorts on the other side of the globe.
Malaysian hospitality is exceptional, and while Langkawi has become somewhat built up, it's still very low-key compared to places like Phuket and Bali.
We stayed at The Datai Langkawi, one of the area's original resorts — it's actually about to shut down for nearly a year (September 2017-July 2018) for renovations. If you're considering a trip after then, check it out. It's really a special place that makes full use of its natural surroundings. Other properties worth exploring include the St. Regis Langkawi (as luxe as you'd expect) and Bon Ton Restaurant and Resort, which offers a more intimate boutique hotel experience — guests get to stay in one of eight traditional Malay villas.
