Bon Ton Resort, Langkawi

Last month, I flew back to my home country of Malaysia to attend my cousin's wedding held on the beautiful island of Langkawi. 

I went sans husband or children, and it was my first solo long-haul flight in a very, very long time, certainly not since The Husband and I first met ten years ago. The trip took me nearly 24 hours to get there via Frankfurt and Dubai, and it was the same duration for my travel back, but it was worth it for me to spend some quality time with my family again, to be there for my cousin on her special day, and also to experience the very unique Bon Ton Resort, Langkawi for the very first time!

Pantai Cenang, Langkawi

View of the swimming pool

Bon Ton Resort is a boutique resort - unique in many ways, but its key feature is that it houses only eight, individually-styled and antique villas. Located only a ten-minute drive away from the main airport, it is also walking distance to the main beach - Pantai Cenang. (Note that there is no actual beach access from the resort itself.)

Our traditional Malay villa

The villas are all individually named, and all over a 100 years old, which have been carefully brought to the resort, restored, refurbished and individually-designed to be the unique architectural pieces you see standing today! No two villas are alike, though all are splendid in its beautifully preserved heritage.

Rustic, warm and a beautiful space

We stayed at the Laguna Villa, and while the steps may creak as you walk up, and the windows take a bit of a push and pull to get them open and shut, I loved how authentically different and yet cosy and charming the space was. The Laguna Villa is 120 years old, with a large balcony at the entrance, a comfortable king-sized bed and a huge bathroom area that features an old Chinese-style wooden bathtub as well as a shower area where the water merely drains down through the wooden floors onto a rocky bed beneath the villa.

Our resident cat!

The villa is air-conditioned, although it takes awhile to cool down if the windows have been opened all day. Some guests may opt to sleep with just the fan whirring and the windows open, letting in the gentle island breeze. All beds are protected with mosquito nettings, and mosquito coils are also provided for you to burn should the little bloodsuckers get to be too much of a pest! 

We also had a resident cat, who happily made himself at home in our bathroom area and slept there for a good eight hours! The rest of the time, he sat on our steps or slept on the balcony. 

Morning view 

We later learned that the owner of Bon Ton also operates an animal shelter next to the property. It is not uncommon to see volunteers walking groups of dogs around the property as you go about your day, or having cats brush against your leg as you eat in the restaurant. This is another unique aspect of the hotel and something I fully commend. Being an animal lover, their presence did not bother me in the least, but this is something to note because the sound of dogs barking throughout the day could be bothersome to some.

BonTon Resort's Nyonya Laksa is amazing!

Nam Restaurant, is the onsite restaurant at Bon Ton, and the food here is so good that guests even walk in from other parts of the island just to enjoy its exotic fusion of Asian and Western cuisine. We particularly enjoyed the Nyonya Laksa, which is a house specialty, as well as the Nyonya Style Fried Rice, served with Chicken Satay, Beef Rendang, Acar, Omelette, Spicy Prawns and Crackers.

Table setting for our private lunch 

Nyonya Style Fried Rice - so delicious we had this twice

Temple Tree is the sister resort to Bon Ton, located right next door, and because part of the wedding ceremony was held there, we got to check it out too.

Antique buildings of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian origin, make up this (also) eight-villa hotel. According to its website, each building has over a 70-110 year old history, each one a family home that has been duly restored and cherished with heart and soul. 

The Chinese House at sister resort, Temple Tree

Both Bon Ton and Temple Tree are truly resorts with a difference, and through all my years of traveling, I have honestly never encountered any hotel, boutique or otherwise, with more history, tradition and charm. 

These boutique hotels are secluded and intimate, perfect for a romantic weekend or those looking for a little more privacy and quiet. It is not necessarily the best place to stay with young children, but it made for a wonderful background to catch up with many of my family members and old friends whom I haven't seen for years over a weekend, and it was certainly an unforgettable setting for a very beautiful wedding!

Ee May - one of my many amazing cousin's and I!

Bon Ton Restaurant & Resort
Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi
Malaysia

Tel: + 604 955 1688