Dec/Jan is one of the best times to be in Langkawi. The Andaman and the Datai are under the same management and co-located on Datai Bay. The Datai Bay beach is phenomenal! Rainforest creeping up on the sandy shores and at low tide, you can walk to surrounding islands. I have never seen anything like it!

I have stayed at the Andaman and it is sublime. The spa is truly amazing. I have also explored and dined at the Datai and it is also very nice (the Thai restaurant is amazing!). There is a golf course about 5 mins away from the resorts. The only reason to pick the Andaman over the Datai is cost.

Take a US$25 (round trip!) 1-hr flight from KLIA to Langkawi airport and ask the hotel to pick you up from the airport (or rent a car for US$15/day). It takes 30 mins to get there. If you go to Langkawi, definitely do the cable car to the top of the mountain. It sounds corny but the views are awe-inspiring (you can see Thailand!) and the cable car stations themselves are architecturally graceful.

I have also stayed at Pangkor Laut and unless you get the overwater villas, it's just another beach resort on a private island (OK, that sounded jaded ). The beach at Datai Bay is nicer than Emerald Bay on Pangkor Laut Island, IMO. Pangkor Laut is much harder to get to, though (3 hr drive + 45 mins boat ride).

Also, the MO in KL is better located than the Sheraton Imperial. If you want to maximize your SPG Plat status, choose the Westin which is in the Golden Triangle of shopping (Star Hill) and nightlife (Bintang Walk). The Westin has only been soft-launched so there may be no suites available. Check with the hotel.

Have a great time in Malaysia!