Ritz Carlton Langkawi Malaysia [Master Thread]
Apr 19, 2019, 4:00 am
#76
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
No issue with privacy on the oceanfront villa. If you're on the infinity edge side of your pool, sure, you can see the tip of the pool of a couple of the other villas. Nowhere else in your villa can you see any other guests. During my entire stay, I saw occupants of a neighboring villa over by their pool just once.
The beach grill pool has family and there's a lot more people around that area than the secluded backside where the oceanfront villas are. I would seriously doubt the idea that privacy is better over there, though I did not visit the beach villas themselves.
The beach grill pool has family and there's a lot more people around that area than the secluded backside where the oceanfront villas are. I would seriously doubt the idea that privacy is better over there, though I did not visit the beach villas themselves.
For me, the whole point with a private pool is that it’s, well, private.
And like I said, the beach villas near the Beach Grill looked terrible, so I would avoid those.
But the last two beach villas, closest to Horizon, (villa 19 and the one next to it) are very private, especially their pools.
Apr 19, 2019, 5:55 pm
#77
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,179
We had beach villa 19 which was amazing since it was very private.
If you can get that, I think it beats the oceanfront (overwater) villas because you’re closer to everything, you have direct beach access and it’s very private.
I didn’t look at the oceanfront villas myself, but judging by photos and videos, the private pools didn’t seem very private. It seemed like you could see right into your neighbors’ pools.
The beach villas closer to the Beach Grill restaurant have zero privacy though, so I’d definitely want to avoid those. Anyone on the beach will be able to see into / walk past your pool.
If they get their stuff together, this can be a great hotel. The hardware and beach are good.
And I heard that service got better after we left (when management was back from vacation...).
But service wise, the St. Regis is hard to beat. I think it’s one of the best St. Regis Hotels in the world, better than the St. Regis Osaka even. But in the afternoon there’s no beach/sea, so that’s not great. The service and food make up for it, though.
If you can get that, I think it beats the oceanfront (overwater) villas because you’re closer to everything, you have direct beach access and it’s very private.
I didn’t look at the oceanfront villas myself, but judging by photos and videos, the private pools didn’t seem very private. It seemed like you could see right into your neighbors’ pools.
The beach villas closer to the Beach Grill restaurant have zero privacy though, so I’d definitely want to avoid those. Anyone on the beach will be able to see into / walk past your pool.
If they get their stuff together, this can be a great hotel. The hardware and beach are good.
And I heard that service got better after we left (when management was back from vacation...).
But service wise, the St. Regis is hard to beat. I think it’s one of the best St. Regis Hotels in the world, better than the St. Regis Osaka even. But in the afternoon there’s no beach/sea, so that’s not great. The service and food make up for it, though.
Maybe better now that owner in jail/under investigation?
Apr 19, 2019, 8:48 pm
#78
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
while I wouldn't go back to the STR even if they paid me unless they fixed that mud pit that they call lagoon. Couldn't even get into the water it was so disgusting (service good I agree. Hard product? The ceiling of our OWV collapsed, shower overflowed, pipes blocked)
Maybe better now that owner in jail/under investigation?
Maybe better now that owner in jail/under investigation?
Apr 20, 2019, 7:30 am
#80
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,233
Sorry for the misunderstanding. I meant the privacy in the “private” pools.
For me, the whole point with a private pool is that it’s, well, private.
And like I said, the beach villas near the Beach Grill looked terrible, so I would avoid those.
But the last two beach villas, closest to Horizon, (villa 19 and the one next to it) are very private, especially their pools.
Apr 22, 2019, 12:10 am
#81
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,233
So I just checked out, service not perfect but my experience was much closer to Helvetic’s than ChocolateFactory’s so seems they have a bit of a consistency problem depending who you get. Would absolutely stay again, may do a more detailed review if I get chance.
Apr 22, 2019, 1:41 am
#82
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
Who did you interact with?
If you only/mostly dealt with Western staff (including the great Dutch-Vietnamese intern), then of course service is fine.
But in the bars etc., service was really bad and there was a language barrier at times.
If you only/mostly dealt with Western staff (including the great Dutch-Vietnamese intern), then of course service is fine.
But in the bars etc., service was really bad and there was a language barrier at times.
Apr 29, 2019, 1:43 pm
#83
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,233
I found service at Horizon fine, not spectacular but OK. Only went to Beach Grill once and it wasn't great so I kept going back to Horizon after that. It helped that it was literally next to Villa 19 so only a 45-second walk!
Breakfast the first day was very busy and I had to be seated outside, service suffered quite a bit as a result and I had to ask for some made-to-order items more than once. Second day was quieter and I was seated inside, the host remembered my villa number from the day before without prompting and I was seated inside, service was good. Koko, my villa host, was very good.
I booked the luxury sedan transfer both ways, arrival was a very nice A8 and driver very friendly, return was a slightly older 7 Series which also didn't have the cold towels etc. in it. On the return I was just dropped off outside the terminal (driver offered to get a luggage cart but I didn't need it). Whilst I was in the queue for flight check-in a couple who were staying at The Datai were escorted next to me and we got chatting, they were taken all the way to security by the staff and got to use MH J check-in because of staying there, so RC obviously not as good by comparison here.
They left a very nice full-sized Easter Egg in my villa filled with chocolates on Easter Sunday.
Apr 29, 2019, 2:03 pm
#84
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,233
We had beach villa 19 which was amazing since it was very private.
If you can get that, I think it beats the oceanfront (overwater) villas because you’re closer to everything, you have direct beach access and it’s very private.
I didn’t look at the oceanfront villas myself, but judging by photos and videos, the private pools didn’t seem very private. It seemed like you could see right into your neighbors’ pools.
The beach villas closer to the Beach Grill restaurant have zero privacy though, so I’d definitely want to avoid those. Anyone on the beach will be able to see into / walk past your pool.
If they get their stuff together, this can be a great hotel. The hardware and beach are good.
And I heard that service got better after we left (when management was back from vacation...).
But service wise, the St. Regis is hard to beat. I think it’s one of the best St. Regis Hotels in the world, better than the St. Regis Osaka even. But in the afternoon there’s no beach/sea, so that’s not great. The service and food make up for it, though.
If you can get that, I think it beats the oceanfront (overwater) villas because you’re closer to everything, you have direct beach access and it’s very private.
I didn’t look at the oceanfront villas myself, but judging by photos and videos, the private pools didn’t seem very private. It seemed like you could see right into your neighbors’ pools.
The beach villas closer to the Beach Grill restaurant have zero privacy though, so I’d definitely want to avoid those. Anyone on the beach will be able to see into / walk past your pool.
If they get their stuff together, this can be a great hotel. The hardware and beach are good.
And I heard that service got better after we left (when management was back from vacation...).
But service wise, the St. Regis is hard to beat. I think it’s one of the best St. Regis Hotels in the world, better than the St. Regis Osaka even. But in the afternoon there’s no beach/sea, so that’s not great. The service and food make up for it, though.
As nice as the ocean view from the villa would have been, being able to wake up and find this at the bottom of the steps was pretty great too.
Apr 29, 2019, 3:10 pm
#85
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
The hardware definitely is very good. If they only can train their staff properly, this can be a great hotel.
(I heard from somebody else that the other day some of the kitchen staff touched every single slice of toast with his bare hands in order to arrange them nicely for the breakfast buffet...)
Did you by any chance find some BlueTooth earphones in villa 19? Because I think I forgot mine there, lol.
(I heard from somebody else that the other day some of the kitchen staff touched every single slice of toast with his bare hands in order to arrange them nicely for the breakfast buffet...)
Did you by any chance find some BlueTooth earphones in villa 19? Because I think I forgot mine there, lol.
Apr 29, 2019, 3:47 pm
#86
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,233
The hardware definitely is very good. If they only can train their staff properly, this can be a great hotel.
(I heard from somebody else that the other day some of the kitchen staff touched every single slice of toast with his bare hands in order to arrange them nicely for the breakfast buffet...)
Did you by any chance find some BlueTooth earphones in villa 19? Because I think I forgot mine there, lol.
(I heard from somebody else that the other day some of the kitchen staff touched every single slice of toast with his bare hands in order to arrange them nicely for the breakfast buffet...)
Did you by any chance find some BlueTooth earphones in villa 19? Because I think I forgot mine there, lol.
Apr 30, 2019, 2:06 am
#87
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
The hardware definitely is very good. If they only can train their staff properly, this can be a great hotel.
(I heard from somebody else that the other day some of the kitchen staff touched every single slice of toast with his bare hands in order to arrange them nicely for the breakfast buffet...)
Did you by any chance find some BlueTooth earphones in villa 19? Because I think I forgot mine there, lol.
(I heard from somebody else that the other day some of the kitchen staff touched every single slice of toast with his bare hands in order to arrange them nicely for the breakfast buffet...)
Did you by any chance find some BlueTooth earphones in villa 19? Because I think I forgot mine there, lol.
I don't get why people get so pissy about such things. Nothing wrong with touching food with your hands as long as you wash them as required by the job.
Apr 30, 2019, 2:34 pm
#88
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
May 6, 2019, 8:26 pm
#89
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 573
We will check-out today after 4 days stay and my feelings about this hotel are similar to lost_in_translation.
If we will be back to Langkawi we want stay here again and may be in Aloft.
If we will be back to Langkawi we want stay here again and may be in Aloft.
May 18, 2019, 5:20 am
#90
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,173
We will check-out today after 4 days stay and my feelings about this hotel are similar to lost_in_translation.
If we will be back to Langkawi we want stay here again and may be in Aloft.
If we will be back to Langkawi we want stay here again and may be in Aloft.