Tropical living may not always be pretty, but stepping foot into the foyer of Hilton Burau Bay Langkawi Resort will paint you a different picture altogether. Warm timber, woven accents and the floor-to-ceiling panels of Haliya Lounge open up to an airy central garden, leading the gaze all the way out to the blue waters of the Andaman Sea. Standing there with the breeze on my face and a refreshing drink in hand, it was an alluring glimpse of what to come.
As I entered my room, I felt peace wash over me. Maybe it was the softly-lit interiors, the genteel colour palette mixed with natural elements, or the sight of the bathtub in the bathroom; above all, every one of the rooms comes with its own private terrace offering an unobstructed view of either the rainforest, mountains or sea. The majestic Gunung Mat Cincang stood before me in mine, commanding me to be present in the moment—and it would later become my favourite sight to wake up to every morning.
Grounding in splendour
With the vast sea on one side and towering mountain peaks on the other, there were plenty of ways to connect with nature. The leafy central garden gave way to a white, sandy beach, complete with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, kid’s club and a row of sunbeds. Whenever the Malaysian heat got the best of me, a mid-afternoon dip in the pool became my reprieve—and took on a transcendental dimension after I realised I could watch the waves crashing against the shore. The adult-only pool sat in a corner a little further away, offering a pocket of quiet for anyone seeking it.
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In the other direction, the siren call of Telaga Tujuh was impossible to resist. A ten-minute drive took us to the foot of the waterfalls, which we scaled with the help of our Nature Centre guide. Along the upward ascent, the lush biodiversity of the island lay just within reach—the senduduk bulu, for instance, became identifiable to us after our guide pointed out its characteristic hairy leaves that can be torn up and mixed with water to clean hands or disinfect wounds. Then came the Blue Lagoon, a hidden oasis for tired bodies—and even though the hike quite literally took my breath away, the serenity of letting cool water run over my feet reminded me to pay closer attention to my body and its corporeal needs.
A temple for the body
As anyone who’s chronically logged on can relate to, rest seems elusive. Modern life is full of disruptors that often drown out our body’s needs and make us feel perpetually dysregulated. Having a spa right there in the mountains with you, however, can remedy that—especially when it is designed to soothe. Wherever you find yourself in eForea Spa—be it the lounge or any of the treatment rooms—the majestic backdrop sets the mood for ultimate relaxation. Languorous oil massages aside, perhaps the most spectacular treat of all was the Salt Room. Himalayan salt bricks made up the walls, emitting a soft amber light that cast everything in the room aglow. Inhaling the salt particles, we are told, will help open up the respiratory passageways and nourish our lungs. As I reclined in my chair, I let the trickle of the water sculpture lull me into a meditative state—before the melody of the handpan and rainstick guided me into their trance. We are asked to take deep breaths; between the ambient sounds and the salt cocoon, I felt like I was floating. When I opened my eyes again after a tranquil snooze, I woke to the wall of green outside and a gentle reminder to thank our bodies for all that they do. In allowing my body to rest, I finally noticed its strength.
With the forest just within reach, it was the perfect place to indulge in forest bathing. I waded through the steamy rock pools to reap the benefits of foot reflexology, which proved to be particularly helpful for post-hike recovery. Then it was time for a proper soak; I picked the private pool closest to the forest. Looking up through the foliage and at the sky was a therapeutic way to savour the afternoon, a rare treat for city dwellers especially. And though I did not try it out for myself, the barrel saunas looked like the cherry on top of the circuit.
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Feeding the soul
It wouldn’t be a proper wellness retreat without the nourishment of good grub, and there was certainly an abundance to pick from: Asian fusion at Gingerfire, coastal Italian fare at Trattoria Mare or Yunnan cuisine at Mingzhu. Hearty, harmonious flavours prevailed at every outpost, but the ambience elevated the experience altogether. Views of the sea and the mountains anchored me to every bite I was taking, which probably did wonders for my digestion. In fact, there was even a chance to take a bite of the greenery we had been surrounded by, when foraged tree moss showed up on my dinner plate dressed in pink petals, walnuts and chopped chillies. Springy, spicy and cool on the palate, tasting the forest and absorbing its nutrients certainly felt like the ultimate way to connect with it.
The rain found us on the last day, which meant it was the perfect occasion to finally try laksa utara at the breakfast buffet. A Kedah staple, the fish-based broth was ladled over rice noodles before being garnished with greens and aromatics. As the rich layers of earthy and tangy flavours unveiled themselves in my mouth, I realised that I could actually taste my food for the first time in a long while—a testament to how much relaxation can do to sync the mind to the body. A stay at Hilton Burau Bay Langkawi Resort is the equivalent of stepping back and marvelling at the big picture of your own life before you return to it again—the way the Langkawi eagle encircles the air gracefully before taking its aim.
