The tropical paradise of Langkawi island is a sight to behold as you come in to land over a palm-fringed archipelago of coves flanked with bright white beaches. Our flight should have taken 35 minutes from Malaysia’s food capital of Penang, but just 15 minutes later we’ve touched down on the tarmac at the island’s airport – one that services a surprising number of flights for a small place of less than 100,000 people, including direct flights from Europe.
Langkawi, meaning ‘brown eagle’, is a favourite destination for holidaying Malaysians, and is becoming ever-more popular with the international community, both east and west. Its main hub is the stretch of beach called Pantai Cenang, which – for the most part – is lined with beach bars, restaurants, and imposing hotel blocks.
However, just a short walk to the most westerly section of the beach, an odd thing happens: the crowds disperse, leaving a pure white stretch of pristine sand right in front of Casa del Mar, a Mediterranean-style hotel that holds prime position on the shoreline.
Its seafront villas allow guests to fall straight out of bed and onto the beach, and a line of sun loungers and umbrellas nestle under waving palm trees on the precious first line of beach.
In a spot like this – the most sought-after on Pantai Cenang – you might expect to find a shiny luxury resort pushed to maximum occupancy to make the most of the tourist season. What we find in Casa del Mar is a relaxed boutique hotel that’s all soul, where guests drink European wine under golden sunsets right on the beach, and the beach bar offers ‘Lucky Hour’, not Happy Hour (which lasts two hours, not one).
From the road outside, the hotel’s exterior doesn’t give away much about what you’ll find inside save for a Rolls Royce imprinted with the hotel’s logo, greeting guests with a touch of old school glamour. Following a welcome drink of homemade lemonade and cold hand towels, we’re led to our room – one of Casa del Mar’s beachfront suites.
These suites boast their own walled gardens, offering private outdoor space complete with seating to relax with a book or a pre-dinner drink, and with a gate that opens just steps from the sand.
It’s the ultimate indoor-outdoor space where you can embrace a lifestyle of care-free days spent on the beach, washing off sandy feet in the water jugs provided outside each suite, and retiring from the heat to comfortable, air-conditioned rooms.
Inside the room, it’s the little touches that create a sense of laidback luxury: a basket of fresh fruit delivered daily, tote with beach towels, scented face spray for the heat, oat cookies baked freshly in-house… There is also an impressive range of products in the bathroom that go beyond the usual provisions, such as mouthwash, dental kits and locally-made soap. A good turndown service is the true marque of a luxury stay, and Casa del Mar delivers above and beyond; we return from dinner to jazz music playing softly, the bedding turned down and set with a weather report for the following day and lavender scented bookmark. By the coffee machine, two hot chocolate sets and camomile tea are made up and waiting. Everything is in place to encourage peaceful sleep.
The hotel sits on the westerly coast of the island, positioned perfectly for the dramatic sunsets synonymous with Langkawi. It’s a sight to behold as the sun begins to dip, and the beach comes alive with admirers hoping to get the best photograph as it disappears into the waves, leaving the sky awash with pinks and oranges. This is the perfect moment to take advantage of Casa del Mar’s most romantic offering: its beach dining experience. There’s the choice of dining al fresco on candlelit tables right on the sand, or experiencing the newest offering: an elevated private gazebo on the edge of the beach with perfect sunset views. It’s no surprise that a couple has chosen this as the spot for a marriage proposal during our stay, getting down on one knee in the sand before enjoying the restaurant’s special tasting menu surrounded by candles in one of the most romantic settings imaginable.
We too enjoy a special tasting menu (‘El Romantico’) prepared by the chef at the in-house La Luna restaurant – incorporating European flavours and local delicacies such as Pacific snapper, smoked salmon roulade, and a sumptuous lava cake that oozes molten chocolate when split apart.
Casa del Mar carries an unusually varied wine list in comparison to many Malaysian restaurants and hotels, from both the new and old world, and we opt for a crisp South African white to accompany the fresh seafood and fish on the menu.
By the time we reach our final course (an espresso martini cocktail expertly made by the beach bar) night has fallen and we have the beach to ourselves once again, the only light visible from the twinkling of candles on our table.
Following a deep sleep in one of the biggest beds we’ve ever come across, we open our curtains in the morning to the sight of dazzling white of the sand just beyond our private garden, and the island of Beras Basah across the water. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Thailand from here. This is the definition of waking up in paradise.
There’s a familial atmosphere at Casa del Mar that instantly makes you feel at home, and during our time there we get to know the faces of the team and they start to remember our drinks orders. It’s no wonder that this place generates a sense of loyalty, demonstrated by Casa del Mar’s loyalty programme: 4 stays (minimum 30 days total) gets you membership to the Fish Club and a permanent tribute in the form of a ceramic fish with your name in the hotel’s bar area. Thanks to ever-improving services (including an upcoming modernisation of rooms), Casa del Mar attracts an evolving clientele; young couples, families, and many returning Fish Club members, who appreciate the warm welcome from the same friendly faces each time they come back.
Here, the order of the day is relaxation, and the team at Casa del Mar does everything possible to facilitate just that. The hotel has a small onsite spa offering treatments that incorporate Malaysian traditions, each beginning with a relaxing orange oil foot ritual.
There’s ample sunbathing space both around the pool and on the beach, meaning that guests are never fighting for a spot, and you’re well looked after all throughout the day, with the team bringing cold mint towels to cool down, keeping ice water topped up, and we were even offered a complimentary ewrly afternoon cocktail on one of the days.
It’s this attention to care and detail that really sets Casa del Mar apart from the competition. In addition, the hotel offers bespoke packages to enhance you stay, such as the ‘tranquility’ package, which bundles a 3-night stay inclusive of breakfast, Malaysian massage each, and afternoon tea for two.
And while it’s tempting to do nothing at all, it’s certainly not boring. There’s a range of organised activities to choose from, from exploring Langkawi’s beautiful white sand islands on a boat hopping tour, touring the area on complimentary bikes, adrenaline-inducing water sports for the more adventurous guests, or getting to know the landscape with birdwatching or jungle trekking. Langkawi has something for everyone, and Casa del Mar is on hand to facilitate your dream stay. There’s also an impressive multi-language library with free tea and coffee all day.
Lunch at La Sal restaurant, the hotel’s second restaurant option, is also highly recommended. We tried a special Malaysian platter prepared by the chef, which was a great way to sample a variety of local specialties – arguably the most worthwhile tourist activity when visiting Malaysia.
Another very pleasant surprise with the potential to derail your morning plans is the breakfast offering. In addition to a wide variety of pastries and breads – all made in-house – guests can choose from an unlimited a la carte menu with European and Malaysian options such as eggs Benedict and fish curry, as well as cheeses, curries and local delights such as nasi lemak on the self-serve buffet table. Here, your only worry will be finding enough space to fit it all in. It’s always a treat to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine with breakfast, but Casa del Mar is the first hotel we’ve visited that offers a different version with breakfast daily – from peach Bellinis to a breakfast ‘ginger Tom’ collins with gin.
Breakfast is also a great time to catch up on what’s happening in the world, courtesy of Casa del Mar’s bespoke in-house newspaper – a special touch – carefully curated to include translations for the nationalities of guests staying that particular day. It’s a small detail that adds to the feeling that every guest’s needs are listened to and catered for.
It’s this dedication to creating a hassle-free experience that makes Casa del Mar really special. Arriving before your room is ready is a common irritation in the hotel world; Casa del Mar provides a dedicated relaxation lounge so that guests can enjoy a comfortable, air-conditioned space with complimentary tea and coffee while they wait. A long gap between check out and your flight? You’re invited to enjoy the pool area for as long as you like, including freshening up in the gym showers before you leave.
Casa del Mar quietly and modestly provides leading service, making it adored by those who know it – and just waiting to be found by those who don’t. As surprising as the Tom Yam martini we try during Lucky Hour, the delight points are unexpected, plentiful and pack a punch. There’s plenty more to come from this exciting establishment as the team shows a hunger for improving the customer experience, already demonstrated in their plans for modernisation and bettering their ESG credentials.
Sometimes the best thing about a hotel is indescribable – it’s just the way that it makes you feel. There’s just something about Casa del Mar that makes you sad to leave, having surrendered your worries at the door. It’s a feeling best summed up by 300+ ceramic fish, all telling the stories of people who experienced the same thing and were compelled to book a return trip as soon as possible.
We stayed
in a Deluxe Seaview room, priced from £180 per night (high season) including an excellent breakfast.
We ate
the chef’s special ‘El Romantico’ 5-course tasting menu – best enjoyed from the beachfront gazebo and priced at 500rm per person (not including drinks).
A tasting menu of local specialties prepared by the chef at La Sal restaurant, priced at xxx.
For best prices, always book directly through Casa del Mar’s website.
This was a press stay – all opinions are our own.
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