This article is part of my 2016 Langkawi trip.
Special thanks to Temple Tree for extending this hotel review invitation.
Looking for accommodation which assimilates cultural nostalgia with modern comfort? Temple Tree in Langkawi fills this unique role. This resort is strategically located between Langkawi International Airport and the popular tourist destination, Cenang Beach (Pantai Cenang).
Right next to Temple Tree is another resort called Bon Ton Resort, which is managed by the same team. In case the name sounds familiar, the management also operates China House in George Town, Penang. Temple Tree is named after a dilapidated temple within its grounds, where two trees have grown within its original walls.
Guests of Temple Tree are first greeted at Straits Club House. This building houses the reception, library, game room (including a pool table) and a restaurant-cum-bar.
The restaurant at Straits Club House serves brunch, lunch and dinner. As for breakfast, food is directly delivered to the rooms. More than this later.
Upon checking in, each guest is treated to a welcome drink – a refreshing glass of Pineapple Mint Tea. This is a good start in terms of hospitality!
Restaurant patrons can also be seated at the verandas on the side of Straits Club House. One of the two pools of Temple Tree comes into view. The pools are well-maintained and are devoid of foliage as they are cleaned regularly.
Temple Tree comprises of 8 villas, each of which is uniquely designed and features architectural elements of a different culture. The structures were erected using old timbers of derelict houses all around Malaysia. Divided among the 8 villas are 20 hotel units in total. Some of these units can be combined by unlocking doors in between.
Facing one of the pools is a two-storey Chinese House, which was modeled after a Chinese farmhouse in Batu Pahat, Johor.
The design of Black & White House was inspired by a Malay house in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan.
My hotel unit is located in Penang House. This house was based on a historical mansion near Gurney Drive (Persiaran Gurney) in George Town, Penang. Even the color scheme is kept faithful to the original building. The mansion is elevated from the ground and comprises of two units – mine is the smaller half called Penang 2.
Penang 2 is quite spacious and can comfortably accommodate 2 guests. The unit consists of an entryway, living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Only the bedroom has air conditioning; the other rooms use electric fans. There is an air shaft above the living room to let in natural light during daytime.
The bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed, television set and a folding screen. There is no television programming, but guests can take advantage of the DVD player. Movie DVDs can be borrowed from Bon Ton Resort.
In the bathroom, there is a wooden bathtub as well as a shower bath. Towels, toiletries and bath salts are provided. For the shower bath, there is no drain on the floor; water essentially flows through the gaps between wooden planks and seeps into the soil below. Heated water is available in the bathroom.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. After a bath, why not slip into one of these sarongs (traditional Malay pareo) like how locals do? If you like the batik motifs, each piece can be purchased for RM30.00 each.
A stay at Temple Tree includes complimentary breakfast. While most hotels require guests to dine at a central location, Temple Tree places food in the refrigerator of each room in the prior evening. The meal includes yogurt, cake, bread, butter, jam, honey and fruits.
As for drinks, the resort provides fruit juice, milk, fruits, coffee and tea. Each room is equipped with conveniences like electric kettle, toaster, French press and teapot.
The compound of Temple Tree is noticeably frequented by many cats. Each cat appears to be watching over a villa, as if the feline is the embodiment of that villa itself. Most of them are used to human contact and are receptive to gentle strokes on their backs.
On this subject matter, the resort owner is also the co-founder of Langkawi Animal Shelter & Sanctuary Foundation (LASSie). Tasked with the protection of stray animals, this charitable organization operates a dog sanctuary and a cat sanctuary nearby. In fact, guests are welcomed to volunteer at the animal shelters, for instance by walking the dogs.
Within a 3-minute walking distance from Temple Tree is its sister property, Bon Ton Resort. Guests of Temple Tree are welcome to use the facilities at Temple Tree (and vice versa). Bon Ton Resort features 8 traditional “kampung” (Malay village) houses, which are actual functional houses from other locations in Langkawi and Kedah mainland. Each house was meticulously dismantled, transported over to the resort and reassembled on site. Relocating each house took more than 3 months to complete.
Bon Ton Resort features Nam Restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner. There is also a gallery shop with fine selection of local handicrafts, as well as a Chinese antique shop. Between coconut trees is an elongated swimming pool flanked by a bar and several sun decks. Bon Ton Resort used to be adjacent to the beach, but the coastline has been extended outwards during construction of Langkawi International Airport.
Name: Temple Tree
Address: Lot 1047, Jalan Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Contact: 04-955-1688
Business hours: 24 hours
Website: http://www.templetree.com.my
Coordinates: 6.30834 N, 99.72339 E
Directions: Temple Tree is located along Jalan Pantai Cenang, approximately halfway between Langkawi International Airport and Cenang Beach (Pantai Cenang). Coming from the airport, Temple Tree is located on the right immediately after Bon Ton Resort.
