Pangkor Laut Hotel

Malaysia

After a year of putting travel plans on hold, only paradise will do. And you’ll find it hidden in the tropical rainforests along the Straits of Malacca on Malaysia’s western coast. This private sanctuary sits on a 121ha island, enclosed by white sand beaches and perfectly named Emerald Bay. Take your pick from luxury villas or estates – some set high in the hills, others with garden views or upon stilts over the waters, all with traditional Malaysian wood carvings. But a word of warning: be prepared to share with long-tailed macaques, oriental pied hornbills and giant monitor lizards because this resort is entrenched in nature.

The on-site restaurants deliver local flavours along the lines of curry laksa and there’s fine dining at Fisherman’s Cove, where you can also take a masterclass in Southeast Asian cooking with the executive chef.

If you can tear yourself away from the two pools and renowned spa (ask for a Malay flower bath), there’s jungle trekking, yoga and water sports.

Villas from £150. 00 60 3 2783 1000, pangkorlautresort.com

Words by Megan Dickson.

This review was taken from the August/September 2021 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.