Within a century-old coconut tree plantation, featuring several buildings with their own stories, lies Temple Tree Resort Langkawi. Just a quick 10-minute drive from Pantai Cenang and a short walk from a friendly Fisherman’s Village, the resort makes for the ideal rest stop for exploring Langkawi’s various sights.
However, the resort itself is an experience of its own, as I had the privilege to experience a stay in one of their eight original Malaysian heritage homes. Specifically, the Estate house. There are 21 rooms available on the resort, and all buildings are between 80 and 120 years old.
While the buildings maintain their original charm, they come with modern perks like comfy beds, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and streaming entertainment for a relaxed, hassle-free stay.
What to Know About Each Home
Each heritage house at Temple Tree Resort Langkawi tells its own story. At the resort’s entrance, the 120-year-old Ipoh House serves as a reception lounge and the home of Paloh Restaurant & Bar.
The Straits House, the only one with a private pool, features bright interiors with Oriental wardrobes and original wooden floors. Johor House, a charming pink Chinese farmhouse, reflects Taiwanese design influences in its interior.
The Colonial House, built in the 1920s by Arab goldsmiths, showcases a fusion of Eastern and Western architectural elements, including Peranakan floor tiles and European cornices.
Other homes include the Plantation House with colonial-style shutters and the Penang House, which exhibits a blend of local, Chinese, Indian, and Islamic influences. One of the standout houses of the resort is the Negri Sembilan House with its beautiful stained-glass windows and a spacious veranda.
As for the house I stayed at, The Estate House is a structure that dates back to the 1940s. It was originally a space for rubber plantation workers and now stands as a comfortable set of rooms with terracotta floors and private gardens.
Flavours of Heritage at Paloh Restaurant & Bar
While the facilities are something worth enjoying, one factor that makes a resort stay great is the food. At Temple Tree Langkawi Resort Langkawi, their food selection ranges from multicultural Malaysian and international cuisine. Whether you want some nasi lemak, a western dish like salmon fillet or some dessert, the restaurant provides a delicious selection to choose from.
According to an interview with Resort Manager Irene Vairo, who first joined Temple Tree Resort Langkawi in 2018, the restaurant has been central to reviving the property’s identity. “When we started, there wasn’t a proper dining space,” she explained. “After the renovation, we wanted Paloh to be more than a restaurant—it’s where heritage and hospitality come together.”
Among the variety of dishes I tried, one notable selection is their desserts. You can easily tell they are made with quality ingredients and by a skilled dessert chef. True, the savoury dishes were delicious, but the desserts were more memorable. In addition to the desserts, the breakfast buffet makes for a great start to the day.
Experiences to Discover
More than its amenities and food, Temple Tree Resort Langkawi provides a selection of activities for guests to enjoy if you don’t have the time to go around seeing the sights. Depending on your interests, there is a selection of options available.
Per Irene’s words, Temple Tree Resort Langkawi offers more than a place to stay—it’s a place to experience. “We love working with local vendors to bring creative activities to our guests,” she said. “There’s batik painting, traditional Malay massage, cooking classes, and even yoga sessions focused on wellness. People want more than comfort—they want connection and authenticity.”
Personally, I had the chance to experience their Batik Painting and Yoga classes. Guided by a local Batik artist, the 90-minute class lets you try your hand at this traditional Malaysian art form, using vibrant dyes and wax-resist techniques to create your own Batik masterpiece.
It’s a calming experience for anyone who enjoys the arts. As for the yoga class, it was a true class in wellness and stretching out for the morning. Basically, it’s worth checking out what the resort has to offer.
Is Temple Tree Resort Langkawi a 5-Star Stay?
From my stay at Temple Tree Resort Langkawi, I would personally say it is worth calling it a 5-star experience. While the amenities are unconventional, that is part of the experience and makes it more memorable. There are no complaints to be found in what the resort has to provide in terms of comfort and meals, nor the experiences.
If there were any complaints to be made, they are minor in the grand scheme of things. A fair warning, however, if you have an allergy to cats, you may want to let the staff know, as a selection of cats stay and roam the resort, something I personally enjoyed. If you are looking for a memorable vacation in a location with a variety of options to experience and explore, consider staying at Temple Tree Resort Langkawi.
For anyone interested in whether the resort has anything new planned for the future, Irene envisions Temple Tree Resort Langkawi continuing to evolve while staying true to its roots. “We’re planning to upgrade a few rooms with more modern touches to cater to different types of travellers,” she said. “But no matter what changes, our soul remains the same—preserving Malaysia’s heritage and sharing it with the world.”
