Choosing the right hotel can be daunting, especially for an island vacation. Thankfully, my Langkawi escapade with my travel buddy was nothing short of fabulous! And the reason was the accommodation we chose – The Bayou Hotel Langkawi.
Convenient location
It took us a 21-minute drive from Langkawi International Airport to reach Bayou Hotel, which is tucked between Cenang Beach and Tengah Beach. It’s located conveniently away from the crowd while still providing everything you need – dining options, shopping spots, and the beach all within your reach.
Hassle-free check-in & check-out
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the super friendly Duty Manager, Mokhtar, and I instantly felt welcome. Our check-in experience with the front-desk staff, Wani, was also pleasant. They were extremely accommodating and allowed us to have a late check-out at 2pm with zero hassle.
Comfy room
The room decor is in a minimalist style and a nice size for two. I have to say, the pillows were amazing! Although the bed was a bit too firm for my liking, but still comfortable and kind to my back after a tiring day. The comforter material was not as soft as I expected, but with the air-conditioner on, it felt so cosy, as if I was being cuddled to sleep.
Exceptional staff & service
The Bayou Hotel has exceptional staff, hospitality, and service. Most of the staff are locals who always put their best face forward, making you feel comfortable and welcome. It’s almost like friendliness is in their blood. Mokhtar, the Duty Manager, exhibited excellent customer relations skills and asked how our stay was every time we bumped into each other.
Awesome amenities
As I explored the lobby area, I was blown away by its chic interior and open-space concept. The lobby integrated seamlessly with the pool area, overlooking the lush greenery in the background, exuding cool vacation vibes.
When I asked Mokhtar about the hotel’s concept, he answered with a broad smile, “Simplicity”. We managed to soak up the gorgeous view and calm ambience at the pool area during the third day of our stay. Boy, were we immersed in its tranquillity. It was perfect!
Superb buffet breakfast
The breakfast offerings were fabulous! I assembled my own toasted ciabatta tuna-mayo sandwich – yummy! They have a little bit of everything you need to kick start your morning, with the menu changing daily for some of the dishes. Khairul, the staff in charge, said that the chef specialises in local dishes, and I can vouch for that when I savoured their mouthwatering lontong and spicy sambal.
Hunt for food around the hotel
One of the perks of staying at Bayou Hotel is its easy access to all the beachfront cafes and restaurants that I planned to visit.
Yellow Cafe
On our first night here, we had a sunset dinner at Yellow Cafe on Cenang Beach. We had some pizza and a watermelon shake, and I was amazed by how tasty they were. Zul, the friendly cafe staff, explained that their pizza was homemade and the watermelon shake had no added sugar. For a light bite, I ordered some fries and asked if they could add feta cheese. They did, with no extra charge – perhaps it’s a perk for having a good conversation with the cafe staff!
The Cliff Restaurant
The Cliff Restaurant is located at the end of Cenang Beach. Our sunset dinner from the bar area clearly overlooked the ocean and Cenang Beach. We had carbonara and pesto pasta with crispy prawns – they were crispy indeed and seasoned perfectly! Service by the local waiters was also commendable, making it such a great experience.
Ngopi Beach Coffee Bar
This beachfront cafe comes with a stunning view of Tengah Beach and a cool bean bag sitting area on the beach to chill. We came by in the afternoon just to check the place out. It was scorching hot, so we decided to tapau (takeaway) iced coffees.
Hidden Langkawi
True to its name, it’s a hidden gem indeed. The view from the deck facing the beachfront of Tengah Beach was a sight to behold. The food was also surprisingly delish! We had the beef burger, which was juicy and served with perfectly seasoned potato chips, and we also had the taco with juicy beef tenderloin chunks. It is hands down the best beef taco I’ve ever had.
Scarborough Fish and Chips
At Scarborough, you’ll savour not only good fish and chips but also admire the breathtaking view of Tanjung Rhu Beach – how marvellous! For RM35, you get a plate of two generous portions of lightly battered deep-fried fish served with homemade fries, which is worth the trip and price.
Biding adieu
The Bayou Hotel lived up to its promise as a peaceful haven, as my stay at the hotel proved. Besides its commendable hospitality, its location provides a strategic base for finding the best beachfront dining options at Cenang, Tengah, and Tanjung Aru beaches. I would definitely be visiting again!
