A Sassy Stay Experience at Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah

Text by JUHAN KAMARUDDIN Images by ALOFT LANGKAWI PANTAI TENGAH; MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI

Offering a resort-style escape that sports urban-influenced design and modern architecture, Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah is a 208-room 4-star property that is conveniently located less than 10 minutes’ walk away from Pantai Cenang and around 20 minutes’ drive away from Langkawi International Airport.

As Gaya Travel team members arrive at Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah’s open and airy lobby with ultra-high ceiling to regulate the area’s thermal comfort and bold colour palette, we can quickly identify the property’s statement-making persona and aspirations to stay true to the Aloft brand’s ‘Sassy, Savvy, Space’ tagline. Though the property does not carry additional facilities like spa, retail store, boutique, or fine-dining outlet, the property’s exuberance and fussfree disposition make up more than for what it lacks. It is heartening to see that Aloft Pantai Tengah’s employees are young, fun, and embody the ‘different by design’ ethos. As part of its policy, the property ditches traditional uniforms or hairstyles and instead permits its staff to express their unique selves; dyed hair, piercings, and tattoos, including modest dressing are all accepted, as long as they personify the hotel’s vibrance, sassiness and efficiency.

Accommodation

All of Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah’s rooms and facilities are conveniently housed in one building, making each corner of the property remarkably accessible. Guests are invited to refresh themselves and relax amidst chic, loftinspired accommodations graced in bright warm colours with contemporary furniture, tech-smart features, signature amenities, plush platform beds to snuggle in and inspiring views of the shimmering sea.

The rooms are efficient and clutter-free, thanks to its spacesaving layout. Each of them comes with desirable wall cladding and flooring that guests might love to have at their very own own pied-a-terre. We believe the room’s durable rustic-looking flooring can withstand long term wear and tear yet remain warm and welcoming whenever guests step upon them barefoot.

Tip: Try staying at the higher floors (preferably level 8, which is the highest) to enjoy a more vantage view of Tengah beach, the sea, the nearby islands and the muchloved sunset. Better yet, those who prefer more space should opt for the one-bedroom Sweet Suite, which comes complete with a bathtub for an invigorating bubble bath. Besides nice finishing, all rooms are kitted with smart flatscreen television set, a complimentary mini-bar and added extras like balcony, beach towels and flip flops. The bathroom comes with anti-slip tiles too, a feature we greatly appreciate because there had been many a times during our travels when we almost slipped as we step in or out of the shower in a hotel or resort.

It is worth noting that almost all rooms face Tengah beach and the sea, which guests can reach by safely crossing the road fronting the hotel lobby; the rest of the other rooms alternatively face the greenery behind the resort.

Recreation, dining and functions

Remember the lobby? It has a name, and it is aptly called Re:Mix because this is where guests converge, socialise, relax, and even catch up on their work at the designated workstations. It is also the place where guests first start experiencing the hotel’s perky vibe and attitude, particularly around the resort’s energetic and flamboyant bar called w xyz that comes alive at night serving crafted cocktails. Just behind the reception is Re:Fuel Bar where guests can pick up any type of refreshment on sale around the clock, befitting the resort’s clientele that demand on-the-go conveniences to suit their fast-paced lifestyle.

Guests with children can head up to level 3 for the funky Kids Club. The little ones are bound to love the place since it is full of toys and board games that let their imaginations go wild, including comfy cushions. By the way, the Kid’s Club is only available for in-house guests. There is also an open-air Kids Pool (0.4 metres deep) outside the Kid’s Club. Alternatively, parents can keep their children busy by requesting for Camp Aloft (play tent) to be set up in the room free of charge.

Good to know: Live@Aloft belts out live music on Saturday nights from 7:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. – an opportunity for guests to grab a drink and chill. Tip: Guests should refer to the Activities Wall at the lobby to find out what exciting activity is being organised by the hotel each day that guests can join. Being on an island that promises a multitude of experiences, travellers can easily choose to lounge on the beach, take a sunset cruise or explore celebrated local attractions like Underwater World, Kilim Geoforest Park and Telaga Tujuh Waterfall. They can also take it easy by merely having a morning run on Pantai Tengah beach, before coming back for a dip in the stunning Splash Pool, or workout at Re:Charge.

Besides the Kid’s Pool, adults can swim away in the adjacent Instagram-worthy Splash Pool that is 1.2 metres deep. Without doubt, the Splash Pool – which consists of outdoor infinity pool for adults and two whirlpools encased in a metal birdcage structure – is the best place to enjoy the spectacular Langkawi sunset on a clear day, therefore guests are naturally drawn to it. Fitness-centric guests will be pleased to find out that besides swimming, they can opt to sweat it out at the in-house fitness centre called Re:Charge next to the Kid’s Club.

Besides Kids Club, Kids Pool, Splash Pool, and the fitness centre, Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah’s level 3 is also where guests can find the hotel’s all-day dining outlet called Nook that whips up an array of extensive and innovative Western dishes in generous portions. Be sure to start the day at Nook with the Pink Sunset Smoothie Bowl, which is a healthy mix of fresh fruit, oats, almonds, milk, pumpkin seed and honey. Available all day long, this dish is a refreshing pick-me-up to beat Langkawi’s tropical heat.

For lunch or dinner, Gaya Travel team recommends that guests try out Nook’s prawn wasabi mango salsa and buffalo wings, then wash them down with refreshing smoothies like Mango Peach Blast and cocktails like Passion Portion and Absolutely Fabulous. Nook also serves up Meat-Free Burger, specially created by the culinary team, for vegetarian diners, which consists of crispy potato patties, creamy avocado spread, and melted cheese, with a side of sweet potato fries.

If guests were to hold a productive meeting or a flawless social event, Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah is capable in hosting functions or corporate-related activities since it has 4,973-foot squared pillar-less Grand Ballroom at the lobby level with state-ofthe-art audio-visual equipment, LED TV screens and complimentary Wi-Fi, including smaller functions rooms on level 2 such as the two Tactic meetings rooms with 1,356foot squared of space. As with all Marriott properties, connecting to the property’s speedy Wi-Fi is easy.

Conclusion

Funky, energetic, colourful, vivacious, youthful, whimsical, adorably unconventional, and sharp, Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah presents a refreshing take on Langkawi, appealing to the younger crowd and those who are young at heart. We suppose it is safe to say that this property pretty much sums up what the up-and-coming generations of travellers seek, a trendy place that emphasises on straightforward efficiency, convenience, comfort and the necessities, all at a friendly price.

For more info, visit www. aloftlangkawipantaitengah.com.