Pangkor Laut Island — Local services in Perak

After a 13-hour flight, we were surprised to discover an additional four-hour drive, information initially failed to disclose by our agent. The journey, purportedly a half-hour drive to the marina followed by a boat ride to the island, was expected. Upon finally reaching the island, its allure was undeniable, nestled within a jungle spanning over two million years old. However, our initial excitement waned as we encountered several issues.

We were initially assigned a villa with other villas obstructing the views. We requested a relocation and were accommodated to villa 818, boasting a pristine vista of the sea. Nevertheless, our enthusiasm was further dampened by a two-hour wait for our luggage, despite numerous calls to expedite its delivery. Throughout our stay, we encountered a dearth of essential information. Trivial matters such as securing our doors to deter monkeys from entering were learned through firsthand experience rather than proactive guidance.

Similarly, dining experiences lacked clarity, exemplified by the absence of rice options at the Chinese restaurant. On offer was only boiled rice, a fact disclosed on our third day that you could order other types of rice if you wished. This is just one example. While breakfast and lunch offerings were satisfactory, they fell short of expectations for a private island renowned for its culinary offerings. We were looking forward to our cooking class course that was offered but we cancelled it due to this. Our excursions, including the jungle treks and snorkeling expeditions, were marred by inadequate guidance, with minimal insight provided into the island's flora and fauna. The guide only mentioned the damage the boar made and to watch out for the thorns when passing by. Sad, as mentioned it is over two million years old and has allot to learn from. The snorkeling was only with Goggles and snorkel, no fins. With fins it would have been more enjoyable.

Despite these shortcomings, interactions with certain staff members, notably Dian from concierge, were commendable. The spa services, while generally satisfactory, were marred by an underwhelming foot massage. One that only did pressure points and nothing else, not even cleansing the feet as a ritual beforehand.

Notwithstanding these issues, the island's natural beauty remained a highlight, with favorable weather conditions enhancing the experience. However, the persistent influx of debris washed ashore served as a poignant reminder of environmental challenges. The resort has full staff just to clear the beaches and areas, but rubbish was still seen. Despite encountering diverse wildlife, including monkeys, snakes, and boars, adjusting to the island's idiosyncrasies facilitated an enjoyable stay.

For prospective travelers, it is imperative to manage expectations, as the island may not be really suitable for children and necessitates proactive inquiry to glean essential information. While our experience was marred by logistical challenges and communication gaps, it ultimately afforded moments of serenity amidst...

Paradise with a Side of Frustration

Pangkor Laut is undeniably stunning—think postcard-perfect views and the kind of tranquility that makes you forget your inbox exists. Special shout-out to Apon, who was the human embodiment of five-star service.

Now, onto the quirks:

The resort has a certain… vintage charm. And by that, I mean our spa villa phone looked like it belonged in an ’80s crime drama—fitting, since calling for help was just as effective as yelling into the void. The advertised WhatsApp concierge? More of a digital message in a bottle—sent, but never received.

Our hot water took a three-day holiday, and despite multiple pleas, the response was more “zen indifference” than “swift resolution.” Meanwhile, the bath and shower had a synchronized swimming act—turn one on, and the other enthusiastically joined in.

Room service? Ha! There is none. Midnight snackers, you’re on your own.

The shuttle buses operate on a mysterious schedule, which means if you’re staying in a spa villa, congratulations—you’ve signed up for a 30-minute scenic trek to dinner. On the plus side, you’ll walk off the meal before you even eat it.

Speaking of meals, be prepared for an Olympic-level sales pitch. The staff are clearly trained to push dining upgrades like their lives depend on it—you’ll be asked approximately 20 times a day if you’d like to book dinner.

The verdict? A breathtakingly beautiful escape with some frustrating flaws. For the price, I expected better, but the location is so spectacular they can seemingly afford to rest on their laurels. If management put as much effort into service as they do into upselling dinner, this place could...

We stayed on one of the Sea Villas located by the Spa Village, 818. Lovely villa on stilts over the sea. Very well kept to a high standard. Sun beds on the veranda, beautiful bathroom with extra large bathtub. You can opt to open the large windows and look out onto the sea while soaking in the tub. Our room maid was lovely and kept everything clean and tidy. The advantage of staying at the Spa Village is that it is less busy at this infinity pool than in the main area. We were extremely well looked after by Mizan going over and beyond to look after us. Thank you again, Mizan. The food at Uncle Lims and The Fishermans Cove was fantastic! We ate at these restaurants a number of times over the two weeks and found everything outstanding. The main buffet restaurant was very good with an excellent selection for breakfast lunch and dinner. Lovely lunch choices at Chapmans Bar, Royal Bay Beach Club and a healthy option at the Spa Village Bar. Beaches are lovely with white soft sand. Here is the only downside....unfortunately the seas in this area of the Malacca Straits is very polluted. Every day there is a number of hotel staff whose sole job is to keep the beaches clean. It is an ongoing permanent operation sweeping up the mainly plastic bottles and assorted waste from the sea edge. It is a horrific sight to see how much waste is dumped or has made its way into our seas. When swimming in the lovely clear, warm sea, it is full of rubbish bobbing about. We, as a human race, have a lot to answer for 😞. Other than the state of the sea, this is a wonderful island with lots of...