tropical paradise beach at Casa del Mar- Langkawi
I must have died and woken up in heaven! To be specific, into a luxurious seaside suite splashed with vibrant turquoise and gold accents, aromatherapy spa products, my own French press and Illy coffee, and a private enclosed sitting garden all set right smack on a lush strip of powdery white sand lining the tropical Andaman Sea. What could be better than this, I ask you.
my beach-side suite at Casa del Mar
Well… evening brought even more delights in the form of an extensive array of creatively delicious tropical cocktails served poolside at the outdoor bar. I happily sipped ‘Bellini cocktail’: champagne infused with cranberry and Cointreau, followed by a ‘Young Coconut Mojito’ served in a real coconut, followed by a frozen mixed-berry daiquiri. Heaven, I’m telling you.
sipping ‘Bellini’ champagne cocktail poolside
But, wait, at nightfall, after another spectacular sunset over the Andaman Sea, candles began twinkling on dinner tables set right on the sand and gourmet cuisine began arriving. I ordered ‘crispy-skin salmon over vegetable fritatta’, served with the most delicious grainy bread I rarely get to eat in Asia.
daily dinners on the beach at Casa del Mar
I dizzily sipped that last of my frozen daiquiri then retired to my villa for a luxuriously hot bubble bath before flopping my sleepy head on a plush feather pillow on my gigantic king-sized bed, where I quickly fell asleep to the heavenly sound of ocean waves lapping the beach.
enjoying raspberry daiquiri during dinner on the sand
Morning brought the most extensive gourmet breakfast I’ve ever seen. The buffet ‘section’ of breakfast would have stood as the full breakfast at most resorts: a selection of 6 gourmet breads, croissants, sweet bread, 8 different homemade jams and spreads, cheeses, capers, yogurt with assorted fresh fruits, tossed green salad, smoked fish and meats, a variety of cereals, fresh squeezed orange juice, Illy coffees, 10 different gourmet teas. But apparently the buffet was just to ‘hold me over’ while I waited for my prepared breakfast.
breakfast buffet at Casa del Mar
eggs Florentine for breakfast
On offer: eggs Florentine, pancakes, french toast, eggs with sausages and what not, and several Malay breakfast options. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a double breakfast. In fact, I ate it as such, in two stages. Buffet at 8 am, eggs Florentine at 11 am. Y u m m y. There’s no lack of amazing food in paradise!
Casa del Mar pool
Oh, did I mention the fresh fruit on offer in the library all day, or the pitchers of chilled lemon water delivered to all the beach-side loungers, or my gourmet lunch of pesto pasta accented with mushrooms, asparagus, and chicken?
pesto pasta with mushrooms, asparagus and chicken
Did I mention my sunset stroll on the beach, my work-out in the cool gym, or my twilight laps in the sky-blue pool? Did I mention the warm, friendly staff who remember my name, or relaxing mid-afternoon on my beach lounge chair under the shady white linen umbrella, or my afternoon bubble bath and short siesta on a turquoise sofa?
Casa del Mar- Langkawi
room coffee service
Casa del Mar Boutique Resort on Langkawi Island, Malaysia, is the paradise I found myself this week. Within minutes of being escorted to my suite I understood why Casa Del Mar has won Trip Advisor’s ‘Travelers Choice’ Award for two years running. Attention to fine details. My spacious suite was stocked with a coconut-wood-and-glass jar full of lemon cookies, peppermint tea, Illy coffee, bottles of wine, an assortment of alcohol shot bottles, cranberry juice… Uh, did they investigate my personal tastes before I checked in? Lol.
aromatherapy spa products in my bathroom
In the tiled bathroom I found cute little pots of aromatherapy skin moisturizer, cinnamon soap, ginger shampoo and hair conditioner, and ginger face spritzer, all from their spa. Fresh fruit awaited me on the table. That was all restocked the following morning.
cheers to Casa del Mar!
I loved Casa del Mar so much that I couldn’t peel myself away. I stayed on, as a paying guest, to extend my little heaven on Earth a bit longer. Now, how can you beat that for an endorsement, I ask you.
If you love tropical luxury, enjoy the charms of boutique hotels, and appreciate great attention to detail, get yourself to Casa del Mar.
Visit Casa del Mar on FB
Langkawi sunset
* Although Casa del Mar graciously hosted my stay, the opinions and views expressed here are my own candid views.
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Hi! I'm Lash, an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
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TRAVEL TIPS: GREAT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON LANGKAWI ISLAND - LashWorldTour
2012/04/27 at 2:31 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
[…] rice fields.Laman Padi is located very conveniently at the north end of Cenang Beach, across from Casa del Mar Resort. visiting traditional Malay house during Untold Stories Cultural Tour2. Cultural Tour: Untold […]
TRAVEL TIPS: UNIQUE HOTELS OF THE WORLD - LashWorldTour » LashWorldTour
2012/11/29 at 7:50 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
[…] LashWorldTourTravel Blog offering Cultural Insights, Travel Tips, and Tales of Adventure from 14+ years of world travelsHOMEABOUTAbout LashWorldTourAbout LashContactWhat’s in a name?LashWorldTour Travel MapLash’s Travel Fast FactsMissionsWorld Travels Overview: 1991-2011PressDisclaimerCOUNTRIESASIABALI- INDONESIABalinese CultureDiving in BaliBicycling in BaliAmedSanurBali MiscBANGLADESHBRUNEICAMBODIASHANGHAI- CHINAHONG KONGINDONESIABaliJavaLombokJAPANLAOSMALAYSIAKuala LumpurPenangLangkawiBorneoDiving in MalaysiaMalaysia MiscMYANMARNEPALPHILIPPINESSINGAPORESRI LANKATHAILANDVIETNAMAUSTRALIAEUROPEENGLANDSPAINS AMERICABRAZILUSAAdventuresBicycle TravelCycling in Bali SeriesHikingMotorbike TravelScuba DivingSky DivingTravel DisastersWWOOFCruisesTravel TalesCulturePhoto GalleriesTravel Tips10 Free Things to do in… SeriesAccommodation TipsFlight TipsMoney TipsSafety TipsMisc Travel TipsBeyond GuidebooksTravel ResourcesTRAVEL INTERVIEWSBook ReviewsHotel – Tour – Museum ReviewsLINKSTravel StoreFREE eBookTravel Books StoreLash’s Guidebooks to Bali wp_flash_img_show will display here (config: default)« TRAVEL INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS CHRISTENSEN OF AMATEUR TRAVELERBIRD WATCHING TOUR LANGKAWI- A REVIEW » TRAVEL TIPS: UNIQUE HOTELS OF THE WORLD- pt 1 2012/06/14 by Lash WorldTourWanderlust Boutique Hotel- SingaporeTRAVEL TIPS: UNIQUE HOTELS OF THE WORLDRecently I set out to write an informative article about all the different forms of accommodation around the world, from free to budget to mid-range to luxury. My list quickly swelled. I soon realized a much better approach was to write a series of shorter posts, each devoted to just one category: free, budget, mid-range, luxury. And so I bring you the first of my ‘accommodation around the world’ series, in the luxury accommodation category: types of unique hotels of the world.Without a doubt, luxury hotels and resorts can be wonderful, rejuvenating vacation get-aways / experiences. But, let’s face it, most 5-star hotels/resorts offer rooms with that same standard ‘hotel room’ feeling, a result of their typical color-scheme, layout, decore, and interiors.The first few times, that can feel luxurious, but it gets old quickly. Besides that, many large chain hotels and resorts are massive, leading to a very impersonal experience. You can quickly feel like just another one of hundreds or thousands of other guests. In addition, many resorts cater to families, so they can be excessively noisy and hectic- hardly the stuff for de-stressing and tranquility.You can avoid all the monotony and impersonal ambiance of standard luxury hotels by staying at more unique types of accommodation. Next time you’re looking for a luxurious hotel or resort, consider these alternatives instead. Starting with the least unusual:guest room at 1881 Chong Tian Hotel- Georgetown-Penang- Malaysia1. Design Hotels / Boutique Hotels / Art Hotels Alternately referred to as Design, Boutique, or Art Hotels, these special places are found in abundance all over the world. They are generally independent hotels, small to medium in size, and have their own unique flair. They’re especially noted for outstanding architecture, cool interiors, unique decore , interesting rooms, attention to detail and excellent, personalized service. Many display art on walls, incorporate designer furniture, and use stimulating color schemes. Their restaurants usually serve extremely high quality gourmet food, drinks, and cocktails, some by well-known chefs.Mango Tree Place- a boutique hotel in Penang, MalaysiaBoutique, Design, and Art Hotels/Resorts are generally in the same price range as more standard luxury hotels. So why not opt for a much more personalized, unique, and interesting experience for the same price?Recently, I’ve had the great pleasure of staying in several excellent boutique hotels/resorts. Each one was unique: A Chinese cultural hotel, one that simulated a real apartment, an art hotel showcasing famous chairs, and a petite personalized beach resort. If you’re interested in finding out more, read one of my reviews or simply google ‘design hotel’ ’boutique hotel’ or ‘art hotel’ plus the location you’d like to visit. My reviews:1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel / Mango Tree Place / Casa del Mar Boutique Resort ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————one charming Lake District cottage beside a rivertypical Lake District cottage yard with views2. British ‘cottages’ The Lake District is one of England’s most famous and beloved vacation destinations. It’s a large, beautiful natural area of rolling hills, lakes, country gardens and many walking trails. A very popular type of accommodation there are what the Brits refer to as ‘cottages’. But they are certainly not what Americans think of as ‘cottages’. The Lake District Cottages are not small wooden cabins in a forest. They are generally renovated historic estate houses from the 18th-19th centuries, built of stone, complete with fireplaces, well-tended gardens, fully-equipt kitchens, and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. They’ve been further upgraded to include all the modern amenities you’d find in a 5-star hotel.another, larger Lake District cottage set in mountainsliving room of this cottageThe Brits refer to cottages as ‘self-catering’ – there are no hotel staff or restaurant services. Guests cook their own meals in fully-equipt kitchens or visit nearby restaurants. Literally, guests are staying in a house. Lake District Cottages are usually rented out by the week, rather than nightly, though some rent out for 3-4 nights. The nightly cost works out to much less than you’d pay for a mere hotel room. Instead, you get an entire estate house to live in for the same price- or less- of a luxury hotel. Besides that, there are pet-friendly cottages, child-friendly cottages, honeymoon cottages, group and corporate size cottages. Guests will enjoy much more independence, privacy, and the use of a full home.So whenever you fancy a visit to the charming English countryside, don’t forget to investige cottages as an alternative to hotels!——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-Japanese Ryokan guest room3. Japanese ‘ryokan’Ryokan are the traditional Japanese equivalent of luxury resorts and spas. Most are situated in gorgeous natural surroundings, particularly mountains. A large percentage are located at natural hot springs and incorp0rate hot baths, saunas and steam rooms. Many are also located near significant Japanese temples and shrines. Most cities also have at least one traditional ryokan in their midst.Ryokan are noted by their traditional Japanese architecture, interiors, customs, and cuisine. They are immaculately clean and impeccably maintained. Staff manners and etiquette are without equal. Rooms feature tatami mat floors, sliding wood-glass doors, and futon mattresses and bedding, which are put away into closets during the day then laid out for guests at night. Sliding doors and wall panels are often hand-painted in black n white or delicate colors. Sliding doors or windows usually open onto stunning views of landscaped gardens, forests, or mountain scenery.Lash enjoying Japanese ryokan's onsenTraditional yukata are supplied as robes, which Japanese guests are fond of wearing all over the hotel and spa. Guests are served an exquisite multiple-course Japanese dinner and an equally beautiful breakfast, usually in their rooms. Guests are given unlimited use of the baths (onsen), saunas, steam rooms and any other hot water facilities. Many have jugs of sake sitting beside the onsen for guests to drink in square wooden mugs at their own discretion.While living in Kyoto, Japan for six years, I took the opportunity to stay at several ryokan, and I can tell you it’s an entirely different world!If you ever want an utterly unusual and luxurious hotel experience, head to Japan and book into a ryokan.——————————————————————————————————————————————————————–guest room at Snow Hotel- Finland4. Finland’s Snow HotelIn the past year or so I’ve seen photos and articles of a magnificent hotel built entirely of snow and ice, up in northern Finland’s Lapland. Not only are the reception, hallways and rooms made of ice, but so are the beds! I can’t help but wonder what it’s like to sleep on ice? But what really caught my eye in the photos were the stunning colored lights illuminating crystal clear ice walls and ice sculptures located around the property. Despite my great distain of cold, even I’m tempted to go try it out!Recently my friend and fellow travel blogger, Keith Jenkins of Velvet Escape, had the enviable opportunity to do just that. He’s written up a personalized first-hand account of his experience. Go check out his story for more details: Inside the Snow Village———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-guest room at Fiji's underwater hotel- Poseidon Hotel5. Underwater HotelsAs a PADI Dive Instructor and avid reef lover, I was totally captivated by recent articles I’ve seen about underwater hotels. The rooms are actually located under the sea, with windows or walls looking onto tropical reefs teaming with colorful fish and marine life. How awesome would that be?Upon investigation, I discovered not one but three underwater hotels around the world. Jules’ Undersea Lodge is located in Key Largo, Florida. The underwater ‘rooms’ were originally scientific marine labs that have been converted into cozy living spaces. Inside they look something like a trailer or furnished submarine, with a big round window looking out to the sea. Guests access their room by diving to it and making a special entry, like a spaceship or submarine. They’re first instructed on exactly how to enter. Generally speaking, guests should be certified divers, but if not Jules’ dive team will give non-diving guests basic training so they’re qualified to dive and reach their room.Jules Underwater Lodge- Key Largo-FloridaFiji boasts a more upscale, luxurious version at Poseidon Resort. (photo above) The rooms are rounded domes of glass, something like ‘pods’. According to their website, 70% of the room surfaces are clear acrylic plastic (not actually glass). Essentially, guests are entirely surrounded by the sea as they sit in their living room! Underwater rooms are accessed by an elevator and then a hotel-like corridor, with doors leading to each room. Guests never have to get wet, either entering, staying , or leaving their rooms.A third luxurious underwater hotel has been designed in Dubai. Dozens of online newspapers and magazines have written up articles, complete with photos, videos and explanations. Simply Google ‘Underwater Hotel Dubai’ to see more.———————————————————————————————————————————————QUESTIONS: Which of these unique hotels would you like to stay at?Do you know of any other unique hotels of the world? Share !——————————————————————————————————————————- /* /* 2 comments2 pings Katherine of Kapcha The World says: 2012/06/15 at 7:55 am (UTC 8 ) ReplyI’ve always wanted to stay in the underwater hotel in Fiji – but I love the look of the ice hotel too so maybe should add that to the bucket list as well! And wouldn’t like to be pampered at a ryokan? – oh screw it who am I kidding – I’ll take all of the above please! lol Lash WorldTour says: 2012/06/15 at 8:49 am (UTC 8 ) ReplyHi Katherine. Thanks for stopping by! I’m definitely with you- let’s visit them all. :)) cheers, LashHOTEL ALTERNATIVES- CASTLES, TREE HOUSES, PRISONS, CAVES, TIME SHARES » LashWorldTour says: 2012/06/21 at 7:04 pm (UTC 8 ) Reply[…] to write several posts just on that narrow range of world accommodation.In case you missed it, in Unique Hotels of the World part 1, I presented under-water hotels, snow hotels, boutique-art-design hotels, Japanese […]TRAVEL TIPS: BUDGET ACCOMMODATION AROUND THE WORLD – LashWorldTour » LashWorldTour says: 2012/08/10 at 2:03 am (UTC 8 ) Reply[…] categories of accommodation, see more articles in this travel tips series:free accommodation / unique hotels of the world, pt 1 / unique luxury accommodation, pt 2bungalow at seaside resort in Bali – Indonesia- 100,000 rp / $10 […]Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published.Name:Email:Website:Message:You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong> […]