It’s not every day that you find yourself with the opportunity to stay in a 120-year-old house – while also being pampered by modern-day luxuries of air-conditioning, plush linens, and a rainfall shower. But this proposition is exactly what the historic Temple Tree Resort Langkawi offers, a getaway that’s equal parts steeped in history and made for the modern traveller.
Nestled in a quiet sport in Langkawi Island’s Cenang district, just a short drive from the airport, Temple Tree Resort Langkawi is a unique property made up of eight beautifully preserved Malaysian heritage homes from across the country. Within these houses are the choice of 21 distinct rooms and suites, and if the need arises, the choice of to book out entire houses at a time for large events or family gatherings.
Your journey at Temple Tree Resort begins in the 120-year-old Ipoh House, which houses the resort’s reception as well as the local-favourite Paloh Restaurant & Bar. Once you’ve checked in, the short walk to your room will feature an introduction to the titular Temple Tree which sits at the heart of the property. Taking root prior to the resort’s opening even, the Temple Tree is actually two trees – a banyan tree and a palm tree – interwoven and co-existing. It was an interesting sight no doubt, as we found ourselves marvelling at it and trying to see if we could make out the where one started and the other ended (spoiler alert: we couldn’t).
Eight houses, unlimited charms
Take another step in and you won’t be able to miss the sight of Johor House, the century-old two-storey house that sits right behind, with its originally pink façade and unmistakeable Taiwanese design influence. As its name suggest, Johor House was originally a farmhouse built in Batu Pahat, Johor and owned by a Chinese merchant family. Within are two suites – one on each floor – with two bedrooms each, and its location overlooking the pool makes it the right choice for groups looking to stay in the heart of the resort.
Opposite is Penang House, a 1930s era building from Penang’s Gurney Drive, that offers a charming blend of culture and heritage in its architecture. English, Malay, Chinese, and Islamic elements combine beautifully in one space, which can be booked separately as two suites or, once the central double doors are open, one large home perfect for a family holiday.
On the far end of the property sits the Temple Tree Langkawi’s two villas, which are only sold as an entire house and offer a private accommodation option for you and your party. You won’t miss the Negri Sembilan Villa, which is truly the quintessential kampung house. This villa offers an authentic kampung stay within its raised space, housing two bedrooms complete with living room, veranda and stained-glass windows that transform the space at sunrise and sunset.
The next is the ultra-private Straits Villa, a four-bedroom 90-year-old Penang farmhouse that also comes with a private garden and pool. Within the walls of Straits Villa lies two king bedrooms and two twin bedrooms (each with its own ensuite baths) as well as an ample and spacious living area. The rooms open out to a veranda where you can while the sunny Langkawi afternoon away under the shade, or dry off after a dip in the private pool.
Also available are rooms in Colonial House, a 1920s Penang structure built by Arab goldsmiths and featuring European and Peranakan design touches; Plantation House, a grand double-storey house originally built by Malay farmers in the 1900s; as well as Estate House, which features high ceilings, terracotta floors, as well as architecture typical of the rubber plantations of 1940s Malaya.
And despite the authentic façades and well-preserved rustic charm, the amenities and facilities are far from outdated. Each room comes complete with the modern luxuries we can’t live without as mentioned above, as well as sustainable toiletries, all-inclusive mini-bar, and capsule coffee machines, as well as Netflix so you’ll never have to have a quiet night.
No matter which house you decide on, each one offers a unique glimpse into a side of Malaysian history that is quickly being lost to modernisation. In fact, every moment spent inside these houses invites you to go back to how life used to be, slower paced and indulgent, creating a truly relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Treat the palate to tradition and culture
Once you tear yourself away from the gorgeous rooms, you’ll undeniably be on the hunt for good food to satisfy. And thankfully, the in-house dining option Paloh Restaurant & Bar offers everything you need and more. In the mornings, you can take your time with the breakfast buffet spread, offering local classics like Nasi Lemak and Roti Canai, amidst continental favourites too.
But Paloh’s speciality lies in its classical Malay and Malaysian dishes, crafted by Chef Anis Talhad who is known and loved within Temple Tree Resort’s community. A proud Langkawi native, Chef Anis’s roots in traditional kampung-style cooking meets her passion for local produce and generosity in sharing stories behind every flavour, resulting in dishes that are flavourful and authentic, but also nostalgic and comforting.
The lunch and dinner ala carte menu offers dishes from across Malaysia’s heritage, like the rich and spicy Kelantanese-style Daging Kerutuk, the unmistakably tangy Ikan Asam Pedas, or the Eurasian Chicken Curry Debal (aka devil’s curry) that will awaken your senses with its bold flavours. We tried these dishes hidang-style, or family-style, alongside Udang Masak Lemak, Aloo Ghobi, and refreshing Ulam-Ulaman to cleanse the palate in between. Every dish hit the spot for us, and our favourites for the night were unmistakably coloured by our upbringing, familiarity and nostalgia for these flavours from around the country.
Alongside the more traditional Malaysian cuisine, Paloh also serves a mean Western feast. From the ala carte offerings, standouts include the full roster of pizzas like the Margherita that uses local Langkawi buffalo mozzarella; the signature Awesome Paloh Cheeseburger; as well as sharing plates like the Nutri Salad, Mezze Plate, and the Paloh Scotch Egg.
We had the chance to try a curated four-course dining experience, enjoyed at Paloh’s patio area, with the setting sun and twinkling stars as company. Available upon request, the intimate “dining under the stars” experience could be the perfect end to a romantic getaway.
More than just a relaxing escape
While we would not fault you if you decide to spend your entire holiday within the confines of Temple Tree Resort’s stunning grounds, if you do decide to seek out activities to make the most of your time in Langkawi, there are several things you could do.
Within Temple Tree, you could explore more of Malaysian culture through either food or art. By reservation only, you can take part in a Malaysian Cooking Class with Chef Anis or try your hand at Batik Painting. For something more adrenaline-pumping, Morac Adventure Park is just a short drive away, which houses Malaysia’s top Go-Karting track measuring 1.3KM long. Of course, the beautiful Cenang beach nearby is also your gateway to exciting watersports that are a must-try while on Langkawi island.
If you’re craving something magical, or for a family-friendly adventure, hop into a car and make a date with Dream Forest Langkawi. An enchanting night walk through 1.2KM of the Lubuk Semilang rainforest, Dream Forest Langkawi brings three of Langkawi’s mythological stories to life through light installations, projection mapping, interactive activities, and compelling narrative. Learn about the legend of how Tasik Dayang Bunting gets its name, or of the battle between the mighty Merong Mahawangsa and Garuda, and finally the story of Langkawi’s mythical giants who is said to shape the land.
Bringing heritage to you
Temple Tree Resort offers a unique proposition for those who admire heritage or simply want to go back to your roots. Whether it’s a weekend island getaway, a honeymoon, a teambuilding retreat, or a destination wedding amidst Langkawi’s idyllic backdrop, Temple Tree Resort is the choice for the discerning traveller. From what we experienced on our stay, Temple Tree Resort will be a place you’ll find yourself returning to. If that doesn’t convince you, then all the more reason for you to visit and see for yourself why Temple Tree Resort is a two-time TTG Travel Awards winner for Best Boutique Hotel.
Learn more about Temple Tree Resort Langkawi or make your reservations on the website. Discover current offers here, or explore their wedding packages here.
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Images are writer’s own unless otherwise credited.