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The Resort is a village of pavilions, pools and landscaped gardens.

Guest pavilions and villas offer sensational sunsets of the Andaman Sea.

Tropical cocktails and rich Middle Eastern ambience at Rhu Bar.

Villa accommodations offer private spa facilities.

POSTED: 13 JUNE 09

Langkawi ... a Malaysian island of indulgence

I knew it was indulgent the minute I picked up the phone but I didn’t care.

“Can you send the buggy for me,’’ I asked. “I’d like to go to the Rhu Bar.’’

The smooth-as-silk reply instantly confirmed the buggy would be with me in moments, whereupon a gracious driver would whiz me along flower-flanked pathways amongst lush foliage to deliver me right to the Rhu Bar entrance.

This 24 hour buggy service is just one delicious indulgence on a list brimming with extravagances at the Four Seasons Resort, set on the edge of the powder-white Tanjung Rhu beach on Langkawi Island at the northern most tip of Malaysia.

The bars, restaurants, cafe, spa, pools and beach might all be an easy, fragrant walk from my villa and take me through lush landscaped gardens, but when there is a buggy and an affable driver at my disposal, who am I not to take advantage?

The coddling begins the moment of arrival at reception, with a warm greeting, a cold scented towel and a chilled drink. Through a series of quadrangles and secret gardens, the mix of Asian, Indian and Arabic architecture and influence is slowly revealed. Views are framed by beautifully shaped portals, Moghul windows look out to ponds set amongst frangipani and bougainvillea. It’s breathtaking.

Your bags, discreetly whisked away, arrive at your villa before you do. Just as well because you’ll want to climb into something free-flowing and prance barefoot on the timber floors, bounce on the comfortable all-white bed, plug in your iPod, lounge on the daybed on the covered veranda, nibble on the fresh fruit, gaze at the sea views over the verdant vegetation and then spoil yourself in the opulent alfresco bathroom.

Oh, the bathroom. Delightful pots and beautiful jars of lotions sit on the marble spa bath: lemon grass bath gel; rejuvenating tea tree shampoo and conditioner; nourishing green tea body lotion; refreshing lemon grass exfoliating soap; after-sun aloe vera gel.

It’s your own personal day spa.

The feeling that your happiness is the responsibility of every member of the Four Seasons Langkawi staff is heady stuff. By the time you’ve settled in to your villa, the staff all know your name.

In the afternoons someone arrives with a sweet treat: tiramisu one day, a dainty lemon tart the next. In the early evening someone else arrives and with a polite knock asks: “Miss Ann, can I refresh your room?’’

Miss Ann liked having her room refreshed ... the jars of unguents topped up, lamps turned on, fresh flowers on the pillow, ice-bucket refilled and a gift on the end of the bed — sleeping mask and lavender bag one evening, an eco-friendly bag another.

Although the temptation to laze in your villa is strong, much awaits you in the resort. At the Rhu Bar, with its Moghul swing and glowing fire lamps, it’s all about cocktails pungent with rum, succulent little mezze treats and sunsets that blaze dramatically across the sky and turn the sea to liquid gold.

Afterwards, dinner at Ikan Ikan is a special treat. In the style of a Malay home with stilts, timber decks and rattan furniture, with a menu loaded with fresh seafood, Ikan Ikan has been named Best Restaurant in Malaysia. Here we sat alfresco amongst tropical gardens and ate soft-shell crab; cinnamon infused rendang beef, and freshly caught fish cooked with chilli and lemongrass.

The next day at Kafe Kelapa, over enormous pizzas and fresh wok dishes, we contemplated an afternoon by the pool. The ‘adult quiet’ pool (no children, they have their own water paradise at the other end of the resort) has eight private cabanas as well as a bar and spacious sitting area overlooking 55 metres of infinity water and tropical gardens to the Andaman Sea. From a prone position on a day bed in a cabana, the hand can reach up to lightly press a buzzer whereupon someone will instantly materialise with cold washcloths, bottles of water, magazines and a happy desire to bring you anything you want from the pool menu.

After an afternoon at the pool, and an hour or so in our spacious bathroom sanctuary with our gorgeous products, it was down to the beach where staff had set up a private Rajasthani tent by the water’s edge and dressed a table with white cloths, flowers and candles. Chefs stood by cooking fresh seafood and steaks and served it to us as though we were visiting royalty.

Breakfast ... well, you might want to bypass the chefs cooking your eggs and bacon, go lightly on the pastries, cereal and fresh fruit and save yourself for a taste each of the large range of curries and Japanese treats.

If the need for exercise or a desire to get around the resort quickly arises, a bicycle will be left by your villa (ours remained untouched, we loved the buggy so much).

Deep-sea fishing, tennis, beach activities, scuba diving, jungle trekking, mangrove cruising, horse riding, bird watching, sailing, kayaking and yoga on the beach can all easily be arranged — and if you really must, you can always leave the resort and explore the villages on the island.

Then there is perhaps the jewel in the Four Seasons Langkawi crown. The day spa. Set amid limestone cliffs, tropical rainforests and the turquoise ocean, this is where you let yourself go with a spa menu of holistic therapies inspired by ancient culture and indigenous traditions.

Four Seasons Langkawi is about pampering yourself to the limit. While you are there, noone matters but you. Everyday worries or concerns are simply not permitted in this lavish haven .It’s an unforgettable experience of pleasure and excess. But you know you’re worth it.

For further information and booking details, please visit Four Seasons Langkawi Resort.