Temple Tree

Press Reviews

AWARDS

i-escape's Annual Guest Awards 2011
Winner: Beach & Island category.

REVIEWS

Conde Nast Traveler (US), October 2009
"My last stop is the tropical island of Langkawi and the new Temple Tree Hotel, a charming mini-Malaysia of Chinese, Indian, Malay and colonial houses transplanted from all over the country. I am in the planter's house, a four-room bungalow on stilts. My bedroom is Asian eclectic chic: a four-poster with mosquito netting, a carved Chinese table with a flat-screen television, and a wooden bathtub in the middle of the room.

Narelle McMurtie, the Australian owner, loves to cook, and the set meal this evening is exquisite - nyonya, nine Malay and Chinese dishes served up on a banana leaf.

On my drive around the island next day, I find long sandy beaches, turquoise water, and sumptuous hotels. As the afternoon wanes, I retreat to Temple Tree's long, narrow, slate-colored pool, which looks out over a lagoon. I am alone. I slice through the water, then flip onto my back. Floating in the water, I see an old Malay house with a Chinese daybed in its entrance on my right, the lagoon and rustling sea grass on my left. A flock of herons flap overhead. Later, I lie on a chaise, absorbing the noises of Asia: tree toads clucking in the trees, cicadas screaming. A green-eyed cat crawls onto my chest, purring."

2009 Hot List, Conde Nast Traveler (US)
"Langkawi's popular Bon Ton resort has added a magical collection of nine antique houses from Malaysia's ethnically diverse regions, arranging them in a tree-lined neighborhood a five-minute drive from the beach. Guests in the Chinese House can take tea and coconut cake on the wraparound veranda, the resort's best spot for viewing sunsets into the Andaman Sea, just beyond the long infinity pool and the bird-filled wetlands. The Colonial House, built by Arab gold traders in Georgetown, Penang, has four stylishly furnished bedrooms, with plump chairs and couches festooned with ethnic throw pillows. Bathrooms in all the houses feature deep wooden bucket-style bathtubs, and evening turndown includes delivery of the next day's breakfast (with exotic fruits like mangosteen), placed in the house's fridge. Guests can visit a nearby animal clinic that is funded by both Bon Ton and Temple Tree and even walk the rescued dogs.
When to go: February and March see the driest days and the most sunshine.
Which room to book: The best value can be found in the Estate House, the best views from the Chinese House."

The Times
"Charming Bon Ton was our favourite hotel in Langkawi, but its new sister resort, Temple Tree, looks even better – antique, romantic kampung houses by a lagoon, with a cool pool."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “We loved our stay at Temple Tree. The room was beautifully decorated and so spacious. My only comment on the Estate rooms which we stayed in was the noise, there is little sound insulation between each room so TV's and even voices could sometimes be heard which wasn't ideal.
  But the overall care and attention to detail by the staff made any small discomforts (if there were any) disappear because everyone was just so nice! We loved it at the hotel, there is no denying it's not in the best location compared to the other resorts on the island set on beaches or amongst jungle etc. But the decor and overall style is like no other. And we hired a car and drove around to explore other parts of the island so it was great.
  My final comment would be this is a place for cat lovers, if you are allergic or don't like cats wondering around at all times I'd say it isn't for you. But if you embrace the feline friends it's great!”
  Zoe, United Kingdom (07.10.11)