Over the last decade the Malaysian island resort of Langkawi has emerged as a popular Asian holiday destination. Over 100 islands make up an archipelago where the largest island of Langkawi boasts an ever-increasing array of hotels, restaurants and nightlife options. What brought the first holidaymakers here (the starched white beaches, swaying palms and balmy waters) are still the impressive main attractions. The most popular time to visit is in the dry season from November to March, but even during the wet season thunderstorms quickly clear and holidaymakers are soon back on the sands waiting with a cooling sundowner for one of the epic local sunsets.

Who goes there?
The majority of visitors to Langkawi are Western Europeans looking for some tropical warmth and sunshine. Langkawi is very popular amongst couples and honeymooners, though families are well catered for too. The dry season neatly coincides with the European winter making the islands particularly popular in the run up to Christmas and also in the early New Year.

Where in the world?
Langkawi lies just 30km (19 miles) off the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, close to the border with Thailand. It is the main island in the Langkawi archipelago. The nearest airport is Langkawi International (LGK).

Langkawi is tucked just off the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, north of its fellow Malaysian resort island of Penang and south of the Thai island of Ko Tarutao. The islands lie in the warm waters of the Straits of Melacca. Langkawi, the eponymous main island, is awash with lush rainforests, swaying palms and striking white beaches.

Beach
Langkawi's main island boasts a number of excellent sandy beaches, which fringe the coastline of the main island. The most popular beach is Pantai Cenang, while many of the island's resort hotels also enjoy sweeping stretches of beach of their own. With so much beachfront to choose from, there is always plenty of space for holidaymakers to unfurl their towels for the day. Pantai Kok is another local favourite and is dramatically set amidst a fold of limestone mountains.

Beyond the beach
Langkawi offers plenty to do, whether it is exploring the main town of Kuah with its shopping malls and busy tourist industry, or heading out to explore the more undeveloped parts of the islands where the local Malay culture is still alive and thriving. The Langkawi International Book Village is home to a collection of traditional houses as well as an array of historic books. A number of activities and watersports can also be arranged by the resort hotels.
Family fun
Langkawi is increasingly well geared towards families with the resort hotels often offering dedicated children's facilities and eating and drinking outlets that are very much family-friendly. The beaches are an obvious attraction as is the Underwater World (Pantai Cenang), one of the largest aquariums in Asia.

Retail therapy
Kuah is the place to head for avid retail addicts. There are large air conditioned malls, which enjoy the islands' duty-free status. Electronics and clothes both tend to be good value items, while the main resort town also offers some smaller more interesting shops and informal street markets and stalls. Many of the big resorts have small boutiques of their own.

A night on the town
Langkawi is not Asia's hardest partying destination, though unlike in some parts of the country alcohol is still widely available. The heart of the action is in the main town of Kuah with the best venues. Most of the resort hotels have bars of their own, with a sundowner on the beach the most important drink of the day for most holidaymakers. Many couples and families chose to spend the majority of their nights in their resort hotels taking time over a meal.

Eating out
All of the resort hotels have restaurants, with the larger ones offering enough choice to keep most people happy for a week or two. In Kuah there are numerous street stalls and informal restaurants where holidaymakers can enjoy traditional Malaysian dishes such as creamy laksa soups and excellent spicy curries.

Getting around
Aside from those laid on to transfer guests by the resort hotels, buses are not of that much use to visitors to Langkawi on holiday. Taxis are much handier and service all parts of the main island. Car and motorbike hire is also very popular, offering maximum flexibility.

Exploring further afield
Day trips ferry tourists out to some of the other islands in the Langkawi chain. Tours leave regularly from Kuah and Pantai Cenang, taking in a few different islands in one day, with the opportunity to get ashore and the chance to snorkel too. Private charters are also available for groups. Sailings can be curtailed outside the dry season.

Splashing out
The Datai (Jalan Teluk Datai) offers one of the finest spas in the whole of Asia. The signature treatment is enjoyed in an outdoor pavilion amongst the lush vegetation within earshot of the rolling waves. Two therapists employ five different global massage techniques in a multi-award-winning experience.

Flying in
Langkawi International Airport (LGK)