St. Regis Langkawi, Malaysia

Posted in Projects on 21 March, 2016

Marking the debut of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts in Malaysia, The St. Regis Langkawi will open on the 99-island archipelago of Langkawi this April.

Envisioned by a group of world-class designers and architects—including San Francisco-based leading architectural firm, Gensler, Bangkok-based landscape architect, Bill Bensley, and UK-based hospitality design specialist, G.A. Design—The St. Regis Langkawi Resort in what is Malaysia’s coveted ‘island jewel of Southeast Asia’ weaves a compelling story of discovery and is designed around the concept: Paradise Found and Refined: Rainforest Meets Riviera Lifestyle. The resort embodies a harmony of contrasts where tropical splendour blends seamlessly with the style and energy of a European mansion, thoughtfully accented by Middle Eastern finishes.

“Expanding on the concept of a paradise found and refined, the design team sought to provide a resort to strengthen Langkawi’s position in the luxury tourist market,” said Tom Lindblom, Principal Architect at Gensler. “Our compelling architectural vision for The St. Regis Langkawi defines the entire resort experience as a journey of discovery—of sanctuary, of vistas, of wellness, of cuisine, of fresh water, and of salt water.”

Tucked away in an exclusive enclave in its own tranquil, private cove on Langkawi’s southern tip, The St. Regis Langkawi is fringed by a 600-metre private white sand beach overlooking the emerald green waters of a 100,000-square-metre natural salt, private swimming lagoon, and integrates with the shimmering Andaman Sea. From the moment of arrival, guests are immersed into a dreamlike atmosphere. Blue lights, cooling mists, and a dramatic garden oasis are wrapped in lush ferns and surrounded by villas with azure tiled plunge pools and airy cabanas.

The architectural footprint of the resort closely adheres to that of a luxurious private residential palace nestled within steep rocky hills forming two small peninsulas along a sandy shore. In keeping with the design concept, the resort thoughtfully blends indoor spaces naturally with the outdoors, and consists of a six-storey central mansion with two lagoon suite wings cascading outwards towards the shorelines.

Capitalising on its expansive lagoon, The St. Regis Langkawi is the first luxury all-suite resort on the islands, offering four overwater villas and 85 suites, including 20 private pool suites with cabanas. A four-bedroom overwater villa and three one-bedroom overwater villas offer unrivalled sunset views. A fresh, light colour scheme inspired by the island’s brilliant corals, emerald green sea, and lush jungles along with bold, precious metallic accents and local artwork underscore the island’s rich heritage and natural surroundings.

The resort features a number of dining experiences and venues to enliven the senses. Capturing the feeling of a grand home, the resort’s Drawing Room Lounge serves as a formal entertaining space to welcome guests; it opens out onto an expansive courtyard with wide vistas of the Andaman Sea. Kayuputi, the resort’s Asian-influenced destination restaurant and bar, is conceptualised as a vintage beach house, evoking the relaxed glamour of the Malaysian Riviera from its perch over the lagoon.

“At Kayuputi, everyone immediately feels welcome, like you would at someone’s destination beach house on the water, where there’s something magical and effervescent in the air, as if there’s always a fabulous party happening or waiting to happen,” said interior designer, Bill Bensley.

L’Orangerie, the resort’s signature restaurant, evokes the design of a traditional European greenhouse for citrus trees. The restaurant showcases a potted orange tree at its centre, an open kitchen, and extends to a wide courtyard terrace with panoramic vistas of the sea. An extension of all-day dining, the Gourmand Deli is a vibrant setting for social interactions and features a retail space with artisan items and bespoke giftwrap services. The St. Regis Bar, with its stunning hand carved wooden mural depicting the local Beringin (banyan) tree, provides guests a rich atmosphere influenced by scenic views of the dense rainforest, while the Decanter Wine Cellar, an exclusive bar within The St. Regis bar, has floor-to-ceiling wine cabinets housing an impressive collection of more than a thousand bottles.

The hotel is in final stages of renovation and is slated to open 6 April 2016.

starwoodhotels.com/stregis