Mr & Mrs Smith
Location: Langkawi, Malaysia
Why go: This idyllic
island retreat offers the rare chance to bed down in century-old
Malaysian stilted wooden houses, reclaimed from across the country
and rebuilt in a former coconut plantation. Bon Ton is an essential
stop-off for the savvy traveller, surrounded by manicured greenery
and offering fabulous fusion cuisine at Nam, one of Langkawi's most
celebrated restaurants.
The rooms:Each of the
eight historic timber houses is totally unique, with pool and
lagoon views and beautiful traditional Malay fabrics and antiques:
five have open air bathrooms with freestanding wooden bath tubs.
Palm Villa's ornately carved windows and sumptuous décor in
turquoise and lime sneaks it into our favourites file.
Eating and
drinking:Nyonya, the signature platter at Nam,
features nine Malay and Chinese dishes served on banana
leaf. Dine at Chin Chin, a lounge bar installed in an ancient
Chinese shop house, and sip Short Island Iced Tea while you watch a
rust-coloured sun sink over the lagoon.
Out and about: Wriggle
your toes into the 2km-long crescent of pale sand at Pantai Cenang
beach, a five-minute stroll away (there's also a huge
lounger-flanked pool to flop by at Bon Ton if walking's a bit of a
strain). Splash out and charter Kanangra, Bon Ton's beautiful
vintage motor cruiser, for a private trip around Langkawi's 100-odd
islets.
Rates: Villas from
£100 per night, including breakfast.
Bon Ton Restaurant And Resort, Pantai Cenang, Langkawi 07000,
Malaysia bontonresort.com. To book, call
the Mr & Mrs Smith travel team on 0845 034 0700, or visit mrandmrssmith.com
Mr & Mrs Smith
