Review: Airis Sanctuary Resort, Pantai Tengah, Langkawi Island

Hello everyone! Assalamualaikum, salam 1Malaysia. (err ok..)

Wow, I made it to my second post! (Ranma laughs) Let's go straight to the review~

Alright, as the title suggest, this time I'll review a chalet I've stayed in my hometown (LOL, I hardly stayed outside than my kampung so this is new) not too long ago. But first, Welcome to Langkawi~

Eagle Square view on a perfect day

Name : Airis Sanctuary Resort (Casa Loma at Airis Sanctuary)

Type : Budget Chalet

Location : Pantai Tengah, Langkawi Island, Kedah

Date : 9-11th August 2017

Facebook : Airis Sanctuary

Kina thinks : Worth the money

Kina rates : 7/10

I went back to Langkawi because I wanted to bring my friend around. Of all the places in Malaysia, I am most confident with Langkawi! I ain't need no Waze on this island. *raise eyebrows* We stayed at my house on the first night, then we changed accomodation because I have yet to explore Chenang Beach area myself. Our condition this time was nearby Chenang Beach, with picture-worthy place yet affordable. Went through Booking.com, found a few cool places but they were mostly over our budget. Suddenly we came across this place, which was quite cheap but not too shabby and quickly booked for two nights.

So of course, yours truly was the driver, escorting my friend safely to each destinations. Oh, it was raining cats and dogs during our check in day. Those who are not familiar with Langkawi, please just waze yourself around as the signboards can be misleading. Although located in Chenang Beach area, the chalet is actually nearer to Tengah Beach. Tengah Beach is actually on the same stretch with Chenang, only separated by a huge rock in between. 

You might want to look carefully on your left at about 200m after Tengah Beach junction. It was only a one way road (again lol) to the sanctuary and it is located behind lot 33 (refer second last picture). 

Reception view from in front of my room

The chalets all surrounding the man-made pond

Gloomy Langkawi, yet peaceful and serene at the same time

Twin bed chalet, small but comfortable

It was priced at RM150/night with breakfast for two when I booked the room but if you're lucky, the price could go down to RM135/night. I think it depends on the season. As you can see, that's just about it, the room is tiny. Each chalet comes with a balcony facing the pond. I would say it is a budget chalet with cabin concept (as I was told by the receptionist). Luckily I brought 1 small sized hand carry luggage, same with my friend and it was just nice. The bed was comfy, room has air conditioner with basic amenities. I was satisfied with everything as it was comparatively cheap. Most important is, it was very quiet at night! (but I could hear cows mooing and ducks quacking from time to time)

I love the swimming pool!

Backyard of the chalets, connects to the pool

We had the pool to ourselves!

Lobby area

Beautiful road to the chalet

I forgot to take pictures of the breakfast spread but it was very delicious! What I want to recommend is that it was absolutely worth the price that we paid. Usually, I don't know what to expect if I only have to spend RM150 for two nights with breakfast, in a famous tourist area. However, I was again, pleasantly surprised by what the chalet has to offer. One tip, as a light sleeper, I would strongly recommend finding a place to stay in Tengah Beach area if you have problems with busy streets with bars and restaurants. It might not sound as cool as Chenang Beach but hey, Chenang is just 5 mins away! For sure you will rent a car/scooter in Langkawi as it would be hard to move around without one. Moreover, Tengah beach is accessible on foot (about 10mins) from the chalet! You can have a nice stroll along the beautiful road above. It is also very near to Island Hopping tour information counter. If you did not book any tours beforehand, fret not 'cause that's what happened to me too. The road is full of tour operators with different kinds of tour offered. Each operator has the cliche island hopping and mangrove tours, plus their very own customizd tour. If you are Malaysian, negotiating is a must! Foreigners, you might want to travel with a local friend or guide to benefit more *hihihi*

If Northern hemisphere has Northern lights, WE HAVE PURPLE SUNSET!

Of course, there's also a few downsides of this place. My say is that;

1) It is not suitable for family with small kids. As I mentioned above, the room is tiny and more to backpacker style. Even the pool was not meant for children less than 4/5 feet. If I'm not mistaken, the biggest room can only fit 3 pax. I would say that it is perfect for friends and couples.
2) Foreigners with limited English would experience some trouble as well. I sat at a table next to a Japanese couple during breakfast, and they were commenting non-stop about the coffee and service of the chalet, while everything was perfect for us. They could've just asked for a new coffee and things would've been better. My advice would be, try to ask for just about anything. The staff were really nice to us, sometimes too nice and they were kind enough to accomodate me with whatever that I needed.
3) Buy yourself some food or just do take aways before you go back in. The nearest mart is located a few mins away but since it's a one way road, you'll find yourself lazy to go out again and the road might be blocked sometimes.

All in all, it is my honest review and different people, different opinions. I hope I was able to help you in any way. If you ever been to Langkawi, you should go again! <3

Tengah Beach, just as charming as Chenang 

Hari Raya (Eid) in Langkawi Island

Assalamualaikum and hi all!

The one who forgives can sleep in peace, but not the one who needs to be forgiven

On July 17th 2015 (Friday) was the day where muslims in Malaysia and also most parts of the world celebrate the end of fasting month of Ramadhan. Raya or Eid is about forgiveness, so I sincerely pleading to all of you to forgive me for my wrongdoings and I shall pardon yours. haha 

Alhamdulillah praise to Almighty God, I get to spend my Raya this year with my family in Langkawi Island. Langkawi is my dad's hometown and I was raised there until about 6 or 7 years old? Can't remember but hey, who does not want to come to Langkawi Island? I should have shared more about this because having a famous island as your hometown is something that you can brag your whole life! There are even Malaysians who have never been there and I'm like 'What?'.. Since I'm blessed & grateful to call Langkawi as my hometown, let me share my story with you! 

The BamBlings would like to wish you all Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir & Batin!

Raya wefie with The Queen

Arrival pose in Langkawi Island

So us, the Tem(bam) Si(blings), thus BamBlings had to take a night flight since I was working on first Raya. It was already late when we arrived..but still felt soooo good to be back! I mean, the night crisp air of kampung..fulalalalala the best air EVER! The next day, before anything else, of course the mandatory Spring Clean. The house yard is HUGE and messy but somehow they managed to reorganized some parts to make it look like a house lol. I said 'they' because I was busy doing something else..

Spring clean!

Big kampung house sure does requires lots of open fire

..and I just want to strike a pose with my batik sarong

Kinda messy but beautiful, models are Cik Tam pooping and Ginger sneaking

Let's move on to Raya food! As much as I hate raya cookies and raya food (just because I don't approve the taste), I could not starve myself, right? And little did I know, this year's raya food is MADNESS! Sinfully delicious and I ate like a monster! Here are a few that I managed to snap and believe me, 

THEY ARE AWESOMELY GOOD!

Obligatory Raya cookies! Not actually ours but they were homemade by our family acquaintance. 

Yummy Rendang daging and Ketupat palas with soybeans and kidney beans! I put my stamp on you!

Mom made our family tradition Ayam German & Nasi Minyak, which me and my sis hentam onboard because it was @%$#!

THE BEST KUEY TIAW SUP I'VE EVER EATEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE

We also cramped 6 people in 5 seated car for a tour around the island. Weather was gloomy, wet but, somehow fresh and that did not stop us! FYI, our house located in Pantai Pasir Hitam, nearby Telaga Ayer Hangat and Tanjung Rhu. Most of the people around that area are my dad's distant relatives and people who knew my late grandgrandpa, late grandpa and late grandma. Since Langkawi is my dad's birthplace, along our journey around the island, he kept on telling stories about Langkawi then and now. WHich made me come to a conclusion that even with all those development going on at several famous places like Chenang Beach, Teluk Datai and Kuah, it is still the same under-developed dreary Langkawi Island at some part..sigh. Or maybe I have not reached other parts yet. Hee

Car wefie with babyfaced elder brother. hish

Bro captured this beautiful spot at Perdana Quay nearby Pantai Kok

Only in Langkawi you can get AYAQ lmao

Famous sight in Tanjung Rhu, kinda gloomy though

Place where we can take customized boat tours around Tanjung Rhu and its vicinity

Bonding twime with little cousins! They were shy at first but then just could not leave me alone!

Of course, there are a lot more to see here..I was busy stuffing myself that I forgot to take more pictures! Feel free to ask me anything about Langkawi Island or you can visit this website for a glimpse of what Langkawi has to offer. I shall go back again as a traveller next time, so that I can explore new places and promote my hometown to a new level! See you again Pulau Lagenda!

http://www.langkawi-info.com/

BTW, I'm in DEEP SHOCKED when I saw unfamiliar faces (of banglas) there..