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 

Review: Fifty4ferns, Kampung Janda Baik, Pahang

Happy September folks! New month, new challenge!

Therefore I am challenging myself, (well not really a challenge to some, but it is to me as it's HARD to stay consistent in doing something for a long haul) to keep on posting (unpaid) reviews of hotels, chalets, cafes and restaurants that I've been to so far. Some of you are aware that I live to travel and my hobby is hotel hopping and Iphone photography. Well, nothing is more perfect than to combine my purpose in life with what I love to do most into a post that could benefit the society, right? Wait no longer as here is my pilot review of a place that really captured my heart. I hope my readers will create memories here too! Have a good read <3

Name : Fifty4ferns
Type : Luxurious Chalet
Location : Kampung Cheringin Janda Baik, Pahang, Malaysia
Date : 5-6th August 2017
Facebook : Fifty4Ferns
Instagram : @fifty4ferns
Kina thinks : Gorgeous oasis surrounded by nature
Kina rates : 9.5/10

We first decided to find a place that is not too far from KL, but must be outside KL. Annoying, I know. But, bless us we found this gem perfectly hidden in nature, which happens to perfectly fits our condition. My schoolmate and I were preparing a bachelorette short gateway for a friend and she happens to have a friend who has visited this place. So I did not expect much as mind me, I am very skeptical when it comes to chalets in Malaysia. I.WAS.WRONG! Please let my untouched/no filter photos below to show you how amazing this place is.

However, finding this place was a bit tricky even in broad daylight. Located about 45minutes from KL, we wazed our way there but you know, it never hurts to be extra careful. Carefully looked at roadsigns for Fifty4ferns (white background, smaller in size compared to other resorts) on your left once you entered main gate of Kampung Janda Baik. We drove at 60/80mph as to not missed them. It was a straight road all the way, until you need to turn right to enter a one way road to the place. TIP!* Remember that the restaurants you see at the junction, is the ONLY and NEAREST restaurants to the chalet. You might want to pack some food from there before you check in.

From there, 10/20mph is my advice to prevent any possible collision with opposite car. Just follow the road all the way for about 8-10mins. Remember to honk at corners! You'll see an arched entrance to Fifty4ferns that writes Welcome to Fifty4ferns. Once you arrived, park your car and ask around for the reception as you need to walk a little inside. Look for Anjung Pakis!

Reception : Anjung Pakis

That's our chalet : Golden Shower

We booked a deluxe chalet, priced at RM495 (gst included) per night. Quite expensive but so worth it! If you arrived earlier than your check in time, you can enjoy playing congkak or fusball in the reception area. 

More infos on the chalet in their brochure!

Stairways to breakfast at Anjung Kasih

Anjung Kasih view from Golden Shower

Anjung Pakis view from Golden Shower

They have koi fish, tilapia and HUGE patin in the lake where you can feed them by request.

Deluxe chalet has King bed with sofa bed

We brought that, please do not expect a bedside photo frame.

We organized that. Please do not expect decorations in your room.

Can you see the fish?

This picture does not do the pool justice as you need to see it for yourself

Instagram worthy space

The sambal was delicious!

Beautiful pathway along the way to Anjung Kasih

They have 12 units of chalets to date but currently they are constructing a few more nearby the zoo. Yes, they also have a small zoo with bird sanctuary and deer farm! We can ride bycicles for free (depends on availability) to circle around the place which I highly recommend all to do so. There's also a jacuzzi nearby a treehouse chalet. I'd suggest you dip in early in the morning as the water turns murky and full of sands in the evening.

Sanctuary located just above the chalets

Deer feeding is allowed at your own risk!

2 days 1 night is just right for a short gateway to refresh our minds from our daily hectic lifestyle. Especially in a place like this, where you can catch up old stories with your schoolmates, gather your big family for a family day, reconnect with the real world, real stuff that really matters to us. Oh, say goodbye to your social media as there is ZERO line for any telcos. You can forget FB, IG, Twitters etc here HAHAH. Good thing they have wifi at the reception so worry not~

That's all for today's review and do leave comments if you need me to clarify just about anything!

Memories.