Northstar

M&C ASIA | 9 As a further sign of its burgeoning appeal and international presence, Langkawi is flush with luxury hotelier names also offering meeting facilities, including Four Seasons Resort, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, The Westin, St Regis, The Datai and the sea-facing Resorts World. For stays within Langkawi's virgin rainforest, opt for The Andaman, under the Marriott group. New international players The Ritz-Carlton, Dash by Ri-Yaz Group and Aloft Hotels entered the scene between 2017 and 2018, and with The Park Royal Langkawi Resort slated to open its doors by 2020 – there's definitely an abode to suit a group's needs and style, all while remaining true to Langkawi's island roots. STAY Surrounded by the Andaman Sea, it's especially common here to smell the amazing aroma of barbequed fresh seafood over outdoor restaurants and street food stands. For meals in a kampung (Malay village) setting, Bon Ton Restaurant & Resort takes up to 167 guests. Langkawi's food spots include Langkawi Fish Farm located at Penarak area and Wonderland Seafood Store, open air dining concept. To enjoy traditional feasting in comfort, Ikan-Ikan at The Four Seasons Langkawi was built to resemble a native Malaysian home, as guests tuck into centuries-old village recipes. For unbeatable views, Panorama Langkawi takes the spot, catering for up to 100 guests on its top-deck platform, offering 360° scenery above lush forest canopies and the sea. FEAST Sail along Langkawi's islands, feasting over a barbeque dinner prepared on board before clinking cocktails as your catamaran sails into gorgeous sunset cruising views. For a tranquil day, there's the picturesque white sandy beaches of Tanjung Rhu and Cenang, or opt for golfing at The ELS Club at Datai Bay which offers postcard forest and shoreline backdrops. For larger incentive groups, Langkawi even offers an entire island at your disposal – Paradise 101. This is the perfect ground for high- octane water sports, an aqua park, zip line and parasailing, while 18 chefs fire up the stoves so everyone may move from adventure to dinner in a breeze. For a cultural spin, the Langkawi Craft Complex allows visitors a chance at painting batik and weaving straw bags, before shopping for handicrafts such as handmade ceramics, textiles and batik. Further shopping can be done anywhere on this duty-free island, with visitors typically stopping by ZON Duty Free, where prices of liquor, chocolates and tobacco have been slashed to entice. PLAY For your themed event, how about going back in time? Kampung Tok Senik or Bon Ton Resorts welcome visitors into its kampung (traditional Malay village) settings, where groups can join in native celebrations over the sound of hand drums, tucking into a Kenduri (communal feast) – one of the many expressions of Malaysian culture. THINK UNIQUE

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