Set in the lush hills of the Malaysian of its namesake archipelago, the St. Regis Langkawi Resort is nestled between two peninsulas that create a unique bay at the threshold of the tranquil blue water of the Andaman Sea. Reveling in its idyllic tropical setting on the southern tip of the island known as the Jewel of Kedah, part of an UNESCO Geopark, the intimate 85-suite resort radiates with a palatial design digressive from some of the island’s more the laidback lodgings. “Although a relaxed environment was still key, the focus was on a more glamorous setting reminiscent of the European Rivieras with fresh and light interiors and grand open spaces,” explains Diana Espejo, senior designer and project manager for G.A Design, a longtime St. Regis collaborator, which handled the interior design of the hotel. Its “rainforest meets Riviera.”
Architecturally, the secluded location led the London office of Gensler, which had worked with the owner Rajawali on several projects, to “create contrast between the natural surroundings and a sense of refined elegance,” explains Gensler principal Tom Lindblom. That equates to a central six-story mansion house with two lagoon-suite wings reaching outwards to the shoreline, and luxury villas and a specialty restaurant situated over the water. “A relatively small range of exterior materials were used with the goal of emphasizing the sense of luxury through the volume, natural lighting, and views from the spaces.” There’s natural stone, cast balcony railings and screens, and large windows and doors with narrow frame profiles to maximize the views, he adds.
Reinforcing the lush greenery of Langkawi, rows of date palms line the driveway while ferns and hibiscus hang elegantly from the intricate batik-style porte cochére to welcome visitors to the mansion. “The main challenge was to integrate and blend elements that traditionally are found in very different settings: to create a grand residential [space] set against the backdrop of a tropical island resort and have these contrasting styles work together and feel natural,” Espejo explains.
Opulent materials such as ivory-colored marble floors, painted panels, rich timber, and bronze accents define the public spaces—including the double-height lobby—to convey a sense of drama. Anchoring the lobby is the lounge-style Drawing Room, which is graced with an antique silverleaf mirror and a candelabra chandelier. Gilded onyx is the medium of choice for the sculptures found in the central infinity pool, which depict some of the fruit native to the area.
Influenced by the region’s popularity among Middle Eastern tourists, Lindblom added corresponding motifs into the design: Moroccan-style timber floors and pearl bathroom mosaics in the suites and guestrooms. Here, Espejo and her team infused the serene luxury retreats with a details inspired by the natural landscape—coral-embroidered headboards, a neutral palette with accents of nautical blue tones and tropical-inspired hues, jungle-green cushioning, pearlized mosaics, and batik-style rugs for a more localized flare. To further bring the outdoors-in, beds face the water, and suites feature expansive outdoor areas, including the 1,600-square-foot terraces of the resort’s four overwater villas, outfitted with tiled plunge pools and airy cabanas.
The Bill Bensley-designed eatery Kayuputi also embraces the location, reaching across the water for a majestic and tranquil dining space. The white-washed, residential-style interior is filled with whitewashed walls, curated objects, antique furnishings including 60 teak columns from India inlaid with camel bone and century-old French doors and windows salvaged from the Dutch embassy in Yangon and from the designer’s own home. “I wanted it to feel like somebody’s private beach house on the water where you can have a big party,” he says.
In contrast with the rest of the hotel, the bar “offers a sultrier atmosphere,” says Espejo, complete with dark timbers, an emerald green agate crystal chandelier, petrified wooden tables, volcanic stone wall panels, and soft furnishings reminiscent of the surrounding tropical vegetation. Housed within the bar is the Decanter Wine Bar, which includes sparkling floor-to-ceiling wine cabinets and a palette of champagne and smoky gray.
“The aim was to take guests on a journey of relaxation beginning at the impressive arrival through to the less formal sea villas with the layouts and interiors becoming more relaxed as the guests moved through the hotel towards the lagoon area,” says Espejo.
