I’m not often lost for words, but the moment I walked into my Rainforest Suite at Ambong Ambong Langkawi, I was. Completely.
Maybe it was the scent of wood and rain, or the sound of cicadas echoing through the trees… or maybe it was the feeling of being completely surrounded by nature, the kind of serenity that makes you stop for a moment and just breathe.
And that’s when words failed me.
On the bed was the word “Welcome” lovingly spelled out using leaves and flowers gathered from the forest. It was so simple, so beautiful, and so full of heart. I found a plate of brownies with “Welcome to Ambong Ambong” written in chocolate sat waiting in the fridge, decorated so prettily I actually felt guilty eating them. (I did, of course. And yes, they were as delicious as they looked!)
And then there was the wooden bathtub – stood handsomely, in a corner of the open-concept living room facing the rainforest. The moment I saw it, I was sold. I couldn’t wait to get in. I had three baths that day! With the rainforest all around me, how could I not? The cicadas, the rustling leaves, the gentle rain, it felt like the forest was keeping me company. Pure, simple bliss 🌿
Ambong Ambong Rainforest Suite
The suite was designed for peace. The entire front opened up to the rainforest, so close I could almost reach out and touch the leaves. It didn’t feel like I was looking at nature; it felt like I was part of it.
The bed is big, soft, and dangerously comfortable. The moment I sank into it with a book in my hand, I fell asleep without even getting through the second page.
Mornings arrive with light pouring gently through the trees, the forest wrapped in mist. I woke up to the view of a spectacular sunrise right from my bed. The colours of the sky were so beautiful I never wanted the sun to rise so soon.
At night, the rainforest took over – frogs, crickets, and the sound of the wind in the trees. It almost felt like I was sleeping in the open air.
Yoga in the Rainforest
The best way to start the day here was with a morning yoga session surrounded by the rainforest. Worth waking-up early morning for. The walk to the yoga pavilion was beautiful, just the sound of birds, and the soft morning light flickering through the trees.
The space itself felt calm and alive, open on all sides so you could feel the breeze move through. No picture-perfect mats lined up for photos. Just nature all around. Sugu the instructor was experienced and knowledgeable. She adjusted the session to suit my scoliosis condition. We ended with a simple breathing practice that left me feeling light and energised.
That’s what I love about Ambong Ambong. Moments like this reminded me what it is all about. Not just a stay, but a retreat that connects wellness with nature in the most effortless way.
Rimba Restaurant & Rimba Sky
Breakfast at Rimba Restaurant was what I called a healthy treat for the soul wrapped between forests and the sea. It is quiet in the mornings, with the sea in the distance and the rainforest all around. I asked the staff if they could make me the pineapple and cinnamon tea I had when I first arrived. It wasn’t even on the menu. Without hesitation the reply was, “Yes, certainly, Miss Shannim,” and a few minutes later, there it was. That’s the kind of thing they do here – no fuss, no questions. Small gestures like that say more about this place than any review ever could.
Later that evening, I went up to Rimba Sky, the restaurant and bar on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Andaman Sea. And there was Denise, the bartender I’d met three years ago. He remembered me straight away and even my favourite drink, exactly how I liked it. It was one of those small moments that says everything about Ambong Ambong.
As the sun began to set, the sky turned from gold to rose, then melted into deep violet. It was one of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever seen in Langkawi. With good food, my favourite drink in hand, and service that felt straight from the heart, it was the perfect end to the day.
If you’re in Langkawi, Rimba Sky is a MUST visit to watch the sunset on the island. Put this on your list and thank me later!
Pegaga Vegan Restaurant
Lunch at Pegaga Restaurant was delicious. The food was fresh and flavourful – all plant-based, beautifully done. The restaurant sits in an old Malay kampung house – wooden floors, wide windows that open out to the rainforest, and a soft breeze that drifts right through the space. Pegaga is a vegan restaurant, but even if you’re not vegan, the food is so good you won’t miss a thing.
I spent quite a bit of time there, enjoying lunch and reading. It was peaceful, just me, the sound of birds outside, and the sheer white curtains dancing in the wind. It is the perfect kind of simple beauty.
A Stay That Stays With You
Ambong Ambong felt like the peace I didn’t know I was craving for.
There are places that impress you, and there are places that move you. This one did both, quietly and sincerely, without ever trying too hard. It is where luxury feels human, where the rainforest wraps you gently, and where every little thing, from the welcome tea to the staff’s friendly smile, feels personal.
What makes this place truly special isn’t just the view or the stillness, it is the people. Most of the team are locals from Langkawi, and you can feel it in the warmth they bring. They greet you by name, check in with a smile, stop for a quick chat, and somehow make it feel effortless.
It’s not five-star perfection. It is way better – genuine, full of heart, the kind of warmth that reminds you what real hospitality feels like. It was a property I find it hard to leave for sure!
Ambong Ambong
Between the forest and the sea,
I found a stillness I didn’t know I was craving.
The sound of rain on leaves,
the warmth of smiles that felt like home,
the quiet luxury of being seen, not served.
Here, nothing tries too hard…
and maybe that’s why everything feels so right.
If you’d like to know more about this heavenly retreat:
🌿 Ambong Ambong Rainforest Retreat Langkawi
📍 Jalan Teluk Baru, Pantai Tengah, Langkawi, Malaysia
🔗 ambong-ambong.com
You can see more moments from my stay on my instagram here .
