We chose Ambong Rainforest Retreat as our honeymoon destination based off the beautiful photos of the resort and rooms, originally booking through Booking.com. However, upon directly speaking with the warm, welcoming reservations team at Ambong, we opted to book directly through them instead as they were able to offer several upgrades and complimentary packages through the direct booking / as a honeymoon special arrangement! Having stayed there for 1 week, I break down my review as below.
Service: 5*. For us, this was the true standout (an unexpected surprise, as the resort is beautiful enough!). The team respond almost instantly on WhatsApp both whilst reserving/booking, and during your stay. The resort arranged complimentary airport transfer for my new husband and I, an afternoon tea at the Rimba, an evening dinner at Rimba Sky, a massage at Amaala Spa (sensational; by the way), honeymoon decor for us upon arrival (including a cake and bottle of wine!), and were so warm, kind and proactive throughout. I am a frequent traveller and confidently can say this is the best service I have received; due to the small number of rooms, the attention to detail, care and making you feel like family is superior. If you need transfer around the resort or to the restaurant, a car would always come within 5min of me texting the team. We’d be greeted with smiles and chat every morning, recommendations of where to go, help parking our scooters (!!), and somehow, we never left an interaction with any member of staff without a big smile on our faces. A special thank you to Nizal, with whom we spent the most time, who is the happiest, loveliest man we have met! A special thanks to Prem, also, who looked after us wonderfully from the admin side. The resort is so helpful and on hand for any needs you may have, and never makes you feel unwelcome/like you’re asking too much.
A special thank you also to the kindness shown when we had issues with our arrival, resulting in a 2 day delay to our honeymoon check in and being stranded in Singapore. The team could not have been more helpful, and only charged us for the nights we actually stayed without question. This unspoken gesture was so warmly appreciated by us, who had experienced trauma from the horrific travelling experience in Singapore, and who already had to spend money we hadn’t been expecting. Upon our initial arrival to Ambong, the staff said ‘Hi guys, where have you been? We’ve been waiting for you!’, knew our names, took us straight to the beautiful, clean room with a stunning view of the ocean, and brought us a chilled bottle of white wine which we hadn’t expected. It was everything!!
Rooms: 5*. The room was absolutely gorgeous. Cleaned twice daily, floor to ceiling windows with a view of the ocean and beach and rainforest, large and comfy bed, fresh towels folded each morning. It was spacious, airy, and luxurious. The bathrooms were spotless with a rain shower (also huge windows and views), clean, huge mirrors, and spotless loos. Private balcony includes a wooden hot tub, recline chairs and table with beautifully spanning view. Cold fridge included which is stocked daily with complimentary soft drinks, milk, and chilled water. Kitchenette includes microwave, sink, plates, wine glasses, cutlery, cups etc - all clean. Air conditioning worked very well, extra room fans included, beautiful cushion and seating decor, fully working smart tv, multiple soft lighting lamps and main lights on ceiling.
Zero issues with privacy or noise disturbances during our stay; felt totally secluded and private in our room.
Amenities: 5*. Both the Peggaga and Rimba restaurants were a food highlight of the stay. Langkawi has some gorgeous spots for local cuisine, and having come from Singapore for the previous leg, we had already eaten what we thought would be the best dishes of the trip. Proven wrong! The vegan dishes are exquisite, innovative and flavourful at the Pegagga, and at the Rimba, the dinner was actually the best we had in Langkawi. A must try if you stay in the resort. Big portions, excellent services, local authentic flavours with beautiful presentation. There is a range to choose from with the breakfast each morning from Nasi Lemak/Roti Canai as local options, omelette (again, highlight surprise as typically we find omelettes overcooked but this was soft and creamy inside!) to meat, fresh fruits, smoothie bowls, pastries, avocado toast, fresh squeezed juices etc as options. We tried it all, loved it all, and were big foodies! Tables clean, presentation beautiful, scoping view included from most spots, option to dine al fresco or indoors (air conditioned).
Wellness services also offered through the spa (Amaala), Japanese restaurant on site, open pool etc. Amaala spa was the best massage we’ve ever had by the way - wholly recommend. Clean, attention to detail fabulous, service provided with so much care and bespoke curation.
Air conditioned gym also beautiful, spacious and quiet. I used each morning and it was fabulous - always empty! High tech equipment and well maintained. Very clean.
Hygiene: 5* Spotless throughout, cleaners extremely friendly and kind, came to help us instantly when we had a spillage one of the days.
Location: 5* Very close to Cenang, lots of amenities, restaurants, and activities around. Good location for range of activities in itinerary (we had watersports, local sightseeing, Cenang/Kuah visits, night markets, catamaran, seven wells waterfall hike, kota mahsuri, etc planned and made it all without issue). Everything within c.30 mins travel, highly recommend hiring scooter for ease. Grab also works well from here, reception very good throughout resort.
Overall, this could not have been a more beautiful honeymoon experience, and so much of that is because of Ambong. Not one falter or bad moment there; simply exceptional across the board. We will be going back in December because we love it so much. One of the best resorts I have encountered on my travels.
Thank you so much Ambong!!!!
- Amber and Michael
