Looking to book an eco-friendly escape this summer? Here are four luxury eco-resorts in Langkawi where environmental consciousness meets indulgence, and opulence and sustainability go hand in hand.

1. Ambong Ambong

Tucked away on the gentle slopes of Langkawi’s lush rainforests is Ambong Ambong Rainforest Retreat. This family-owned boutique eco-retreat is a haven for nature enthusiasts, spread over a whopping 3.8 hectares of land with sky-high views of the Andaman Sea’s azure-blue waters below.

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The low-density, low-impact property offers two accommodation types: a boutique hilltop resort with 11 suites, studios and cottages; and nine commodious private villas, each with their own 12-metre long infinity pools (with kids’ paddling pool), outdoor bathtub, kitchenette, well-appointed interiors and sweeping terrace and patio.

Ambong Ambong’s owners take their responsibility as stewards of land that has been in their family for generations seriously. They’ve taken biophilic design to the next level, building one of the private villas around an ancient bongor tree and using it as an architectural centrepiece rather than removing it.

They also offer excursions that emphasise regenerative tourism, like a bamboo-planting initiative or a traditional Malay cooking class on their nearby organic farm, which also supplies much of the produce for the resort’s two on-site restaurants, including Langkawi’s only vegan fine dining restaurant, Pegaga.

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2. The Datai Langkawi

A local pioneer of sustainable tourism in Langkawi, The Datai Langkawi is more than just a five-star resort – it’s a benchmark for eco-tourism in Malaysia.

The Datai Langkawi integrates the rainforests it calls home into the very heart of its existence. Most notably, there’s an onsite Nature Centre for guests to learn about Langkawi wildlife, complete with a team of naturalists and marine biologists led by the renowned conservationist Irshad Mobarak, who has appeared on National Geographic and Discovery Channel for his expertise in Malaysia’s biodiversity.

The resort also has an impressive list of environmental pledges and commitments, from local coral regeneration and hornbill habitat restoration to widespread recycling initiatives, like waste water management and composting. No wonder then that it was the first resort in the world to be awarded the EarthCheck Eco Certification for terrestrial tourism projects.

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3. Four Seasons Langkawi

You can always count on the Four Seasons for a taste of extravagance and at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, it’s no different. This luxury hotelier offers a range of stunningly-appointed villas and private retreats on a private 1.6km stretch of white sand that are one with nature. Think beachfront bungalows with private plunge pools, marble bathrooms and outdoor rain showers, and airy verandas constructed with rich Malay woods that look out over landscaped tropical gardens.

The resort grounds are home to several exotic bird species, including two types of eagle, from which Langkawi gets its name (lang means eagle in Malay), making it perfect for birdwatchers.

Those looking for things to do in Langkawi can head out with the resort’s resident naturalist, Aidi Abdullah. He regularly provides tours of the island’s Unesco Global Geopark, a 550-million-year-old labyrinth of dramatic limestone formations, scenic waterways and magical mangrove forests that will leave you breathless.

And to reduce water waste, the resort also uses reclaimed water that has been treated onside to irrigate the property’s ample green spaces, including an onsite herb garden and plant nursery.

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4. Cottage by The Sea Langkawi

Just a stone’s throw from a pristine stretch of white sand, this laid-back beachside resort is fringed by lush tropical forests and a coconut grove for a taste of authentic island living. Although perhaps just a touch more rustic than other luxury eco-operators in the area, Cottage by The Sea Langkawi more than makes up for it in charm, with warm staff passionate about local conservation efforts.

The resort proudly maintains over 300 different initiatives designed to minimise its operational carbon footprint, from an all-natural water filtration system that uses aquatic plants to naturally distil water, to a zero-waste kitchen that upcycles its food scraps to fertilise the onsite fruit and veg patches.

Guests are also invited to take part in a diverse calendar of nature-based adventure activities, like Langkawi island-hopping, organic farming workshops, daily nature walks and a visit to the onsite stingless bee farm.