The Four Seasons Langkawi

I was ecstatic. We had splurged big time to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. We had saved up quite a bit for this and now at least we could say that we've "been there and done that!" This review is lesser on the accommodation and facilities because I think it's worth the focus. After all, it IS the Four Seasons, right?

Ok, firstly, it took me a whole month to really decide whether or not it's worth spending alot on the Four Seasons and did a heck of a lot of homework on it prior to making a reservation. The day that I made it, I was immediately assured that I will be paying my money's worth and their level of attention just by that phone call left me with a lot of ammo that I needed to answer to my cost-conscious husband! Yay!!. 

Looking back, when I read through the comments posted on Trip Advisor again, I truly found it difficult to believe that such an establishment with a commitment for distinctive service and ultimate experience could receive unfavorable reviews! I hope that mine will add on to more positive ones...

Frankly, it's hard not to sound biased but if you're treated like a VIP from the start, it's also hard not to blame anyone for advocating this establishment. Seriously. For instance, upon completing the online reservation, I almost immediately received a call from their customer service representative to double check on my booking. What hooked me immediately was her polite approach. When I informed her that it was inconvenient for me to talk at that point in time, we agreed on a time when she could revert with a phone call and was prompt at it too. 

It's kinda hard to explain but whatever offerings that they had to make our transit to the hotel convenient, it didn't sound as if they were "selling extras" - for example, the airport pick-up. When I told her we'd just make our own way, our choice was respected and was left at that without further insistence for us to take on their airport meet-and-greet package. But you know what? Upon our arrival, they were there anyway at no extra charge just to make sure that we got into our cab safely and that the cabbie knew where to go. Most surprising was that they could pick us out among the crowd and knew who we were - I wondered then if they had links with the CIA and they have my profile? I mean, let's get real. Locals normally have to fend for themselves while our foreign friends enjoy better reception but that bit of service without being asked for was certainly signs of a great start to our holiday. 

You'll have to know that Langkawi still has the little Nissan vanettes to shuttle people around apart from the normal looking cabs. We unfortunately got one of the beat-up ones. I figured, what the heck. A ride was a ride and it'd get us to the hotel anyway. It will be an "adventure" of sorts because seriously, it was a total piece of junk! Imagine spurts of black smoke and a coughing engine. We had fun anyway and we arrived safely at the Lobby of the Four Seasons. Now imagine the junk amidst the Mercs and Beemers dropping off other guests. Half of me wanted to die but we figured, heck, we paid a handsome amount to stay here so it doesn't matter what we arrived in and I was SO ready to do the "Pretty Woman" and say "I have money to spend in here" if we were "ignored" somewhat. But guess what, the greeting party (see, we didn't KNOW there would be a huge greeting party! How blurr could we have been, right? It was after all, the Four Seasons!) didn't even flinch but greeted us warmly and asked if we were fine on the ride from the airport. I happened to experience a sudden jab of pain in my knee and one of the staff immediately escorted us to a corner for me to sit and offered a masseuse to which I declined more out of embarassment than anything else. They went in search for a remedy anyway. That's genuine concern for a guest's welfare.

All in, I have this to summarize - after having read the book written by the owner of the Four Seasons, Mr Isadore Sharp during our stay, I can safely say that all the staff here from reception to banquet, to the Spa, and everyone else at housekeeping, engineering and room service, we can really attest to their loyalty to the Four Seasons brand, and commitment to uphold the four core values that has become the pride of the establishment. Everywhere we went, they remembered our names. When they cleaned up our room each day, our belongings were carefully laid out as how we liked it. Whenever we felt like chatting, they stopped whatever they were doing just to spend that little bit of time with us and shared whatever information we wanted to know with a smile. God knows the number of frowns and dismissals we had often encountered at other hotels. Some would also pretend they were busy so that they could avoid helping us out. But not the staff at the Langkawi Four Seasons. 

Here's the thing. They do of course experience minor hiccups. But the important thing is, everyone involved had made it a point to solve it immediately. For instance, even when we didn't realize our ceiling fan was making a small squeaking sound, they offered upfront for engineering to come fix it. It didn't bother us, but it bothered them that it MIGHT bother us. Tells me that they practice prevention rather than cure. 

Lastly, if you have time, pick up the book by Mr Isadore Sharp for a quick read. Other service industry players could learn a thing or two from his simple Golden Rule which we had experienced so far - Do unto others as you would have them do unto You. 

My husband and I are of the opinion that though we paid more than we could normally afford, the amount well commensurate with not just the facilities, amenities, ambiance, and the like but also for the level of keen attention, ultimate experience and exceptional service that we had received from that one phone call to check out. I only wished that the prices were just a smidge lower so we could go back again and again and again. *Sigh* 

But at least I can now truly say this famous line - "well, it ain't the Four Seasons" from now on coz I've been there and done that! Hah!!