TomCat's Luxury Escape

[blackcat20]

It's been over a year since our last trip report, so it felt like time for a new one.

Earlier this year we were tossing up between two Luxury Escape's deals: the JW Marriot Khao Lak and the St Regis Langkawi. The first deal was 8 nights all inclusive, the latter 5 nights with a great range of inclusions. We were struggling with the decision (minimising time off work, keeping costs low) until a fellow AFFer suggested dinner at the St Regis: decision made!

So we booked the St Regis deal (through Cash Rewards of course), then set about working out our flight plans. The highlights of the deal include daily breakfast (including Champagne), a luxury three course dinner, airport transfers, massages and a coughtail each every evening.

We wanted to keep this trip as cheap as possible given our current house build, so a quick look at Velocity had our flights sorted. We had SQ J flights to SIN in the bag. Then we added an Air Asia flight from SIN-LGK, and a Scoot flight back. However the Scoot flight was soon cancelled so a bit of a rethink (and a sale) saw us book MH J from LGK-KUL-SIN. A new airline and a few new airports for us.

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T-14 until departure...is it too early to start packing?

 

[TomVexille]

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T-14 until departure...is it too early to start packing?

Yes

 

[blackcat20]

Yes

You're no fun

 

[Cruiser Elite]

T-14 until departure...

Seems like a good excuse for a going away party at Olive Tree - let me see if penegal is free this Friday night. Does Tommy have to come along also?

 

[Denali]

 

[Pushka]

Tommy’s not playing fair. Don’t mess with her mind Tommy.

 

[blackcat20]

Tommy’s not playing fair. Don’t mess with her mind Tommy.

I'll probably start packing next week given the short turnaround between AFF 12 and this trip.
Lined up the kids at work to house and dog sit which takes some pressure off.

 

[LadyC]

Sounds great - look forward to hearing about St Regis Langkawi.

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Too soon to scan my boarding pass for this TR?

 

[blackcat20]

Too soon to scan my boarding pass for this TR?

Never too soon!
Despite what TV says I’m already starting to gather things ready to pack

 

[Buzzard]

Be interesting to read how the LE offer works out.

 

[blackcat20]

Be interesting to read how the LE offer works out.

First time we've used them. I've heard good things so hopefully it lives up to expectations.

 

[cjd600]

First time we've used them. I've heard good things so hopefully it lives up to expectations.

We used LE for the first time earlier this year, to Maldives. Very satisfied, delivered on everything that was advertised in the deal and it was a great trip. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again. (Debuting SQ new and old R SYD-SIN-SYD assisted the experience)

 

[Pushka]

First time we've used them. I've heard good things so hopefully it lives up to expectations.

We’ve used them many times and have not been disappointed. If you’ve researched where you are staying and are happy with that then all the inclusions just happen.

 

[Major]

We used them for Sri Lanka and were satisfied

 

[blackcat20]

The hotel/resort looks amazing so I dont think we'll have any problems. The concierge team has already been great answering questions and making bookings for me.

 

[Pushka]

The hotel/resort looks amazing so I dont think we'll have any problems. The concierge team has already been great answering questions and making bookings for me.

Not sure how it will be for your stay, but when we travelled to Bali on LE in November last year it was the time of increased volcano concerns so people with cancellable bookings did so. LE isn’t like that so the resort was pretty much empty except for all the LE people. Of which there were quite a few given it was off season. They had LE menus and drink lists so you knew exactly what you could order. It’s a well oiled machine now.

 

[blackcat20]

Not sure how it will be for your stay, but when we travelled to Bali on LE in November last year it was the time of increased volcano concerns so people with cancellable bookings did so. LE isn’t like that so the resort was pretty much empty except for all the LE people. Of which there were quite a few given it was off season. They had LE menus and drink lists so you knew exactly what you could order. It’s a well oiled machine now.

There is only one included meal, which is a 3 course meal at their main restaurant. No idea what the menu is as you cant even see their standard menu online. Breakfast is a buffet so should be all pretty standard (and I've heard it has proper Champagne).

 

[Cossie]

We have used them for Luang Prabang twice, and are going there again next March, Port Douglas, Yarra Valley, O'Reillys in Qld, no problems at all.
Some dates can have a surcharge which can make a great deal become a 'so so' one, but that is stated clearly when checking availability.

Looking forward to this tr, have a great time.

 

[chooms]

You'll enjoy it. We did this LE deal to the St Regis last year... the hotel is amazing and up there as one of the best hotels I have ever been to. Go early to Kayu Puti, lounge in one of the over-water nets (yep!) and watch the sunset. The food there is AMAZING too. Use Uber to get around Langkawi - taxis tend to overcharge. If you get the chance, head up to this great seafood restaurant/bar run by expats on the northern part of the island (Google Maps). Fresh seafood and cheap coughtails... what could go wrong Also, the staff at the St Regis can arrange for you to go to the other Starwood resorts for a visit too. Definitely go for a visit to the Andaman and lounge around on Datai beach for a day.