If doing nothing is your favourite holiday activity, you’d find Rebak Marina Resort a dream come true.

EVEN at the check-in counter, regular guests will notice a change in the ambience of Rebak Marina Resort. After 18 months of quiet, the resort is now fully refurbished and rebranded as Rebak Island Resort – A Taj Hotel.

Its last name refers to an India-based hotel brand that is renowned for its world-class hotels in India, Maldives, Mauritius, Australia, United Kingdom, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East.

Rebak Island Resort, the group’s only hotel in Malaysia, is also the only resort on tiny Rebak Island, about 15 minutes by boat from the main Langkawi Island.

With its new image, the rooms and main areas like the reception house and the food and beverage outlets have a warm elegant touch that still reflects the Malaysian identity.

Besides the Taj brand name, its other selling points are its high level of privacy and exclusiveness. Though the resort only occupies one-third of the 390-acre island, it is big enough for guests to not bump into each other except during breakfast or dinner.

Doing Nothing

The number one leisure activity at Rebak is to simply do nothing but laze around at the pool or the sandy beach to watch the day go by.

If you’re not in the mood for water, escape to the reading room, Safa Wangi Spa or indulge in the comfort of your room balcony.

When you finally get your fill of doing nothing, here are some suggestions. Start the day with a 60-minute morning walk to learn about the flora and fauna. Led by resident naturalist, the walk starts from the reception to the marina before going uphill along a concrete path that turns back to the resort.

Midway, there is a trail that leads to a small patch of beach that, at low tide, exposes black rocks. About an hour’s trek from Pantai Batu Hitam, is another beautiful beach called Red Beach after its reddish-coloured limestone cave.

At 3pm, join the crowd at the pavilion to watch a giant 2.5m monitor lizard gobbling down a basket of chickens. Feeding the lizard is probably the only adrenaline-pumping thrill of the day here.

GETTING THERE
There is a dedicated Rebak Island Resort jetty on the main Langkawi island. The Port Langkasuka jetty is five minutes drive from Langkawi Airport. From the jetty, it’s only 15 minutes the resort marina. The ferry ride is free for resort guests and RM5 one-way for visitors.

MAIN ATTRACTION
The Taj hotel brand. It’s also the only resort on the privately-owned 390-acre Pulau Rebak. This one-resort one-island concept promises absolute privacy and a sense of exclusiveness.

FIRST IMPRESSION
Changes that come with Taj Hotel are very apparent. The block that houses the reception lounge, Minum Minum Bar and Senari Café is warmer, friendlier and more comfortable.

ROOMS
Only 82 rooms in six categories – superior garden and sea view, deluxe garden and sea-facing and one and two-bedroom deluxe villas. These timbered villas and rooms are set in clusters surrounded and shaded by matured gardens of local herbs, tamarind and orchid trees and palm trees. While these matured trees enhance the rainforest ambience, clear views of the Senari Straits from the rooms are not obstructed. Inside, the rooms are beautifully set in warm earthy tones.

F&B OUTLETS
Minum Minum is an chic bar with live entertainment nightly. Senari Cafe, on the other hand, has a more subtle and relaxing ambience with pendant lights inspired by Malay traditional bubu (fish trap). This fits its purpose as an all-day dining restaurant that serves Malaysian, Indian and continental specialities. Among its best features are its Indian food and the unique curry buffet.

OVERALL SERVICE
Superb.

PLACES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
Everywhere on the island.

FACILITIES
Fully-equipped marina, a swimming pool, a nine-hole mini golf course, airport transfer, reading room, ample parking at Port Langkasuka jetty and recreational activities like kayaking, morning walks, beach volleyball and bicycle riding.