BLOOMING TERATAI GARDEN

Heading to the private beach, the couple begins their new adventure together in endless views of sea and sky peppered with undulating hues of green and blue.

Feeling my eyelashes tremble with the subtle sounds of brisk bird chirping, I slowly opened my eyes only to realize that I fell asleep during meditation at the Teratai Pavilion.

Located on the northern tip of Langkawi Island, The Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia is tucked away with mysterious mangroves, winding rivers and ancient limestone caves. Surprisingly, this lost gem is only about 25 minutes away from Langkawi International Airport. Covering an area of 600 acres, it has only 91 villas and pavilions surrounded by landscaped gardens and lush forests. Its loose network allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the enchanting and mysterious atmosphere of the island.

Both sides of the Teratai Pavilion are flanked by fragrant frangipanis and lotus-strewn water ponds (the word teratai means “lotus” in the local Malaysian language).

Relaxing in a cross-legged position, I gently stretched out, and took a deep breath; the refreshing air quickly filled my nostrils with the smell of fresh grass, blossoming lotus and woody jungle. Looking around, both sides of the Teratai Pavilion are flanked by fragrant frangipanis and lotus-strewn water ponds. No wonder it is named after the word “Teratai”, which means “lotus” in the local Malaysian language. Picture an emerald lawn that sweeps downward into the shimmering expanse of the Andaman Sea, guarded by jungle-cloaked islands on the horizon and domed by blue skies that transform into a jewel-toned canvas as the sun goes down.

Blown away by the soulfulness and a sense of exotic romance, I couldn’t help but fantasize how a couple exchange vows at this breezy open-air pavilion in the presence of loved ones; they then head to the private beach along the Andaman coast to share the magic and wonder just for two. As the couple begins their new adventure together in endless views of sea and sky peppered with undulating hues of green and blue, it draws the perfect ending to a fairy tale, “and they lived happily ever after”.

At dusk, when the melodious bird chirping returned, I realized I lost track of time in this astonishing paradise again. Leaving the Teratai Pavilion for dinner, I found myself standing before 3 unique restaurants in the hotel: “Ikan-Ikan”, a classic Malaysian home setting restaurant inspired by the traditional Malaysian architecture “limas”; “Serai”, an all-day dining Italian restaurant and “Kelapa Grill”, the beachside restaurant that serves fresh seafood straight off the grill; enjoying culinary experiences under a canopy of stars.

As I walked by the Teratai Pavilion again at night, I saw a couple indulging in a romantic spa treatment, the soul-soothing Night Spa Ritual, cooled by soft breezes and serenaded by waves; there is a happy holiday glow on their faces, complimenting their blissful smiles, shining with blessings from the surrounding lotus blossoms.