Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, known on its own website as Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, sits right on Pantai Cenang, the island's busiest and most convenient beach. It is a large resort set in landscaped gardens beside a lake, and it was renovated in 2024. Rooms range from garden-terrace and pool-terrace rooms to lakefront and seaview rooms and a range of suites, including duplex and two-bedroom options, plus family rooms with beachfront and island views. The resort has three outdoor pools plus a children's pool with a waterslide and water games, with one area set aside for adults only, a swim-up bar, a beach bar, a poolside bar and several restaurants, a spa, a gym and beach volleyball. It is the family choice on Cenang, but it works just as well for couples.
Location and getting around: Pelangi's big advantage is its position. You step out onto the beach, and the restaurants, shops and water-sports operators of the Cenang strip are within easy walking distance. Underwater World is nearby, the airport is a short drive away and the other sights, such as the SkyCab, island hopping jetties and Kuah, are a taxi ride, usually thirty to forty minutes. Many guests simply stay put, swim, eat on the sand and book a tour or two.
Rooms and who it suits: with sixteen or so room types, there is a lot of choice. The Pool Terrace and Garden Terrace rooms open onto the water and gardens, and are good value for couples. Lakefront and Seaview rooms add views, while the suites and family rooms suit groups. Families will appreciate the children's pool, the waterslide and the grocery store, and the adults-only area is a useful retreat. Because the resort is large, ask for a room close to the pool or the beach if you prefer to walk less.
Good to know: breakfast is often charged separately or included depending on the rate, so check before you book. Room service is available around the clock, there is free parking and Wi-Fi and the front desk is open all day. The Cenang strip can be lively in the evening, so ask for a quieter room away from the beach bar if you are a light sleeper. As with all Langkawi beaches, swim with care and heed flag warnings. Compared with the north-coast luxury resorts, the atmosphere is livelier and more social, with the sunset on the beach as the daily ritual.
Why stay here
- ✓Beachfront on Pantai Cenang
- ✓Three outdoor pools and a waterslide
- ✓Children pool and water games
- ✓Adults-only pool area
- ✓Swim-up bar and beach bar
- ✓Spa and gym
- ✓Lakefront and garden rooms
- ✓24-hour room service and front desk
Good questions
Is Pelangi Beach Resort right on the beach?+
Yes, it fronts Pantai Cenang, with restaurants, shops and water sports within easy walking distance.
Is it good for children?+
Yes, it has a children's pool with water games, a waterslide, family rooms and a grocery store. An adults-only pool area gives parents a quieter corner.
How far is it from the airport?+
It is a short drive, usually fifteen to twenty minutes by taxi. That makes it an easy first or last stop on the island.