It’s early dawn when I was woken up; the sun was slowly creeping up over the eastern horizon and in the soft dim light I was just able to see the family of monkeys (leaf monkeys, I discovered later) feeding in a nearby tree. It wasn’t them that woke me up though; it was the raucous cries of a pair of hornbills feeding in the same tree.

As the day brightens I gazed in wonder as the scenery in front of my large window reveals itself: just below is the pool, it’s watered still and limpid, and a tropical forest beyond and beyond that yet an island immersed in the Andaman Sea, its white beaches glowing in the rising sunlight. The sky above is blue and clear; it’ll be another good day in paradise.

I had checked into Villa Raya (Villa 9) from another hotel, and having arrived tired and late in the evening didn’t have the opportunity to look over the magnificent property. It had been recommended by friends who stayed here previously and loved it. They found it was the best pool villas in Langkawi. That and the almost-too-good-to-be-true reviews on TripAdvisor, where Ambong Pool Villas is rated as the best pool villa resorts in Langkawi. With expectations raised but prepared to be disappointed I looked forward to the morning.

Thinking about it, it’s just as well that only in the morning, when fully refreshed, that I was to witness and appreciate the slow unveiling of the beautiful vista.

It was almost nine before I waddled downstairs to look at the rest of the villa.

I quickly found the coffee machine (by instinct, LOL) and with a comforting mug wondered around.

For a holiday villa, it is unusually big and tastefully furnished, to the standards of a comfortable family home. The kitchen is large and fitted with every necessary requirement. It even has a maid’s room, I was told later.

The dining room is semi alfresco and the large living room opens out to the wide airy veranda. The 16m pool which parallels the villa is made for swimming. Best of all, there’s a shallow 4m by 4m pool thoughtfully placed undercover, so children can frolic all day long without risking sunburn.

All 3 bedrooms are upstairs and all have en-suite facilities, are large and comfortably furnished. Each room including downstairs look out to the view of the ocean that became more stunning at sunset when, glass in one hand and book in the other, I lounged by the pool.

Indeed I spent most of the day lazing on the veranda, doing yoga (mats are available), reading and drinking endless cups of coffee.

No account of the stay will be complete without mention of the staff. Very briefly, they are truly excellent: the villa is immaculately clean and from check-in to check-out, they cheerfully saw to my every need. At my request breakfast and lunch were delivered to the villa and they happily drove me to the shops nearby (at no extra charge for either)

I stayed for 2 nights though I wished it was 2 weeks, I’ll certainly be back soon. Ambong Pool Villas certainly lived up to its excellent reputation