Imagine the warm breeze rushing through your hair and the waves lapping either side of you as you arrive via speedboat at your private #island retreat. This heaven-like vision becomes a reality when you stay at the Pangkor Laut Resort – one of the leading hotels of the world.

Located in the Strait of Malacca, three miles off Malaysia’s West Coast, Pangkor Laut is a picture of castaway beauty. Its serene setting and untouched wilderness combine with an abundance of luxurious amenities and a world-class spa. It’s no wonder it joins the most treasured #luxury hotels of the world.

In fact, this island retreat is so special, the word hotel doesn’t do it justice. The founders of this luxe resort had so much respect for the two million-year-old rainforest it sits upon, they made sure the architectural design allowed for the various rooms to appear as discreet as possible against the natural landscape.

The result is a series of luxury villas, camouflaged into the gardens and hillside plus traditional wooden stilted houses that punctuate the shoreline. Some residences have been designed with such a strong environmental focus, you wouldn’t even know they exist upon the verdant hilltop.

Many were also built with the discerning traveler in mind. They come with full butler service and are so private that guests need not even leave their abode if they so wish. With blissful infinity pools, various private nooks and pagodas and dreamy vistas out to sea, it’s understandable why many celebrities flock here and authors have penned their novels here.