I discovered an Asian country that’s like Bali or Thailand with luxury for less and no tourists – plus monkeys are everywhere, writes HAYLEY MINN

I’m sat on a daybed with my husband in front of our private infinity pool, right on the beach, basking in glorious sunshine, looking out to the Andaman Sea’s crystal-clear, blue waters, as a cheeky, little monkey pops its head from around the roof.

He’s just spotted the delicious, red velvet birthday cake the staff delivered to our villa earlier – and is ready to pounce.   

I jump up from the sofa and sprint to close the door just in time – as I’ve no idea what will happen if he manages to get in.

With an absolutely huge lounge, two king-sized bedrooms, a walk-in wardrobe, and FOUR places to lather up – including an outdoor rainforest shower and a giant tub – this cute little visitor will be sure to get lost. 

The Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, in Malaysia, is as close to paradise as it gets.

Built in 2005, along a 1.5-kilometre-long private beach, within the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, the hotel is surrounded by mangrove forests and winding rivers, and home to many monkeys and squirrels, as well as several tropical bird species, including hornbills. 

It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to – and is far more affordable than the likes of the Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius, but is rarely considered by those seeking luxe trips. I regret not booking it for our honeymoon from the moment we arrive.

We get to meet the animals of Langkawi when we’re taken on a four-hour boat safari through the mangroves by Aidi, a man so passionate about conservation he’s basically the Asian version of Sir David Attenborough.

It’s one of the many activities available at this resort – and, like the wildlife, the opulence doesn’t just stop when we leave our villa either.

A very short walk down the resort’s beach leads us to the adult pool where there’s plenty of cordoned off cabanas, each with their own section of a rather long infinity pool. There’s more than enough to cater to all of the resort’s 91 rooms and villas – there’s no need to hog sunbeds here.

We sit here one day, for a change of scenery from our personal infinity pool, and order prawn tacos and strawberry daiquiris to our sun loungers with the click of a button.

With seclusion and service like this, you don’t even need to pay the extra for a private villa pool.

With the resort being so vast, a chauffeured buggy, or the bikes that come with every room, is required to get from one side to the other.

We try out both on different days to get to the gym and spa, where I have a signature massage and also, somewhat reluctantly, take part in classes on breathwork and sound healing with the resort’s shaman [spiritual practitioner]. I’m pleasantly surprised when I come out feeling more clear-minded than I’ve felt in a long time.

Ensuring we stay as relaxed as possible, our shaman orders us a buggy to Rhu Bar, where we sit on swings and watch the sun set with a cocktail in hand – the Getaran Jiwa, made up of tequila, Aperol and elderflower, is to die for.

And the food is just as delectable – with so much variety.

The resort is also home to an Indian fine dining restaurant, Hava, as well as Ikan-Ikan, which serves up traditional Malaysian sharing dishes.

The Nasi Goreng Udang Karang – bizarrely listed under ‘Rice and Noodles’ gives the impression it’s a side or rice dish – but it comes with half a lobster.

We’re due to have a private dinner on the beach on our final night – but the heaviest rain I’ve ever seen puts pay to that and instead, we stay dry at Serai restaurant, eating from a menu that’s been personalised just for us.

We have the entire place to ourselves, as well as our own waiter, who’s charming and friendly.

While it’s not what we’d planned, it’s still very romantic. The same restaurant also lays on a buffet breakfast with cuisine from all over Asia as well as Western delicacies, like sausages and eggs. Did I have dim sum and hash browns on the same plate more than once? I did!

And, despite the fact I’m in one of the most expensive villas in a Four Seasons resort – and we’ve splashed the cash by paying for extras like private meals and jet skiing around Langkawi and its neighbouring islands – this luxury is just a fraction of the price of what it would cost in Bali, or even Thailand, which is just a 45-minute boat ride away.

For a night in the Two-Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool at Four Seasons Langkawi, it costs £2,912 a night, including breakfast.

Meanwhile, the Two-Bedroom Premier Ocean Villa at Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay is £4,134 a night, while a stay in the Oceanfront Pool Villa at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is £3,223 a night – and only has one bedroom.

Although that high price point may not be surprising as it was the location for the last series of The White Lotus.

To get to Langkawi from the UK, you have to fly via Kuala Lumpur, so we stop there on the way back for a couple of nights to explore.

The centre is about an hour from the airport and, as we drive in, I’m blown away by how built up it is.

I’ve worked opposite The Shard and in Canary Wharf, and those London buildings have got nothing on the 1,483ft-tall Petronas Twin Towers, which I can see from my floor-to-ceiling windows at the Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur.

Being surrounded by these soaring skyscrapers feels even more surreal from the hotel’s infinity pool – we’re surrounded by glinting walls of glass. 

But it’s not just the buildings that make KL feel futuristic.

Every toilet I go to – including in my hotel room – seems to have an automatic toilet lid that opens as you walk up to it and closes as you finish. There’s a whole confusing keypad of buttons for warming up your bum or giving you a massage while you wee.

The Four Seasons in KL has the most sumptuous spa I’ve ever been to, as well.

We get an entire room, plus private sauna and steam room, to ourselves when we opt for a couple’s massage.

There’s plenty of monkeys in KL too – grab a taxi and take the 30-minute ride to Batu Caves, a colourful Hindu temple where they roam freely.

Despite KL being such a wealthy area, the food and shopping are really affordable. 

At fine dining Chinese restaurant Yun House, in Four Seasons, set menus start at 308MYR per person, for five courses, which works out at £56 – and the food is mind-blowingly good. 

But head to Jalon Alor Night Market for much cheaper eats. I eat a very tasty beef pho, which costs me just 20MYR (£3.66).

In fact, the most expensive thing I see here is only 23MYR (£4.21)!

Before it’s time to head home, I treat myself to a birthday present at the Pavillion Kuala Lumpur shopping centre – almost opposite the hotel.

We can’t believe our luck when we see Aldo is offering any pair of shoes and a handbag for £82.

Without hesitation, my husband and I take out our wallets, and leave with a giant tote bag for me, and brand new trainers for him, worrying about how we’ll fit them in our suitcase only later.