Award Winning – The Ocean Residence

Words and photos by Phuah Ken Lin

The Ocean Residence Resort and Spa in Langkawi is no ordinary boutique resort.

The signature “boat” with the name The Ocean Residence engraved greets guests as they check in at the resort & spa

It has raised the bar in the hospitality industry with its holistic wellness approach by offering its guests a unique experience; welcome drink from a herbal leaf and salt-water immersion.

Putting guests’ overall health as the priority, the multi-hospitality award winner has introduced “Mujonso” welcome drink, a bitter honey-sweetened taste that is a herbal cure for acne, skin infections and to minimise insomnia.

With its tagline, “Malaysian style with a smile and Happiness is not expensive”, The Ocean Residence has gone the extra ‘smile’ by engaging with its guests through courteous and warm gestures such as a slight bow with the right hand touching the heart as well as a constant eye contact.

Aside from the welcoming Mujonso drink, guests can have access to organic-based toiletries for free once they check in and have the option to purchase a wide range of organic herbal skincare and haircare as well as makeup products.

If you want to another dose of Mujonso, fret not, several leaves are available in each room next to the coffee bar so you can dip them into hot boiling water and drink, or consume the herbal leaves as a salad dish from the dining menu.

The “mini cafe ala Starbucks” brings the favourite brewed coffee beverage right to the doorsteps of The Ocean Residence.

Its owner Paul Penders, a naturalised American born in the Netherlands and an avid organic herbalist is instrumental in introducing Mujonso, a plant of Africa origin that has extensive medicinal values, also brings added cheers to coffee aficionado by setting up its very own mini café ‘ala-Starbucks’ at the resort.

“Being a staunch Starbucks fan, it is only natural that I set up my own space.

“Instead of patronising Starbucks away from the resort, I decided to bring the brand to the resort. The guests just love sipping freshly brewed coffee while enjoying themselves at The Ocean Residence,” he said.

The unique sea-facing salt water pool at The Ocean Residence is the guests’ favourite spot to soak in the sun and sea at Langkawi

To further differentiate itself from its competitors, The Ocean Residence has introduced the salt water pool or better known as the tidal pool located next to the main pool to enable guests to dip in it to soak in the high mineral content waters, and Paul believes the high mineral deposit in the slime-like substance can do wonders to enhance skin texture.

“The mud is good for skin texture because it is full of essential mineral for the human body,” he said.

Recently, the boutique resort operator has earned glowing reviews from guests that earned it the prestigious Agoda Gold Circle Award 2016. The award is more meaningful when its co-winner is the four-star Berjaya Langkawi Resort which has 412 rooms.

The selection criteria to determine award recipients include consistently glowing customer reviews; competitive pricing in the marketplace; diligent utilization of Agoda’s custom-built YCS (Yield Control System); and a willingness to work with Agoda to create faster, easier booking worldwide.

The Agoda award is the fourth award clinched since December 2013 when it opened. The other awards are namely from Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Pricecheck.com.

Paul’s wife Norlaila Che Endut is the cog and wheel running the boutique resort. Her petite physique belies her leadership talents and while serving as the managing director she also multi-tasked in various roles steering the resort to new heights.

Her daily chores include supervising reservation, housekeeping, construction works, renovation, interior decoration, marketing, guest relation skills, finance, and legal matters.

The exuberant red colour curtain enlivens the interior of a bedroom in the sea-facing Ocean Villa

Six months ago, the resort added two sea-fronting family villas on top of its existing main villa, the row of longhouses and the container rooms in its property.

Laila said The Ocean Residence can walk tall, and hold high its esteem by bagging the award head and shoulder with co-winner Berjaya Resort.

“The award is for everybody. I just put it together. The staff is doing their part; it means good to me. They are very loyal and honest carrying out their tasks,” she said.

With only 24 staff, The Ocean Residence has proven its credentials by winning the award that pitted the resort against more established hotel chains.

Laila said to differentiate The Ocean Residence from other operators, her team strived to hold the interests of their guests at heart by treating them as part of their family.

“Do something with your heart and might, have no expectation and the end results would speak for itself,” Laila shared her secret to success.

Meanwhile, Where2 also checked out the two family new villas that opened doors to guests that have up to three bedrooms with bright adornments in the tastefully designed interior.

With kitchens attached to the villas, known as Front Villa I and Front Villa II, they are an immediate hit among guests traveling in groups.

The magnificent view of the sea off the shoreline from the Ocean Villa

The cozy laid-back ambience at the villas is perfect to enable guests to wind down at The Ocean Residence, and a dip in the inviting pool, right at the doorstep of each room next to the longhouse is a must for everybody.

For those who are enthusiastic about organic food, The Ocean Residence will surely live up to their expectation serving fresh produce, including herb Mujonso planted right in its backyard.

Browse http://theoceanresidence.com for more information and contact 04-9663210 and 04-9661210 for reservation.