Langkawi Rouhi Retreats

The on-site staff were exceptionally kind and did their best to make our stay enjoyable. But during our month at Rouhi Retreats / Villa, we found the place acceptable at best, not worth the cost or a long stay. It has potential, though the online photos look much better than reality. There was little management from the owner and disappointing under-investment. The accommodation fell below normal Airbnb standards, especially for digital nomads needing a dependable workspace. Internet problems affected the whole island, but it took the owner almost two weeks to replace the old line with a new WiFi system. That left everyone without reliable internet for far too long and showed the difficulty of managing such a large property remotely. The spacious living room had no air conditioning. It looked as though the unit had been removed or never replaced, with old plugs and screws still there. In the island heat it was nearly impossible to enjoy the room, so we moved our table into the bedroom to use its AC. We were lucky to have a large bedroom, as not every house has that much space. There were no mosquito nets on the beds or windows either. With the windows open for air while the AC was off, mosquitoes and other insects filled the room at night. Coils weren't enough, and proper nets are needed against small and larger insects. The kitchen looked attractive, but the cookware and kitchenware were extremely limited. The housekeeper had to search through several houses for what we needed. If multiple guests are renting, each unit needs its own equipment or the large kitchen is of little use. The sheets and towels were stained, possibly from poor water quality in the pipes, but stained linens aren't pleasant even if clean. Gecko droppings were a daily problem throughout the property, so it needs a gecko deterrent. The pool itself wasn't well maintained, and its surrounding area felt uninviting because the furniture was so outdated. The garden was untidy, too. It has potential to be beautiful, but the plants weren't thriving.

Cozy, clean room and a great place to stay. Highly recommend.

A really good place for a holiday.

The upside is the village feel, cheap nasi lemak shops, a hipster cafe within five minutes and Tanjung Rhu nearby, though it's at least 2km away if you want to walk a little further. At night, you may get lost trying to find your unit because it's dark. There's solar, right? I booked with high expectations because the owner is an architect. I was disappointed to find that, like other KL owners, the owner had bought the land and built a house to fit the price, then handed it over to his Malaysian wife to look after, but many things didn't work. The toilet was broken and the water was slow. Maybe that's Langkawi, or maybe they could install a booster.