Starwood is aiming to have 50 hotels under its top-end brand by 2020 and this hotel marks its first in the country. A second will soon follow with the arrival of a Kuala Lumpur hotel later this year.

Conceived by G.A. Design and architects Gensler, the latest addition for the group is a joint venture between Rajawali Group and the Government of Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance.

Set within the Langkawi archipelago, St Regis Langkawi sits on a 600-metre beach and comes with 85 suites and four over-water villas, making it the first all-suite resort in the archipelago. Ritz-Carlton is also set to open a resort in Langkawi this year.

Of its six restaurants, Kayuputi has been designed by renowned landscape architect, Bill Bensley. The resort also has an 800-sq m Iridium Spa, infinity pool and salt-water swimmable lagoon.

“The St Regis brand remains laser-focused on increasing its presence in destinations where travellers from around the globe are seeking bespoke guest experiences,” said Jim Petrus, global brand leader for St Regis Hotels & Resorts.

Further St Regis openings this year include resorts in the Maldives; Changsha, China; and Cairo, Egypt.