Royal Langkawi Yacht Club

Expands Redevelopment Plans

Langkawi, Malaysia

Royal Langkawi Yacht Club
Retaining the iconic roof of the clubhouse

The Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC), Malaysia’s biggest marina and home to the prestigious Royal Langkawi International Regatta, closed its shoreside doors in February 2015 to embark on an ambitious redevelopment programme aimed at expanding and enhancing the club’s facilities and services.

Along the way, the project has been reassessed and many additional features have been added to the original programme.

RLYC enjoys a location that Thailand’s marinas can only dream about. Deep in Kuah Harbour, and with stunning islands and beaches on its doorstep, the marina also sits right next door to the island’s ferry terminal – the main lifeline to both mainland Malaysia and Thailand. Standing in the marina looking out to sea, look left and all you see is tropical nature in all its glory; look right and there’s the bustling duty free port-cum-ferry terminal.

RLYC’s redevelopment works, targeted for completion at the end of November 2015, involve the modern transformation of this 18-year-old yacht club, while retaining essential nostalgic elements of the original structure for their aesthetic and historical appeal.

From an originally planned in-water expansion of 30 extra berths, marina management have decided to increase that to 50 new berths of 12 metres, 17 metres, 20 metres and a number of new berths to accommodate super yachts up to 80 metres.

It’s interesting to note that, while Thailand ponders how to attract more super yachts and how to deal with them in a legal framework, Langkawi (who will surely see the same super yachts passing through) is duty free, has easy and generous terms for yachts to operate in its waters and – as of November – will have increased its capacity to put on a professional welcome for these high-spending ‘tourists’.

All berths in the marina will be equipped with new power systems from 60Amps up to 400Amps, sanitation pumps, safety and fire-fighting equipmentas well as water and fuel for the boats. Boat owners will be assured of 24-hour security patrols.

On shore, in the mainclubhouse building, guests will be welcomed into a new spacious lobby and be led up to stylishly designed rooms on the 1st floor. Instead of nine, as originally planned, there will now be 32 rooms – nine of which will be located on the 1st floor of the clubhouse with balconies offering ocean vistas, yet protected from the sun by the unique original roof styling, shaped like a ship’s hull, which has become the club’s iconic feature.

The other 23 guest rooms will be built overlooking the water at the new ‘Fisherman’s Wharf’ – a brand new lifestyle zone with retail and beauty therapy outlets, office space and marine related services as well as F & B options.

Given its multiple attractions as a duty free location, easy access to Thailand (Phuket is only a few hours away by road), not to mention the anticipated fully-booked super yacht berths and the business they bring with them – and with an open-arms style of welcome to foreign residents – RLYC management is confident that the smarter Phuket boating businesses will see the advantage of setting up a branch office in (or even relocating their main regional office to) Langkawi in this glittering jewel of a destination.

RLYC is positioned as the ideal stopover for travellers up and down the west coast of the Malay peninsula, whether by land or sea, quite apart from its attraction as a destination in its own right.

Established 18 years ago, the club has maintained its status as a prominent destination for sailors by providing world-class marina and berthing facilities, as well as food and beverage services in an idyllic island setting.

For more information about leasing of shop lots and office space at RLYC, contact: [email protected]