I spent two and a half weeks on Langkawi (just couldn't leave!) and, by sheer luck, managed to snag two days' stay at Bon Ton before I finally left. And what a brilliant way to round off an already great holiday!
I write for a living and could throw a lot of superlatives around to describe the experience but I think it still wouldn't do it justice. All I'll say is this: I shed a tear when I was checking out and I've never done that before!

I cannot explain how very much in love I am with the place that I wrote a whole entry of hyperboles about it on my travel blog! http://buskingbarefoot.blogspot.com/2012/01/break-of-cat-naps.html

I booked the Yellow Orchid villa for my husband's birthday gift. I was intrigued enough when I read the description of the resort on its website the week before. And when I came upon reviews explaining how the Bon Ton team had been highly promoting animal rights and also the love of arts, I had no further questions; I had to get a room there! And soon as we finally set foot on the secluded resort, I knew I could pass off as one of those kids who went on tour at Willy Wonka’s factory. I was agog and simply in love with the place.

We were warmly welcomed by Amir, a good-humoured gentleman who made us feel at home quite immediately (except that I was of course, still in Willy Wonka’s factory). With a refreshing welcome drink of minty coconut punch, we had our minty breaths taken away by the view of the mountains and the serenity that surrounded the wooden chairs of the open-aired Nam Restaurant.

And then there was Snowy. And Hitler. Chicken Thief. Mr Talkative. Angel. And the list went on.

It was barely fifteen minutes since we arrived at the resort, but I was already a giddy teenage girl. Its beauty was one, but having lovable cats at each sunlit corner? I was over the moon! Fret not though if you’re not a fan of cats, as they’d be minding their own businesses so long as you do not try to play Dr Dolittle on them.

My giddiness certainly did not end there as we found out while approaching the villa I had booked, Yellow Orchid. We were placing our flip flops on the staircase leading to the wooden cottage, and then there he was, the charming Skippy, whom Amir joked as the owner of the house. What a fun way to begin our getaway, knowing that we rented our place from a handsome young cat!

Our adventure continued, as we then entered a dream little cottage filled with fun, summery colours. Its walls were decorated with cheerful paintings of bright coloured animals, its tables with colourful weaved baskets and its bed with yet more psychadelic, fun-coloured cushions. As we happily explored our little cottage, we then decided to check out what hid behind the locked wooden door at the back. And there, in front of our eyes, was a secluded open-aired wooden bathroom with tall, magnificent trees over it. By then, I was pretty sure that none of everything that day was real. In case you should know, being the nature lover and the dreamer that I am, I had always dreamt to have a cooling shower in a sunlit jungle among beautiful trees, somewhat like a hippy, or Jane, as in Tarzan’s Jane, I don’t know.

My husband and I had our favourite books as we headed to the main garden where the pool was situated. Surrounded by coconut trees and comfortable sun decks, overlooking the sun setting behind a range of mountains; the main garden sure was the place to be if you’re after nature and serenity. Or as we often call it nowadays; zen. With such amount of peacefulness, you would want to strike a yoga pose or two quite immediately. (Which of course, you could. The resort would even provide you with yoga mats!) Nobody at the time was swimming as I reckoned we were all only after the peace to cater for our lazy selves. Each and every one of us at the garden was lying down around the pool with either a book, or some reasonably deep snores.

The whole place had such casual and friendly vibes that when dinner time came, it felt as if we were personally invited for a warm dinner get-together at a relative’s place. The dinner menu at Nam Restaurant was even more varied and fancier that the amount of time we took deciding our dish was fairly longer than the time I took in the shower. We finally went for the Fillet of Snapper with Mashed Potatoes, Coriander Salad & Tomato Coconut Sauce. And an amazing dish it was! With a candle between us, a constellation of stars in the night sky and some cats walking around the garden whom we were able to talk to; we were as happy as wanting to act out that romantic dinner scene from Lady and the Tramp.

We did not end up at Nam Restaurant again for a buffet of breakfast the next morning. Not because we did not want to and not because we woke up in the afternoon (which was actually quite possible by the way, considering how comfortable and quiet the place was). Bon Ton was clever enough to create a unique breakfast experience by offering continental breakfast, whereby a set of light breakfast was placed in the fridge of our cottage the night before. So in the morning, I was happily playing pretend, dancing about the cottage, singing to the birds and the cats while preparing breakfast for the husband and myself. With some fluffy croissants, toasted breads, jam and butter, cakes and yoghurts, I was all smiles setting up our humble breakfast at the balcony with Asrif strumming the guitar and Angel looking ahead.

Bon Ton is a hidden gem indeed. A place to be if you’re after a unique laid back experience, or if you’re a lover of nature, animals, tranquility and the arts. I certainly am in love.

Just got back from Bon Ton with my girls (2.5 and 4 years). We had a great time together and loved the pool. The food was average. The satay was chewy, the fried rice and chicken salad had fried onions in them making me wonder if everything else comes with friend onions. Also had a platter of Malay dishes, the rendang was bland but I love the brinjal and ladies finger dish. My kids had their tea by the pool but it was a bad idea as I had to fight off the cats! I love cats and have two of my own at home but for the price I paid I don't not want to keep asking my girls to be careful not to step on the cat poo on the grass ( there were grasses everywhere, in front of our room and the pool etc) and also to frequently get a whiff of poo while we were in the pool. Great work for the animal rescue work but need to get staff to pick up the poo if not ntroduce a litter. Breakfast in our room was average, bottled orange juice and herb bread with butter. My kids didn't touch it at all not even the cake! For such a hotel I was expecting freshly squeezed juice etc. we had a lovely time but would not come back!the service was friendly. Oh since it ask about sleep quality below, I must add that on both nights we were there we had cats meowing on our doorsteps a few times in the middle of the night! Annoying!!!! Again just to remind everyone I have cats of my own at home.

We have stayed at Bonton a few times, and for this trip decided to stay in it's next door sister property, Templetree. The compound in Templetree is not as spacious as Bonton, but nevertheless feel very private.
We stayed in the Estate House. The room was large, and has a lofty feel due to the open high ceiling. Templetree has 2 swimming pools on its site, one by the clubhouse, and another by the lagoon with amazing, sweeping view over the lagoon towards the mountains - many lazy afternoons were spent here!
Breakfast at Templetree was quite basic. Decent selection of tea, ground coffee(cafetiere) and slices of toast and teacakes. Lunch at Templetree clubhouse was very good but dinner across the fence at Nam Restaurant in Bonton is a must for anyone visiting Langkawi - simply enchanting!