This hotel turned me off 'travelling' for good – but I'm better off for it

The world can be divided into two types of people: early risers and night owls, scrunchers and folders, holidayers and travellers. 

You'll be forgiven for assuming those last two are synonyms when in fact they are very different things. 

Let me explain. 

You see, the art of holidaying is in taking it easy. Holidays are all about sleep ins, they're about moseying through one or two destinations tops and crashing out on a sunlounge by the beach with a Mai Tai and a crazy straw. 

Travelling on the other hand is anything but relaxing. Think jam-packed itineraries, a 30,000 step count, a pair of Kathmandu sandals, and a 6am flight every three days. 

My preferred approach to a trip is 'travelling', well at least it used to be. The reasoning behind it was if I'm going to save all year for this then I'm going to squeeze every single drop of experience out of it as humanly possible, even if it kills me. Sounds fun, right?   

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I'll admit at times I'd turn my nose up at the humble holidayer.

"Don't they realise they're missing the world around them!?" I'd huff, wiping sweat from my forehead and rubbing blisters on my feet after a big day of 'adventure'. 

But a recent stay at the PARKROYAL Langkawi Resort in Malaysia forced me to slow down. With its buffet breakfasts, beachfront location, roof top pool and on-site spa this hotel was definitely peak 'holiday'. 

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After a few nights on the tropical island off Malaysia's northwest coast, it was safe to say I'd been turned off 'travelling' and converted to 'holidaying' for good – and I was better off for it.

Here are the valuable lessons my stay in Langkawi taught me about 'holidaying'.

Rest isn't for the weak  

One of the first things I did when I stepped into my ocean-view suite was jump on the fluffed-up king bed and close my eyes. 

I'd just come off a flight, a long week of work and I can assure you that resting and listening to the sound of the waves just outside my window was much more enjoyable than forcing myself to go for a two-hour hike to the nearest tourist attraction. 

First lesson learned: knowing when to call time out is one of the best things you can do for your wellbeing. Plus making yourself do an activity your body is too tired for actually isn't fun at all. 

I took relaxation to a new level with a session at the resort's SUASANA Spa. A full body massage so good I actually fell asleep in the middle of it.  

The spa isn't the only place you can wind down at PARKROYAL Langkawi Resort. Do some laps in the rooftop pool or go for a dip in the ocean quite literally steps away from your room.

Have a sunset dinner at Lancava where I tasted some of the most delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes and experienced the most memorable service. 

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Adventure is never far away

With so much to do inside the resort it's safe to say that you'd never get bored but the 'traveller' in me did want to see the beauty Langkawi had to offer. 

Second lesson learned: if you seek adventure you will find it (and the guys at the front desk will make it a hell of a lot easier). 

The PARKROYAL staff will happily arrange transport in and around the island. I explained I was keen to explore the island's UNESCO Kilim Global Geopark and a private bus transfer later I was there.

I met fellow 'holidayers' and 'travellers' from China, Russia, the US and Malaysia. We sped through mangroves, toured caves, hand fed stingrays, dodged bats and tried to get close up to the monkeys (but not close enough to get bitten).

The day finished with a traditional Malaysian lunch cooked by the Langkawi locals at the island's floating restaurant. 

I got my day's adventure fix and returned to the luxuries of resort life. Now that's the best of both worlds.

Value isn't measured in steps 

My 'traveller' logic had me believe the 'return on investment' of my trip was tied directly to the amount of activities and tourist attractions I could fit in a single day.

The result? Sheer exhaustion. 

A sleepy beachside stay at PARKROYAL Langkawi Resort completely reframed this for me.

The real value of a holiday is in the rest and rejuvenation you bring home. What's the point of a trip if you need a second one to recover from the first? 

Perhaps the biggest irony of 'travelling' is that moving so fast and checking off a list means you often miss the small details that make a destination special. This time I gave myself permission to let go of the schedule. 

Langkawi taught me that by dedicating time to simply be in a place – sitting by the ocean, enjoying a slow meal – you actually absorb more of its essence. 

The third and final lesson: slow down and you'll see more. True depth of experience comes not from quantity of activities, but quality of attention.

This writer travelled as a guest of PARKROYAL. 

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