Hotels in Kedah, Malaysia

Kedah sits on Malaysia's northwest coast, with a tropical climate that stays hot year-round-think 77-95 °F (25-35 °C)-and a dry season from November to February that's perfect for exploring Langkawi's white-sand beaches and taking the cable car up Gunung Mat Cincang for views of the Andaman Sea. The rainy season from March to October turns mainland Kedah's endless rice paddies a brilliant green, so you can cycle through Alor Setar's paddy fields and visit the 18th-century Zahir Mosque without summer crowds. On Langkawi, you can island-hop to Pulau Payar for snorkeling with blacktip reef sharks during the dry months, while on the mainland, the wet season brings cheaper hotel rates and a behind-the-scenes look at how the state grows its famous rice.