i've spent 3 months in langkawi, AB motel is a good deal if you're going with a bunch of friends,cause the room size is quite big...but if you're looking for comfort and a more "hotel" like ambience, there's a place not too far down from AB motel called Beach Resort,i think...beside it there's a chinese restaurant, its a much nicer place to stay, at about rm90++ per night. Its along cenang beach as well. As for car rentals, try asking the locals there if they provided any car rental services,it can sometimes be cheaper than those rent-a-car shops. As to getting to langkawi,if you're not rushing for time...take a bus from KL to Penang or Kedah,then ferry across to Langkawi...it'll cost you less than rm40 per person. If you choose to go back the same way,ferry+bus...you MAY be able to take more alcohol+ciggs as the security at the ferry is not tight ...if you have a lot of money to spend,i'd strongly suggest The Four Seasons.