From the rainforest to the sea
For those wanting to leave the bustle of life behind and totally unwind, then the Datai Langkawi is the place for you!
Settled amongst the rainforest leading down to a stunning white sand beach, the resort honours its surroundings. The architecture blends in so to be part of the rainforest and not an ugly addition.
The resort is 45 minutes drive from Langkawi airport passing through sleepy villages and beautiful scenery.
On arrival at the resort you can feel the tranquility as you step into the beautiful open air lobby with its large waterlilly pond leading to a lounge area overlooking the main pool and views of the sea.
Check in is very relaxed with refreshing cold towels, iced tea and cake and also a complimentary beverage of choice from the drinks menu which includes French champagne and a large selection of mocktails.
The hotel offers serveral different accommodation styles.
There are rooms and suites in the main body of the hotel well suited for those who like to be able to leave their rooms and have immediate access to the central areas of the resort.
Then there are the villas, rainforest - some with private pool, and the beach front villas.
My stay was in a rainforest villa and this has to be one of the most beautiful and spacious villas I have stayed in.
The timber used throughout is beautiful. The bedroom area is large, featuring a king size bed, table and chairs and a spacious day bed by the window overlooking the deck and rainforest.
There is a coffee machine and the minibar offers complimentary non alcoholic beverages and there is an ample supply of complimentary bottled water.
The overly large bathroom is luxurious with lots of space and a generous bath and shower and two vanities complete with amenities.
The only criticism is that the lighting in the bathroom could be made brighter as in the evenings so to make applying make up easier and for the male guests, shaving easier.
There are several one bedroom beach villas and one two bedroom villa, so early reservation is highly recommended if this is your preference.
Each villa has its own pool which has immediate access from the large bedroom.
The bathroom is large featuring beautiful bath and shower and there is also an outdoor shower which is beautifully appointed.
The beach front villas also have a pantry in the main body of the villa to accommodate your dedicated butler.
Perfect if you wish to order meals from the restaurants in the resort, then your butler will plate and serve to your table.
Separate from the main villa is the living area which houses a lounge, dining table and chairs, bar area and television.
The pool area has day beds, separate sitting area, outdoor shower and private access directly onto the beach.
The Datai offers several dining options.
The Dining Room is the fine dining restaurant by evening and breakfast is served here each morning with indoor and outdoor seating available on the terrace.
Breakfast is an extensive buffet plus a la carte choices. Complimentary champagne and Bloody Marys are available also to kick start your day if desired.
There is a Thai restaurant, The Pavilion, the Beach Club offering casual dining and The Gulai offering Malay and Indian cuisine.
The food as to be expected is excellent througout the resort.
The Datai has two pools. The main pool is adults only and children have access to a wonderful pool also at the beach area. The Beach Club Bar offers a lovely area of tables and chairs under the shade of trees leading to the beautiful white sand beach where there are beach lounges and tables and day beds to enjoy.
The sea is clear and warm and the scenery is stunning with distant views of Thailand.
Non motorised sports are available and the resort has a private yacht for rental for day charter.
No resort would be complete without a spa and the Datai has one of the finest.
The treatment rooms are housed in individual villas and the therapists are excellent.
This resort is not for those wanting buzzy bars or nightlife, but for those wanting to unwind and nurture themselves.
Several of the guests I spoke to were repeat guests from the UK and Europe, some with small families and all spoke lovingly of the resort and the wonderful staff.
The Datai has a resident naturalist who conducts very educational and entertaining walks through the rainforest which I highly recommend. For those wanting to explore further, there is a canopy rain forest walk and a cable car journey that can be taken to experience more of Langkawi.
The resort is home to some very cute little monkeys and it is a reminder to us how beautiful the rainforest is and how important it is to respect it and to do all we can to preserve the environment for future generations.
For the golfers, The Ernie Els Golf Club is 5 minutes away, offering a world class course that stretches through the rainforest down to the Andaman Sea.
Langkawi can be reached by Singapore Airlines via Singapore or Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur.
I simply loved this resort and hope that I can inspire you to experience it as well.
Please contact me for further information.