STAY AT THE SUSTAINABLE LUXURY DATAI LANGKAWI RESORT: A REVIEW

Nestled in a 10 million year old rainforest overlooking a secluded bay, sits the sustainable luxury Datai Langkawi resort that has managed to coexist by respecting and nurturing its surroundings, yet providing an understated luxury to its exclusive list of clientele in the perfect hideaway location. Read on to discover why The Datai Langkawi, part of the Leading Hotels of The World, is one of the world’s most sustainable hotels from it’s beautiful accommodation options, world class dining establishments, eco-friendly experiences to the 650 plus staff that make this hotel run like sheer clockwork where time really has slowed down at this rainforest retreat.

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The Datai Welcome

The winding drive through the north western part of Langkawi leads to a gated entrance drive opening up into a row of welcoming staff, who magically take care of your luggage with he chorus of ‘Selamat Datang’, a Malaysian welcome accompanied with a welcome gong echoing in the background.

Whilst the swift check in process is being taken care of, your greeted by two Malaysian originated horse statues on either side, retrieved from an antiques market in India, of the lobby and the recess of the pink green lily pond glistening with a chorus from the tree frogs inside. The first proper view of the property is a glimmer of the main pool and the mountains in the distant with the lush canopy of trees in the elevated lobby area.

A welcome drink is poured with a traditional Malaysian sweet cake snack and cool scented towel are such a treat after a long journey, whilst you complete the remaining paperwork for your stay. This is your first introduction to the constant daylight sound of the cicadas attempting to attract a mate and also an introduction to a laid back, yet superior service.

The Datai Langkawi’s award winning design was the vision of Australian architect, Kerry Hill along with architect and interior designed Didier Lefort. The five star hotel opened in 1993 and 25 years following Didier Lefort headed the refurbishment project, with redesigning all the rooms, suites and pool villas to highlight the unique natural surroundings of the property.

Where is The Datai Langkawi Located?

Positioned on the North Western tip of Langkawi, The Datai is surrounded by an ancient 10 million year old virgin rainforest, on Teluk Datai, Bay of Datai. Views include primordial mountains and the island of Taratao, which is part of Thailand and guests can visit if they wish. The hotel is located around a 40 minute drive from Langkawi International airport.

Set against a wilderness backdrop of primordial mountains, the pristine ancient Malaysian rainforest is home to a wealth of flora and fauna: you may well spot Dusky langurs, Great hornbills, and Sunda colugos during your stay at this luxury resort in Langkawi.

Related Article: 20 Best Things to do in Langkawi (A Guide)

How to Get to The Datai Langkawi? 

Most people will arrive into Langkawi at the International airport where you can grab a taxi or pre-arrange transfer with The Datai, who will be ready and waiting for you in one of their luxury air conditioned vehicles with cool towels and water after your flight. Alternatively for those arriving by ferry, the hotel can also arrange transfers from and to the Kuah Ferry Terminal.

How Much Space Does The Datai Cover? 

Out of the Datai’s total area of 4,000 acres around 7% has been built on, but in a design so that wildlife can roam freely in and around the property. This means that 93% of the area is free for flora and fauna to thrive. 

How to Get Around The Datai

Due to the vast space of the resort, there is a buggy system in place. Guests can call reception to have a driver arrive at their room and take them to one of the locations in the resort such as a restaurant, the beachside, reception and lobby area. During the evening the Buggy’s are on hand to take guest back to their room also as the rainforest can be a little hard to manoeuvre in low light. All buggies are driven by trained staff who have a strict driving test following a training period. 

The Accommodation Options

This 121 room abode is portioned into three room collections. The  Canopy Collection Rooms, 66 deluxe, premium and suite options, located close to the lobby and main pool as well as Rainforest Collection Rooms, rainforest premium villas and rainforest pool villas, and finally the Beach Collection, one and two bedroom villas with direct access to your own part of the beach and a 24 hour butler Service. With each of the room types, comes more amenities, be it more square ground space, private decks, balconies or pools, floor to ceiling windows, dining rooms, stand alone baths, to mention just a few. The beach villas also come with complimentary afternoon tea daily as well as restocked minibars, available for all room classes, however the minibars have their Moet & Chandon champagne also restocked!!

There is also a five bedroom estate villa which comes with a private butler and is perfect for family or special occasions with friends. 

The Premium Canopy Room: A Closer Look 

The Living & Bed Space

We opted for this room option as we loved the thought of being in the rainforest canopy. Located on the top of the main building at The Datai measuring 63 square metres with balconies that provide panoramic views of the lush canopy tops, these rooms furnished with dark and light woods and cool neutral tones of whites and creams, provide calm and relaxation. The interior and styling of the rooms like all of the accommodation at The Datai are an extension of their surroundings and blend in seamlessly.

Spacious king sized beds draped with the highest quality of soft Egyptian cotton sheets give the most uninterrupted nights sleep only woken by the resident couple hornbills, the call of the monkeys and other wildlife in the vicinity. 

The room is also equipped with a writing desk just incase you may want to catch up on some business affairs as well as a vanity table and two day beds for anytime lounging next to the French doors leading out to the seated balcony space.

All rooms come with a personal safe, USB and regular Malaysian charging points and sockets, like the UK, are plentiful as well as high speed WIFI being available throughout the resort and in room. Rooms also have a flatscreen TV with daily updates on activities and other information.

The Daily turndown service includes a refresh of the room with new towels, low lighting throughout, a variety of daily truffles as well as slippers and water placed beside the bed. The bed is also rearranged and the linen prepared so all you have to do following dinner is flop into bed, should you wish. 

The Bathroom 

The bathroom and dressing space is generous in size and contains twin hanging wardrobes as well as shelving inside connected via a bench where you can find your very own rattan beach bag. Very useful for ferrying things to and from the beach and also helping guests to reduce the use of disposable bags. 

There are two light cotton robes for guests to use during your stay as well as some slippers and a pair of brown leather look, flip flops. 

As expected the bathroom vanity area is a twin set up with a plentiful supply of fluffy white towels, an amenities tray, featuring recycled products such as cotton buds, cotton wool, body exfoliator, razor, toothpaste and wooden toothbrush shower caps and hair bands. The bath products are full size and in concrete like dispensers, namely shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soaps and body cream that all smell divine with the natural scent of lime blossom and other plants native to the rainforest. Guests are more than welcome to purchase the toiletries from the onsite boutique, along with the bathrobes and other locally made handicrafts and antiques. 

The freestanding bath comes complete with bath salts and candles, for a romantic set up and the toilet and rain shower cubicles are separate and walled in beautiful marble. 

A special touch at The Datai is that all rooms have a one time minibar refill daily, excluding spirits and  snacks, and there is tea and coffee making facilities with a pod style coffee maker and kettle. Fruit is also replenished in the room daily. 

Communal Pools & The Beach 

The Datai has three pools all with sun loungers and or cabanas. They are open from 08:00-19:00 daily. Guests can arrive anytime between these times and the pool attendants will set up a towel and provide iced water throughout the day to keep hydrated.

The Main Pool 

This adults only, 16 years and over,  pool is located in front of The Dining Room restaurant and has a panoramic view of the rainforest canopy with the Andaman Sea and Tarutao Island in the distance. Loungers surround three sides of the pool with white umbrellas making this the ideal spot to spend time relaxing with a drink and a good book, in between taking a dip to cool off.  Food and drinks orders are taken by the attendants throughout the day.

Family Pool & Toddler Pool

The Family Pool is aptly located further down the property, passed the butterfly garden and opposite The Beach Club & Bar. The landscaped area has ample sun loungers which are great for families as well as couples. There are also a number of cabanas for extra special lounging. 

Adjacent to the back of the family pool area is a small toddler pool, perfect for wading and splashing around. 

Guests can order international dishes such mediterranean specialities and seafood from The beach Club throughout the day right to their sun loungers and cabanas.

The Datai Beach

Named as one of National Geographic’s best beaches worldwide, the white sandy beach is 1.5 kilometres long with beautiful turquoise waters which is great for swimming, water sports such as paddle boarding, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling. We’d say the beach is naturally wild and not over curated which adds to its authentic look and feel.

Alternatively, there are an array of sun loungers to choose from if relaxation and soaking in the rays is for you. Order a drink from the Beach Bar and sip with your toes in the powdery white sand whilst enjoying views of the rainforest hills of Pulau Anak Datai, Tarutao Island, Thai remote island right in front of Datai bay.

Amenities provided beach side also include those at the pool areas including, attendants who provide ice water intermittently throughout the day as well as food and drinks orders. Another unique point about The Datai is beach club staff come around and clean your sunglasses and reading glasses for you. They get all the grains of sand and have them gleaming in no time. Now that is above and beyond and just one of the things that makes The Datai special.

Other Amenities at The Datai Langkawi

Health Club & Gym

With a great view of the beachfront and Andaman Sea lies the gym with a variety of equipment for cardio, resistance training, tennis, cycling and more including a sauna an steam room. Perfect for those who like to keep their body in shape on their travels. The gym also does private Boot Camp sessions daily every morning.

The Spa

Follow the small winding stream off the main walking path at The Datai, after the Butterfly Garden and arrive to partake in a sensory journey over wellbeing, relaxation and rejuvenation. Treatments are very much focussed on using plants and herbs found in the rainforest, using ancient traditions and the philosophy of the Malay culture known as  Ramuan.

There are five spa villas which look out onto the stream with the natural sound track of the rainforest as you enjoy long wellness ritual treatments that combine scrubs, rose milk baths and massages. The spa menu is comprehensive with the use of exclusively produced Akar, meaning roots, products especially for The Datai reflecting the mangroves, rainforest & Sea

Be-lavie Tip: Make your spa reservations as soon as you arrive – availability can become limited at peak times. 

Wellbeing & Holistic Approach

There are a number of activities that guests can partake in here including at the Wellness Pavilion which overlooks the beach. Regular yoga classes, pilates, meditation and sound healing are just a few on offer and can be booked directly at the Fitness Centre & Gym.

The Butterfly Walk 

En route to the beach from the main lobby area, walk this path to spot some of Langkawi’s 530 species of butterflies that flutter all around you harmoniously. The open garden concept includes butterfly and caterpillar preferred nectar plants.

The Library 

On the lobby level, guests have access to two desktop computers but also a pretty cool library of international books. From crime novels, to autobiographies and educational reads there is nothing quite like a good book to take down to the beach or one of the resort’s relaxing spaces. Guests can donate books to the resort library too.

The Atelier and The Boutique

Just around the corner from the main Lobby are a couple of shops which sell local handicrafts, some of which are made with donations of candles and materials from the resort. Here guest can purchase clothing, robes and the toiletries which are in their rooms to take away. There is also a wonderful collection of beautiful antiques, such as Malaysian Puppets and intricate copper and brass necklaces.

Dining at The Datai

As with the res of Malaysia, Langkawi has a delicious food scene and The Datai is no exception when it comes to serving up cuisine. There are enough dining options at the Datai, to not let you go hungry for days, should you not wish to venture out of the resort. From local specialties to traditional dishes, beach buffet events and Mediterranean food there’s a great choice. There are also plenty of signature and classic alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks options as well as a fully stocked wine cellar. 

At any time during your stay, guests can order room service from a dedicated menu on the Datai App as well as from any of the restaurants on site.

Be-lavie Tip: We would recommend making reservations as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as with only around 25 or less covers each night, busy periods can be quite tricky. We’d say book on arrival if you don’t before your stay by contacting the hotels reservations online.

Breakfast 

The first meal of the day reflects the mixed culture influences of the residents of Malaysia and has a great variety of Chinese, indigenous Malaysian and Indian dishes served. It really is a feat for the eyes.

Breakfast is served in two of the dining venues at the hotel, The Dining Room & The Beach Club. There is a great buffet style set up with fresh juices, mimosas, Moet & Chanfan Champagne, a patisserie section, as well as breads, yoghurts, cereals, fruit, salads, cheese and fish as well as a cooking station where fresh local dishes are made such as Naso Gorenge and Roti canai. A cooked breakfast area serves eggs, your way as well as full English inclusions, sausages, beans, hash browns etc. The health and well being station has things like turmeric powder, nuts, the Datai honey, made from their own stingless bees, chia seeds and more.

Guests can also order from an a la carte menu, included in bed and breakfast rates, and our favourite, the Dosai, an Indian pancake stuffed with potatoes and served with a daal sambhar, as well as puri and dry potato curry along with Malaysian Roti Canai served with a curry. 

It’s worth noting that breakfast at The Beach Club comes accrues an additional surcharge if staying in the canopy collection rooms, main building.

The Dining Room

Style: French Malay fusion fine dining. 

As well as serving breakfast and lunch, the evening service sees The Dining Room turn into a fine dining establishment, overlooking the main pool area surrounded by fig trees. Langkawi’s best fine dining restaurant is led by Chef Chai Choon Boon who has a passion for sustainable procurement. The cuisine is inspired by the locavore movement. Where possible, locally grown and responsibly, nurtured ingredients are used by the terroir of the lands surrounding the Andaman Sea and their rich history of culinary traditions, peoples, and cultures. Chef Chai’s signature ten course degustation menu, paired with selections from the walk in wine cellar, showcases a multi sensory culinary journey that merges contemporary European techniques with Asian tastes. The Dining Room is a special experience with diners being seated outside under the stars in a very romantic setting. 

Be-lavie Recommendations: Vegetarians and vegans can opt for the Vegetarian set menu which can also be made completely plant free with prior warning at the time of reservation. It consists of eight courses each which can also be paired with wine. Alternatively, the a la carte menu has a range of vegetarian and vegan options. We suggest the eight course vegetarian set menu with either wine or the paired wines option.

The Paviliion 

Style: Southern traditional Thai fare.

This award winning establishment sits up on 30 metre stilts and overlooks the rainforest canopy offering panoramic views of the surroundings. Under the careful guidance of Chef Somkeat, the cuisine is a Southern style of traditional Thai food that balances elements of hot, sour, salty and sweet.

Food is served in an open air setting where diners can catch a glimpse of the elusive Colugo, flying lemur, and Giant Flying Squirrel in the tree tops. The restaurant only opens for evening service and serves a great range of light starters, more hearty mains and desserts too, with friendly and informative staff.

Be-lavie Recommendations: Fresh coconut juice served in a coconut and the Datai Cooler; Lemongrass, Ginger, Orgeat, Pineapple, Lemonade Approach: Crushed, Local Profile, Citrusy, Fizzy, Thirst Quenchers or Wira Cinnamon; Guava, Mango, Peach, Strawberry, Mint, Cinnamon Approach: Ice Blended, Fruity, Bold, Aromatic, Refreshing. We tried a medley of Poh Piah Jae, Crispy vegetable spring rolls, homemade hot and sweet chilli sauce; Kaeng Chead Tao Hoo Clear vegetable broth, glass noodles, soft bean curd, wood ear mushrooms; Tom Kha Phak, Seasonal selection of local vegetables, savoury coconut broth, lime juice; and Massaman Jae, Mild and creamy curry with potatoes, bean curd in coconut milk broth and crushed peanuts. 

Gulai House

Style: Traditional flavours of Malay and Indian cuisine. 

Translated to the ‘house of spices’ Gulai House has an exceptionally special location, it’s situated deep in the Datai’s rainforest and reached by buggy. The restaurant is housed in a traditional Malay kampung house design, with a floor seating area called a bersila. Guests start theor dining experience here with a traditional Malaysian hand-washing ritual performed by the staff at your table.

The menu can be paired with some great selections of wines too. Dine whilst listening to the sound of the rainforest wildlife at dusk. 

Fresh herbs and dried spices are traditionally pounded together to make a fine paste which is then cooked in oil. Malaysian cooking typically uses lemongrass, screw pine leaves, basil, laksa leaves nutmeg, turmeric, wild ginger buds.  Cumin and coriander are used to complement Indian and Chinese spices like pepper, cardamom, star anise and fenugreek. Lastly fresh coconut milk brings a creamy flavour to many of the dishes prepared at Gulai House. 

Be-lavie Recommendations: Datai signature mocktails, Datai Coolers; accompanied by Kadai Paneer; Indian cottage cheese cubes and bell peppers with freshly ground spices; Tosai, Indian crêpe served with coconut chutney and yellow dhal curry; and Vegetable Dum Biryani, Slow-cooked basmati rice layered with vegetables, mild spices, herbs and crispy fried onions.

The Beach Club & Bar

Style: Relaxed Mediterranean vibes with a few fusion dishes.

Serving breakfast, lunch and all day snacks, the evening sees the Beach Club take on a little more sophisticated vibe with low lighting, a wine list and mediterranean flavours fused with local favourites. Seating is mainly outdoors with views out to the Andaman Sea and the Tarutao Island in the far distance.

Be-lavie Recommendations: Start with wine or Datai Mocktails. To begin, the water melon caprese salad is a great light option followed by the spaghetti verde. If having lunch here, a great light lunch option is the garlic flatbread with halloumi cheese. 

The Wine Cellar

Just off The Dining Room, there is a walk in wine cellar which is stocked with an extensive collection of wines including champagnes by region and country. There are around 450 vintage labels which are imported directly for The Datai Langkawi. The hotel has been recognised consecutively each year with the prestigious Wine Spectator Award. 

Related Article: The Best Vegan & Vegetarian places to Eat in Langkawi.

The Lobby Lounge

On the top level of The Datai’s main building, just behind the Lilly pond is The Lobby bar, with it’s slight recess, where beautiful drinks are prepared. The lounge area overlooks the main pool and has sea views and a lush green canopy blanket to each side. Snacks can be ordered here throughout the day such as tapas, sandwiches and other light bites. There is also a great range of spirits, wines, cocktails, champagne, single malt whiskey and fine cigars. Afternoon tea is available each day with delicious cakes and biscuits prepared by the pastry chef, as well as savouries. The Lobby Lounge is a great place to sip on a drink in the evenings as they often have a pianist playing.

The Hornbill Cafe The Els Club Golf Course Teluk Datai RainForest Course (Part of the Datai Langkawi).

The Hornbill Cafe located at the famous Els Club Golf Course in Langkawi and part of The Datai Hotel, is a great place for a light lunch or breakfast and is open to the public. You don’t have to be playing golf to dine here. The menu consists of international dishes such as sandwiches, pasta, burgers, pizza as well as Malay dishes and local snacks. The food is extremely well priced and guests can take a seat on the terrace where there’s a great view of the golf course. Spot some very good golfers whilst you sip on an alcoholic or non alcoholic beverage from the bar.

Be-lavie Recommendations: Lumpia Ewa, vegetable spring rolls, with a Thai chilli dip and juice coolers are great here for a light lunch or snack.

Experiences at The Sustainable Luxury Datai Resort

There are a number of wonderful experiences at the Datai with a  sustainable focus. Here are a few that we tried and would recommend as must do’s. We would however say do as many as your budget and time allows as they have been well thought out with expert guides and knowledgeable teachers. 

Journey Through The Forests

Organised via The Datai;s Nature Centre with its naturalist and Marine Biologist Guides. This is an informative and educational walk along the Rimba Trail which involves three different floral habitats; littoral, coastal, forest, mangrove swamp over a 70 metre elevated walkway then transitioning through to the lowland forest.

Along the way, our guide, Danish explained  all about the wildlife that resides here and the strangler trees abundant in the canopy of the forest. The tour was full of anecdotes to keep us fixated on what was to come next. The highlight of the walk is a 20 metre long. 15 metre high suspended walkway. 

Permaculture Garden Walk 

This is the resort’s zero waste organic food production system with a closed loop waste management scheme. It’s been created to generate no waste whilst producing ingredients for the kitchen, spa and up cycling workshop.

This is a complementary activity conducted by one of the permaculture garden team, Hamad, who can introduce guests to the different plants, used onsite in soaps, and herbs grown here. They also have a wormery, bee hives, and fish whose waste products are used to fertilize the water via hydroponics. Additionally guests are given an insight into how the resort heats non recyclable waste such as plastic to use as a compost in the garden. 

Upcycling Workshop

One of the most fun activities for those who like a spot of hands on creativity is the upcycling workshop where guests can reflect on the sustainability efforts of the resort through reducing waste to the environment and conserving natural resources to lower their carbon footprint.

We spent a morning making candles from partially used candles left in guest rooms as well as vegan soaps using florals from the Permaculture garden and beeswax wraps from old linens no longer in use at the resort. The activity is guided really well step by step and led by a knowledgeable member of the team. Later in the day, the items are delivered to your room, beautifully wrapped in recycled paper to take home. 

The Lab where the activity takes place is a building, a unique combination of recycled champagne, wine, spirit and beer bottles as well as used plastic items:

• the interior and exterior back walls feature 280 kg of crushed plastic.
• the interior flooring incorporates 4,769 crushed glass bottles.
• the exterior walls and pillars are made up of 3,199 whole bottles.

A total of 7,968 bottles of glass were used to create The Lab.

Cookery Class

We took part in a three hour Malay cooking class with the chef’s at Gulai House. Classes are also available for Thai and Indian food. The Thai and Indian chefs at The Dapur, which means kitchen in Malaya are very experienced, patient and great teachers. 

You’re welcomed with a glass of wine and then the class starts with a walk around the garden to pick some fresh herbs followed by a very hands on cooking lesson led by the chefs. Budding cooks can learn all about the ingredients, knife skills and traditional ways of cooking the specific style of food the class is centred on. Our class was tailored around the use of vegetables, tempeh and tofu due to our vegetarian diet. After preparing the three courses, guests can enjoy their own cooked food with some wine and relax. Recipe cards are provided to take away so you can recreate the recipes back at home along with a certificate of attendance. 

Sustainability Tour

This is a must do in our opinion with the resorts Assistant Sustainability Manager, Zakwan Zamri. It shows a lot of the behind the scenes work that goes on at The Datai. This includes separation of wet and dry waste food which is prepared and used as compost for the garden. Waste meat and trimming are separated and donated to local dog shelters on the island. The tour also includes the preparation of drinking water, crushing of glass bottles to make sand by combining with shredded plastic which is then used for flooring on the resorts paths and gardens. Some of this is also sold on to construction companies. Non recyclable waste such as cigarette butts and nappies, is heated in an incinerator and turned into non toxic ashes for use in the garden areas.

The sustainable luxury Datai resort are particularly keen to showcase this tour so guests can understand that sustainability is not a Greenwashing exercise but a genuine and realistic approach on how they are working towards their pledges to the environment.

Related Article: 20 Things To Do In Langkawi, Malaysia: A Guide

Recommended External Experiences From The Datai

As well as partaking in the in-house experiences at the resort, there are several activities located around the island that we’d recommend.

The Els Club Teluk Datai 

Keen golfers will most probably be aware of the Els Golf Club Teluk Datai, which has a rainforest 18 hole golf course with views across the Andaman Sea shadowed by the MatChinchang Mountains. The course was designed by four-time Major winner Ernie Els in 2014, with a no bunker course relying on strategically placed tree lines and a naturally meandering stream, guests must pre book tee times directly with the club.

For non golfers there are soft ball courts and various places to eat and drink. We loved the Hornbill cafe for it’s views of the course. 

Other Amenities at The Datai

The Nature Centre at The Datai is a great place to learn all about the flora and fauna in and around the hotel. Learn about plants and flowers as  well as the Hornbill couples that reside in the trees around the estate. Spot the cheeky long tailed macaques and the Dusky Langur monkeys swinging in the trees above with the black and white faces. Keep your eyes peeled for Monitor lizards in the the streams. These are just a few of the wildlife species living in the rainforest. 

Guests can also take part in the following with trained naturalists and marine biologists:

• Morning walks to spot birds and wildlife within the grounds of the resort.
• Birdwatching with an expert guide. 
• Night walks which give an insight into the wildlife that comes to life after hours.
• History Walks that educate on the backstory of the rainforest and the building of the Datai and the relevance of some of the artefacts inside such as the two Malaysian horse statues in the hotel’s lobby.

• Beach clean-ups are organised via the team at Datai and guests can partake during the morning.
• Beach walks at low tide reveal Datai Bay’s quartz and calcium carbonate sandy beach which is buzzing with a wonderful world of marine life. Note the pattern in the image above made by a Sand Bubler crab as it burrows out of the sand looking for some microfauna to eat.
• The hotel has a number of walks such as the Journey through the forest’ mentioned previously. The other walks include Hiking walks, Trek to Crystal Creek, Mysterious Mangroves, Jungle Voices, Butterfly Walk, Sungai Trail and Ocean’s Drifter.
• Hikes are also an option for those adventurous types who have a certain level fitness. Guests can choose from Poet’s Trail (an intermediate hike) or the more challenging hard to extremely hard, Hornbill’s Trail. 
• Bee Keeping Talks The Datai’s local beekeeper, whom the hotel support by having his hives in the resort takes guest through the stingless bees and their honey, which is served for breakfast at the hotel during breakfast.

Related Article: Sustainability Pledges at The Luxury Datai Langkawi

The Datai App

The sustainable luxury Datai Resort has an app which they recommend all guests to download prior to their stay to familiarise themselves with the resort. It’s a great way to know what activities are going on daily so they can be booked in advance as well as daily weather updates and tide information. Any special activities happening at the resort as well as dining specials are updated. One of the best features of the app is that guests can online chat with the team at the lobby who can make reservations and answer any questions that guests may have.

The Datai BBC TV Coverage

Avid watcher’s of the BBC’s series entitled. ‘Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby” will know The Datai was featured on the show in 2024. A question we’ve been asked many times is that, does the hotel live up to its representation? The answer is simply yes! In fact in person it is even more beautiful. The sustainability pledges and approach really are incredibly inspiring as you see what happens first hand and behind the scenes in running such a luxury sustainable hotel. There really is no places like The Datai. The wildlife, the rainforest, the accommodation options and the expereicens are second to non and delivered with plenty of Malaysian hospitality.

What We Love About The Datai Langkawi

The sustainable luxury Datai resort focuses on providing guests memorable experiences rather than a shiny luxury. Although an environmentally conscious five star hideaway, it is unrivalled in its customer care, understated luxury and the discretion and attentive service from the whole team of staff. Every experience guest encounter from the moment they enter the hotel to the minute they leave has been well thought out and delivered in a relaxed fashion to consolidate they are on holiday and being taken care of. 

We particularly loved the accommodation choices, how the staff get to know the guests on a personal level, not just a hello but a meaningful conversation, be that at dining times, walking down the beach or lounging in the communal spaces. The dining options and quality are second to none with carefully selected ingredients and chefs that can accommodate dietary requirements effortlessly.

The hotel is perfect for honeymooners, families, couples, a friends getaway and very special for those wanting to celebration a milestone or even a wedding.

The Sustainable Luxury Datai Langkawi Resort Round Up  

Truly one of the world’s most sustainable luxury hideaways, you won’t find many resorts that rival The Datai. There is a reason why guests have been returning here year after year for as long as it’s been open, that’s over 30 years. It’s a hotel we would wholeheartedly recommend even for a night if your budget allows. The emphasis placed on sustainability is inspirational with that ethos running through each and every part of a stay.

The reuse, recycle and repurpose of everything is apparent as working to their zero to landfill pledge, with the end goal of becoming carbon neutral. The energy at The Datai is infectious and that is interwoven from the core by its surroundings, management and family like structure which guests become apart of during their time there. This is a hotel where five star luxury doesn’t mean sitting in your room, suite, beach villa but instead interacting with nature, learning how to nurture it and consuming its wellbeing properties by immersion into the curated experiences. 

Enter a completely wild 10 million year old rainforest in comfort, check into The sustainable Luxury Datai Langkawi Resort,

The Details

•  Location: Jalan Teluk Datai, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia I Tel.  +60 4-950 0500.
• Find it Here: Map Location.
• Details: Check in: 15:00 Check out: 12:00.
• Website: The Datai Langkawi.

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