The Datai is exclusive, both in its style and location, with over a mile of soft sand beach and tropical forest on three sides.
The luxurious & award-winning Datai Langkawi is one of the most popular hotels in the region. The setting is spectacular, elevated with dense jungle on three sides, leading down to over a mile of soft sand beachfront.
The airport is 40 minute scenic drive away across the island from the flatter rural south to the more mountainous and even quieter north coast, passing through small authentic villages.
The Datai Langkawi has 121 Deluxe and Premium Rooms, Villas and Suites
They are located in the main building. Within the jungle, there are the Exclusive Rainforest Villas, with an incredible 5 Bedroom Datai Estate Villa. At beachfront, there are a selection of Sumptuous One and Two Bedroom Villas.
The Datai Canopy Experience (Main Building)
The main building is at the top of the hillside location with mainly sea-facing rooms, albeit from a considerable distance, and looks out beyond to the islands of Southern Thailand. The Deluxe Rooms are all actually junior suite-style, extremely spacious (63 sqm) with an integrated living area. The Premium Deluxe Rooms are on the top floor with even more impressive views over the top of the forest below.
Also within the main building, you have a selection of One Bedroom Suites, usually located on the corner of each floor. There is also a Two Bedroom Datai Suite.
The Datai Jungle Experience
The Rainforest Jungle Villas are free-standing and are in a romantic jungle setting with pathway links to the main facilities. Like the main building rooms, they are equally spacious with large veranda terrace (total of 123 sqm in and out space). Some of the villas have their own pool (175 sqm of the total in and out living space). As the name implies, the villas are set within the forest. Wonderfully romantic but, of course, you do need to be comfortable with the realities of living next to, or beneath, nature.
There is a very impressive Datai Estate Villa with 5 bedrooms and a private pool – ask us for details.
The Datai Beach Experience
The Datai also has 14 One & Two Bedroom Totally Luxurious Beachfront Villas, each with their own walled garden, indoor and outdoor living space and private lap pool. Without a doubt some of the most impressive accommodation we have seen in the region. Expensive, but that just seems to add to their attraction. The One Bedroom offer 350sqm of total living space, 750sqm in the two bedrooms.
- A choice of restaurant & cuisine styles in differing locations, either close to the main facilities or at beach level plus lobby level lounge bar. See notes in Chic Check.
- Two swimming pools – with the main pool elevated and for adults only – and the other at beach level with a small section reserved for toddlers.
- Jungle Spa and Gym.
- Championship Ernie Els designed golf course, award-winning and regarded as one of the best in Asia. Additional restaurant plus a tennis court. A shuttle operates on demand for the 8-minute transfer
- Boutique.
- Innovative cooking classes, either on a small group or one to one basis.
- A selection of non-motorised water sports can be arranged, subject to weather conditions.
- The resort takes full advantage of the dramatic setting, and a series of eco-adventure escorted nature treks can be arranged, particularly interesting at night.
- Also available, mainly in the peak winter months (December to April) will be the opportunity to sail along the north coast of Langkawi on the Malaysian Junk schooner, The Naga Pelangi.
- A longhouse styled Nature Centre which includes a library on local plants & wildlife, regular presentations and then the opportunity for escorted treks through the forest. These can be tailored to different age groups and trekking capabilities.
The Datai is exclusive, both in its style and location – over a mile of soft sand beach and just two hotels – The Datai and The Andaman.
Come for the incredible setting, the amazing views, the real sense of style. It’s wonderfully luxurious but at the same time uniquely natural. Part of the joy is being close to nature and being enthralled by the sights and sounds of the prehistoric forest around you.
David from Chic revisited the hotel in June 2023. He has visited or stayed numerous times – first occasion was the opening party 30 years ago. He rates the Datai as being one of the finest luxury resorts in the world, ticking the boxes on setting, beach, service accommodation and overall style.
You need to be comfortable with nature and be excited by the sight of a monkey swinging through the trees towards you. However, we would suggest you do not leave valuables on your balcony or windows open – some of the Datai monkeys are very well-dressed and they have been known to find their way around the mini-bar! If you think for the money paid, you do not expect monkeys to be part of your experience, reconsider your options. This includes little frogs, particularly audible at night when they congregate at the Lilly pond close to the bar. Actually tropically atmospheric.
The thrill of being so close to nature, yet in supreme comfort, is just part of what makes The Datai so special.
There are 171 steps leading down from the main building to the beach and forest-jungle, so you need to be reasonably fit, although a buggy can be arranged on request. As there are numerous steps throughout the property it would not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
Although The Datai accepts children, it does not have any/many specific facilities other than what nature provided.
It will appeal to the more independent confident child looking for supervised jungle and beach activities rather than face painting in an enclosed space! A few areas are for adults only- for example, children under 16 years are not allowed to use the main (elevated) swimming pool, spa, and lobby lounge bar after dusk. No children under 12 years in the Dining Room Restaurant, with its fine dining cuisine and conservative elegance.
The dress code is sensibly relaxed, although a jacket and tie might be seen on Gala dinner nights. Most of the time casually elegant is fine, tailored knee-length shorts, sports shirts, loafers. Long trousers / collared shirts for men will be required in the Dining Room restaurant in the main building. Not permitted in public areas would be swimwear, bare feet and skimpy heart attack or divorce inducing clothing.
The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia
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+ About Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the most fascinating countries in the region with a rich diversity of cultures, scenery and resort variety. Peninsula Malaysia stretches down from the border with Thailand in the north through to Singapore in the south. On the separate island of Borneo you have the states of Sarawak and Sabah. Flying time from UK is approx. 12 hours to Kuala Lumpur (known as KL). Onward travel to Penang or Langkawi is one hour, two hours to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Kuching, Sarawak.
+ About Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, is the proud capital city, with high rise buildings, but just as many colourful older traditional areas. Lively street markets competing with luxurious shopping malls for the attention of your wallet. The prices are some of the most competitive in the region. Fantastic selection of restaurants fully reflecting the diversity of influences found in Malaysia, but with just as many culinary options from around the globe.
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COVID-19 - Updated Information – March 2023.
Virtually all countries worldwide have relaxed their protocols on Covid and there are very few restrictions. However, most countries review this on a month-by-month basis and will take immediate action should cases return or increase.
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