Earlier last month we went for a short weekend getaway at one of the most prestigious resorts in the country at The Datai Langkawi. This is a review of hotel from my personal experience.
Located at the North Western corner at Langkawi island, the Datai is set within an ancient virgin rainforest, overlooking the Andaman Sea.
We arrived at the Langkawi International airport and was greeted by the driver arranged by the hotel. The journey from LGK took approximately half an hour, and we were given cold tower and chilled bottled water for the journey to freshen up from the one hour flight from KL.
Since the hotel is pretty far from town and other attractions, I initially thought that we were going to be missing the opportunity to hop around the island a bit. As it turned out, we didn’t think we missed anything at all, staying at the hotel was such a pleasant experience that for the first time, I understand why people would want to got o a resort, spend a few days and totally not go anywhere else.
main entrance, The Datai Langkawi
This is the main entrance at the Datai Langkawi. Going through the receptions, past the water lily pond is the lobby lounge area. Cocktails and snacks are served here, and at night, a live band.
The lobby lounge is reserved for guests over the age of 12 only, which is something you don’t think about often, but the lack of screaming babies and 5 year olds that can’t stop running everywhere is quite a bliss.
there are DVDs you can pick up, very good selection of titles
By the receptions area there’s a shop that offers a selection of souvenirs, but more importantly, they also have a very good collection of DVD titles for guests to loan and watch in the room.
We finally watched Citizen Kane for the first time thanks tot The Datai and isn’t ashamed to admit it. Yah, the movie was as good as they said, maybe I should try to watch Gone With The Wind next?
adult only main pool and the grand stairs case to the beach
Just below the lobby lounge is the breakfast dining area and one of the two main swimming pools at the resort. Like the lobby lounge, this pool is for guests over 12 year old only, families are welcomed to use the other pool by another pool closer to the beach area.
the architecture is uniquely Malaysian and blends in with nature
The Datai Langkawi spans over 70 acres of land, with the main building situated at the side of the hill and many other smaller buildings, including various types of villas, the Beach Club, Gulai House, the spa, and another pool dotted between it and the private beach.
You can take a scenic walk to get from one point to the other, or call for buggy service, we did plenty of both on our 3D2N stay.
The architecture is uniquely Malaysian, with villas on stilts, furniture and structures made from wood, atap, and other traditional material in a blend of modern & old school design within the rain forest. I find it very beautiful.
our room at The Datai, overlooking lush greenery
Our deluxe room has a king sized bed with some of the most comfortable pillows and comforters I’ve lay my butt on, a day bed in front of the balcony overlooking the lush greenery, an LCD TV, a working desk, and a tea table with another two arm chairs.
There’s no putting your access cards to activate the power sort of nonsense. The electricity and air conditioning is always on unless you decided to switch it off.
the bathroom, and minibar complete with Lavazza coffee machine
The room also comes with a pretty huge bath tub in which we had bubble bath in (sorry no photos to show for that, obviously), two basin, a very well stocked mini bar, and best of all – a Lavazza coffee machine.
There’s also a fruit basket on the tea table, and we’re advised to not leave the balcony door open lest those pesky monkeys come in a wreck havoc. When you’re that close to nature, I guess that’s part of the charm.
the private beach, with catamaran for hire too
The beach is Datai Langkawi is one of the longest private beach on the island. Without any motorized water sports, it is also very quiet and relaxing, all you hear is waves, wind making wind chimes out of tree leaves, and the occasional chirping of birds.
While the water isn’t exactly crystal clear, it is pretty clean with visibility of perhaps 2-3 feet. We swam and rowed the resort provided canoe around a bit. If you’re a bit more adventurous, there’s catamaran with guide for rent as well. At the end, we decided to chill on those long beach chairs and sip on some chilled drinks instead. I can do this everyday.
nature walk around the resort, we even spotted a wild boar family in another occasion
The one time we ventured a little bit out of the resort was during the guided nature walk on the second day. Along with about a dozen other guests from Russia, Europe, Japan, Australia and such, we went around a bit to spot the wild life around the resort.
During the one hour or so walk, we spotted a couple types of hornbills, a few species of other birds, two different types of monkeys, giant caterpillar, monitor lizards, and more. We were also lucky enough to have met a family of wild boars crossing the road while on buggy too. They were too cute!
this is the beach villa at The Datai, 218 sq. meters of awesomeness
We also visited other suites and villas at The Datai. The premium room, corner & end suites, pool villa, and the superior villas were all very nice, but the beach villa, now that’s what living a high life is all about.
The beach villa takes up 218 square meter, or over 2,346 square feet, has a room with the bed over looking a 10 meter private pool and an entertainment & dining area on the side with a direct access to the beach. On top of that, there’s a walk in wardrobe, beautiful marble bath tub, a rain shower, and an outdoor waterfall shower too. The two room beach villa is 475 square meter.
It is as luxurious as it gets, elegant, secluded, and definitely beautiful.
our engagement on the last day at The Datai, a trip to remember
Just prior to departure from The Datai, on the 4th of August, 2013, I finally proposed to Haze properly, with the ring and all. I’m happy to report that it was a success and I want to thank Lex & WeiZhi of kampungboycitygal for taking these photos of us.
It was a very sweet moment for us, and we really had fun traveling with you guys over the entire trip too.
Lex, KY, Ardi, Haze, and WeiZhi the Datai Langkawi
Our guide throughout the stay at The Datai was Ardi. A very friendly and supremely helpful chap who kept us entertained with many of his colorful stories. Thank you Ardi, we certainly enjoyed our stay and will surely hope to come back again.
Will talk about the food we had next. 🙂
Address:
The Datai Langkawi
Jalan Datai, Teluk Datai,
07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Tel:+60 4-959 2500
Web: www.dataihotels.com
FB: The Datai Langkawi
Reservation: reservationsdatailangkawi@dataihotels.com
heheh looks good and inviting! and congrats … again 😀
suanie: thanks 😀
Congratulation!! Finally you tied the knot!!! After so many years, you found the right one!! Happy for you!
coketai: very true 😉
Congrats!! 🙂
Amy: thanks 😉
Heavenly. I could do with a good dose of green right now.
The Yum List: I can stay there for weeks!
Congratulations on your engagement KY!
Ken: thank you young man 😉
This is a really nice place.
CONGRATS to you & Haze!!
Melissa: very nice, and thanks
Congratulations on the successful proposal!
unkaleong: thank you my man!
One of our favourite places! Great photos KY:)
ciki: thanks! 😀
Congras (again…I know I wished you liao) Certainly a memorable trip. So kahwin kat Datai jugak?
congrats and what a nice place to do the engagement!!! my bf’s favourite island is langkawi too. heheh
eiling: thank you thank you.
Your engagement
:,)
Suertes: thanks. 🙂
Congrats buddy.
Ford_GT: thank you 😉
Congrats! Lovely!
karmen: thank you 😀
w00t! congrats again u two!
kimberlycun: thank you kim 😀
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Congrats to the both of you!
Charles T: thank you
Congrats and the the price must be high for the resort
Chai: indeed it is a high end resort, worth every penny though