The Datai

from AU$917
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Indulgent Bathroom
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“A super sleek hotel just set back from the beach and surrounded by rainforest. This ultimate zen spot has luxury rooms, suites & villas, in a contemporary earthy style, all the mod cons, private pools & balconies. A four-villa spa, excellent Asian restaurants, and multiple pools. Barefoot luxury. ”

Hotel review

Spread out village-like within a ten-million-year-old rainforest, and made using traditional Malaysian architecture, The Datai Langkawi is almost invisible before you are in it. The choice of accommodation reflects the resort’s overall wealth of choice: canopy suites, located in the main building, generally have views over the rainforest or to the waters of Datai Bay (and not-too-distant Thailand). The larger, stilt-raised rainforest villas, are spaced along winding paths, with either a semi-private deck or deck-and-pool combination. Beachfront villas are the most luxurious and spacious, with detached living spaces, exclusive beachfront, and private butlers. Both types of villas have large beds and minimal interior furnishings; not something you miss when all the reason for being at The Datai lies in the great outdoors.

Ecological research and education are core tenets of The Datai’s sustainability pledge. Every day, guests have the opportunity to attend guided nature walks through the rainforest with ecologists employed by the hotel. Guests can also hike to swimming holes in the private forest reserve, get a massage in the spa, borrow an electric bike, or play the 18-hole championship golf course at The Els Club Teluk Datai.

The Datai’s seclusion makes it a tad difficult to leave (although transfers are easily arranged into town or to the island’s airport), but there are several excellent options for on-site dining, including a beach restaurant, one serving Thai cuisine, another international fare, and the Gulai house, which offers award-winning Malaysia dishes.

James Patterson

Recommended for

  • Back to Nature

    • A beautiful escape for eco-minded travellers, with 750 hectares of rainforest - brimming with birdlife - and gorgeous beaches

  • Trekking

    • Hike the Rimba Trail or take a guided walk with one of the resort's naturalists, beginning at the beachside Nature Centre

  • Honeymoons

    • Hide away in an enchanting private villa, enjoy sumptuous spa treatments and delectable cuisine

  • Birdwatching

    • Look out for some of the rainforest's 200 bird species, using the guide provided in your room

  • Gym

    • Complimentary access to the fitness centre at Els Club Teluk Datai, 5 minutes away

  • Golf

    • Play a round at the nearby Els Golf Club, which has an 18-hole championship course

  • Tennis

    • Guests have access to two tennis courts at Els Club Teluk Datai, 5 minutes away

  • Hotel boats for hire

    • Cruise along the Kilim River or cross the bay in a heritage schooner

  • Views

    • Beautifu ocean views, with Thailand in the distance

  • On an island

    • On the unspoilt northern part of Langkawi

  • On the beach

    • Set on an idyllic stretch of sandy beach

  • Family Suites

  • Sailing

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Wedding license

  • Remote

  • Eco

  • Gourmet

  • Conference facilities

  • Hotel Entertainment

  • Good wine list

  • Full of character

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Outstanding location

  • Barefoot Luxury

  • Organic food

  • Snorkelling

  • Yoga

  • Designer

  • Sea Views

  • Foodies

  • Watersports

  • Chic

  • In/by a Nature Reserve

  • Landmark

  • Families

  • Cycling

  • Child friendly

  • Fishing

  • Great walks

  • Restaurant

  • Spa

  • Beach Life

  • Hills & mountains

  • Mountain biking

  • Romantic

  • Air conditioning

  • Luxury

  • Contemporary

  • Traditional

  • Secluded setting

  • Wildlife Area

  • Wellbeing

  • Diving

  • Disabled access

  • Kayaking

Facilities

  • Rooms

    121 rooms in this hotel

  • Garden

    Set within 750 hectares of rainforest, fringed by pristine sandy coastline in northern Langkawi

  • Gym

    Complimentary access to the fitness centre at Els Club Teluk Datai, 5 minutes away

  • Views

    Beautifu ocean views, with Thailand in the distance

  • Rooms with balcony/terrace

  • Massage

  • Sauna/Steam

  • Outdoor dining

  • In room DVD

  • Conference facilities

  • Airport transfer

  • Parking

  • Bicycles available

  • Wedding license

  • Safe

  • Bath robes

  • Bar

  • Family Suites

  • Laundry

  • Babysitting

  • Good wine list

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Hairdresser/Beauty Salon

  • Wifi

  • Cots available

  • Meeting Room

  • Child friendly

  • Swimming Pool

  • Sitting Room

  • Restaurant

  • Spa

  • Air conditioning

  • In room music system

  • Satellite / Cable TV

  • Concierge

  • Private villas

  • Suites

  • Disabled access

  • Room service

Activities

  • Trekking

    • Hike the Rimba Trail or take a guided walk with one of the resort's naturalists, beginning at the beachside Nature Centre

  • Birdwatching

    • Look out for some of the rainforest's 200 bird species, using the guide provided in your room

  • Golf

    • Play a round at the nearby Els Golf Club, which has an 18-hole championship course

  • Tennis

    • Guests have access to two tennis courts at Els Club Teluk Datai, 5 minutes away

  • Hotel boats for hire

    • Cruise along the Kilim River or cross the bay in a heritage schooner

  • Sailing

  • Hotel Entertainment

  • Snorkelling

  • Yoga

  • Cycling

  • Watersports

  • Fishing

  • Great walks

  • Mountain biking

  • Wildlife Area

  • Diving

  • Kayaking

Map & Location

Other reviews

The Datai Review

Originally published by The Telegraph

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