About this hotel
General information
The Datai Langkawi occupies the north-western tip of Langkawi, where ancient rainforest runs down to Datai Bay. Rather than face the beach, the main building was placed on a forested ridge 40 m above the sea and 300 m back from the shore, leaving the coastline untouched. Few trees were felled during construction, the timber that was cut went back into the building, and the architecture draws on Malay, Chinese and Indian craft — so the resort reads as part of the jungle rather than something set down in it.
There are 121 rooms, suites and villas, spread between the main building, stilted villas in the forest and villas right on the sand. Behind them lie some 750 hectares of rainforest beneath Mount Machincang, home to langurs, hornbills and colugos. Resident naturalists and marine biologists, a permaculture garden supplying both the kitchens and the spa, and well-being rooted in Malay healing traditions give the stay its character.
Location
The resort sits on the north-western edge of Langkawi island above Datai Bay on the Andaman Sea, looking across to the islet of Pulau Anak Datai and, on the horizon, Thailand's Ko Tarutao. Langkawi International Airport is 30 km away, about 40 minutes by car; Kuah town and its ferry jetty are 45 km, about an hour. The hotel arranges limousine and MPV transfers as well as car hire and chauffeur service, and The Els Club Teluk Datai golf course is five minutes' drive away.
Spa
The Spa follows a small forest stream, with five treatment villas devoted to Ramuan, the Malay healing tradition built on rainforest plants and herbs. Its rituals use Akar, the resort's own organic line in three ranges — The Rainforest, The Mangrove and The Sea — while facials rely on VOYA skincare, and specialist manicures and pedicures are offered too. The Holistic Pavilion hosts yoga, Pilates, meditation and sound healing; the Pulih programme pairs recovery massages with personal training, and the Malay Wellness Journey combines forest bathing, a dip in a jungle stream and a traditional massage. A sauna and steam room are at The Health Club by the beach.
Sports & leisure
Activities divide between the forest and the sea:
- The Health Club on the beachfront — strength and cardio equipment, personal training, morning beach workouts, Muay Thai and functional circuits
- complimentary non-motorised water sports: Hobie Wave catamaran, windsurfing, single and double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, body boards and snorkelling gear
- tennis and padel courts and the 18-hole, par-72 course at The Els Club Teluk Datai, five minutes by car
- naturalist-led outings: the Rimba Trail through coastal forest and mangrove to a canopy walk up a strangler fig, birdwatching, mangrove kayaking, a trek to the swimming hole at Crystal Creek, the butterfly garden and low-tide beach walks; The Nature Centre has a reference library and nature film screenings
- sailing aboard Gadis Pulao, a 16-metre catamaran (up to 12 guests by day, six overnight, including voyages to Ko Lipe in Tarutao National Marine Park), or Amanea, a 15-metre Italian motor yacht for up to six
- cooking classes at The Dapur with the resort's Malay, Thai and Indian chefs, artisan workshops at The Atelier (batik, weaving), The Garden's permaculture plots and bicycles
For children
Children can join Little Chef baking classes at The Dapur, making cookies, muffins and profiteroles with the pastry team. Down by the beach, next to the Family Pool, there is a shallow toddler pool and wading area.
Restaurants & bars
Dining draws on resident Malay, Thai and Indian chefs and produce from the resort's own garden:
- The Gulai House — Malaysian cooking in a kampung-style house deep in the forest, with a floor-seating area; dinner
- The Pavilion — Thai cuisine served nightly in an open-air pavilion raised on 30-metre stilts above the canopy
- The Dining Room — beside the main pool: international breakfasts with local dishes and lunch, then an à la carte menu or a ten-course tasting menu in the evening; the cellar holds more than 700 labels
- The Beach Club — lunch and dinner on the sand, with regional and international dishes, grills and fresh seafood, plus a six-seat teppanyaki table
- The Beach Bar — signature cocktails and light bites at sunset
- The Lobby Lounge — an open-air lounge facing the sea and Ko Tarutao for afternoon tea, cocktails, single malts and cigars, with live piano from Wednesday to Sunday evenings
- private candlelit dinners on the beach or in the rainforest, and in-room dining
Swimming
A path from the resort leads down to Datai Bay, a 1.5-kilometre crescent of white sand about 30 m wide. The warm Andaman Sea makes for easy swimming, and drinks are served to the loungers on the beach. There are three pools: the Adult Pool by the main building, looking over the canopy to the sea (guests aged 16 and over), the Family Pool a few steps from the beach, and a toddler pool; the Rainforest Pool Villas and Beach Villas have pools of their own.
Rooms
121 rooms, suites and villas in three collections: Canopy, with 54 rooms and 12 suites in the main building; Rainforest, with 41 stilted villas in the forest; and Beach, with 14 villas on the sand, each with its own pool and round-the-clock butler.
King-size or twin beds with Egyptian cotton linen, daybeds, a writing desk and vanity table, a bathroom with bathtub, separate shower and twin basins, a daily replenished minibar, tea and coffee facilities, a safe, Wi-Fi, charging ports and IPTV.
Canopy Deluxe
A main-building room with a balcony over the rainforest: a combined bedroom and sitting area with a king-size or twin beds and two daybeds, plus a bathroom and dressing room with bathtub and separate shower.
Canopy Garden
A ground-level room in the main building opening onto a private patio with seating, a sun umbrella and garden views; king-size or twin beds and two daybeds.
Canopy Premium
Set on the upper floors of the main building, with a balcony overlooking the rainforest, the main pool and the Andaman Sea; king-size or twin beds, and binoculars for wildlife spotting.
Canopy Suite
A main-building suite with a king-bedded bedroom, separate living and dining areas and a broad veranda facing the forest; twin wardrobes in the bathroom.
The Datai Suite
The largest suite in the main building: two bedrooms (one king, one twin), a living room with dining for six and a butler's pantry, two en-suite bathrooms plus a guest bathroom, and a large veranda with rainforest and sea views. 24-hour butler; sleeps up to six.
Rainforest Villa
A villa raised on stilts in the heart of the forest, linked to the rest of the resort by pathways; king-size or twin beds, a large daybed and a generous bathroom.
Rainforest Premium Villa
A stilted villa whose balcony looks over the Anak Datai River, in one of the most private corners of the forest; king-size or twin beds and a large daybed.
Rainforest Pool Villa
A stilted villa beside a forest stream with a 7.6-metre private pool, an extended deck and an outdoor lounging area; king-size or twin beds.
The Datai Estate Villa
A rainforest residence a short walk from the beach, with five bedrooms each with a balcony, two living rooms, two dining rooms, a lounge with bar, two connecting pools and outdoor dining; 24-hour butler and private chef, for up to 15 guests.
One-Bedroom Beach Villa
Set in its own garden directly on the beach: a bedroom with king-size bed and daybed, an open-plan living and dining room under high timber ceilings, a sun deck and a 10-metre pool. 24-hour butler.
Two-Bedroom Beach Villa
The single two-bedroom villa on the beach: a king bedroom and a twin bedroom, each with its own bathroom, a living and dining room, a private pool and a large deck with outdoor dining for eight. 24-hour butler.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.