The Datai Langkawi

Everything

Genuine jungle experience with luxury

Nothing

First of all, the location is wonderful. Surrounded by the ocean and the jungle, the setting was very relaxing. I was also deeply impressed by the staff’s warm hospitality. I was very impressed by how proudly they carried out their work. Furthermore, everything I tried for dinner—both Thai and Malay dishes—was delicious.

There's nothing in particular, but since the activities are popular, I recommend booking them when you make your hotel reservation. I forgot to book in advance, so there were some activities I couldn't participate in.

Самый невероятный тихий и комфортный отель .

Love everything about this place. Rooms are tastefully appointed. Incredible breakfast spread, but what makes The Datai stand out is the warmth and hospitality of its staff who go out of their way to anticipate your smallest needs. Love the small gestures such as the chocolate pralines in the evening, complimentary fruit & ice cream by the beach and valet parking. What I enjoyed most about this trip was the sighting of local wildlife right at our balcony. Will be back soon!

If I had to be really picky, I would say that the main pool area is too exposed and isn't very comfortable to lounge around in the afternoons. Some shade would be perfect. Light and fan switches can be quite finicky.

everything

none

Tolle Lage, super freundliches Service, alles war perfekt

Top notch property, staff and environment! Everything was amazing and tailored for you to feel at home. Special mention to Manon for the warm welcome. We will be back!!

Nothing

Breakfast was amazing. Service was exemplary. The resort has been built in an eco-friendly manner.

Dining options were limited due to the remoteness of the location.

Everything including service, cleanliness, food, location, facilities, etc.

Nothing

The Datai is a perfection. It’s not just a luxury resort, it’s a nature sanctuary & a heaven for nature lovers like us. We love the activities, the nature centre is something we treasure the most! It’s closest to paradise.

Nothing

Very personalised service. Ms. Fazz was very kind, Prompt and focused. She deserve a promotion. Thank you everyone for making our stay exceptional.

The food at beach club restaurant need to be improvised. The male waiter who took our order was poor at explaining our options. The female waiters were very friendly.

Location - Staff - Location - Staff - Jungle Sound

Price tag

Absolutely magnificent location - jungle meets dream beach. Super nice, professional, accommodating staff ( Special Kudos to Ana !)

We had to leave at some point (:

This hotel is an outstanding property nestled between a lush rainforest and pristine beach. Champagne on arrival set the tone for our entire stay, which was par excellence. Staff were exceptionally hospitable - a few honourable mentions are Abbas at front desk, Mr. Subra & Maddy at breakfast. We truly enjoyed our stay and I'm looking forward to my next trip!

Dining options at the hotel are understandably pricey. Best to rent a car for convenience as the remote location makes it difficult for one to catch a taxi into town. Pillows were a little too soft for my liking.

The attentiveness and friendliness of the staff, and the remoteness of the location

The mirror that turns into the TV by the side of the bed. Not comfortable to watch and the TV picture is too dark

Jungle and beach combined

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This is our second The Datai experience ,the other was two decades ago.They have expanded the hotel but everything is beautiful,peaceful and so close to nature.Great service and attention to detail.

An exceptional location and property. You just can not get better anywhere Fazz who looked after us was was faztastic!

Leaving!

Alles

This is a truly luxury hotel and the epitome of a five star experience. Everything about your stay feels intentionally crafted and the attention to detail is second to none from the relaxed check-in experience where they let you relax with two welcome drinks, a little snack and a cold towel whilst introducing you to the venue to the incredible attentiveness of the staff throughout all interactions. The rooms, surroundings, the pools and the beach are perfect in every degree. We will 100% be back!

I honestly have nothing to fault this incredible place about.

Всё

After a couple of days in the bustle of KL we headed out for 14 days at the Datai. The location sounded special and it did not disappoint. We drove from the airport to the Datai on quiet roads that wound their way through the forest, with monkeys watching on from the roadside. On arrival we were greeted by the team at the lobby and we never looked back from there. We stayed in a Rainforest villa and it was beautiful. Our's was located at the top end of the 'complex' nearer the lobby than the beach, but we found location really didn't matter. We could walk everywhere (lots of steps though), or we could get a buggy, which came very promptly when requested. The villa really is built in the rainforest, and it seems the forest has grown around it. From our balcony we could always see and hear various wildlife, from monkeys to geckos to (very loud) cicadas to flying squirrels. Bats flew through our balcony every morning and evening - just for a short time and it was amazing to sit and watch them fly by. We were full board, which meant we had to carefully watch portion sizes as the food was excellent. We are both vegan and the various restaurant teams ensured we had plenty of amazing options. We ate in all four of the restaurants, with the Dining room being our favourite for our evening meal. Breakfast was also great - the chef prepared vegan pancakes, tofu scramble and plenty of other vegan options - chia puddings, overnight oats, fruits and juices, toast with various toppings and of course coffee with plant milks. There was always plenty of options. Occasionally we used in-room dining - lunch times mainly when you could come back to the room and order delicious food all beautifully served in your air-conditioned room. The mini-bar was restocked with complimentary soft drinks, beer and plant milk for coffee every day. And of course there was lots of Datai water to drink in the room. We mainly used the adult pool for a few hours everyday to enjoy the very hot sun - with very comfy beds, shade when you needed it, a very warm swimming pool and attentive service delivering complementary water and ice every hour or so, fruit in the morning and a small cocktail in the afternoon for everyone who wanted it. We took advantage of complimentary morning and evening walks in the rainforest with Ritz, our guide. We tried Hatha yoga, and we paid for an hours private meditation session, all held in the holistic pavilion. On Thursday there was a cocktail reception with staff down at the beach and this was great, with complimentary wine and prosecco. A chance to see and talk to staff and other guests about their experience. Our main additional cost was alcohol - buying wine, cocktails and spirits, usually with meals. Rest assured there was something for everyone price wise - wine ranged from £30 a bottle to £1,000's per bottle. Cocktails from 55RMY - about £10. For a hotel of this standard food was also very reasonable if you were paying, or fancied something extra. We only did one excursion out of the hotel - to the Langkawi cable cars, which we think is a must do. You need a head for heights but it will give you amazing views and a real experience. The hotel wildlife is great - walking through the mangrove, or on the lovely beach where we saw the family of otters eating breakfast and swimming together. We also visited the recycling centre where they work to recycle glass and plastic and create items which you can buy. The herb garden where they grow many items which are used in the restaurants. So much to do and learn about. Three things stand out for us - firstly, the location. The rainforest and the care that has been taken to blend the hotel is incredible. Second, the food was lovely - the care, attention and taste of all the food was excellent. And finally the staff and their unrelenting attention to detail and human touch in their interactions was first class. We must say all the staff we encountered were genuinely friendly and professional, but we want to mention a few people who made it even more special for us. Sham, the main man in breakfast and The Dining Room, whom continually helped with our menu and helped us at the beginning when we were learning about the hotel. The amazing Dhines who explained and served our food in the Dining Room, Shaiful who served at breakfast and lunch and was such a lovely person, Darnia and Shini who also served at the Dining Room, Edy who mainly served us in Gulai House, always looking to challenge the chef on what they could provide us vegans 😂 Chelsea from Customer Experience who was an amazing ambassador for the hotel, she knew how to get things done and was such a down to earth person. And of course Kartik who was always there for a chat, sharing his experiences and looking out for you as a guest. We know there is so much more to do on the island which we will do next time, because we are pretty sure we will back.

Third visit and perfection as always. This is a truly unique, amazing & luxurious resort. With beautiful beaches, and lush rainforest, an abundance of flora and fauna, truly magical. I have read some, albeit few, negative comments and just want to highlight that this is a resort set in a rainforest that is thousands of years old, and if you don't like Flora and fauna, don't come! There are amazing birds, bugs, geckos, bats, butterflies, spiders, squirrels, flying lemurs, snakes, frogs, & monkeys galore, it is quite simply paradise. It's like something out of the National Geographic. The food offerings are also exceptional, our favourites are The Gulai house & the Dining Room, and the breakfast is an amazing array of so many different types of food. Something for everyone. Service was exceptional, as always, and we have rebooked for November. We simply love it here.

This was our second visit to the Datai. The first time around, we were delighted with this hotel, but this time around it was even better. We chose a room on the top floor which was much lighter than the garden room we occupied on the first visit, and it was worth the extra money. We ate at all four restaurants and had excellent experiences at all of them. Sitting by the pool for dinner, eating delicious food while sipping on a fantastic glass of wine, is a magical experience. Last time, we experienced a couple of little service glitches, but on this visit everything went like clockwork. Service at all restaurants is amazingly friendly and helpful, although the waiters at the Beach Bar seem a bit more distant than the rest. During out stay we were kept busy with spa treatments, nature walks, voga classes, creativity activities: there is nothing not to like. I’m afraid to start thanking staff members by name so as not to leave deserving individuals out. However, I do have to mention the pastry chef, Mr. Hazar. His creations are fantastic: the breakfast pastries are of fantastic quality, and if you want a soufflé for dessert, look no further. We’ll be back!

The datai langkawi Rajat was excellent and handled all our queries very well. He is overdue for a management position. The datai ( means dream of freedom) is a large exclusive resort on the north west of the island. It’s about 45 minutes from the airport. There’s a golf facility nearby. Not much else. The food here is very good. We came on full board, three meals a day . (Maybe half board is the sweet spot?)There’s a Thai restaurant, that is outstanding, an Indian restaurant which is ok, a Fine dining restaurant which is like michelin recommended plus good room service tapas and a nice beach restaurant. there are two swimming pools one adult only. regarding the accommodation we stayed in one of the rainforest villas, 123sq m with good veranda area /chairs. I would recommend a villa if your budget stretches to this. Many have private pools. it really is five star plus, plenty of free stuff in the mini bar, coffee machine. as usual they have many lights all over with their own individual switching. the 4 poster bed is about 7 foot wide with net surround. internally these villas are as good as I’ve seen. this resort as an ideal place to maybe come at the end of a holiday to chill out. from here you can get flights to several other places - Georgetown, Kuala Lumpur etc. you can get trips to the mangroves, out to the skyline etc though You have got a fair amount of Travel to get to and from these attractions. Staff are very well trained and professional What could be better? Very little tbh - but maybe if people are talking on speakerphone in the restaurants the staff should ask them to take their call outside. Secondly there are maybe 5 large rattan settees in the shade near the beach, people were securing them all day with a book and never using them, maybe empower the staff to remove stuff if unused for say 30 minutes. It seems just greedy to take a seat like that when there are so many sunbeds that are always free.

I would like to express my experience in The Datai: This place is truly amazing, seriously is a real paradise. More of it, it has an absolutely incredible service. I would like to say a special and a big thank you one of your host, name of Kartik, who looked after us very well from day one. He made an incredible job to make us feel special and loved. Moreover I really cannot make difference out of the restaurants, where we always had an excellent service and the food was absolutely outstanding and the last but not least the pastry chef make and exceptional job from the breakfast pastries, beach ice creams throughout the inroom passionfruit chocolate bonbon. I think never had that flavorful chocolate in my life. Overalls we had an amazing holiday at The Datai and absolutely recommend to everyone who would like an amazing holiday at a peaceful location. Thank you The Datai again 😍

From the minute we arrived we knew this was a special place. Sitting by the magnificent lily pond watching the frogs whilst we registered and had a welcome drink set the tone beautifully. Our room was to die for, calm, spacious, huge bed, big bathroom full of candles and bath salts, and a gorgeous terrace overlooking the rainforest. Cheeky monkeys visited a couple of times especially when housekeeping were around! Our favourite restaurants were Gulai House and the Beach Club and our favourite time of day was sundown at the beach bar on the stunning beach sipping a gorgeous cocktail and chatting to friendly bar staff. We were invited to the General Managers cocktail party down at the beach club and it was relaxed and friendly with non stop fizz and beautiful canapés. We spent a lot of time talking to Stephane who was so passionate about the hotel and had giggles with Azhari and other staff. The adult pool was blissful with the comfiest sunbeds ever and staff bringing constant iced water and cool treats to keep you refreshed. Really admired the hotel’s commitment to sustainability which was a genuine pledge and shone through at all times. In summary, the Datai is a piece of heaven set in a magical rainforest surrounded by lovely friends (the staff!) We will definitely be back! Thank you

This is an amazing hotel. The beach is lovely, very clean and the jungle setting with the many monkeys is a really nice experience. It's very likely to see animals even if you are in the main hotel building. The food is also really good, especially the traditional Malaysian restaurant. Free mini bar and welcome drinks are great.

Some minuses: - our mattress seemed old, it slumped when you sat down on it and was overall uncomfortable. The fans were also loud at night. Out of our stay in SE Asia, unfortunately we had the worst sleep experience at the Datai - beach staff would try to kick us out promptly at 7pm by requesting our towels while we were just trying to enjoy the sunset. This seemed unnecessary and a bit unfriendly, maybe an alternative solution can be found (e.g. a towel disposal bin on the beach). - beach pool would also close at 7, perhaps this could be extended to 7.30 as long as there's still light outside.

This was our third visit and totally lived up to our expectations again. We only had 3 nts this time and this was far too short!! All the positives that others have said are absolutely true. I have been lucky enough to stay at some very nice hotels and the Datai remains my favourite beach hotels in the world. Staff are attentive without being overbearing, food is delicious, beach and pools are lovely - we will be back

This review may well get lost in the volume of outstanding reviews but echoes our traveller experience. Positives, location is breathtaking, hotel hides itself in the forest and nestles in unnoticed. Facilities are again superb and every inch is maintained immaculately. Staff service is world class, ask for anything and they will do their best to provide. It’s expensive and that attracts a certain clientele including self important and arrogant guests who believe they have an entitlement to be there, sadly the hotel indulges these at the expense of normal guests. The ‘hoorays’ are obnoxious and spoil the experience, Datai should realise all guests come here for the first time once and equality should not be judged by what villa they occupy. We stayed for four nights in the main building room 301, be aware these ground floor rooms have no/little view, the interior is excellent but if you’re able book rooms at the top level for a view of the bay/grounds. Multiple posts highlight restaurant availability, we met guests who had booked there restaurants months in advance which seems unfair, Datai please restrict bookings until guests are on site. As titled this review will be lost in the gushy positives but is an honest appraisal. Good not excellent, annoying cliques of guests and restricted restaurant availability

Tout était parfait.

Rien

We stayed at the Datai for 7 nights in January and had a magical holiday. The Datai is a truly special place. The location is incredible, the food and service are fantastic but I’m writing this review because when I was planning my trip I noticed that there weren’t many reviews from people with young children so I wanted to share how we found our stay for those considering a trip with small children. From the moment we arrived, my son (age 3) was treated so wonderfully by every member of staff we met. The gifts in the room instantly encouraged my son to look for animals. Yasin made every ride on the buggy a fun experience for him. Mal was brilliant showing my son the sea life and how to sail. The team at the nature centre were fantastic - the sessions offered for both adults and children were excellent. My son has been talking about everything he learnt since arriving home, and is now very interested in plankton after his marine biology session! While there are some guests at the hotel who clearly preferred the days of the Datai being an adults only hotel, the majority seemed to enjoy seeing a young child enjoying nature and new life experiences - with many stopping to ask us for tips on how we’d found various things so they could look into bringing their own grandchildren. We would highly recommend travelling to the Datai with young children if you are looking to make family memories to last a lifetime.

We stayed at The Datai Langkawi for six nights at the end of our holiday. It’s undoubtedly a beautiful property in an extraordinary setting, though our experience had a mix of highs and some minor issues. On arrival we were checked in at the lobby bar and offered a welcome drink, which was a nice touch. We arrived around 1pm and our room wasn’t ready (normal check in is 3pm), so we spent the time at the adults-only pool. The pool area is peaceful and well designed, with very comfortable loungers. There is also a family pool down by the beach, which looked equally appealing. We were pleased to see the adults-only policy being enforced, which helped maintain a calm atmosphere. We stayed in Room 508, a spacious and comfortable room surrounded by rainforest. It felt private and tranquil, although the view was directly into dense greenery. If we were to return, we would likely upgrade to a first-floor room for a better outlook. We had an issue with the fridge not being cold enough. Reception arranged a replacement promptly, but unfortunately it didn’t improve the situation and we decided not to pursue it further. The sliding doors to the balcony are a bit tricky to close properly, I struggled to lock them and I can imagine anyone elderly would really have a problem. We were on a half-board basis. Breakfast in The Dining Room overlooked the adult pool and offered a good selection of the usual options expected at a hotel of this standard. Before arrival, I had read that restaurants book up quickly, so I emailed to secure reservations in advance. On arrival, only three bookings were showing on the system, fortunately I had kept the confirmation email. A revised confirmation was later sent to our room but contained errors, which meant another call to concierge to correct it. While eventually resolved, it wasn’t the smooth start we would have expected. Our dinner at The Pavilion (the Thai restaurant) was a bit of a disappointment. Service was very slow and the food arrived cold. We raised this after the meal and asked to move a future reservation to the Beach Club to avoid repeating the experience. An apology was offered and we were told the issues were due to a managers’ drinks event and late-arriving guests to the restaurant who had earlier bookings, although this hadn’t been communicated to us so we missed the event and it still didn’t entirely explain the level of disruption. We dined twice at Gulai. The first evening was enjoyable, but the second visit was less consistent in both food and service. It seemed like only one person could serve drinks and take orders which made it very inefficient. The Beach Club was the standout for us. We visited three evenings for dinner and also had lunch there daily. Food and service were consistently good, and it noticeably appeared better staffed. We didn’t dine at The Dining Room in the evening due to the long-trouser dress code for men, which didn’t suit us on this trip. On one occasion in the beach club, a guest took a FaceTime call on loudspeaker in the restaurant despite the guidance in the app about device etiquette, it would have been helpful if this had been addressed to preserve the atmosphere. What truly sets this hotel apart is the setting. The bay, rainforest and wildlife are genuinely breathtaking. Seeing monkeys and hornbills in such a natural and peaceful environment was a real highlight. We even saw a python on our last day! Don’t worry the staff were keeping an eye on him and were planning to move him somewhere further away. Overall, the location and natural beauty are exceptional and make this a very special place. However, the inconsistencies in dining and some service issues meant the experience didn’t fully match the hotel’s reputation, so I hope management addresses this constructive feedback. That being said, we would definitely return in the future and look forward to doing so.

This a world class hotel. It’s an absolute master-class in design, comfort, and natural beauty. Someone had said on Tripadvisor that the Danna where we also stayed was “the best hotel in Langkawi”. Lol! Tell me you’ve never been to the Datai without telling me! The Datai is different gravy. Yes it’s expensive but that’s because it’s in a different league. Even if you wanted to extend your stay here it’s almost impossible because every room is reserved back-to-back. The bedroom and bathroom (room 508) were so plush and beautiful I could literally be happy living in the room permanently. It was superb. It was super-modern, stylish and the bathroom was fit for a prince. The bathrooms incorporate a separate toilet and shower with frosted glass to allow privacy and optimise use. Rooms are spotless clean and all rooms benefit from evening turn-down service. The room had lots of power points (all UK three pin sockets). The swimming pools (x 2) are wonderful, they are a lovely temperature, and plenty of comfortable well-designed lounging beds, and I love the fact there’s an ‘adults only’ main pool which is quiet and tranquil. The adult only (16+) rule is strictly administered by pool staff, which I absolutely applaud. Families and children have a lovely pool down by the beach …. and what a beach it is, stunning white sand and crystal clear water. It’s a beautiful bay. I also didn’t see any jelly fish at all and the beach and sea felt very safe. Plus there are plenty of staff, including security staff. There are two decent bars. One bar is in the main lobby building and one bar is down by the family pool and beach. One day the beach bar staff fed the Hornbills some berries and the stunning birds came right down next to the guests - what a memorable and lovely thing to see. The staff work so hard, they are very attentive and courteous. Nothing was too much trouble. There was one issue with service in The Pavilion restaurant on one evening where the service was very slow but I suspect that was because the restaurant was under-staffed that evening. The food & drinks manager did apologise. The restaurants were generally really good and the menu choices and wine selection were first class. On the whole the hotel’s service was extremely good. A big shout out especially to “Sitina” who works at the beach restaurant she is brilliant and very professional and very friendly. Datai need to keep staff like Sitina, she is a credit to the hotel. The forest surrounding the hotel is beautiful and well managed. It is full of colourful hornbills, butterflies, squirrels, and monkeys, plus we got to see eagles soaring overhead. The forest is alive with wonderful sounds. The forest paths are well lit and there are complimentary guest buggies to help guests get around but most places are within around 10-15 minutes walk. This is a true five star hotel - I can’t recommend it highly enough. We very much hope to be returning one day.

Stunning location, amazing beach - truly unique. We absolutely loved being surrounded by trees, birds and butterflies. The food and service was amazing, particularly loved the Thai and the beach restaurant and cafe. Shout out to Azhari. And also to Aswan, who is made for the hospitality industry! The only thing that could be improved was the breakfast; really limited fruit and cereal options, but the chef at the egg station was great. Truly one of a kind setting!

I recently spent several days at The Datai Langkawi, and although I arrived with high expectations, the resort managed to surpass them in ways that are difficult to put into words. Hidden within a 10‑million‑year‑old rainforest and overlooking the quiet, secluded shores of Datai Bay, the property feels like a place suspended between worlds - where nature, architecture, and hospitality exist in rare harmony. From the moment I stepped out of the car, the experience unfolded with an effortless sense of grace. I was welcomed into the open‑air lobby with a signature tea and local pastries, a gentle introduction to the resort’s unique atmosphere. As my villa wasn’t quite ready, I was offered a glass of champagne or a cocktail, which I enjoyed while taking in the serene surroundings. Shortly after, a buggy brought me to my Rainforest Premium Villa. The villa itself is beautifully designed—123 square metres of understated luxury crafted from teak, stone, and natural materials that blend seamlessly with the rainforest outside. The open‑plan layout includes a large canopy bed, two desks, a cosy lounge area, reading chairs, a well‑stocked bar, and refined decorative details throughout. A chocolate cake and fresh fruit awaited me, along with information about the resort’s weekly programme and culinary highlights. The bathroom is almost a retreat of its own, with two spacious vanities, a freestanding bathtub, a rain shower, generous wardrobe space, and the resort’s own handcrafted, all‑natural toiletries. The terrace, overlooking the rainforest and a gently flowing stream, became one of my favourite places to unwind. Housekeeping and turndown service were consistently flawless - quiet, precise, and attentive. Breakfast is served at The Dining Room for guests up to the Tropical Villa category, and the morning walk through the rainforest to reach it is a pleasure in itself. The buffet offers a high‑quality selection of international and local dishes that change daily, including the resort’s own Rainforest Honey. Service was warm and attentive, during peak times it could be a touch slow, but any oversight was quickly corrected. The à‑la‑carte menu is excellent - lobster omelette, scrambled eggs with foie gras, and wonderfully fluffy pancakes stood out. In the evenings, The Dining Room offers refined cuisine prepared with great attention to detail. The resort’s dining options are diverse and consistently impressive. The Pavilion, perched on stilts above the rainforest, serves authentic Thai cuisine in a wonderfully atmospheric setting. The Gulai House, hidden deep in the forest, offers Malay and Indian dishes in a traditional kampung‑style environment - an intimate and culturally rich experience. Down by the beach, the Beach Club provides relaxed coastal dining with vibrant flavours and excellent service. The adults‑only pool in the main complex is long enough for proper lap swimming and offers beautiful views of the rainforest with the sea shimmering in the distance. The beach pool, located just behind the shoreline, is ideal for families. The beach itself is extraordinary - regularly ranked among the most beautiful in the world, and deservedly so. Wide, pristine, and never crowded, it offers a sense of privacy that is increasingly rare. The beach service is exceptional, with chilled towels, fruit skewers, and artisanal ice cream offered throughout the day. Wildlife is ever‑present yet respectfully protected: hornbills, macaques, sea otters, and even nesting sea turtles. A complimentary watersports centre provides kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkelling equipment. The beachfront fitness centre is well equipped, and the Nature Centre offers fascinating insights into the rainforest’s biodiversity. Guided walks with the resort’s naturalists were among the highlights of my stay, especially the Canopy Walk high above the forest floor. What truly sets The Datai apart is its commitment to sustainability. The Lab and the Permaculture Garden showcase the resort’s efforts in zero‑waste systems, local sourcing, and community engagement. Much of what appears on the menus - or in the spa - comes directly from these initiatives, making the experience feel not only luxurious but also meaningful. The Datai Langkawi is more than a luxury resort.It is a place that stays with you. The harmony between architecture, nature, and hospitality creates an atmosphere that feels both grounding and uplifting. It is rare to find a property that delivers such a deep sense of place while maintaining such high standards of comfort and service. My stay was exceptional in every sense, and I left with the feeling that I had experienced something truly special and that I definitely must return.

Professionelle Mitarbeiter, sehr dienstleistungsorientiert, super Strand und Meer

Just left the Datai at Langkowi, it is possibly the best resort we have ever stayed in. We stayed in beach villa No1 which has possibly the best location. The beach is gorgeous, sea lovely and calm and swept everyday. Ronald was our butler and he was amazing, not at all intrusive but available whenever you needed him. All the staff at the Datai are friendly, polite and always smiling. I would return in a heartbeat…..

Never tried anything like it. Premium service/hospitality, nature/surroundings and food. 10/10. Inwpuld reccomend it to anybody that can afford it. And we will do everything to come back.

This is a difficult review as the hotel itself is set into spectacular scenery with a superb quiet beach overlooking the bay with great views and remote enough not to have an army of Instagram posters! We prefer quiet hotels with understated but elegant luxury. Unfortunately, in our opinion it doesn’t quite get there and we were so disappointed. Actually, of our six week journey across some of Asia, this being the one hotel we were so looking forward to, having heard so many amazing things about it having envisaged re booking for our extended family. The staff are all really lovely obliging and helpful but be prepared to be overlooked, especially at the beach bar if you are a lone female guest. Food, we actually found this a little bit and miss. Breakfast at the restaurant is a poor affair with very little choice, for example three fruits available and some of the offerings were very unappealing. First experience of eggs were burnt to a crisp as the guy was busy chattering to a repeater. Thai restaurant was ok but below par for us we didn’t enjoy any of the three course meal. We love massaman curry normally but this one wasn’t enjoyable. Perhaps our other choices were a little off ..but we had taken advice though! Malaysian was good but the table wear and tatty well washed table mats weren’t expected but this seems to be the norm in the resort as we found the towels and bedding equally so. The Dining room in the evening however was amazing. Opting to take the daily chefs fixed menu this was conversely simply sublime and one of the best meals we have had in a long time. Simply first class in every way. This was a shock given the breakfast … The Beach club restaurant evening meal overall ok and the setting is lovely. Our steaks and sides were good but the appetiser and deserts at £20 each were poor. We found the service a little hap hazard and they seemed quite disorganised. Our biggest disappointment, however, was the rooms in the hotel .. we had requested via the pre arrival service some degree of privacy but all rooms are overlooked to some degree with long shared balconies, unless you are in one of the lower shaded rooms which are completely shaded by trees which make them dark and unappealing .. We had a walk around the grounds to see if the villas were any better .. all were large and, yes, you can easily see into them and all looked to have the same fittings as the other rooms in the hotel. Personally, I would have hated to stay in one as they were well and truly in the forest.. no view, no sun and loads and loads of bugs. Very personal thing I suppose but had wanted to see if it was worth the upgrade for us. The Beach villas looked lovely but were miles away from everything.. they were private. The hotel rooms all quite large, some very large and I suppose well equipped but are very dated lacking things we expect in today’s offering. The room was a little tatty in places as is the hotel with peeling facades loose tiles around pools and overall in need of repainting in a lot of places. Our biggest problem with the room was the smell and damp which was awful. There is a real issue we felt with foist and damp and potential mould, we moved rooms twice. We did end up with a dehumidifier as I was wheezing and all bedding and clothes felt damp and cold. Within a couple of hours the dehumidifier was full unfortunately flooding the room. We also had ants everywhere..I so admire these incredible creatures that they even managed to get into sealed contact lenses pots and tooth paste and took to hiding in my tooth brush so resorted to sealing my things in plastic bags. We had them the whole stay even though we asked for the room to be sprayed. The air conditioning is hit and miss in our first room it was broken all together. We felt overall the hotel would really benefit from a refit, non the least the air conditioning units. We do live in a hot climate and can appreciate and really do sympathise that it is a constant issue with critters, keeping cool and controlling humidity but this is a luxury first class hotel. We played the Els course which we enjoyed immensely, setting being spectacular. Travelling around we hired clubs which were well used and would benefit from an update. Our buggy was also broken.. the brake didn’t work so had to park carefully! Disappointed the 15 hole was out of play, one of the signature holes. There are a lot of repeat guests, waving across dining rooms and back patting and hugging, it really did become quite obnoxious and farcical at times. Somehow I think a lot to do with being able to say we holiday at “The Datai you know! I guess I can understand why there are so many as it is a unique place in a stunning location ..but ..it could be so much more with a few tweaks. Perhaps when they redevelop the burnt down hotel in the bay The Datai will be forced to up its game, this is in an equally if not better location. How the hotel handles complaints is quite effective!! They have a really clever and what would appears deliberate ploy to have timid young ladies as front of house and this really inhibits guests making any real complaints, you feel so sorry and protective towards them, so end up just accepting issues that should be dealt with. Other guests we spoke to felt the same! I originally posted the review before we left the hotel, as a result we did speak with the GM of the hotel who was lovely and very empathetic that we had not had a good first visit. We appreciated the time he took with us .. thankyou.. I have since reflected and reviewed my review. On the whole as first timers we didn’t feel we were treated as well as repeat guests. If this had been our first hotel visited in the area we may have been blown away, but being on the latter end and having stayed in some fabulous hotels in equally amazing locations and with staff that excelled in their services we are really sorry to say we were underwhelmed.

This was our second time at The Datai. Expectations were high after a lovely time there two years ago. By the end of our holiday, we can honestly say that in almost every aspect of the experience, those expectations were totally blown away by the amazing time we had. From the moment we got there, we were totally relaxed and felt at home. Our room was ready when we got there and after quickly unpacking we were down on the beach. We spent many hours strolling up and down the beach during our stay. Picked up a considerable amount of plastic and glass from the beach that had been washed in from other places. The staff do pay serious attention to keeping the beach clean but a number of guests helped along the way. The service on the beach was first class with Alexandra leading the way, cleaning glasses, delivering fruit, ice creams and cocktails in the late afternoon. What more can you ask for. The quality and choice of food at The Datai is outstanding. Breakfast is an art form in itself. The choice of restaurants leaves you with a difficult decision each day as to where to eat. You do need to book well in advance if you like to eat at a specific time though. Specific mention should go to Adam, Pang and Mustafa for their contribution to making our holiday special. Not sure that a holiday can get much better than this but we will try and beat it next year as we have already booked to go back. Thanks to The Datai and all of the staff for making memories with us.

I never write reviews but after reading the last one felt I had to say I dont recognise any of the complaints. We came home a week ago and absolutely loved everything. This was our first time and felt we were treated the same as repeaters. After getting home and getting over the jetlag would go back tomorrow.

We stayed in march last year and are heading back in 5 weeks and cannot wait. I read the review from earlier today and felt it needed some context. The hotel is sublime, but it’s subtle, it isn’t in your face hyper luxury like you might have in a larger chain, and it’s all the better for it. We stayed in a rainforest villa last year and have opted for a pool villa this year. There were a few ants but you’re in the middle of a 10 million year old jungle. I can’t begrudge the ants a little luxury too. There were no other bugs! The restaurants are fab, they feel quite accessible to everyone, they weren’t overpriced, the service was welcoming and not stuffy, people were fairly casual in a lovely way that honestly was one of the reasons we’re going back. If you do decide to go, spend some time with the excellent team in the nature centre. We loved hearing the stories and seeing the pictures. We can’t wait to become regulars. The moment I worked out the situation with the name plaque (iykyk), I was already booking my next trip (just 3 more to go 😆🤷‍♀️). Don’t change a thing!

We spent four nights at the Datai as part of a two centre stay in Langkawi. On arrival, we received a personal and welcoming greeting from Anne, who checked us in. As our room was not ready, we were offered complimentary drinks. It really was no hardship to sit in the bar area and stare at the breathtaking view of the rainforest and emerald sea. We could not have been more thrilled with our rainforest villa. It was huge, with an enormous, comfortable bed, seating area, massive TV (with an excellent choice of films, sport, and news channels), coffee machine, a mini bar (including beer, water and soft drinks that was restocked daily), and a fruit platter. Our bathroom was equally large, with bath and separate shower and toilet cubicles, together with a dressing area. Complimentary high-quality toiletries were provided, as were dressing gowns and slippers. Our balcony area had chairs and a day bed. Offering a view of the rainforest, we were often joined by inquisitive macaques who sat on the railings, staring at us in the vain hope of finding something to eat. Housekeeping and the turn down service were excellent and we appreciated chef’s nightly sweet treat! We were a little surprised that there were no separate bins for recyclables, but assumed refuse must be sorted by hand. The villa offered a degree of privacy and independence not normally enjoyed in a resort environment, which suited us perfectly. We enjoyed all the restaurants we visited, but The Gulai House was our favourite, set deep in the rainforest and offering delicious Malaysian cuisine. Each meal starts with a handwashing ritual, just don’t get caught out by Mustafa’s feet washing offer! Lunch in the Beach restaurant was excellent and good value for money. Breakfast lived up to our expectations, with a vast array of hot and cold dishes on offer, including delicious freshly cooked roti. My husband considered the golf course to be first class and beautifully maintained. He really enjoyed his two rounds of golf. A word of warning however, whilst he was on the green, a troupe of monkeys managed to unzip his golf bag, which was on the buggy, looking for food. Fortunately, all they found was sun cream! Staff at the course were helpful, especially Alfie. I joined my husband on the buggy for his second round and our lunch at the club house was tasty and excellent value for money. I took two Pilates classes in the open sided seafront pavilion. What a spectacular setting! Ann and Laura both delivered excellent classes, highly recommended. The morning nature walk is also recommended. We saw a wide variety of wildlife during our walk. Our guide, Barry, was knowledgeable and friendly and we learned a great deal from him about the rainforest and its inhabitants. Two swimming pools are on offer, one adult only, with plentiful sunbeds and towels. The beach is breathtaking in its beauty. Again, there were ample sunbeds, benefitting from the natural shade of the trees. Whilst we were there, the wonderful staff brought flasks of ice water; complimentary ice cream and a cocktail shot of the day. The sea water was as warm as a bath but unfortunately it was a little too cloudy for snorkelling. It was easy to get around the resort by summoning a buggy, which usually arrived without delay. The drivers were unfailingly professional and helpful. We found the Datai to be outstanding in every respect. However, what made the resort stand out, is the level of hospitality offered by the staff. We received a warm and friendly welcome from every member of staff we encountered. Nothing was too much trouble. Many guests come back year after year. We now understand why and hope to be able to emulate them. We were told that the name Datai (dai tai) means “the place where one can be free.” The Datai certainly lived up to its name. Sincere thanks to all the staff for your outstanding hospitality.

The Datai is beautiful throughout and the service is excellent but never intrusive or overbearing. We loved our accommodation in a rainforest villa - spacious, supremely comfortable and atmospheric. We had an exceptional à la carte meal in the main restaurant and loved the beach and beach bar. There was also a great drinks party.

Some change in the restaurants might be welcome - maybe some Japanese food in place of Thai.

This is simply the BEST resort we’ve ever had the privilege and pleasure to stay at. It is special and unique in so many ways, and they do everything right. Here are highlights: Grounds: Beautifully designed for minimal environmental impact, you are living in a rainforest with the animals doing their thing all around you. It’s magical, and the Datai are committed to sustainability, recycling and creatively reusing things where possible (for example, the batik painting I did was made with recycled bed linens. Genius). Also, even though it was fully booked, it never felt crowded. Never more than 2 minutes for a buggy to pick you up and take you anywhere. Staff: The highlight of The Datai are the people who work there. Everyone is friendly and caring. They really do make you feel as though you are family. Truly. Premium Rainforest Villa - a treat to stay in one of these. Spacious, beautifully decorated, comfy bed and high end linens, great air con and amazing balcony to sit and watch/listen to nature all around. Food: Breakfast was outstanding - everything you want is available and flavors abound. Wonderful dinner restaurant choices with good variety on their menus. Our favorite was the Gulai (Malay and East Asian) and the Beach Club seafood buffet. In room dining is easy and great too. One small suggestion: might be nice to have a very casual dining experience for dinner as well (burgers, pizza, etc). Beach: A highlight. The beach faces north, and the sun goes behind a line of trees. Plenty of sun and natural shade - you choose. Staff bring refreshments all day: water, ice, fruit, ice cream cones, cocktail “shots.”On windy days, someone cleans your sunglasses. Now that’s luxury! Activities: We did rainforest walks during the day and evening, bird watching, nature center talk, batik painting. Each activity was unique and special. Each guide was an expert in their field, educated as botanist, marine biologist, birder, artist, etc. They were all Malay and clearly had a special appreciation for their local environment. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to teach us, answer all of our questions, and share their beautiful island. Spa: I had two massages. They were perfect. Open air, private hut, amazing. Tip: Make dinner, spa and activity reservations in advance before you arrive. We cannot wait to return next year. Already made the reservations. This is a special and unique place. Terima kasih!

We had very high expectations of this place when we booked for my birthday in November and on the whole it was truly magical. Wonderful friendly staff who go above and beyond, efficient service, incredible food and a breath-taking environment of peace, clean air and rainforest sounds. There were only a couple of minor things if I was to be picky: 1) some inconsistency in service between the bars - we visited mostly the beach bar during the day, and lobby bar of an evening, and it was only 2 days before we came home that I finally managed to ascertain that they did indeed have soda water (I like this mixed with wine/ice as a refreshing spritzer) - I asked a few staff and was told that they had no such item and look confused when I was trying to describe soda water as if they had never heard of it! so for the first 5 days I was having to just have ice in my wine (due to the heat it needed to be kept cold)which wasnt ideal! Little things like staff knowledge of products felt a bit lacking. We were kindly given a room after checkout for a few hours until our departure at 5pm to shower/change, but they didnt contact us to tell us it was ready until 1 hour before were were due to leave (they knew where we were at the point) - so I had to chase for this information at the last minute. Then we got lost trying to find it said room and staff didnt seem that interested in properly directing us at that point so were wandering around for over 15 minutes to find the room to allow time to shower etc before being picked up which felt stressful/rushed ahead of a long journey back to the UK. One other little point of note is that whilst this resort does incredibly well in terms of environmental education, no plastics, respecting the natural environment etc, I was quite shocked to see tetra pack milk cartons in the room mini fridges (which were then replaced every day even if only a splash had been used!) - why on earth they cant place jugs of decanted milk into the fridges in the rooms I dont know ! seems a bit at odds with the low waste ethos of the place.... We had wonderful interactions and chats with the nature centre staff, special shout out to Dev who has a wealth of knowledge and passion about his role at the Datai and would always come say hello and have a chat when he saw us. The spa is worth a mention too, we had pre-booked a massage before arrival (highly recommend doing this) and loved it so much we booked another for later in our stay. The spa manager Louise was so lovely and friendly, even helping track down the oil they used on their cold face towels so I could take some home - divine stuff! The wildlife and forest sounds were just so moving and humbling to be part of that environment and felt so immersive and moving, I actually cried when we left. Food in every restaurant (we ate at every one during our stay) was outstanding and very plentiful and excellent value for money with the half board option (we quickly learnt we were over-ordering after the second night as they are very generous with HB allowances alongside HUGE portions! The Thai was probably our favourite although the Malay was also very good. We ate the degsuation tasting menu on the day of my birthday and it was incredible. All in all this was a real bucket list stay and I would come back in a heartbeat. Just needs a little bit of tweaking with staff training here and there.

We last visited this hotel with our young children 22 years ago and have been meaning to return since then Whilst it had taken as too long, we are back now and must say it’s as stunning as we remember. The staff are so genuine in their service and the food we have eaten has been outstanding The hotel itself is very special in many ways So good we will be back later this year

Let me just state The Datai is just worthy! A place that was refined trough ages in a jungle like setting without ever feeling the downsides of a jungle scenario. You can witness wildlife closeby but never in an unwanted way. That was never a bug or lizard in the rooms or nearby for instance. Every detail was thought to secure and provide tranquility. It's a serene heaven. Some highlights of the stay: Negatives: - There is not much to mention but some things could be improved. Firstly I would say for the half board price tag there could be an inclusion of afternoon tea or small buffet lunch. However I much appreciated that non alcoholic drinks were complimentary and most of them were amazing. The Datai ginger ale is just something to remember! - The malay restaurant could use a little refinement and it was the only place were I saw mosquitoes. There should be more repelent scents, candles or diffusers in this area. - The dinner at the beachfront restaurant is great but after sunset it gets really dark in this place, maybe some tables could be left under the roof for people who prefer lighter ambiance. - the daily piano performance is great but maybe the artist could change location every other night and consider adding more night culture events or entertainment. - a small detail but I dont like the aesthetic of the room bathtub with the hole space under it. Just seems like a place to gather dust or unwanted pests. - some tables at breakfast have stains. Maybe they should consider changing the tops or apply some kind of protection. I get the feeling some bathroom appliances will suffer the same fate. - stains in some floor parts around the pool areas. I understand it is difficult to maintenance the condition of the materials but these stains deter from a pristine look in this area. Positives: - amazing adult only pool. The ambiance is gorgeous and serene and the water clean with nice temperature. There were although some stains in bottom pool tiles which is something to improve. At midday it could also benefit from a quick bottom cleaning. - huge private beach. Although it is not one of most clear waters Asian beaches (nothing compared with other beaches in southeast asia) it still is beautifull in its one. The complimentary kayaks and paddle boards were in perfect condition and it was always a pleasure to use. The resort with the back mountains views we get from the sea is just gorgeous! - the service was top notch troughout! - must say I got the best mangos is my life at this resort and consistently everyday! - beach cocktail party/event was a very nice touch! - the a la carte breakfast menu is amazing. Nasi Goreng was perfect everyday! - Thai restaurant was my favorite. The setting, the food and service was perfect! I would only consider to elevate the decor (and maybe remove the stange dolls at the entrance). - bath amenities are amazing with natural local floral scents. - complimentary walks with the biologist was very interesting. I would reconsider the price of some activities which are on higher side. The food at the other hand is a fair price for the setting and good quality troughout the resort. - there are few limited places for some complimentary activities like yoga which was almost all full. Even in the spa is not easy to get an appointment. - the real highlight is the serenity, the fluidity of the resort, everything runs smoothly, everything is calm and the ability to see closeby the rare friendly black monkeys everyday is something I will never forget. For is my intend to return to this amazing place I will give some suggestions to improved the overall feeling of the stay: they could consider increase slighlty the daily price and include more complimentary activities, more wellness focus activities and events, sound healing, pilates, aromatherapy rooms for instance (I miss those organic oil burners we see in some Asian hotels all around). I mean this resort has everything to be a top wellness center!! Some improve refinement in restaurants layout and flower arrangements could also make womders. I would also increase night entertainment or events. That being said the most difficult thing is to maintain the huge resort struture, the materials condition and the grounds which overall very good for the setting. Until the next time Datai!

やはり設備や建物が綺麗なところです。 コンシェルジュのスタッフは、とても丁寧に対応してくれ、心強かったです。 アクティビティのスタッフも親切丁寧で良かったです。

チェックイン前の1時半に到着したものの、チェックインが3時半になり、夕食の予約も混んでたのか、スタッフも確認すると言いながら、返答なしで、結局、そのスタッフは、戻って来なくて、違うスタッフに確認したら、言ってた予約時間は、取れないとのことでした。混み合っていたのでしょうが、少し残念でした。 後、レストランのメニューも写真があれば、いいなと思います。

Ambiente calmo e pacífico

Nada de mau a apontar

The location is breathtaking, surrounded by ancient rainforest and a pristine beach, it feels truly special and incredibly peaceful. The food across the resort was excellent throughout our stay, consistently high quality and beautifully prepared. What really sets The Datai apart is the people. Every member of staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind, making us feel welcome from the very first moment. A very special thank you to our dedicated host, Debra, who was outstanding. Thoughtful, proactive, and incredibly warm, she made everything effortless and personal. Her attention to detail and genuine care elevated our entire experience, and she is a true asset to The Datai. Her managers should be very proud. The Datai is one of those rare places you immediately want to return to. Highly recommended.

Everything lost for words what an experience and the staff are amazing! Like being immersed in the jungle the nature was unbelievable especially seeing the sea otters. Dusty leaf monkeys at your balcony n the morning. The breakfast was exceptional and so were the dinning restaurants.

I was looking to get away from it all and The Datai delivered in spades! I have stayed at top luxury resorts across Asia and I was not expecting The Datai to impress me the way it did. Firstly, the architecture and its sensitive placement of the facilities within the rainforest/bay was incredibly elegant. We were amazed by how fresh the spaces were despite how little airconditioning was being used on the grounds. The Bay is wonderfully calm and perfect for swimming, kayaking, grounding, etc - the view is glorious. Then the warmth of the team - I would love to call out Rajat, Hanis, Saiful, Pang, Wafi, Hamish and Arif amongst others - made us feel welcomed in the most unpretentious genuine way. Everyone on this team was attentive, calm, sending out only positive vibes. The experience was then taken up a notch by the consistently delicious food across multiple dining rooms and cuisines - it was near impossible to fault the dishes on offer and their value. We loved that the team went above and beyond to customise meals for us to keep our tastebuds engaged. To top this all off, the hotel also organised an unforgettable trip to meet the dolphins - we were very fortunate to meet a pod of over 50! This was an amazing 4D3N stay that we wished we could have extended. Thank you The Datai Team - you have delivered in so many ways that it's compelled me to drop you this little love note. I look forward to seeing all of you again and next time, I am bringing more friends! Kudos!

🌊✨ Review of the Gadis Pulau Catamaran Cruise During my stay at the Datai Resort on Langkawi Island, I embarked on a 4-hour cruise aboard a magnificent 56ft catamaran operated by the Gadis Pulau Team. It was an unforgettable experience that combined luxury, adventure, and genuine Malaysian hospitality. 🚤 The Catamaran Experience • The vessel was pristine, spacious, and beautifully maintained. • Comfortable seating and lounging areas made it easy to relax while taking in Langkawi’s breathtaking seascapes. • The sailing was smooth and serene, perfectly balancing relaxation with exploration. 👨✈️ The Crew & Hosts • Captain Binjay led the voyage with confidence and skill, ensuring both safety and enjoyment throughout. • Tony and Zahara, the onboard hosts from the Datai Resort, were outstanding — warm, attentive, and always ready with a smile. Their hospitality elevated the entire journey. • Amizan and Faris, the dedicated crew members, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running seamlessly. Their professionalism and friendliness added to the welcoming atmosphere. 🌅 Cruise Highlights • The team curated the perfect rhythm for the trip: moments to unwind, moments to explore, and moments to simply marvel at nature’s beauty. • Every detail — from refreshments to music — was thoughtfully chosen to enhance the experience. 🌟 Returning for More The first trip was so exceptional that I booked it again just a few days later with the same crew. The second cruise was every bit as wonderful as the first, but this time nature added some drama. On the way back, we encountered a storm with 2-meter waves. Thanks to Captain Binjay’s remarkable skill and calm leadership, we returned safely despite the challenging conditions. His expertise turned what could have been a frightening situation into a testament to the crew’s professionalism and capability. 🌟 Overall Impression This was far more than just a boat ride; it was a luxury journey infused with heartfelt service and true seamanship. Captain Binjay and the Gadis Pulau Team — Tony, Zahara, Amizan, and Faris — transformed scenic cruises into treasured memories. If you’re staying at the Datai or visiting Langkawi, this catamaran experience is an absolute must.

This was our sixth visit — so we’re clearly consistent in returning. But on reflection, it’s really the hotel’s remarkable consistency that keeps drawing us back. The staff, service, and overall quality remain exceptional every single time. The grounds continue to be flawlessly maintained — a small miracle given the challenges of caring for such lush landscapes in the rainforest. I’ll keep this review short, as so many others have already captured the wonderful details perfectly. We just want to express our thanks and gratitude for another brilliant stay, and we look forward to seeing everyone again very soon.

Wow, just amazing. I had seen the BBC programme and read the reviews but the reality was better than that! The location, just perfect, I don’t care about its isolation, that adds to the unique and special feeling about the place. The staff are without parallel, friendly, attentive yet never intrusive. You get the feeling that they enjoy working there. We enjoyed the permaculture walk with Azrul. The morning and evening rainforest walks with Fahmi and Fuad, their enthusiasm and knowledge is amazing. The food was excellent, we ate at the Beach Club, our favourite, the Pavilion and the Gulai house. Special mention to Rasmun at breakfasts, always smiling and helpful. The service on the beach doesn’t get mentioned much in reviews but that is excellent as well. Our canopy deluxe room has all we needed but we were lucky to have just missed all the rain and spent very little time there. My one slight concern is that I understand the Andaman Hotel sharing the beach is to be refurbished as a “family” hotel and there are plans for more beach villas at the Datai (what about the otters?) - please do not over develop as this will ruin the specialness of the Datai in our opinion. For the first time, I was sad to leave a hotel and hope to return one day

We had a wonderful week at the Datai as a family, truly an exceptional resort where the people make all the difference. Every interaction felt genuine and personal. Special thanks to Shaiful and Sofwan at breakfast, Azhari at the Beach Club, Waffy at The Pavilion, Mustafa at Gulai House, and Yasin, whose stories during our buggy rides added a special touch. You made us feel incredibly welcome. Breakfast was outstanding, with pastries and croissants by Said that are simply the best we’ve had anywhere. Gulai House delivered some of the finest local cuisine we’ve experienced. Highly recommend the Red Snapper, butter chicken, and ribs rendang. One small note: as the resort expands, I hope it preserves its intimate, boutique feel. Breakfast occasionally felt crowded, and as the business grows, maintaining privacy and tranquillity will be key. A final thank you to Stéphane for the warm welcome and continued support throughout our stay.

The setting is truly unparalleled: an ancient rainforest seamlessly blending into a calm, emerald-toned bay. The resort’s vast grounds are extraordinary, complete with winding rivers and serene creeks. Wildlife encounters are part of the charm — expect to meet the adorable dusky leaf monkeys and the occasional hornbill gliding overhead. For lovers of architecture that is both beautiful and deeply respectful of its environment, Kerry Hill’s masterpiece at The Datai is incomparable. It is a showcase of sustainable, thoughtful design at its very best. We did notice a slight dip in the food quality during this visit, but trust it is a one-off rather than a new trend. We felt that the true champion of Malay cuisine is Ikan Restaurant at FS Langkawi — no longer Gulai House, sadly. Overall, The Datai remains a destination of rare magic and timeless allure.

Despite a few days being a complete washout with non-stop rain that meant we weren’t able to do a few experiences we pre-booked, we still had a wonderful time at the Datai. The hotel is set in a rainforest after all. The staff (all of them) were amazing - all very courteous, friendly and always helpful, from our our arrival at midnight (due to flight delay from KL) to waving us off on departure after 10 days. The food was pretty incredible at all the restaurants - Gulai for local Malay / Indian taste to the Thai inspired Pavillion, the Beach Club for bit more western feel to the Dining Room with its personal fine dining experience led by the excellent Sham and his team. The breakfast buffet is a proper feast to start the day. The pasty section by Chef Said - wow! Not to mention what he did for the beach club bbq…. Our deluxe canopy room in the main building was lovely and cosy, where we were able to see monkeys and hornbills most days. Special thanks to the lead gardener / bee keeper who gave us a very informative tour and walk around after our bee keeper experience was cancelled twice due to rain, We were lucky to go on both the forest awakening / forest at night tours (both very enjoyable) but missed out on the bird watching / journey through the forest tours due to weather. Overall we throughly enjoyed our time at the Datai and the memories it gave us.

We’ve been before, not sure we would return. Yes, it’s amazing in lots of ways. The setting is second to none, the rooms very comfortable, food very good. But the customer service generally, let this place down. Nobody was there to meet us when our car pulled up which I was quite surprised by. It wasn’t until we were struggling with our baggage that staff came rushing out. Not the end of the world, I appreciate, but this set the tone of the service for our stay. At breakfast, staff were present but often missed our coffee order and it seemed a challenge to catch anyone’s eye to ask for anything. The same applied to the beach bar area and we often had to leave our table to ask for a menu, a drink etc. As I said, not the end of the world but not what you expect when you’re paying about £900 a night for one of the Datai’s basic rooms. I wonder if the Datai is now sitting on its laurels and relying on its setting and its past reputation.

The Datai is undoubtedly one of the outstanding hotels in the world, in a beautiful rainforest setting by the sea. We soon understood why guests return time after time. As much as the scenery, the staff make The Datai what it is, and clearly take pride in their jobs: always on hand, immaculately turned out and - without exception - welcoming, friendly and efficient. Service was impeccable - intuitive but not pretentious. The resort is spread out and a bit hilly, with the main buildings up from the beach, but golf buggies will take you anywhere right away. Our Rainforest Pool Villa had a huge bedroom and sitting area, an equally large bathroom/dressing room, and masses of storage. Indoor and outdoor areas were kept spotless, and the included minibar and fruit bowl were restocked daily. A broken deck board was repaired only four hours after the room attendant noticed it. The only negatives were 1) numerous baffling switches for lights and fans, and 2) a duvet suitable for a European winter that necessitated turning down the temperature of the rather noisy aircon. Pillows were quite firm, but a pillow menu was offered. We’d intended to take part in some of the experiences, but ended up just ‘chilling’ for ten days. We were happy to spend time around our private 7 metre pool (30° plus) with only the sounds of the forest and the small river below. While there was less sun under the tree canopy than elsewhere, when it inevitably rained we had shelter on our veranda. Dining was a highlight, and we particularly enjoyed The Gulai House (Malaysian/Indian) and The Pavilion (Thai) where you could choose the spiciness level. Book them at least a day ahead. There was a vast choice for breakfast, and some days we had a late lunch and skipped dinner. You would have to be very big eaters for Half Board to be worthwhile. A nice touch was ice creams handed out at the poolside, and tap water is complementary with meals. When we stayed most guests were couples, plus a few families with generally well-behaved young children - The Datai isn’t really a resort for teenagers. One night however, a large group of children ran around a restaurant throughout dinner, then at breakfast again wandered about and helped themselves from the buffet unsupervised. Staff seemed embarrassed – so something to keep an eye on.

All good but remarkable is the personnel.

We stayed at the Datai for our honeymoon and it was everything we could have imagined and a lot more. Whilst the scenery, rooms and food are all absolutely incredible it's the service which truly makes this place unmatched. Every member of staff was completely delightful and tripping over themselves to ensure you received the best of service. Despite having not the best luck when it came to the weather our stay was completely magical and we hope to be able to return at some point in the future.

Absolutely beautiful long weekend at this amazing place which I’ve always wanted to go to. While i thought the lunches and the dinners were not great, everything else was perfect. The beach setting ,the views, the warm and generous welcoming and gorgeous staff . Our villa on the beach was out of this world. People couldn’t have done more to make us feel more welcome and comfortable. One of the chef special lunches was almost inedible. It was so sweet . The nasi Goring is dull. I do a better job myself and I’m not Malay. Perhaps they are trying to dull down the local food to suit boring European tastes? I kept picking up plastic waste on the beach which has probably blown in From another place. Perhaps the staff could be asked to look out and pick up and dispose of in order that the beach maintains it’s pristine fabulousness. Also, the chef special in the Thai restaurant ( “ chicken with a special gravy“) was exactly the same as the Thai chicken curry so we ended up having two of the same main in effect- which should’ve been pointed out to us when we ordered. Not wanting to end on that point, the place is amazing. I would definitely be going back and will dream about the Datai and langkawi ( not the airport tho) in the meantime.

We had previously stayed here around 15 years ago and it was as lovely as ever and probably better, amazing staff, just the most magical setting. 4 very special restaurants which we enjoyed absolutely delicious food in. Breakfasts are to die for, so much choice and everything beautifully presented. Can't wait to come back.

Beautiful buildings and decor

Best holiday ever …10 days of wonderful food, attentive service and sheer relaxation. The rain forest villa was a wow…attention to detail and very high service standards made our stay perfect.

Yes reading all the reviews it is truly a wonderful resort …the beach is beautiful with warm clear water with a tide,.we had a private pool villa (28) not private so no skinny dipping at midnight but as we hit rainy season very heavy we didn’t use but if out of rainy season and better conditions this wouldn’t have been acceptable if it says private it should be private so check that out …the villa was in itself gorgeous and well stocked with everything …the breakfast is superb lots of choice and buffet or a la carte offered ….now as I say we hit rainy season and 5 out of 6 days torrential rain so apart from spa and gym , little art class not a lot to do so be prepared with a good book to take time out ….room service is also superb as well as restaurants ….spa mmmm great I indulged in a full body scrub and massage heaven …..restaurants do get booked up so would advise booking as soon as you arrive for the choice ……we did have 1 spoiler of a birthday party that took up the beach bar pool area that wasn’t In keeping with rainforest nature tranquility..(happened to be the only dry day ) as in neon lighting sound system set up and fireworks from a boat in the sea that must have frightened the living day lights for the animals …..truly hope this isn’t a regular occurrence as in my opinion just went against the ethos of the datai ..

After watching the BBC Amazing Hotel series, we decided to treat ourselves for a short stay at this hotel in October 2025. Despite its beautiful landscape surrounding, location in the ancient rainforest with to die for sea view from its bar area and a huge spread of delicious breakfast buffet, it failed to meet our expectation. Our stay was spoilt the minute we got to our room where we found a large crack in the bath tub. Having paid about £600 per night for the room, one would not expect to find a crack in the bath tub let alone a large crack which could easily cut! Following our complaint, we were allocated another room which was even worst with ants crawling in the bathroom, in the tea and coffee area and the tv not working at all. Whilst the staff were fumigating ants and in house technician fixing tv, we were left hanging around in the foyer area without any care apart from attracting the attention of many curious frogs leaping out of the squared lily filled pond onto the foyer considering it was late evening nearly 10 pm! This is not the service we expect from any hotel let alone a 5 star luxury hotel! Sad to say due to our unpleasant stay and inconvenience we had, this hotel resort is no where near deserving any decent rating let alone be claimed to be an "amazing" hotel. On that note we will not be returning!

Amazing hotel. The service, food, private beautiful beach, golf buggies, Setting, Spa. Everything was perfect. We loved the spa very relaxing. Our cookery class in the Gulai house was really enjoyable. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff everywhere. Andreas, Kemal, Tina & of course Dr Richard were great just to name a few people. We ll be back.

- outstanding location between the jungle and the sea - beach is incredible as well as the main pool - very good breakfast from 7 to 11am so plenty of time - impeccable service - buggies quickly available - I personally loved the restaurant / bar at lounge level and the pond, the selection of drinks is very good - very good service at the beach bar and directly onto the beach - access to the pool and beach anytime really, I was jet lagged and had a couple of swims at dawn, incredible Overall very very good

only provided so that the hotel can adapt and improve - confusing switches in the bedroom - should be simpler - for the price everything in the bar should be free - despite being superbe, the price is still a little too high for Malaysia - far away from everything which is a good thing but also limits you when it comes to food or else - beach bag not given for free !!! it would be good for the price paid as a hotel souvenir

Stunning hotel, room, grounds and surrounding area, beach etc. Particularly enjoyed a morning swim at the beach pool and walk along the beach before breakfast. Extremely warm welcome. Champagne was a real plus and the daily delights around the beach of ice-cream, fruit and cocktails as well as a regular top up of iced water were excellent. Fabulous breakfast. Thai, Malay and Beach restaurants superb. We enjoyed the latter for lunch and one evening had a beautifully cooked grouper which was outstanding. ALL the staff without exception were well trained and engaging and provided outstanding customer service. We loved the golf course and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the club. We also enjoyed seeing The wildlife and the beautiful flora and fauna.

Personal view however we found the area around the large swimming pool could have been enhanced with some of the beautiful pots and plants we saw in the rest of the property. This is not a criticism!

Expectations were high and this far, far exceeded expectations. What was outstanding: 1. the team - wow are they happy to be working here and boy did this come across with the friendly, efficient, above and beyond service from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. 2. the accommodation - out of this world - stayed in a rainforest villa with a fully sharing walk in wardrobe and bathroom for 2 which was as big as a london flat. Amazingly appointed. So so comfortable 3. the food - all 4 restaurants were superb - stand outs are too many to mention but the ala carte breakfast is super special. 4. the setting - beautiful beach - so well designed. We ended up meeting so many people that mid stay it would take us 2 hours to get in and out of brekafast. Bonus is that we got invited to a private dinner party on the resort hosted by a well known super friendly fun actress with a world leading super model and 80s music legend. Words cant really describe how special this hotel is.

I don’t normally write reviews but it’s one of those occasions where it would feel unfair not to. So much so that I’m writing this before I leave. This is also not going to be an eye-opener for anyone who’s seen the over 3,000 overwhelmingly 5* reviews on this site. But here it goes…. I’m 44 and I’ve been to over 75 countries, staying in some amazing locations. Datai has been on my “must do” list for a while, but it has never quite happened, and partly maybe I was worried that it would be a bit of a letdown after such hype. Having now been here for almost a week, the only disappointment is at myself for having waited so long to come! As I’ve said, this will not be very original, but what really makes the place is the staff. I will not single out anyone, partly because of how exceptional everyone I’ve encountered has been, and partly because I realise such high level of service can only be achieved also with the help and efforts of those we guests never see (maintenance, gardeners, beach cleaners, porters…). Nothing is too much trouble, and you get treated like this is a home, not a place you pass though. The friendliness, helpfulness and joy of all the staff you meet are remarkable, and a credit to both them and the the management. Location - spectacular, from the first time you glimpse the Andaman sea through the rainforest foliage on arrival. Beach is stunning, and while a bit of a walk from the main building, it would be hard to complain as you walk along the butterfly path of the ancient rainforest. The walks to, and along, the beach are also a scenic way to burn off the calories from all the amazing food you will definitely overindulge in. Food - worthy of a Michelin star, Pavilion being my particular favourite. The blend of flavours is a discovery in every bite, and bartenders’ skills are excellent (speaking as an amateur home mixologist here). Please run cocktail classes! Rooms - of a very high standard, and I’ve stayed in the simplest room category. Spa - a must, but book well on advance. Same as with the nature activities (which I didn’t quite get to experience this time). Weather - it will rain, at some point. Usually late in the evening or early morning, so not much of an issue. If stuck for something to do, escape to the excellent and very old school hotel library (I did). Atmosphere - very relaxed and the opposite of bling. What you would call a quiet luxury. The place itself is the star, and over a week I’ve seen no “look at me”influencers obsessively filming themselves (a disappointingly frequent scene elsewhere). I’ve heard that about 40% of those who come are returning guests, and I can understand why. Well, Datai, you’ve just got yourself another future returning guest - I will definitely be back in a couple of years’ at most. And I don’t normally revisit long-haul locations

A week here in a Premium Rainforest villa was without doubt the best beach hotel, perhaps any hotel, in which we have ever stayed. I can find no fault. Staff are engaged, polite, friendly, efficient and professional, this is at the heart of the operations. Our villa was lovely, spacious, well maintained and has every possible amenity. The two pools are great, one adult only. The beach is stunning, clean, warm water and just beautiful. Dining, there are several options, none of them cheap, but all of high standard. I gave it 5/5, but only because there is no option to do 6/5.

We have wanted to come to The Datai for a few years (before the BBC Programme) and our stay completely surpassed our expectations! Like some of the previous reviews we also cried when we left! We did catch the tail end of the rainy season but tbh it didn’t ruin our trip we still made the most of being on the beach and used the opportunity to bodyboard as the waves were bigger! The setting was so stunning. I’m not sure the photos on the internet do it justice! We really felt immersed in nature. The walk from the beach to the main building is incredible! We stayed for 12 nights in a Beach Villa (6) the villa was amazing and we had a dedicated butler Nizal who helped to make our trip so wonderful. Nizal was very helpful and informative and always went above and beyond to make our stay special. The restaurants are all fantastic, we ate in them all and couldn’t fault them. We loved the ‘Spirit of the Andaman’ buffet at The Beach Club and we had an amazing Diwali buffet at The Gulai House. We had breakfast every morning either in the main building or down at the beach and the only problem was not being able to eat enough to make the most of all the options! We also took part in the excursions, which we highly recommend. We did the night time walk with Ritz and the morning walk with Barry. We saw lots of wildlife on both trips, on the evening walk we were lucky to see 4 colugas! We also did the ‘Trek to Crystal Creek’ with Barry which was wonderful. We were lucky as it was only the three of us and we had an amazing experience swimming in the creek surrounded by nature. Speaking of nature, we weren’t sure how many animals we would see as some reviews said they didn’t see much but we regularly saw the troop of dusky leaf monkeys hanging out down by our villa and also at The Beach Club. We were also visited by a family of hornbills! We also saw kingfishers, otters, macaques and sea eagles. One of the most important things for us about The Datai are its sustainability credentials. We enjoyed a trip to The Lab and purchased some gifts made out of recycled products – next time we’ll take part in one of the workshops. We also enjoyed a fascinating tour of the garden and learnt about native plant species. We also saw the stingless bee hives and we bought some of the delicious honey so we can enjoy it at home. As all previous reviews have stated what really made the trip for us were the staff. We always like to stay in hotels where we can feel ‘part of the family’ and everyone at The Datai made us feel like that right from the start. All staff members we interacted with were friendly and knowledgeable and always happy to help. Part of the reason we felt really sad on leaving was saying goodbye to people who even in a 12 day period had started to feel like friends, especially Nizal. Some of the people who made our stay special are listed below. I am sorry for the people we have unintentionally left out. Nizal Shaiful Tony Azhari Sitina Leona Rasman Daba Yanti Karthi Fadhlan Hannis Adib Sofwan I can see why people continually visit The Datai and treat it like a second home as it already feels like that after one visit. We are already making plans to go back!

Secluded and private

The main swimming pool is too open and could be more cosy and shaded

ロケーション、設備もよく、食事も美味しかった

なし

So if you love beautiful independent hotels, this is likely to make your list for lots of reasons. Amazing beach. Amazing setting. Great service. But there are some pitfalls. 1. The weather. Rains a lot here and can kill a lot of your stay and access to the walks/sea. 2. The mattresses. If you like a firm mattress do not count on a good nights sleep. 3. Good wine. By the glass there are not many selections. 4. The “tours” and walks. While it is still unique and breaks up the day, the tree top canopy walk is about 50ft long, the permanature walk is a tiny herb garden. So don’t oversell yourself that these are amazing experiences. And (see 1) they get called off for weather. 5. The lights and light switches in the bedroom, the aircon, all take some getting used to. Hard to turn off. Hard to control. The food (mud crab salad at beach club) was excellent. The service was completely 5 star plus. The rooms were excellent in terms of setup. And it really is idyllic. Just some things to be careful of. 5 star reviews will be correct too. Just some things I think warrant you knowing about before you go. As once you are there, you have no other options given the isolated location.

This is truly a place of exceptional natural beauty, stunningly situated, offering incredible amenities and luxuriously comfortable accommodation, all whilst being genuinely sensitive to the protection of the natural environment. It is serviced by a very talented, personable and highly efficient staff complement, under the very capable direction of Mr Stephane Duvacher. We simply loved it and definitely intend to revisit sometime in the future!

Not applicable.

Perfect location

Too expensive for food and taxi to town