The Datai Langkawi

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

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.

Tout était parfait.

Rien

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