The Datai Langkawi

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

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.

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.

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.

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.