Guest reviews The Datai Langkawi

by pwt2013 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Back again with friends in tow

Time for another review of the fabulous Datai. We were back at the Datai after one and a half year which is our shortest gap. This time with three other families of friends in tow. All together 16 of us, 8 adults and 8 kids. To kick off this review, I would like to say that we had a wonderful time. This trip is a little different as we came in a relatively big group and also in a high occupancy period. One crucial thing we note is despite the high occupancy the Datai do not feel overly crowed. This I believe is thanks to its large size. Few resorts have the real estate that the Datai can offer. The rainforest is in its majestic state and staying in the rainforest villa really gives one a feel of the rainforest. Not quite jungle but a feel of it. The beach is also in good shape. This combination is what brings us back time and again. We managed to get a cluster of villas close to each other in our group. This was nice as it gives the kids lots of opportunities to have joint buggy rides which they enjoyed. We managed to arrange this via a senior duty manager whom we got to know during our last trip . We also booked our dinners and activities through her. All these were well arranged with no misses. It is quite a challenge to arrange for a big group. The cluster of villas we got is close to the beach which is great for our kids as they cannot access the adult pool. We wonder if all the arrangement would have gone as smoothly if it was done via reservations. We enjoyed all the water sports facilities provided. The nature center provided some fun activities for all. We note the team at the center is all new though. We also enjoyed a massage at the spa . The spa for us is highly recommended at least for a massage as we find the set up and location of the spa in the resort is absolutely fantastic. The spa villas by the stream is really relaxing and well suited for its purpose. We had dinner at the pavilion, beach grill and gulai house. Gulai house and pavilion is great but beach grill is a bit below great this time. Also dining under the stars is a very nice but we can hardly see what we were eating. Breakfast at the dining room is very good. We requested some breads to be sent to our room before our morning walk and was done right on time. We greatly appreciate this as the kids needed something to bite before the walk and subsequent breakfast. One very good thing to report this time is that we managed to avoid the pesky sand flies at the beach. Either the Datai has managed to get rid of them or we were lucky this time. A couple of areas that can be improved on is the email reservations staff and limousine ride. The reservations staff while courteous are unable to get things sorted out. Questions are left unanswered. This is the common comment from my group. Perhaps it is due to different staff picking up the thread most of the time. As for the limousine ride, please do slow down. Everything else with the ride is absolutely fine. Our ride from the airport is too fast for our liking especially with kids on board. We certainly would enjoy a leisurely ride more as we are on a holiday and wouldn't mind arriving a few minutes later. Ironically the ride to the airport with what we understand is a non regular service provider is better. We were on the the Datai seclusion package which is full board and would thoroughly recommend it. There is no need to worry about the food bill anymore and is much more enjoyable. We hope the Datai would continue offering this package. We will be back again probably in a couple of years time. Ah, how we wish we can afford to go every year.

by Z6643HWsaram Melbourne, Australia

Unique resort, unlike no other place in the world!

Our 3rd visit to the Datai and what can I say besides how it is absolutely perfect. The unique location of this resort should be one of the reasons why guests come back but the quality of food and excellent service just makes this place a 10 out of 10. This visit also showed us how much effort the entire Datai team is making on conservation and how the entire resort is basically an eco friendly, eco conscious unique resort located in a 10 million year old rain Forrest. The Nature Centre, the Lab, the Garden provide such special activities for the young and old to experience. My kids, husband and I loved all of the walks and experiences we did. Mr Irshad and his entire marine biologists and botanists team are absolutely exceptional with a wealth of knowledge. TIP: make sure you look at the weekly activities and book yourself in early as they can fill up quickly. Moving on to the staff at the restaurants and lobby and buggy drivers - all of them truly remarkable. They are not just staff at the resort but your hosts, and you can really feel the difference. My kids became besties with Mustafa from Gulai House and Ashwin from the Dinning room. They remember every little detail and make sure that they provide amazing service without you asking. We truly appreciated the thoughtfulness of each of them. Din our buggy driver that we recognized from our last trip sharing all the stories and history - we loved our time with you. So many other names such as Jessica and Aiki and Stephanie Aw and so many other beautiful hosts that we can’t mention all - but we miss you already. You know you are at an amazing place when you are so sad to leave and cannot wait to go back. One last thing, Gulai House (Indian food), the Thai Pavilion and the Dinning room provides some of the most amazing food you will ever have. The beef Rendang at Gulai House is top on the list and the daily breakfast is absolutely perfect. We come from Melbourne where we get the best foods around the world and truly, you cannot fault the gorgeous flavors that Datai provides! Thank you all and well done to the General Manager Mr Girodon. You have continued to take care of your staff, especially during the pandemic lockdowns and even invested in their training and gave them educational opportunities. While other hotels let go of so many of their staff, you kept yours and looked after them. You have created a standard for many other GMs. Your staff shine brightly and we felt it

by 688anied

SHORT VACATION FOR THE LONG TERM MEMORY

Datai is such an incredible place to go! i would recommend this place to everyone who seeks serenity. My arrival was shocking me because they pick me up at the airport with luxury car which is BMW 7 Series. I feel so loved with their service. When i was waiting for my room to get ready, im having my lunch with their delicious food such as wagyu burgers. It is superb and tempting. All of the staffs really helpful to bring my stuffs to the room. Once i arrived to my room, i am amazed with the room because it is so comfy and beautiful. It definitely released all my stress by just looking at the room haha. After that, im having my lunch at The Pavillion which is one of the most famous and tasty thai restaurant that i have ever had. Everything is just perfect. On the second day, my tummy was full with delicious food by Gulai House. Even though the food is quite spicy but it’s so good and suits my malay tastebuds haha. The sea are also well maintained and i enjoyed every scenery when i was there. I would like to appreciate and give special thanks to the staffs which is Afiq, Manja, Nurul and few more cause entertain me till my last moments there. Your service makes me feel like im a queen haha. Definitely gonna stay here again soon. Thankyou The Datai 💋

by sitihazrahsd Nilai, Malaysia

The Datai is Perfect Paradise!

On my first stay at The Datai last November, I knew that I will never look at any other for a perfect getaway. I have been blessed with opportunities to travel the world and stayed at a number of top vacation spots but nothing compares to this place. When the welcome note stated that The Datai will make the guest's stay not only comfortable but also memorable, the resort is staying true to those words with finesse. Every single second here is an experience which to me is out of this world - the world we live in is so busy, so crowded and so fast-paced it's suffocating. Here in The Datai, one gets to breathe, relax, and reflect calmly in its surrounding natural landscape of the 10million years old rainforest, gentle sea breeze with spectacular view of the ocean, the thoughtful architecture of the resort, and the kindness of all the staff. I am here this time for a third staycation, and what impresses me even more now is how consistent the entire management of the Datai is in maintaining their world-class services. From Nazri at the front office, to Indra at the F&B (and his team members Frans, Michelle, Syafiq, Johntravolta-yes aint that a cool name, Abe Syaiful etc), Chef Chai, Chef Somkeat and Chef Zulhelmi, Mr Dev the jungle walk guide, right to all the buggy drivers and staffs I encountered anywhere in the resort throughout my stay; each and everyone has been exceptionally hospitable, respectful, friendly and attentive to all my needs. Very seldom that I find consistent excellence in my life, hence kudos to the GM and Mr Jaya the resort manager for the superb work in maintaining the standards and ensuring The Datai remains one of the best places in the world. Friends have been asking me how would I describe The Datai. I answered that The Datai is not just paradise, it is PERFECT PARADISE! Looking forward to my fourth and many more staycations here - The Datai is certainly motivation for me to work hard when I go back to the busy reality next week to earn this very worthy self-reward!

by AsyrafK16

Disapointed! Can’t even fulfil a simple request

The stay in Datai has been average to me, some staff are exceptional, but some are just useless. I expected a world class service based on the reviews i’ve read, but one thing that really made me unhappy is the receptionist. I requested for a late check out, due to us having a business seminar in the hotel. The seminar ends at 12.30, so we requested to check out at 2, because we need to pack & catch our flight at 5pm, but without checking properly, the receptionist just straight up told me i can’t have a late check out because there’s other guest coming. I understand if it’s a high season or a weekend, but it’s on a Thursday. The guy can’t even try his level best before rejected our request. I’ve been to most of the 5 star hotel in Langkawi, and to have a 2 hours late check out for a 5 star hotel is totally normal and not a big deal, but this hotel which is supposed to be the best in Langkawi, can’t even accommodate a simple request. Totally disappointed and what a way to destroy our experience here.