The
Datai has long been a byword for remote luxury on the Malaysian
island on Langkawi and the resort marked its 20th
birthday by opening several chic beach-front villas and a new golf
course designed by Ernie Els.
This multiple award-winning complex off the north-west coast of peninsular Malaysia offers so many options for pampering, dining, adventure and sports that many guests do not leave even when staying for a week or more – and one of its selling points is that it is almost completely isolated among the ancient rainforest.
This multiple award-winning complex off the north-west coast of peninsular Malaysia offers so many options for pampering, dining, adventure and sports that many guests do not leave even when staying for a week or more – and one of its selling points is that it is almost completely isolated among the ancient rainforest.
The
124 rooms, suites and villas, and 14 superb new beach-front pool
villas (think personal butler and in-room wine cellars) offer luxury
living in a very laid back environment. Twice I walked along the
pristine beach and only saw two other people.
The resort has two swimming pools, a beach club and an award-winning spa (try the signature tugku batu hot stone treatment or maybe a lembut massage using herbal oils) with many of the villas nestled under a natural forest canopy.
Guests can enjoy a
range of dining options which include The Dining Room, The Pavilion
restaurant and The Gulai House, all within close proximity to the
villas – but if you don't want to walk you just call up a buggy to
take you wherever you want to go.
The more adventurous
guests can trek through the rainforest or maybe take a culinary class and
learn how to cook chicken and herbs in coconut broth.
Variety
is the key to the success of the dining options. There are no nearby
alternatives other than The Andaman resort at the other end of the
beach, where Datai guests can sign for meals that are added to their
account.
The Dining Room offers
western-style dishes; The Pavilion Thai specialities and Gulai House Malaysian and Indian dishes,
The Pool Bar, on the
water, is a superb spot to enjoy a drink at any time of day and
serves beer on tap, cocktails, a selection of wines by the glass and
dishes ranging from satays to hamburgers.
Here
you are greeted with an iced towel, a glass of cold water and
complimentary peanuts while you watch the sun set – a magnificent
sight – or you can go a step more upmarket and enjoy one of the
buffet evenings at the Beach Club.
Unusual in Asia, there
is a well-chosen global wine list with a good selection from France,
Italy and Chile, as well as names familiar to Australians in Grosset,
Cape Mentelle, Leeuwin Estate, Rolf Binder and Kiwis Cloudy Bay,
Neudorf and Saint Clair.
There
is a range of accommodation options from deluxe hotel rooms to those
new ultra-luxe beach villas featuring their own 10-metre swimming
pools, separate bedroom and living room, dining table, wine cellar,
free wi-fi and all mod cons, including indoor and al fresco showers
and a minibar with complimentary beers and soft drinks. Satellite
TVs, free wi-fi and iPod docks are de
rigueur.
Guests can also
participate in nature walks, use mountain
bikes, the gym, catamarans, wind surfers and kayaks, play tennis or
participate in a cooking class, ensuring that any non golfers have
plenty to occupy their time. Something there for every member of the family.
Guests are given a
daily newsletter listing the next day’s activities, the weather and
optional activities like deep sea fishing trips, photographic
safaris, bird watching or night-time nature walks. Venture off track
and you may encounter anything from squirrels to goannas that appear
to have been taking steroids. But keep the windows to your
accommodation closed – the local monkeys can be both curious and
destructive.
Locked between
million-year-old rainforest and the Andaman Sea, the sparkling new
Els Club Teluk Datai has been described as as one of the world's most
captivating new golf courses.
The layout is unique in that it has no bunkers and the course is
overlooked by the marbled limestone peaks of the Mat Cincang Mountain
range and has natural streams flowing throughout the course, as well
as predatory Macaque and Dusky Leaf monkeys that have been known to
pilfer the odd ball. You may also see eagles, giant lizards and hornbills.
The
Datai, a
member of Leading Hotels, Jalan
Datai, Teluk Datai, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia. +60 4-959 2500.
Prices start from around $450 per night. www.thedatai.com.
Check out the Els Club Teluk Datai course at
www.elsclubmalaysia.com/teluk-datai/the-experience/
AirAsia
X,
together with AirAsia, provides Australians with access to over 80
destinations across 23 countries. It flies twice daily to Kuala
Lumpur International Airport's new No.2 terminal from Sydney. There
are up to 11 connecting flights to Langkawi each day, a trip which
takes less than an hour. For bookings or further information visit
www.airasia.com.
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