The Datai Langkawi

Wow! I absolutely cannot recommend the Datai enough. From the moment you arrive, the staff go out of their way to help you relax and make your stay extra special. The Rainforest Canopy rooms are all set in private little villas on stilts with balconies that look directly into the rainforest, making for a unique experience at night as you can hear the relaxing sounds of nature. The breakfast in the morning was incredible, with such a large range of both western and Malaysian cuisine, and staff on hand to deliver the a la carte menu options and even a breakfast cocktail or two.

The property has an adults only pool located by the lobby, and a family friendly pool which is located just before the beach. Both have restaurants next to them, and a bar so you can have drinks brought to you poolside. There was definitely enough room for everyone, and the resort was so spread out it was hard to get a concept of how many people were there, which made the whole stay a much more intimate experience.

Dining options were excellent, with our host recommending the Pavillion Thai-themed restaurant and the Malaysian Gulai House. We booked on a bed and breakfast board basis but for longer stays I would recommend upgrading to half board or full board, as due to the remote location you’d need to take a taxi in order to eat outside of the resort.

The Datai offers a lot of complimentary activities and others at a reasonable extra cost. Be sure to download the Datai app to see what will be available ahead of your stay and get in touch with the hotel to book them to avoid disappointment as they do get booked up.

Top tip: take advantage of the complimentary wildlife walks! Our guide, Dev, was so informative and so engaging, that it felt like our own mini Planet Earth episode. Try to do the evening version as this when the animals are most active.