Review of The Datai Langkawi, by John Hatt

I am fairly certain that no other luxury hotel in Asia has a comparable setting to the Datai, which is surrounded by lowland tropical rainforest - a storybook jungle. This is a welcome change from the gardens of most tropical hotels - usually the eternal cliche of screeching bougainvillea. The Datai has been designed to fit sympathetically amongst the huge luxuriant trees, which are still the home of sea eagles, lemurs, and flying squirrels. The scenery is more dramatic than anything in the Caribbean, with the exception of Dominica (where no hotel is anywhere near as good).

For aesthetic and environmental reasons, the Datai has been built well above the beach. This might be a disadvantage to some, who can't handle the 170 steps, but most guests relish the walk, and free transport is available.

The facilities

There are three restaurants, and between them they cater for most culinary moods. There is no idiotic dress code in the best restaurant, no need for a tie at dinner, though you would probably feel out of place in shorts and a grubby T-shirt. There is also a Thai restaurant with views over the jungle, and down by the beach there is a smaller restaurant, which specialises in evening barbecues. I found all the food to be excellent and interesting. For an outing into the jungle I requested a packed lunch, which turned out to be the best and most attractive that I've ever eaten.

There are two swimming pools and the sandy beach is exceptionally beautiful. A great and unusual advantage is that it is free from beach bums trying to sell you batiks or coral necklaces. Equally rare, there is no noise from buzzing speedboats, and there is so much space that even at the busiest times there is no problem with Germans staking out their lebensraum.

Hobycats and windsurfing equipment are available at the beach. There is a health club where you can get a massage, and there is a beautiful golf course nearby, which also has two tennis courts, to which the luxury hotel provides transport free of charge. Datai takes advantage of its forest by offering guided walks led by the serene, charming and very knowledgeable guide, Irshad Mobarak.

The rooms

I was given a Corner Suite which was very spacious and soothing. The bed was large and comfortable, and the rooms were furnished with plenty of tables and chairs. The modern semi-oriental design is elegant, stylish and original. It would look marvelous in Interiors, but - to be guiltily carping - I found it slightly too severe.

If you have the money, I would strongly recommend choosing one of the End Suites, which are approximately twice the price of the cheapest room. These have stunning views and a unique character. Unlike the Corner Suites, they have windows on more than one side, which makes a big difference: large rooms, which have windows on only one side are rarely harmonious or cheerful.

I wasn't able to visit all eleven End Suites because they were occupied, but checked that numbers 320 and 322 were superb. There is one extra-special suite, The Datai, which is more expensive. If I couldn't afford an End Suite, I would settle for one of the Deluxe rooms. The nicest are those that are on the highest floor and that face the sea. Try getting numbers 110 - 115, or 101 - 106. The standard Deluxe rooms are designed so that the window-side of the room can be entirely opened up - thus making the room delightfully open and airy.