Cover The Datai Langkawi is hidden in a pristine rainforest

From forest bathing to dining on food prepared by award-winning chefs, here are three ways to elevate your experience at the luxury island resort

Picture this: You're in Langkawi, a Malaysian holiday island aptly given the moniker the Jewel of Kedah. Your back garden is the majestic Gunung Machincang while the gentle waves of the serene Datai Bay gently lap onto your doorsteps. Sounds of nature play as you take a hot bath in the privacy of your villa that is suspended over a stream transporting cool waters from the mountains.

This magical scene awaits at The Datai Langkawi, voted one of the best resorts in Asia by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler in 2021. The 46-acre, 121-room resort is a role model in eco tourism, hidden away in the lush wilderness of an ancient rainforest (10 million years and counting) without compromising on luxury amenities.

See also: The Most Idyllic Luxury Holiday Resorts In Malaysia 

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The Datai Langkawi boasts its own private beach
Above The Datai Langkawi boasts its own private beach

The pristine state of the nature—it's not at all surprising to find a lemur taking an afternoon nap on your balcony—is testament to the respectful manner in which the resort treats its most valuable asset. A 12-month refurbishment that began in 2017 had only bolstered its commitment to sustainability, introducing a number of new measures that have thus far earned it the EarthCheck Silver Certification, a leading environmental certification and benchmarking programme for the travel and tourism industry, as well as the Malaysia Green Hotel Certification. 

See also: 7 Malaysian Retreats Surrounded by Greenery

Ultimately, The Datai Langkawi is an island resort, a place to hide from the world, seek respite from the drudgery of daily life, and have some fun. There's the sun (be sure to pack the sunscreen), a calm sea suitable for a leisurely swim, and a private beach where you can lounge all day with a good book in hand. Servers will come around handing out complimentary ice cream.

By all means, do that all day but here are three more fabulous ways to make full use of your time here—be it a weekend or a longer stay.

Embrace the nature

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One of the dusky leaf monkeys residing at The Datai Langkawi
Above One of the dusky leaf monkeys residing at The Datai Langkawi

You're right in the middle of an ancient rainforest, and it'd be silly not to take advantage of the opportunity to discover the rich flora and fauna that practically envelop the property. There are a number of guided nature walks from an easy trek within the confines of the resort to catch sights of exotic birds and butterflies, to the wilder Rimba Trail that takes you through a mangrove and a lowland rainforest before concluding at a newly built 18m high canopy walk—chances are high that you will spot a family (or two) of dusky leaf monkeys along this trail.

See also: The Best Nature Retreats Within a 2-Hour Drive From Kuala Lumpur

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Start your day right with an early morning bath atCrystal Creek
Above Start your day right with an early morning soak at Crystal Creek

One of the more unique experiences here is an early morning dip at Crystal Creek, located just off the famed Els Club Teluk Datai golf course near the resort. A van will take you to the course; thereafter, you'll have to make a short trek on foot into the jungle. But the effort is well worth it as you will arrive at a lovely peaceful spot where you can do yoga, meditate, or simply have a long, refreshing soak.

See also: 5 Best Resorts in Malaysia for a Romantic Getaway

Dine on the finest

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With an architecture resembling a traditional Malay house on stilts, The Gulai House is the perfect spot to enjoy a Malaysian meal
Above With an architecture resembling a traditional Malay house on stilts, The Gulai House is the perfect spot to enjoy a Malaysian meal

Away from the main part of the resort, tucked deep inside the rainforest, is the charming Gulai House that serves authentic Malaysian cuisine. One of Tatler Dining's Top 20 Restaurants in 2020, its food was described by our reviewer as "among the best Malay cooking we’ve had in this part of Malaysia." 

If you're intrigued by your meal and want to learn more, Gulai House recently added The Dapur cooking studio where you can learn to cook a selection of specialties from Malay, Indian or Thai cuisine.

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 6 Chef Raymond Tham sourced local ingredients, including herbs and spices from the resort's garden, to create the unique dishes for the Chef Series
Photo 2 of 6 Andaman Crab
Photo 3 of 6 Baby Corn, Keluak and Cekur
Photo 4 of 6 Sea vs Land Cucumber
Photo 5 of 6 Glutinous Rice, Peanut and Anchovies
Photo 6 of 6 Striped Jack

Then there is the resort's much-lauded, always anticipated Chef Series that have in the past boasted such top international chefs as Nils Henkel, Michel and Sébastien Bras, and Nelly Robinson. The 2022 list highlights some of the best chefs in Malaysia; so far, Johnson Wong of Gēn Penang, Masaki Arakawa of Sushi Azabu, Azli Ahmad of OpenHouse, Raymond Tham of Beta KL and Skillet, and Masahi Horiuchi of Entier had treated diners to their astounding creativity.

Throwback: Highlights From Tatler's Off Menu 2021

Up next are Lee Zhe Xi and Soh Yong Zhi of Eat and Cook who will be cooking up a storm from October 6-7 at the Dining Pavilion, a magnificent spot for evening dining as it overlooks the top of the forest all the way to the bay in the horizon.

Go ahead, pamper yourself

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Like every part of The Datai Langkawi, the spa takes full advantage of the surrounding rainforest to deliver an unparalleled pampering experience
Above Like every part of The Datai Langkawi, the spa takes full advantage of the surrounding rainforest to deliver an unparalleled pampering experience

Even if you're not a spa aficionado, there's something enticing about getting a massage out in open nature with the gurgling stream beneath you and the chatter of the cicadas all around you. Talk about a sensory experience. 

See also: A Slice of Japanese Healing at Urban Retreat Onsen Spa

Naturally, the spa's signature treatments incorporate the plants and herbs found in the rainforest; their execution is based on the traditions of Malay culture. There are a number of melt-your-worries-away rituals to choose from, including the Malay Wellness Journey that begins with an excursion to the Crystal Creek mentioned above for the traditional mandi embun or forest bathing that was regularly observed in the olden days. This is believed to improve blood circulation and promotes better sleep.

It is followed by an invigorating Malay massage back at the spa, before ending with a healthy meal created around the concept of Enam Rasa or the six tastes of hot, sweet, sour, salty, bitter and astringent.

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The main pool at The Datai Langkawi
Above The main pool at The Datai Langkawi

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