A Sustainable Stay
Located on one of ‘National Geographic’s top ten beaches in the world’, The Datai is a natural paradise from its tropical coastline, ancient rainforest to the jade-green Andaman Sea. In the midst of it all is an architecturally designed resort, sympathetically built into its pristine environment.
Immersed in untamed jungle, The Datai takes protection of its surroundings seriously and guests are encouraged to get involved in eco-initiatives, creating a meaningful stay. As part of the Datai Pledge, a robust programme of conservation in the resort plays a large part in the protection of its virgin surrounds.
Travel Made Positive
Protection and conservation are at the core of The Datai:
- The Datai Langkawi is the first and only organisation in the world to be awarded the EarthCheck ECO Certification for tourism projects
- The Datai’s conservation pillars cover land, sea and youth community projects
- Efforts include hornbill habitat creation, nurturing seedlings to be planted and sponsoring eco programs in local schools to name a few
- Get involved: plant a tree, join an upcycling workshop or try bee-keeping
- Meet on-site experts including naturalists, permaculture gardeners and marine biologists
Things To Do
The Datai has plenty to keep you active, entertained and engaged. There are a range of non-motorised watersports like sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling, plus an 18-hole golf course and an impressive rainforest spa. But what sets The Datai apart is its immersive experiences in nature. Take a morning walk with in-house marine biologists to spot sea otters or enjoy an after-dark exploration with a guide into the 10-million-year-old rainforest to spy bats, flying squirrels or lemurs. Spend time in the bamboo longhouse, hearing the in-house naturalist’s stories and learning about the latest sightings in the forest or the ocean.
Drink & Dine
With a range of places to eat and drink, The Datai has five different restaurants, each taking advantage of its magnificent natural setting. To place you in your destination, you might like to try the exquisite Gulai House, set within a traditional Malay kampung house where you can sample delectable Malaysian specialities such as crab and lemongrass soup, satay skewers and duck curry. Savour Thai cuisine at the seemingly floating Pavilion restaurant which is stilted over the rainforest. The Beach Club is the ideal spot to refuel after a swim or scuba dive in the Andaman Sea and is also a fine place to while away the day, poolside with a cocktail in hand.
Good to Know
Based on four pillars which cover wildlife, fish, the local young community and sustainable business The Datai have a top-to-bottom approach to sustainability. It’s an impressive roster of achievements, but unless you’re particularly interested, it all goes on behind-the-scenes. Here you can trust that The Datai take every measure to be as eco-friendly as possible.
What we Think
As a standalone resort, we don’t think you can get much better than this. The only thing we would add is that it would make a fabulous end to an exploratory trip of Malaysia, perhaps as part of an itinerary that includes the metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, the cultural foodie hub Penang and the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands. Talk to us about planning your immersive trip around Malaysia.
