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The Datai Langkawi

Langkawi • Datai • SPLURGE

avg. $483 / night

Includes $25 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

LHW Leaders Club property

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Cash back

5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

Credit card points

Credit and debit card charges are processed directly by the hotel (i.e. not PressBeyond), meaning that any travel-specific credit card points or incentives that you normally get as a cardholder for direct hotel bookings are preserved

Hotel loyalty points

Points accrual and status eligibility with major hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and others

Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Leading Hotels of the World

Location

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At a glance

Kerry Hill's 1993 tropical modernist masterpiece on Langkawi's northwestern shore, recently renovated with pavilions stepping into ancient rainforest.

Best for: Architecture enthusiasts and tropical modernism collectors

Highlights:

  • Kerry Hill–designed 1993 landmark with 2018 renovation
  • Pavilions step down rainforest terrain without flattening it
  • Pool terrace suspended above dipterocarp canopy
Tropical-modernistserene

PB hotel design editorial

Carved into a hillside of ancient rainforest on Langkawi's northwestern shore, where 10-million-year-old jungle meets the Andaman Sea, the resort that became The Datai Langkawi was first conceived by Malaysian architect Kerry Hill in 1993 — a commission that established his reputation as one of Asia's most disciplined interpreters of tropical modernism. The original structure, reimagined following a major renovation completed in 2018, retains Hill's fundamental gesture: low-slung pavilions with steeply pitched roofs clad in grey shingles, their dark timber frames and stone retaining walls stepping down the terrain rather than flattening it. The pool terrace, visible in the images as a broad limestone platform edged with dark stone balustrades, sits suspended above a canopy of dipterocarp trees, the jungle pressing in on every side. Interiors across the 121 rooms and villas deploy warm-toned timber — tongued planks lining walls and ceilings — alongside dark hardwood floors, louvred shutters, and accent walls in deep terracotta red that ground the palette in something earthy rather than decorative. Rattan pendant lights hang from exposed truss ceilings in the villa category rooms, while upholstered armchairs in forest green and grey sit low against the floor, calibrated to the scale of the architecture. The beachside dining terrace, set beneath mature trees at the water's edge with rattan lanterns casting amber light across white-clothed tables, captures precisely what Hill always intended: a setting that persuades you the building arrived after the forest, not before it.

Travel notes

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About

The Datai Langkawi is situated on the northwest tip of the island Langkawi in Malaysia. Located in a 10 million year old rainforest and overlooking the tranquil Datai Bay, awarded by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 beaches worldwide, the iconic property enchants with mesmerizing nature, visionary architecture, luxury and bespoke service. It's 54 rooms, 40 villas, 12 suites and 14 beach villas offer views of the surrounding nature. The award-winning dining outlets pay homage to the exotic flavours and culinary tradition of the region. Leisure facilities include two swimming pools; an award-winning spa and Els Club Teluk Datai - the most scenic 18-hole golf course in Southeast Asia designed by the golf legend Ernie Els.

Amenities

Pool

Internet

Free Internet

Free Parking

Wifi

Free Wifi

Fitness center

Beachfront

Restaurant

Beach Access

The Datai Langkawi Reviews

3,378 reviews

"Dear all, We miss you!! We had a wonderful 21 days in your hotel. Everything was just perfect."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 28, 2026

"Shoutout to Karthi for making sure my beer was extra cold when I came back to the bar from the sea. Truly great service here, cannot fault it at all."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 26, 2026

"Our stay at The Datai Langkawi was one of the most memorable holidays we have ever had. We chose The Datai to celebrate two very special milestones—our 10th anniversary and my 50th birthday—and it could not have been a more perfect place. We stayed in a beautiful Rainforest Villa, where waking up to the sounds of nature each morning was an unforgettable experience. There are many luxury resorts in the world, but what makes The Datai truly extraordinary is its people. From the moment we stepped out of the airport until the day we reluctantly left, we were surrounded by genuine warmth, kindness, and heartfelt hospitality. Every single team member greeted us with a smile and made us feel so welcome. It wasn’t just excellent service, it was sincere care that made us feel completely at home. A very special thank you to Jessica and Tony, who looked after us so wonderfully throughout our stay. Their attentiveness, warmth and genuine desire to make every moment special made a lasting impression on us. We were incredibly touched by the beautiful anniversary surprise the team prepared for us. It made our celebration even more meaningful. As if that wasn’t enough, the team at the Beach Club also organised a last-minute birthday surprise for me. I was completely overwhelmed by the kindness and effort that went into making the celebration so special. These thoughtful gestures made me feel truly cared for and are memories I will cherish forever. One of the absolute highlights of our stay was the Rainforest Walk with Dev. His passion for the rainforest was infectious, and his knowledge of the trees, plants, wildlife and the history of this incredible ecosystem was simply fascinating. We learned so much during the walk and came away with an even deeper appreciation of the unique environment that makes The Datai so special. Thank you, Dev, for sharing your passion with us—it was an experience we will never forget. The food throughout the resort was exceptional, with every meal beautifully prepared and consistently delicious. Our Rainforest Villa was always kept immaculate by the wonderful housekeeping team, and the evening turndown service included so many thoughtful touches that made returning to our room each day such a pleasure. Even getting around the resort was enjoyable thanks to the friendly buggy drivers, whose warm smiles and cheerful conversations always brightened our day. What impressed us most was that every request was met with a genuine willingness to help. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble. The level of teamwork, professionalism and heartfelt hospitality shown by every member of staff is something we have rarely experienced, even after staying at many luxury resorts around the world. To every member of The Datai family, thank you for making our celebration so incredibly special. You didn’t just provide outstanding service—you created unforgettable memories that we will treasure for a lifetime. We left with grateful hearts, wonderful memories and a strong desire to return. The Datai is so much more than a luxury resort—it is a place where you feel genuinely welcomed, cared for and at home. We cannot wait to come back. Joanne & Oliver"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 23, 2026

"Many aspects of the Datai are excellent - and so they should be for the price. However I can't give them 5 stars. I had a terrible flight from KL to Langkawi due to storms on landing and arrived very late. The Pavillion restaurant kindly still fed me after 10 pm and their food was flavourful as well as hugely plentiful. I then went to my very large and beautiful standard room and went to sleep to get up early the next day for an excursion to the Geopark. It was only on my return from the excursion at lunchtime that I discovered there were renovation works going on the in the room right next to mine, whose balcony was continuous with mine, and other rooms immediately overlooking mine: workmen with ladders, power tools, paint etc. There were other workmen immediately below, cutting back trees again with power tools. There was absolutely no privacy or quiet, therefore, although the view out towards the pool was potentially great. I complained to the accomodation and reception managers who asked me to go to the beach and wait. After a couple of hours they came and told me they would move me to another room (a suite - double the size of what was already a large room!) but it wasn't quite ready yet. They asked me to pack my belongings and wait for them to tell me it was ready. I ended up waiting a further couple of hours after that (during which time they gave me champagne to keep me busy!). Unfortunately this suite, along with all the rooms on the other side of the hotel and the forest villas, had no distant view out. The buildings are surrounded by forest - which is the main vibe of the hotel. I tried several complementary activities (morning walk and sea shore walk) which were underwhelming. I paid for the World of Orchids experience (2 hours with their orchid specialist) which was very interesting. Mostly I spent my days on the beach, which was great with excellent service by staff who brought iced water, fruit skewers etc and served food/drinks. The only downside there was when groups of children started kicking rugby balls near to the loungers, causing the area to empty rapidly. Better to pick a lounger away from the central beach! Walking on the beach was lovely and the sea was as warm as bath water. I liked the Dining Room restaurant setting the best - quiet and romantic. This was the only adults-only restaurant. The others were much more popular but there were plenty of kids running around Pavilion and Gulai House and seating was on wooden chairs/benches. The Beach restaurant had a great choice of fish. It depends upon your preference. I had purchased half board and the amounts of food were more than I could eat. Staff everywhere were very friendly. My other niggle is that so many things were charged as expensive extras. Obviously I expect to pay for drinks but in a 5 star resort hotel I expect most services to be free rather than charged (and 10% service charge on everything, including services!)."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 21, 2026

"The Datai has become one of our favorite hotels in the world. The setting is beautiful: both the beach and the rainforest are amazing, Please do take the free tours with the marine biologists and naturalists: you will meet interesting creatures, and learn wonderful facts like the history of the evolution of flowers. The service is impeccable, and the staff are genuinely friendly. The breakfast buffet is very good (not quite as good as the one at the RuMa in Kuala Lumpur). A stunning place to relax and learn about nature. The accommodations are absolutely first-rate."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 19, 2026

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