A friend and I stayed at
The Datai back in August. It was an absolutely
memorable trip. Service was impeccable, and the setting was
breathtaking. At the main lobby level, you look out past lush
rainforest surrounding a pool, and beyond that to the sparkling sea. To
the right of the main pool there is a large fig tree so I spent all my
time at the main lobby looking out for hornbills and was rewarded on a
few occasions.
It's even better when the fig tree is fruiting....I have seen
Great
Hornbills there before on a prior trip, flying from branch to branch.
A leisurely walk down to the beach will take you past the spa and some
mangroves, before emerging from the trees onto a secluded bay with a
long stretch of sand. The Datai has a chilled out beach club and
swimming pool there. We spent a few hours lounging under the trees,
reading, napping and snacking. But look out for jellyfish....we got
stung a little while swimming in the sea and immediately went to the
beach club where the friendly staff had some vinegar on hand to pour
over the sting.
One of the best things about The Datai are the nature walks by Irshad
Mubarak. Irshad is one of those people whom you wished was one of your
personal friends because an hour with him increases your IQ
tremendously. He regales hotel guests with stories not just about
nature, but in many ways how they are related to key historical and
political events. He conducts the morning walk at 730 or 8am and an
evening walk at about 6 ish. These walks are around the hotel grounds
as well as a short stretch outside the hotel on the main road.
It was amazing how much we saw and learned in those few hours, even if
the location was only around the hotel. We saw alot, from dusky leaf
langurs, to asian fairy bluebirds, white bellied sea eagles, brahminy
kites, to the very rare and
reclusive resident tarantula (!!) and Colugo
(a kind of lemur). Irshad also gave wonderful insights to the plantlife
around the hotel and pointed out some very interesting flowers....like a
type of orchid where, when in bloom, resembles pigeons!
It was unfortunate my stay was short, otherwise Langkawi has much to
offer the nature lover. In a previous trip I climbed up the
Seven Wells
and to my delight at the top there were many hornbills circling around.
There were also several hiking trails near The Datai that I would
definitely do on my next trip, but in dry weather when there are fewer
leeches.
The Datai was sold recently to a local Malaysian company, so I really
hope they upkeep the standards there. It would be a real pity for that
property to fall into a state of poor maintenance typically associated
with locally owned hotels (no offence to Malaysians, but I think you
would agree with me).
Also, with the recent announcement of the Malaysian government wanting
to promote Langkawi strongly as a tourist destination, hopefully it will
not mean development at the expense of the island's ecological
richness.
AL :-
Thanks for sharing you honest experience.