Elite Traveler Spring 2020

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The Datai Langkawi THE DATAI ESTATE VILLA, MALAYSIA

Located on an island off the western coast of Malaysia, The Datai Langkawi comprises nearly 65 acres of rain forest and beachfront. Many of the hotel’s structures are bona fide treehouses, sitting on high stilts above the rain-forest floor overlooking the Indian Ocean. The property recently underwent a $60m renovation, which included the addition of its most spectacular villa, The Datai Estate Villa. It is one of the largest hotel accommodations in Asia and, like the rest of the hotel, is perfectly interwoven among the rain-forest’s trees. The 37,670-sq-ft private retreat is surrounded by lush foliage and is near a stream; it has five bedrooms, two pools, a spa-treatment room, gym and two spacious living rooms, and it features locally sourced materials and a soothing color palette. You are a short walk from the hotel’s five restaurants and the outdoor spa, which has a treatment menu that changes regularly. Guests can partake in cooking classes, golf and sailing adventures, as well as exciting hikes and wildlife experiences run by the resident naturalist. Giving back To help protect the beautiful natural ecosystem, The Datai Langkawi launched Fish for the Future, which helps strengthen marine life through coral-rehabilitation projects, increasing the fish supply and creating artificial reefs. The resort recently launched The Datai Trust, which will implement programs to preserve local flora and fauna with the help of the community. This year, the resort hopes to become completely plastic-free, and it will continue turning organic waste into garden soil via the Organic Wealth Center. Rate from $12,000 per night Contact Nur Diyana Nor Aminudin, marketing coordinator, diyana.aminudin@dataihotels.com, +60 4950 0500, thedatai.com