The Datai in Langkawi, recently placed among Time magazine’s World’s 100 Greatest Places of 2019 – and the sole Malaysian entrant, has attained an extra patina of enigma from its triumphant refurbishment which was unveiled early this year to the world. That effort, which took almost a year in the chrysalis, saw its common areas and 121 rooms, suites and villas updated with a joie de vivre by its original interior designer – Didier Lefort of the Paris-based design studio DL2A who returned to the project 25 years later.
“A sense of happiness” as Lefort points out, is what he sought to amplify across the resort with the use of materials which recalls the rainforest’s abundance of life and its sanctuary-like appeal. With that came brighter-lit corridors using energy-saving LED lights, a palette of textiles and fabrics in shades reminiscent of butterflies, and an overall burnish to the timber commonly used in the resort’s architecture. These nips and tucks have also increased The Datai’s environmental sensibilities, which began when its original architect Kerry Hill had harnessed the gentler motions of elephants to transport the lumber needed for the building – rather than felling trees to make way for mechanised vehicles.
This original ethos of respecting nature has endured over The Datai’s existence up till the present day, a purpose which its general manager Arnaud Girodon is keen to double down on. “From the moment we decided to renovate, one thing was for sure, very clear to us,” Girodon states, adding, “due to the fact we sit in one of the richest bio-diverse areas in Asia – we have to protect it.”
It’s clear why this strong sense of purpose of stewardship and ecological consciousness has transformed The Datai into such a beguiling experience for the modern traveller. By embracing all of its natural surroundings, cultural context and a sense of doing the right thing, The Datai has become the antithesis of a hermetically sealed hotel. Rather than offering that form of ‘sterilised luxury’ which modern travellers would baulk at, The Datai has, by conscious osmosis, transcended into a property which serves as a microcosm of Langkawi’s natural heritage and a slice of Malaysiana where its service staff, gastronomy and even arts and crafts become a highlight reel for the country. An art residency programmes sees a revolving roster of visiting artists every three weeks, while the spa draws upon traditional healing therapies has even developed its own line of spa products drawing on the properties from the nearby mangroves, sea and forests. Here, a Malaysian version of forest therapy is also offered together with the martial art of silat, conducted on a pavilion facing the sandy bay. An upcoming Chef Series for next year will see a quintet of visiting chefs pairing their signature cuisines with unique wine partners at The Dining Room, where one is prone to sight Great hornbills feed on figs in fruiting season.
“What we want to do, is to have our guests understand where they are,” Girodon says. Its rainforest villas and canopy rooms open up to birdsong and the rustling of trees from the vast 750-hectare rainforest while dusk brings glimpses of flying squirrels and starlit skies, the latter a byproduct of The Datai’s isolated position in the sparsely populated north-western tip of Langkawi.
Step outside and you’re rewarded with nature and canopy trails where guests undertake an exploration into the ancient rainforest which envelops the resort. Headed by its resident naturalist, the formidable Irshad Mobarak, The Datai’s new nature centre becomes the jumping off point for guests to discover Dusky langurs, majestic white-belllied sea eagles, bustling coral reefs and mangrove habitats – richer in species numbers than almost anywhere else in the world.
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But beyond appreciating nature, the truest difference – and perhaps The Datai’s biggest allure – is in its steadfast mission to be ecologically aware, subconsciously transmitting this appreciation for nature to its guests. It remains the only hotel in all of South East Asia which stakes its claim as a zero waste to landfill property, recycling everything from glass to cardboard boxes. The recent refinements with smart air-conditioning usage and LED lighting, among others, has seen it reduce energy usage by up to 18 per cent despite expanding its number of accommodations and amenities. Water is now produced and bottled at its own plant and amenities, down to its toothbrush and cotton buds are made with bamboo, adhering to its no single-use plastic policy.
By enlisting a phalanx of foremost experts in their field such as permaculture design consultant Mark Garrett, The Datai Langkawi now also becomes a laboratory and classroom of sorts to those interested in leading sustainable lifestyles. “Through the garden, our guests are able to see beyond abstract ideas, and they learn how to activate composting and use waste effectively,” Girodon says, adding that many guests have brought the ideas back home to implement in their daily lives.
A larger part of what The Datai hopes to achieve is also to integrate its eco-conscious philosophy into social aspects – engaging fishermen, local schools and NGOs through initiatives dedicated to sustainability. Its Fish for the Future efforts – led by its in-house nature team, had developed a three pronged approach to preserve the bay at The Datai by creating artificial reefs, supporting local fishermen by buying fish directly and collaborating with fishermen communities in the vicinity on coral reef rehabilitation. “Eventually, we hope to participate on a wider basis on the protection of Langkawi as a whole,” Girodon adds.
