Monday, 21 April 2014

Hotel review: the Datai Langkawi (Malaysia) | the Luxury Travel Expert - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Hotel review: the Datai Langkawi (Malaysia) | the Luxury Travel Expert - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Hotel review: the Datai Langkawi (Malaysia) | the Luxury Travel Expert

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 01:08 PM PDT

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel and/or flight review.

TODAY: THE DATAI LANGKAWI (MALAYSIA).

Nestled in the heart of an ancient rainforest above a gorgeous bay, the Datai Langkawi is a captivating destination resort that blends smoothly with its natural surroundings. Situated on the beautiful island of Langkawi, each room, suite and villa enjoys the embrace of the lush rainforest and some offer stunning views from private verandas of the breathtaking Andaman Sea. Reconnect with nature, rekindle your spirit and reignite your soul in this serene natural haven.

In this review (more info below the slideshow & our youtube clip):

Pros & things we like
Cons & things to know
Our verdict
Tips for future guests
Comparison with other Langkawi luxury hotels (Four Seasons)
Best time to visit
How to get there

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

PROS & THINGS WE LIKE:

The Datai Langkawi has a spectacular rainforest setting. The main facilities are embedded in the jungle on a hillside above a long curl of sand in the relatively isolated north-west corner of Langkawi island. The resort's jungle surrounds plays host to a wealth of wildlife, some of which are endemic to the area. You may well spot dusky leaf monkeys, tokay geckos or Sunda flying lemurs during your stay (especially at dusk or dawn). A ten minute walk through the lush private grounds (or a buggy service) will bring you down to the satellite facilities at Datai Bay beach. The long beach is wide and composed of soft, grey sand. It is shared with another hotel (the Andaman hotel), but feels very exclusive and private as nobody else can access it.

The resort architecture is absolutely gorgeous and the facilities are all extremely well maintained, despite this being a quite isolated location in the midst of the jungle.

The Datai Langkawi features 124 rooms, with a location in the jungle or along the beach (choose your accommodation according to the setting of your choice). The hotel has 44 deluxe rooms, 10 premium rooms, 40 villas, 4 pool suites, 12 suites and 14 beach villas. All rooms & villas have individually controlled air conditioning, ceiling fans, satellite TV, DVD player, hairdryers, international direct dial telephones and personal safes. Room furniture is heavy and solid and the beds are very comfortable with excellent quiet air-conditioning or ceiling fans to keep the temperature cool.

Some very nice, additional room features are the complimentary mini bar and a daily replenished fruit bowl. We also received a bottle of champagne upon arrival in the room, but I am not sure whether this is standard complimentary practise or was part of the hotel deal that we booked.

The resort has a 2 pools: a stunning adults only pool (to escape from screaming children) which is higher up in the jungle near the main facilities & a smaller pool down by Datai Bay almost beachfront which caters to families with children. Both pools are heated and glorious with very comfy sun loungers & oversized towels. Just when you think you are far too hot you are supplied with an ice-cold flannel & surprised by a sorbet or mini cocktail to keep you refreshed.

Service is excellent (albeit a little slow at times), and both staff and management will do whatever they can to make your stay as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.

The hotel has 4 restaurants on site. Elevated in the forest, in an open-air setting, you can enjoy the authentic Thai cuisine at The Pavilion. For Malaysian and Western cuisine look out for The Dining Room or enjoy the alfresco dining at The Beach Club. For the authentic Malay and Indian cuisine, enjoy the open-air Gulai House. The Thai was my favourite, closely followed by the Gulai House, in the canopy of the forest. Breakfast (more of a brunch) is also another culinary experience offering both Asian & continental cuisine.

Room rates are very reasonable for a luxury resort of this kind (almost half of those at the Four Seasons Langkawi, albeit difference in customer experience is marginal).

The Datai also features an exclusive 18-hole Championship golf course, a full-service spa, two tennis courts, and a health club. The small but beautiful spa is located in the rainforest (only female therapists) and we advise to book treatments in advance to avoid disappointment.

LOBBY

HOTEL BAR AND LOUNGE

WALKWAYS TO ROOMS

HOTEL WING

ADULT POOL

POOL LOUNGERS

JUNGLE WALKWAY TO BEACH

STAIRS TO BEACH

DATAI BAY BEACH

FAMILY POOL

BEACH RESTAURANT

LOBBY AT NIGHT

THE PAVILION THAI RESTAURANT

HOTEL AT NIGHT

DINING ROOM AT NIGHT

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW:

Although the resort has a beautiful beach, its real habitat is the rainforest. Few rooms & villas have open views of the sea, as most look into the beautiful jungle.

WiFi is free but it was a hit and miss. Download is poor when the hotel is busy.

At certain times of the year, jellyfish are the in the waters around Langkawi and they may cause serious health and safety issues. The watersports staff flags for ocean conditions.

The resort used to be part of the GHM Hotels & Resorts portfolio, but ownership/management has changed last year. Some guest's reviews on the internet complained about a decline in service and maintenance. While we cannot compare the hotel with how it was managed under the GHM brand, we found the overall service to be excellent albeit a little slow from time to time (as we noted less staff as compared to other luxury hotels of this size). We experienced one serious let-down at the signature restaurant Gulai House, where our entrees were not served at the same time (but with a 15 minute interval between them) and no apologies or explanation were offered.

Some guests posted reviews on the internet that the rooms feel (out)dated, but I do not agree (our room was excellent, albeit it may have been an updated one). In any case, the resort will revamp its rooms this year, so it should not be any issue anymore in the near future.

BEDROOM

BEDROOM SITTING AREA

WELCOME LETTER

WELCOME LETTER, CHAMPAGNE, FRUIT PLATTER

WILDLIFE ON TERRACE

BALCONY

TOILETRIES

BATHROOM

OUR VERDICT:

Location: 9/10
Design: 9/10
Rooms: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Overall experience: very good: 8,6/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS:

Book a hotel room near the main building if you want to have a rainforest experience and/or be close to main facilities, or, alternatively, book a beach villa when you want to stay on the beach.

If you book a rainforest room, request one at the higher (second) floor, so that you have a more open view of the jungle and more daylight into your room.

If you love Thai food, do not miss the culinary experience at the Pavilion. The curry Massaman was the best ever!

Read our tips on how to book a room at a luxury resort like Four Seasons Langkawi.

Read our tips on how to prepare your trip in time.

BREAKFAST BUFFET

COMPARISON WITH OTHER LUXURY HOTELS ON LANGKAWI:

The Four Seasons (read our review here) and the Datai are hands down the best hotels in Langkawi. Comparing them would be unfair since they both offer a totally different experience, more focused on the rainforest at the Datai and on the beach and Andaman Sea at the Four Seasons. Nevertheless, you may want to take into consideration the following facts when you do not know what resort to choose:

The Datai is less expensive as compared to the Four Seasons, while the overall experience in terms of service, food and luxury is marginally different (our room rate at the Four Seasons was twice as expensive as the Datai for the lowest room category).

The colour of the sand is a bit less white than compared with the white sand at the Four Seasons Hotel (which is my favorite beach in Langkawi, also from an aesthetical point of view).

The jungle surroundings of the Datai are way more impressive than those at the Four Seasons, with the added spectacle of wildlife.

The rooms of the Four Seasons are larger and more luxurious (especially the bathrooms), but they feel less authentic.

Service at the Four Seasons is (slightly) superior to the Datai.

In summary, when travelling to Langkawi, I would recommend to stay a few nights at both resorts to take in the best from the rainforest (Datai) and beach (Langkawi).

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

Langkawi has one of the more stable climates for an island in Malaysia. Located on the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the Malaccan Straits, it is shielded from major winds and storms by the mainland on one side and Sumatra on the other. This makes Langkawi suitable to be visited all-year-round, with never too drastic weather. The rainy season is from September until mid November, during which time on average, there are about two hours of rain per day. Note that an hour of this precipitation usually comes during the night-time. Even during rainy season, the mornings are usually filled with sunshine, with the rain coming during overcast afternoons. The mid-season (neither dry nor rainy) is from mid April until August. The mornings are again sunny, but the afternoons can be overcast. The dry season is from mid November until mid April, during which time there is very little rain.

HOW TO GET THERE:

The following airlines (click here for direct links to their websites) serve the small Langkawi airport (a 20 minute drive away from the resort):

Malaysian Airlines: via Kuala Lumpur
Malindo Air: via Kuala Lumpur, Penang
Fire Fly: via Kuala Lumpur, Penang
Silkair: via Singapore
Tigerair: via Singapore
Air Asia: via Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, Singapore

Friday, 18 April 2014

Tips On Choosing Hotels In Malaysia With Cheap Price | Traveleggo - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Tips On Choosing Hotels In Malaysia With Cheap Price | Traveleggo - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Tips On Choosing Hotels In Malaysia With Cheap Price | Traveleggo
10 Top Hotels in Malaysia Voted by TripAdvisor Travellers | Lipstiq ...
ONYX TO LAUNCH FIRST AMARI HOTEL IN MALAYSIA
LEGO Kingdom Unique Themed Rooms at Hotel LEGOLAND ...

Tips On Choosing Hotels In Malaysia With Cheap Price | Traveleggo

Posted: 13 Apr 2014 10:54 AM PDT

Malaysia is one of Indonesia's neighboring countries. When you are on holiday to Malaysia will certainly choose an Inn or hotel to rest and spend Your holiday in Malaysia. Hotels in Malaysia are many and varied, ranging from hotels to the extent that expensive to hotel and room rates are cheap. Choose hotel rooms to stay comfortable and must also provide a quality facility. When selecting hotels to budget or budget you have. An important need not be expensive.

Before choosing a hotel in Malaysia for an overnight stay during the holidays you need to do some research or price comparisons. Find as much information as possible about hotels in Malaysia. Lots of hotels that exist in Malaysia and can be made into place overnight during a holiday in Malaysia.

The lowest prices per room in Malaysia is around 100 thousand rupiah. If you want an expensive hotel please just, it all depends on you.

The research you are doing should use more sources and references a variety of hotels in Malaysia. More and more hotels are in research by you, of course, the more the choice hotel for overnight stay in Malaysia. In addition to the benchmark price, in choosing the hotel rooms You will also need to pay attention to the facilities provided and also the cleanliness of the hotel.

Clean Hotel will make you comfortable and beta linger though only in rooms only. In addition, choose a hotel close to public facilities so you won't have trouble when it would go on the streets. More engrossing again if you choose a hotel that is close to tourist attractions and also the right to shop.

Hotels in Malaysia very much, there is a four to five-star there is also a regular hotel. These hotels would have different rates, for that you need to conduct a survey in advance so that you are not wrong. The survey that you do not have to when it comes to Malaysia, you can Survey over the internet. Browsing about room rates cheap hotels in Malaysia.

← Tips On Choosing Hotels in Thailand While on Vacation

Tips on Choosing a Cheap Hotel in Bali Around Kuta →

10 Top Hotels in Malaysia Voted by TripAdvisor Travellers | Lipstiq ...

Posted: 21 Jan 2014 11:03 PM PST

The winners of TripAdvisor's 2014 Travellers' Choice Awards for hotels have been announced! Voted by millions of TripAdvisor users who use the site to find information and give reviews on travel destinations, the awards were given to travel accommodations around the world, from top hotels to B&Bs and inns.

Check out which hotels in Malaysia have gotten the best reviews by their customers – it might just help with your next vacation plan!

1. Casa del Mar, Langkawi

Visit the website here.

2. The Danna Langkawi

Visit the website here.

3. Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Visit the website here.

4. The Datai Langkawi

Visit the website here.

5. Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort, Sabah

Visit the website here.

6. Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang

Visit the website here.

7. Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

Visit the website here.

8. PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur

Visit the website here.

9. Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

Visit the website here.

10. Sama-Sama Hotel, Selangor

Visit the website here.

If you want more travel ideas, head over to our favorite Malaysian beaches here, or how about doing a getaway in the peaceful and beautiful forest resorts scattered around in our country?

ONYX TO LAUNCH FIRST AMARI HOTEL IN MALAYSIA

Posted: 03 Oct 2013 02:29 AM PDT

Introducing Amari Johor Baru

Bangkok, Thailand. 3 October 2013 - Thailand-based, ONYX Hospitality Group has been appointed to operate a 207-room property in the Malaysian town of Johor Bahru.

Amari Johor Bahru is owned by Exquisite Mode Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of United Malayan Land Bhd) and will be managed by ONYX under their upscale Amari brand. The property will offer a selection of Amari's signature features including an Asian Food Gallery, Breeze Spa and Idea (meeting) Rooms. The property is scheduled to open in 2015 and is part of the Suasana Iskandar Malaysia development, which also offers serviced apartments for sale and a retail podium. The development is within a 5-minute walk of the upcoming JB Sentral Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT) which will link Johor Bahru and Singapore.

Located in southern Malaysia, Johor Bahru is becoming a popular weekend escape for families and leisure travellers. Singapore is currently Johor's top source of international arrivals, followed by Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines and India. Johor's Department of Tourism is aiming for 24.2 million arrivals in 2013, having recorded 12.6 million as of July. The state of Johor offers a number of popular attractions, including Johor Premium Outlets, Legoland Malaysia, Danga World theme park and the Angry Birds Activity Park.

ONYX President and Chief Executive Officer, Peter Henley, said:

"We are very excited to be in a position to announce our second hotel development in Malaysia, so soon after the first. As a Thai company, having a presence in one of our closest neighbouring countries has always been a priority for us. We are excited to be joining forces with Exquisite Mode Sdn Bhd. and bringing the first Amari to Malaysia with Amari Johor Bahru. Amari has become a household name in Thailand and we look forward to building that level of brand recognition in Malaysia."

UMLand GCEO, Mr. Charlie Chia Lui Meng said:

"We are honoured to have ONYX Hospitality Group on board to manage and operate Amari Johor Bahru. With its solid reputation and global marketing network, we strongly believe that the collaboration with ONYX will be a win-win for all parties. The development's prime location in the heart of the city, combined with the retail component, is hoped to rejuvenate and revitalise Johor Bahru, preparing the city for economic growth, whilst also offering an attractive and conducive living environment for locals and expatriates."

ONYX announced their first property in Malaysia earlier this year for select service brand OZO. OZO Penang is scheduled to welcome its first guests in 2016. There are currently six OZO properties under development in Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

###

About ONYX
ONYX Hospitality Group operates four diverse yet complementary brands – Saffron, Amari, Shama and OZO - each catering to the distinctive requirements of today's business and leisure travellers. ONYX reaches beyond its Thai roots to offer innovative management solutions across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf and Asia-Pacific regions. Visit www.onyx-hospitality.com.

For more information about this release or to request high-resolution photography, please contact:
Hannah Filer - Director, Communications
Email: hannah.filer@onyx-hospitality.com

LEGO Kingdom Unique Themed Rooms at Hotel LEGOLAND ...

Posted: 09 Apr 2014 11:51 PM PDT

Traveleggo.com – There are three main themes in the LEGOLAND Hotel Malaysia , one Kingdom . Stay here when you are traveling , such as in a LEGO castle that is filled by the queen and king of LEGO . Exciting !

Kingdom is one of the theme rooms to choose from while staying at Hotel LEGOLAND Malaysia . Usually , the boys were happy to choose this theme room

← Epic Hotels All Around The World

Buddha head in tree at Ayutthaya , Thailand →

Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Monday, 21 April 2014