The Datai Langkawi

The Datai Langkawi is a luxurious retreat built in the heart of a 10 million year old rainforest right on the cusp of the Andaman Sea. So if you're looking for a five-star resort that combines the best of the jungle and the beach then look no further. From the moment you set foot in the Datai you are warmly welcomed. The hotel's philosophy from the get-go was to reveal the secrets of the rainforest while sensitively protecting the unsullied beauty of the coast. This respect for its surroundings is also reflected in the resort's stunning accommodation. It comprises of 121 huge rooms, suites and villas looking out to the lush rainforest with the pristine sands of Datai Bay only a picturesque 300 meter stroll away. This incredibly fragile environment isn't lost on general manager Anu Diodon who, with the original interior designer Didier Lefort, painstakingly renovated the Datai, both instilling the mantra of seamless integration into nature. We are utilizing nature for people to discover and learn. At the same time you're not going to protect it? No, you know we've got to be truthful to who we are otherwise you just don't do it. Let's face it from a commercial point of view especially with the latest report that has received from biodiversity endangerment by the global warming etc etc I think it's going to be a duty to do it and because customers really want to see a resort that are doing it and three because we are like everybody else we got to do something about it and fourth look at where we are if we don't do it here if you don't respect what the nature gave us well we shouldn't be here in the first place. Another champion of the flora and fauna that abounds at the Datai is resident naturalist Eshad. With 26 years of experience and passion under his belt he is one of Malaysia's most celebrated environmentalists. This one here is a very bizarre forest it's called the mangrove forest which you have in Australia but we pride ourselves here on Langkawi we have 75% of all the mangrove species on the planet. The root systems are incredible this guy here it's bizarre isn't it so this is called a stilt root system and because they are completely submerged twice every 24 hours at low tide these trees have their roots out of the mud and out of the water so they take oxygen directly from the atmosphere and away from the gusty winds these trees can afford to get taller and just up ahead. And with the change in height does it also give you a change in the type of animals that live here as well? Yes well tall trees are usually ideal for birds of prey so this is a tree called balung ayam people throughout Polynesia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa and the jungles. If you want to send messages further you just go here give it a go. So if I was out hunting it's late for dinner I can just go yes because I'll be home in 15. Yes you got it in fact if you just do this I've ordered pizza Doing this nature walk with somebody who has such an in-depth knowledge of the environment like Ashad just makes you appreciate it so much more and you've got all of this and you haven't even left the resort.