First look: The US$60m refurbishment of Malaysia's iconic Datai Langkawi jungle resort
By Kim Megson 09 Mar 2018
The resort reopens in July 2018, following a substantial 10-month renovation Credit: Datai Langkawi
Datai Hotels and Resorts has unveiled images of the refurbished interiors and exteriors of The Datai Langkawi resort, following a US$60m (€48.7m, £43.4m) overhaul.
The images give a first look at how the independelty-owned property will look once it reopens in July 2018, following a substantial 10-month renovation, which has included a remodelling of the interiors of the guestrooms, suites, villas and public areas.
The project, situated next to a 10 million-year-old rainforest on Datai Bay, has been led by Didier Lefort from Paris studio DL2A, who designed the original resort alongside Australian architect Kerry Hill in 1993.
The pair won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001 for their efforts – which included setting the main building back on a forest ridge 40m (131.2ft) above the sea level and 300m (984.2ft) back from the ocean in order to preserve the beauty of the coastline.
In a statement, Lefort said the approach to the revamp of the resort again “marries simplicity, modernity and creativity with inspirations from the local environment, culture and materials.”
As with the original design – inspired by Malay, Chinese and Indian cultural heritage – the latest interjections using predominantly natural local materials in order to give the resort a primary sense of belonging to the jungle.
The accommodation has been refreshed with lighting enhancements, new technology and a warm colour palette, with several new rooms and suites also added to the resort. Three rainforest Pool Villas have been added to the existing five, all located along the Datai River which runs through the 750-hectare rainforest. They are joined by a new 3,500sq m (37,600sq ft), five-bedroom villa, called The Datai Estate, which is one of the largest of its kind in Asia.
Other new amenities include a dedicated Nature Centre, inspired by tribal bamboo longhouses, which will house a library and a tea corner offering a range of wild traditional Malay tisanes beneficial to health. Mini laboratories will enable guests to discover more about the marine and rainforest environment that surrounds them.
The resort’s Datai Spa is also being expanded, with a new air-conditioned treatment room supplementing the existing four open-air spa villas and a dedicated Bastien Gonzalez manicure and pedicure studio.
According to Datai Hotels and Resorts, “the spa draws heavily on local traditions and includes a treatment list based on the Malay concept of ramuan or ‘potions’, made by infusing oils with hand-picked medicinal foliage from the herb garden and surrounding rainforest.”
The list of treatments includes The Ramuan Ritual and Ramuan Massage as well as Tungku Batu, performed by highly trained and skilled therapists.
The extension of The Pavilion and The Dining Room restaurants, along with the rebuilding and relocation of the Fitness Centre to the beachfront, complete the refurbishment.
“We have a duty to preserve the legacy of this extraordinary resort and the time was right for a major refurbishment, over two decades since it was built,” said Arnaud Girodon, The Datai Langkawi's general manager.
“We are confident the new incarnation of The Datai Langkawi will broaden its appeal across continents and generations whilst delighting our loyal repeat guests, many of whom see this as a second home. We are now ready to embark on a new chapter for The Datai Langkawi and are looking forward to the journey.”
The historic Breakers Hotel in Long Beach, California, is set to reopen in mid-2024 as a Fairmont Hotels & Resorts property after a significant restoration and redevelopment project. The project, initially unveiled in 2022 by ...More
High-end five-star hotel company Kempinski Hotels is making its mark in Vietnam with a luxury waterfront property overlooking the Saigon River. Set to open by 2026, Kempinski Saigon River – designed by Kengo Kuma & ...More
Marriott International has signed a new deal with Neom to open a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property as part of Trojena, a brand new year-round mountain adventure destination in Saudi Arabia. Launching in 2026, Trojena is a ...More
The Bannatyne Group says it has officially bounced back from the pandemic, with both turnover and profits restored to pre-2020 levels in 2023, according to its year-end results. Owned by former BBC Dragon’s Den investor, ...More
Kerzner International has signed deals to operate two new Siro recovery hotels in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, following the launch of the inaugural Siro property in Dubai this February. Designed to offer guests a holistic ...More
The US spa industry is continuing its upward trajectory, achieving an unprecedented milestone with a record-breaking revenue of US$21.3 billion in 2023, surpassing the previous high of US$20.1 billion in 2022. This data stems from ...More
Short-term incentives to exercise, such as using daily reminders, rewards or games, can lead to sustained increases in activity, according to new research. Researchers found that even a simple daily reminder encouraged people to move ...More
Spa and wellness veteran Shannon Malave has been named spa director at iconic US spa destination Mohonk Mountain House. Based in New York’s verdant Hudson Valley and founded in 1869, Mohonk is a historic Victorian ...More
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors today, marking the eco-luxury hotel and spa operator’s entry into Japan and a new addition to its urban collection. Situated in the historic Higashiyama district, the 81-key hotel is ...More
The UAE’s first-ever Dior Spa has officially launched at The Lana, Dubai – the Dorchester Collection’s debut property in the Middle East. Bathed in natural daylight on the hotel’s 29th floor, Dior Spa The Lana ...More
The Sacred River Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan will reopen later this year with an all-new design plus enhanced treatments and experiences inspired by its river valley home. Nestled amid rich tropical ...More
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released new data on the US’ wellness economy, valuing it at US$1.8 trillion. According to the organisation's recent report – called The Global Wellness Economy: United States – the ...More
First look: The US$60m refurbishment of Malaysia's iconic Datai Langkawi jungle resort
POSTED 09 Mar 2018 . BY Kim Megson
The resort reopens in July 2018, following a substantial 10-month renovation Credit: Datai Langkawi
Datai Hotels and Resorts has unveiled images of the refurbished interiors and exteriors of The Datai Langkawi resort, following a US$60m (€48.7m, £43.4m) overhaul.
The images give a first look at how the independelty-owned property will look once it reopens in July 2018, following a substantial 10-month renovation, which has included a remodelling of the interiors of the guestrooms, suites, villas and public areas.
The project, situated next to a 10 million-year-old rainforest on Datai Bay, has been led by Didier Lefort from Paris studio DL2A, who designed the original resort alongside Australian architect Kerry Hill in 1993.
The pair won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001 for their efforts – which included setting the main building back on a forest ridge 40m (131.2ft) above the sea level and 300m (984.2ft) back from the ocean in order to preserve the beauty of the coastline.
In a statement, Lefort said the approach to the revamp of the resort again “marries simplicity, modernity and creativity with inspirations from the local environment, culture and materials.”
As with the original design – inspired by Malay, Chinese and Indian cultural heritage – the latest interjections using predominantly natural local materials in order to give the resort a primary sense of belonging to the jungle.
The accommodation has been refreshed with lighting enhancements, new technology and a warm colour palette, with several new rooms and suites also added to the resort. Three rainforest Pool Villas have been added to the existing five, all located along the Datai River which runs through the 750-hectare rainforest. They are joined by a new 3,500sq m (37,600sq ft), five-bedroom villa, called The Datai Estate, which is one of the largest of its kind in Asia.
Other new amenities include a dedicated Nature Centre, inspired by tribal bamboo longhouses, which will house a library and a tea corner offering a range of wild traditional Malay tisanes beneficial to health. Mini laboratories will enable guests to discover more about the marine and rainforest environment that surrounds them.
The resort’s Datai Spa is also being expanded, with a new air-conditioned treatment room supplementing the existing four open-air spa villas and a dedicated Bastien Gonzalez manicure and pedicure studio.
According to Datai Hotels and Resorts, “the spa draws heavily on local traditions and includes a treatment list based on the Malay concept of ramuan or ‘potions’, made by infusing oils with hand-picked medicinal foliage from the herb garden and surrounding rainforest.”
The list of treatments includes The Ramuan Ritual and Ramuan Massage as well as Tungku Batu, performed by highly trained and skilled therapists.
The extension of The Pavilion and The Dining Room restaurants, along with the rebuilding and relocation of the Fitness Centre to the beachfront, complete the refurbishment.
“We have a duty to preserve the legacy of this extraordinary resort and the time was right for a major refurbishment, over two decades since it was built,” said Arnaud Girodon, The Datai Langkawi's general manager.
“We are confident the new incarnation of The Datai Langkawi will broaden its appeal across continents and generations whilst delighting our loyal repeat guests, many of whom see this as a second home. We are now ready to embark on a new chapter for The Datai Langkawi and are looking forward to the journey.”
The refurb includes a remodelling of the interiors of the guestrooms, suites, villas and public areas, and brand new amenities Credit: Datai Langkawi
The project, situated next to a 10 million-year-old rainforest on Datai Bay, has been led by Didier Lefort from Paris studio DL2A Credit: Datai Langkawi
As with the original design, the latest interjections using predominantly natural local materials in order to give the resort a primary sense of belonging to the jungle Credit: Datai Langkawi
Lefort said the approach to the revamp of the resort 'marries simplicity, modernity and creativity' Credit: Datai Langkawi
The spa and wellness facilities have been expanded Credit: Datai Langkawi
The cost of the revamp has been revealed as US$60m Credit: Datai Langkawi
Malaysian luxury resort The Datai Langkawi will embark on an extensive renovation from 4
September 2017, its most substantial enhancement since it opened 23 years ago.
The historic Breakers Hotel in Long Beach, California, is set to reopen in mid-2024 as a
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts property after a significant restoration and redevelopment project.
The Bannatyne Group says it has officially bounced back from the pandemic, with both turnover
and profits restored to pre-2020 levels in 2023, according to its year-end results.
Kerzner International has signed deals to operate two new Siro recovery hotels in Mexico and
Saudi Arabia, following the launch of the inaugural Siro property in Dubai this February.
The US spa industry is continuing its upward trajectory, achieving an unprecedented milestone
with a record-breaking revenue of US$21.3 billion in 2023, surpassing the previous high of
US$20.1 billion in 2022.
Short-term incentives for exercise, such as using daily reminders, rewards or games, can lead
to sustained increases in activity according to new research.