6°25’21”N, 99°40’14”S The Datai Estate Villa, Langkawi Malaysia

Part of The Datai Langkawi’s lauded Rainforest Villa collection, the Datai Estate Villa and its pair of infinity pools sit in 65 acres of primordial jungle. The Datai river draws a serpentine line through a tangle of mangrove roots, and millennia-old mountains peer down at its leafy crown.

Guarded by a private verandah and sheltered by gabled timber shingle, the villa’s low-slung profile and breezy aesthetic are the perfect foil for heat and humidity. Interior design and architecture by Didier Lefort allow natural light to play across a range of neutral tones and textures, paying tribute to Malaysian craft and heritage, both quoting the vernacular and giving it a contemporary voice.

Formed by a twinset of smaller villas laced together by two swimming pools – three-bedroom Meranti and two-bedroom Seraya – the Datai Estate Villa can be booked as individual houses or one exclusive property, with two living rooms, two dining areas, a pool table, games room and bar. Another space can be transformed to suit your whims: a spa treatment room, kids’ den or gym, perhaps.

Villa guests also have access to The Datai Langkawi’s award-winning resort spaces, including its four restaurants, two bars, spa, pristine beach club and newly opened Nature Centre and THe Lab. The Datai Estate Villa is a memorable place to immerse yourself in nature’s beauty, learn to live in the moment and reconnect with what matters most.

How far to the nearest…

• Resident neighbour 3km
• Beach 100m
• Café/Restaurant 100m
• Town 20km
• Airport 28km Langkawi International Airport

Location Set in Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park, a 10 million-year-old ecosystem sheltering unique flora and fauna.
Build Structures draw inspiration from traditional thatched longhouses and inherently low-impact stilted Malay homes, maximising natural ventilation and local materials; recent renovation works were careful to preserve mature trees by adapting builds around them.

Energy To meet its net-zero goal, a carbon-offsetting scheme is in place; wastewater is used to irrigate the hotel’s permaculture kitchen garden; food waste is composted. The Datai also has its own recycling centre for glass and plastics.

Enviroment The Datai Langkawi is globally respected for its leading strategies, transparency and environmental stewardship, which includes re-populating coral reefs, cultivating a native tree nursery and wildlife conservation. The resort’s nature education centre is run by a dedicated team of marine biologists and respected resident naturalists.

Community A further credit to the Datai is its dedication to community programmes, including supporting education and empowerment for local women and school sponsorships through the Green Growth Asia Foundation.

Digital detoxx You’ll be so intoxicated by your surroundings you won’t want to log on, but if you do, there is WiFi.

Creature comforts Between your personal chef and private butler, every need is taken care of.

Langkawi’s tropical climate means hot days, mist rising in the early mornings and balmy nights. Dry season spans November to April; wet season, May to October, with brief but intense rainshowers a feature of June/July.

Engage

Whether sunbathing or forest bathing call you, both are at your feet. Meander from your verandah to the Nature Centre and find the trail to the treetop walkway suspended high in the canopy. A few minutes’ stroll brings you to Datai Bay, a tropical smile of powder-white sand and azure ocean, where the resort’s Beach Club is set. Kayak through the mangroves with a wildlife guide, or hike to crystal-clear springs for a freshwater dip. The Datai also has a championship 18-hole golf course designed by former number-one pro Ernie Els: the scenery will take your breath away.

Savour

Beyond the Datai’s own Malay-fusion, Thai and international restaurants, the island’s signature mix of soothing and spicy includes local versions of nasi goreng, laksa, fluffy roti and barbecued fish stuffed with coconut sambal. As an archipelago of 99 islands, seafood such as squid, salted queenfish and butter crab features on most menus.

Go slow

Try a Malay ramuan ritual at the wellness spa, where indigenous ingredients feature in locally inspired treatments. Stay rooted to your favourite spot to scan the sky for hornbills, or listen for the call of dusky langurs. Practice mindfulness on a butterfly-seeking or bird-watching walk through the grounds.