For only the second year, luxury retreat The Datai (www.thedatai.com) has teamed up with the crew of the Naga Pelangi (Rainbow Dragon), the last remaining Malaysian wooden junk schooner, for excursions in the bay in front of the resort and beyond. Hand-built in the shipyards of Terengganu on Malaysia’s East Coast, it’s a truly beautiful vessel, made of traditional chengal wood and evoking the glory years of South China Sea sailing. The views—across to Thailand in one direction and back over Langkawi’s Machinchang mountains in the other—are stunning (not for nothing did National Geographic list Datai Bay among its top 10 beaches in the world). Sunset cruises (including freeflow Champagne) are RM450 (B4,000) per person, while a private day charter goes for RM7,000 (B63,000) for up to 10 hours. 

 

Also new at the hotel is The Datai: Forest Therapy (Mandi Embun in Malay), which involves a soothing walk through the 10 million year-old rainforest that surrounds the resort, and—since March—three new spa treatments at the secluded Datai Spa, including the Tungku Batu (heart of stone) massage and a synchronized treatment with two therapists working in tandem. 

 

The resort is also offering a special ASEAN retreat package (valid for stays from now-Jul 5 and Sep 1-Dec 23, 2016), in which ASEAN residents get special rates starting from RM980 (B8,800) per night for a Canopy Deluxe Room, inclusive of breakfast, guided nature walks, complimentary non-motorized water sports, 15 percent off spa treatment and 10 percent off F&B.

 

Langkawi boasts some fantastic scuba diving, but Skydive Langkawi (www.skydivelangkawi.com), which opened for business in mid-December, offers a more adrenaline-fueled day out. Packages, which start from RM1,495 (B13,420), include a 20-minute scenic flight with views of the 99 islands that make up the Langkawi archipelago and a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet (with 32 seconds of freefall) with an experienced instructor (the operation is keen to stress that they comply with Australian Parachuting Safety Standards), finishing with a landing on Tanjong Rhu, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches.

 

Langkawi is already well established as a destination for adventurous fitness fanatics, with the grueling Tour de Langkawi cycle race having just concluded for this year and the Ironman Langkawi (is.gd/ironmanlangkawi) coming up in Nov 12, but a new trail race opens up a previously under-explored area. Pulau Tuba is the archipelago’s second-largest island after Langkawi itself and, despite being only a 15-minute speedboat ride away, remains remarkably undeveloped. Together with neighboring Pulau Dayang Bunting it’s home to just 2,000 people, and only certain motorized vehicles are permitted, which makes for a fascinating glimpse of island life before tourism takes hold. The first ever Tuba Trail Run was a challenging course taking in pristine mangrove forests and imposing limestone cliffs, beaches and ancient rainforests. Held early last month, its organizers have already vowed to host it again next year. Malaysia Ultra Running will also host the first edition of the Langkawi Ultra Marathon on Jul 17. Racing inside the Resort World Langkawi, you will wind through paddy fields, forests and beaches along the huge 100km and 50km routes. Registration is open from now until May 31 at goo.gl/NY9zi1. 

 

Other than The Datai and the Four Seasons, Langkawi was never exactly overflowing with high-end accommodation. That has now changed with the opening of St. Regis Langkawi (www.stregis.com/langkawi), the brand’s first Malaysian property, offering 85 suites and four water villas, five F&B venues and what’s billed as the island’s “largest swimmable lagoon.” Thailand’s architectural king of resort chic, Bill Bensley, played a part in designing the brand’s vision for a sort of tropical-rainforest-meets-Italian-Riviera take on luxury. Their opening offer is USD$580 (B20,000) net per night for a St. Regis Suite.

Also on the horizon (though pushed to next year) is the 132-room Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi (www.ritzcarlton.com). The new resort, which includes 42 villas, overlooks a quiet cove on the island’s southwestern corner, and features the island’s first hammam (Turkish-style steam bath), with a view to further establishing Langkawi as a premium spa destination. It’ll be positioned as a family-friendly place, complete with dedicated children’s swimming pool and kids’  club, so you can expect a slightly different crowd to the one you’ll find at the more established resorts.  

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Essentials