The Datai and other things

Well, just came back from vacation. Stayed at the Datai for a few days and really enjoyed it. Mind you, I'm still an Aman fan - although apparently Mr. Zecha has a stake in the Datai (?) - it was a very good experience despite the miserable weather throughout most of the week.

A hotel set in the middle of the jungle in Langkawi where there are literally monkeys around - well behaved though, unlike their camera-and-glasses-stealing brothers and sisters from Bali - and also some gekkos (not a big fan) in probably my "i'm such a pussy" moment of the vacation... hell, of the year.

Apart from that, the Executive Assistant Manager, Regina was great in solving some minor initial issues and showed that through professionalism you can overcome really everything.

The pools are great, nice beach, nice staff... I would say that the hotel doesn't look old or tired per se, but is not cutting edge contemporary if that's what you are looking for. Versus the Four Seasons, difficult to tell... some friends have stayed at the Four Seasons in Langkawi and say it's one notch better than the now much older Datai. Others - such as the ones filling the survey for Conde Naste Traveller which put it at number 2 in Asia and the Indian sub-continent just this year and in 2005 and in... - seem to disagree. I am not totally sure, but get the sense that the Datai is "more different" due to the jungle setting. The Four Seasons really seems to be a beach resort like many other... luxurious for sure... but not that distinctive.

Anyway, rambling and rambling... if you want to have a bit more fun and excitment on any given night go to the Andaman (the sister hotel of the Datai) which is right next "door" and listen to the great "Nine Lives" band. After being mesmerized by Joy - the lead vocalist - make sure you behave and focus on your wife or girlfriend as she may be... next to you. Then listen to them. Daniel on the keyboards rocks and the other two guys are very good as well. Lovely people and I do hope they get lucky and some A&R guy does decide to cut them a deal.