FINALLY, some peace and quiet. After three days of adventure — swinging across a waterfall and jetsking through a choppy sea, we arrive at The Andaman, a luxurious resort set amidst a 10-million-year-old rainforest on Langkawi.
Waiting to be checked in, we enjoy welcome drinks at Jentayu Lounge that overlooks Teluk Datai. Glistening blue Andaman waters reach the horizon.
All I hear are the crickets and waves from afar and one can be lost in the serenity of the jungle. I feel so at peace.
My head is already in the clouds when an employee gently pats me. “Miss Hanna, your room is ready. Let us escort you to your room so you can relax,” he says.
JUNGLE MODE ON
While the boys stay in the connecting Luxury Seaview Guest room with two single beds, we get the Executive Seaview Suite.
Our suite has a separate living area connected to the next room where the boys are. It’s an ideal choice for families as the living room can be a place to chill and have family time.
The area is super spacious — complete with sofas, entertainment system, 32-inch LCD flat panel television with DVD player a fully stocked mini-bar and a coffee pot.
There’s a dining area complete with round table and four chairs. It’s a warm and welcoming space featuring contemporary dark wood details with unique craft displays — it feels very homely.
There’s a balcony with the view of the beach where we can relax with a cuppa in the morning waiting for the sky to change colours. However, we have been warned to lock the balcony door to avoid jungle creatures such as monkeys breaking in.
A wooden sliding door leads to the suite bedroom. It’s an enormous space with floor-to-ceiling windows. The king bed faces the view, so guests can wake up to a heavenly scene.
The marble tiled bathroom is like a spa! It has a large bathtub and a separate glass-enclosed rainforest shower. The toilet cubicle is also separated.
At the side is a vanity desk. Guests are provided with a full range of Luxury Collection bath amenities made of eucalyptus.
To get us into the jungle mode, the resort has prepared a perfect little tipple on the dining table — a mixture of pineapple, coconut and lime juice. It’s a refreshing drink to kick off our beach getaway.
CATCH OF THE DAY
On our first night, we head to Jala, an elevated dining experience by the beach. Here, guests can choose the freshest catch of the day to be cooked by the chef.
It’s casual open-air dining, warm romantic lighting with sandy floor. I choose to walk barefoot, feeling the cool sand underneath my feet.
My friend Zarina and I head to the seafood display and choose the fresh catch to be cooked. There are grouper, snapper, huge prawn, squid, clam and many more.
Choose how you like the food to be cooked — grilled, steamed or be surprised. You get to select the side dishes and there is an a la carte menu.
It doesn’t take long before our dishes arrive — two types of grilled fish and several sides. We also order two plates of appetisers on the menu to share.
The chef does a great job with the catch. It is grilled perfectly so the texture is not too dry. The fish are served with a couple of sauces — my favourite is the green spicy sauce.
RAINFOREST AWAKENING
Here at The Andaman, guests can join complimentary activities such as the jungle walking tour. There are two sessions — Rainforest Awakening and Rainforest Afterdark.
We take the Rainforest Awakening and this morning, Zul is one of JungleWalla (natural history tours) guides.
It’s a one hour walk exploring the vicinity of the resort. Morning is the best time to walk the grounds to gain insight into the thriving flora and fauna in The Andaman.
The walk starts at 8am. We head towards the beach where we spot tiny little balls. One of the kids asks the guide what those little balls are.
Zul explains that the balls are made by the tiny sand bubbler crab. They feed on organic matter in sand that plankton leave behind by the tide, essentially cleaning the sand.
Going towards the garden, we hear more insect sounds. “Can you guess what’s that high pitch sound?” asks Zul. It is the sound of cicada, an insect that looks like cricket but bigger. The cicada only makes sound during the day to attract the female.
The largest cicada in Malaysia, known as the empress cicada, can go up to 20cm in size. It is found on Mount Raya, the highest peak in Langkawi. We also spot a giant squirrel and flying lizard.
The night tour is similar to the morning tour, except you’ll spot more nocturnal animals including groups of flying lemurs.
MARINE CONSERVATION
Afterwards, we head to Coral Nursery where corals are rehabilitated prior to being transplanted. Coral conservation at the resort is an ongoing effort to reinstate the Andaman Reef damaged in the 2014 tsunami.
Believed to be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, the coral nursery offers guests the opportunity to participate in the unique and inspiring activity of growing new corals which, after four to 12 months of nurturing, will be returned to the sea. Of course, we have to try this out.
Facilitated by Daya, our activity starts with an introduction and a guided tour of The Andaman Marine Life Laboratory. There, we learn more about the project and the importance of corals to the ecosystem.
We then head to the nursery. It is a hands-on activity transplanting live coral onto a new substrate. This will then be put in the coral nursery until it can be relocated for long term survival and growth.
Daya takes us to see the nursery pool to see he beauty of the live coral.
Snorkelling in the clear pool, I can see colourful vibrant live corals of all sizes. They are so pretty!
RAINFOREST TREATMENT
For a more relaxing activity, I head to V Botanical Spa. Here, I have booked a treatment room to indulge in its signature Song of the Malay Rainforest treatment inspired by Malay traditional healing using plants and medicinal herbs such as tamarind paste, honey, lime and lemongrass.
Rida, the therapist, walks with me along the jungle-fringed path to a stunning spa villa nestled amidst the ancient rainforest. Inside, the villa is open to a spectacular view of the Andaman sea — oh, it’s already relaxing just looking over Datai Bay.
The treatment begins with Rendam-Rendam — a spicy foot bath (yes, spicy!), followed by a Regenerating Gamat Body Envelopment and Mandi Bunga Mambang Sari (floral-and-lime bath). The treatment continues with Traditional Malay Massage and Mahsuri’s Glow Facial.
Basically, the treatment takes care of everything from head to toe for three hours.
My body feels so much lighter and before the treatment ends, I am served Jamur tonic drink while I enjoy the spectacular view of Teluk Datai. Ahh...bliss!
FAST FACTS
THE ANDAMAN RESORT LANGKAWI
Jalan Teluk Datai, Langkawi
TEL 04-959 1088
WEBSITE www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lgklc-the-andaman-a-luxury-collection-res...
STAY The resort offers 178 rooms and suites. Guests enjoy 24-hour room service, nightly turndown service and two complimentary bottles of water daily.
EAT There are four distinctive yet equally alluring restaurants – The Restaurant, Jala, Tepian Laut and The Japanese Restaurant — and two bars — The Jentayu Lounge and Beach Bar.
DO Indulge at V Botanical Spa, join nature walking tours, visit the coral nursery and just relax by the serene beach. The hotel also has a gym, outdoor pool, game room and kids’ club.
GO Why go out when you can fully enjoy the resort? Pantai Cenang is less than 45 minutes from the resort. Other attractions nearby include Temurun Waterfall, Crocodile Adventure Langkawi and Langkawi Skybridge.
HIGH Luxury, great service with friendlyworkers.
LOW Really far from the city, but perfect if you like to get away for some peace and quiet.