At the Datai Hotel exquisite care has been taken to retain the natural beauty and ecology of the rainforest into which it is built. During our stay in our freestanding treetop villa we heard the night croak of geckos and cries of monkeys, clicks of insects, chirps of flying squirrels, along with unrecognizable sounds of various other exotic creatures whose home we were sharing. In spite of the rugged, natural and wild environment we felt pampered beyond belief and our privacy and desire to enjoy our vacation exactly as we had planned was met with no interference in the slightest.
There are fifty-four deluxe rooms available in the Datai hotel itself with beautifully simple Japanese style furnishings. Dark local woods providing warmth and contrast to the bright skies and seas outside. Most rooms have balconies that offer eye-watering views of the pools, ocean and islands beyond. But the thirty-four villas nestled in forest seclusion throughout the property and accessed by rustic trails are really the most unique and wonderful way to experience this resort. We had two rooms, a mini-bar, and Balinese style marble baths where orchids were left daily providing the only clue that someone was "out there" watching out for us and cleaning up any and everything we might have left behind.
Order breakfast service in your room and before you emerge from the shower a cheerful and discreet employee has delivered it to your rainforest balcony where you have an early morning bird’s eye view of the forest’s startling and fascinating creatures. But watch out! Something may try to grab your breakfast banana.
Lunchtime dining is served poolside at either of the two stunning pools, one located near the resort and another a lovely 200 meter walk down to the ocean side where the water sports are also located. There are another eighteen poolside suites located near the lower pool which are perfect for larger groups or families and include their own plunge pool with dreamy nap-perfect open air daybed and fully equipped kitchens.
Dinner is served on your own private balcony if you are staying the in the villas, at the Resort Dining Room, or at our personal favorite, the Pavilion, which serves fantastic Thai cuisine. As the resort seems devoted to catering to romance any special request that you dream up, such as being served dinner on the beach in the moonlight, will be granted.
There is no doubt that a stay at the Datai will satisfy many a life-long dream of tropical exotica. Before staying here I really didn’t believe that any large organization could get it this "right" in combining a respect for the environment along with astutely catering to every whim of its guests. The attitude and approach to service is exquisite in attention to detail yet manages miraculously to give guests the feeling that this is their own private piece of heaven.