ICONIC LUXURY RAINFOREST RESORT, THE DATAI LANGKAWI, TO FEATURE IN BBC STUDIOS AMAZING HOTELS: LIFE BEYOND THE LOBBY

Acclaimed luxury Malaysian rainforest resort, The Datai Langkawi, will be appearing on the sixth series of the popular BBC Studios documentary, Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby.   

The programme is known for taking a rarely glimpsed, behind-the-scenes look at some of the world’s most extraordinary hotels. The sixth episode of the latest series will see presenters Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder join the team at The Datai Langkawi to learn about what it takes to run a resort of this calibre sustainably in the heart of an ancient jungle teeming with wildlife.  

The episode sees Monica and Rob immerse themselves in the resort's rainforest surroundings and learn more about how it integrates sustainability and conservation into all aspects of its business operations and guest experiences, and about the wider work it supports through its private trust, The Datai Pledge. 

Offering a unique insight into what it’s like to live and work in this extraordinary setting, they explore the 10-million-year-old rainforest which is home to an array of rare tropical flora and fauna, ranging from ancient rainforest trees such as the Meranti Bumbung, Meranti Temak Nipis and Keruing Damar to Dusky Langurs, Sunda Colugos and shy mousedeer as well as the critically endangered Great Hornbill. 

The presenters hear heartwarming stories from the team, who deliver the Malaysian hospitality that is so deeply embedded in the country's culture and characterised by friendliness, warmth, and kindness.   

Stephane Duvacher, General Manager of The Datai Langkawi commented: “It is a great privilege to be part of the BBC Studios’ Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby, and it was a pleasure welcoming Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder and helping them experience firsthand what it is like to work in our rainforest resort. Our staff and guests really connected with them both and we hope that this new episode will inspire viewers from the UK and around the world to discover the unique beauty and tranquillity of The Datai Langkawi.” 

The Datai Langkawi will appear on Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby on BBC2 at 20:00hrs BST on 10 October 2024. The first episode in the new series will be on air on BBC2 at 20:00hrs BST on Thursday, 12 September 2024, when all episodes will also be available on the BBC’s streaming platform iPlayer (for UK viewers only). 

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Notes to editors

For high-resolution still photos of The Datai Langkawi’s episode and Behind-the-Scene shots of BBC Studios’ Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby, please click here. 

For high-resolution photos of The Datai Langkawi, please click here. 

To stream the new series of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby on iPlayer, please click here. 

ABOUT THE DATAI LANGKAWI

One of the world’s most stunning resorts, The Datai Langkawi, is situated on the northwest tip of the island of Langkawi in Malaysia. Located in an ancient rainforest rich in wildlife and overlooking the tranquil Datai Bay awarded by National Geographic one of the Top 10 Beaches worldwide, the iconic property enchants with mesmerising nature, visionary architecture, understated elegance, and Malaysian hospitality. All the 121 rooms, villas, and suites at The Datai Langkawi, including the five-bedroom The Datai Estate Villa, offer breath-taking views of the surrounding nature. Elevated among treetops, set in the very heart of the rainforest, and located directly on the coastline, the dining outlets which include the award-winning The Gulai House, The Pavilion, The Dining Room, and The Beach Club, pay homage to the exotic flavours and culinary traditions of the region and beyond. Bespoke facilities include The Nature Centre, an educational facility and home to resident naturalists and marine biologists, and The Spa featuring Ramuan treatments, its own Akar retail range, and Voya facials. Leisure facilities include three pools, a state-of-the-art fitness centre at The Health Club; an array of wellness activities including Pilates and yoga, retail outlet The Boutique, a reserved space to showcase local arts and talents at The Atelier, as well as one of the most scenic golf courses in the world designed by golf legend Ernie Els, The Els Club Teluk Datai. The resort has founded The Datai Pledge in 2019 - a sustainability and conservation trust that supports Langkawi’s unique fauna, flora, and communities. All proceeds from The Datai Pledge aid this work and contribute to local non-profit organisation. The Datai Langkawi is managed by Datai Hotels and Resorts Sdn Bhd, a company incorporated to manage and operate hospitality properties in Malaysia and beyond.

ABOUT THE DATAI PLEDGE

In 2020, The Datai Pledge was established as a Private Trust. It is founded on the belief that travel has the potential to be transformative; not only for the traveller but also for the host community. The Datai Pledge was created on the premise of protecting biodiversity and supporting the local community of Langkawi, for today and the future. It comprises four pillars: Pure For The Future, Fish For The Future, Wildlife For The Future, and Youth For The Future, working to make the resort’s business operations more sustainable, and support marine life, terrestrial wildlife and local youth, respectively. For guests of The Datai Langkawi, The Datai Pledge aims to create educational experiences that inspire and uphold our collective role in responsible living on a wider global level. The Datai Pledge’s vision is to integrate conservation and sustainability into the business operations, company ethos and guest experience of The Datai Langkawi and future properties, to protect and help regenerate the rich biodiversity and enable the local community to thrive. The Datai Pledge is working towards this goal by developing a robust programme with local non-governmental organisations, social enterprises and community partners. 

For further press information and images, please contact: Ben Jones (ben@frogandwolfpr.com), Dara Soeharto (dara@frogandwolfpr.com), Leanne Barton (leanne@frogandwolfpr.com), Nat Frogley (nat@frogandwolfpr.com) or Flora Gandolfo (flora@frogandwolfpr.com) at Frog & Wolf PR.