Refurbished Rooms & Suites – The Danna Langkawi
Words: Jacob Weber
Photos: Monica Tindall (& supplied by the property)
“Excuse me, as part of the arrival experience, would you like a complimentary shoulder massage?”
I was so bewildered that I had to ask the smiling hostess to repeat herself.
You won’t hear that at an ordinary hotel.
But then again, The Danna Langkawi is no ordinary hotel.
I’m increasingly wary of the word “experience”. It’s massively overdone in the tourism/airline/destination marketing world. You’ve probably seen it in an advert in the last 24 hours.
But from the shoulder-soothing welcome to the sumptuous comfort of your room, an “experience” is exactly what this is.
And what an experience.
Refurbished Rooms & Suites at the Danna Langkawi
The Danna Langkawi has been a popular member of Langkawi’s five-star hotel portfolio since it opened 13 years ago. They recently completed Phase 1 of a room refurbishment roll-out, which resulted in 51 beautifully upgraded rooms and suites. Phase 2, covering the remaining 74 rooms, is expected between April and June 2024. In total, 16 one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites will be available.
This weekend, we have the privilege of putting one of the two brand-new two-bedroom suites to The Yum List test.
All 210 square metres of these spacious suites have been carefully designed to add contemporary comforts without compromising the classical luxury and colonial aesthetic that The Danna Langkawi is famous for. The original layouts remain, but they have been upgraded with sophisticated furnishings, soothing neutral colours, convenient fittings, and premium amenities. It’s all very charming, stately, and elegant.
Both bedrooms have large private balconies, with giant daybeds almost as comfortable as the sumptuous four-poster king beds inside, complete with oversized feather pillows and duvet. The marbled kitchen boasts a full-size fridge and additional dining seating. The beautiful bathrooms have twin vanity mirrors and dressing areas, with a separate rainfall shower and bathtub (which, we learned, can be topped with rose petals upon request).
The in-room amenities have been tailor-made exclusively for the hotel by the master artisans at luxury home accessories brand SV Casa, and they’ve done a fine job of capturing the essence of the brand’s history and heritage.
The Danna Langkawi is also the first hotel in Malaysia to carry Jo Loves by Jo Malone, a bespoke line of body and hair care products. The new suites carry the Pomelo collection, “inspired by white sandy beaches and memories of summer holidays”. Appropriate for a tropical island getaway, then. (And, this writer can confirm, rather soothing after spending a little too long in the sun.)
The rooms are equally comfortable for business and pleasure. Smart wooden writing desks, Nespresso coffee machines and plenty of power sockets (including USB-C ports) are welcome luxuries for the remote worker. 55- and 65-inch TV sets, a premium herbal tea selection, and elegant bathrobes help take the edge off any lingering emails.
Sophisticated & Sustainable Refurbished Rooms & Suites
At The Yum List, we like luxury — but we love sustainable luxury. So, we’re delighted to see the #DannaCare initiative, the hotel’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, has been upgraded as well.
All single-use plastics are gone from the rooms, and the Jo Malone toiletries are dispensed from oversized containers. In-room water (in glass bottles) comes from the resort’s own new water bottling plant. Even the keycards are made from wood. The “Conserve Card” in your room lets you choose whether you want your linens changed daily.
The Danna Langkawi also practises responsible energy and water management, and even runs beach clean-up initiatives. (The private beach is in such perfect condition, we assume these clean-ups must be daily.)
New Kid’s Club & Other Facilities
Travelling with children? The all-new Danna Jr. Club has been introduced as part of this refurbishment phase. It promises a wide-ranging schedule of events and activities for children 4-11 years old. Kids can get involved with supervised crafts, engaging sports activities, fish feeding sessions, interactive board games and other pursuits while Mum and Dad treat themselves to a cocktail or three by the pool.
And if you want to hit the gym before you hit the bar, The Danna’s excellent fitness centre has everything you need for a beach-ready workout. The latest upgrade features state-of-the-art TechnoGym equipment, including Malaysia’s first TechnoGym Ride, strength machines, free weights and more, in a comfortable roof-level studio with floor-to-ceiling windows and great views of the mountains.
You could also get a decent workout in with a few laps of the gorgeous pool: the largest three-tiered infinity pool on the island, with a separate kid’s pool and jacuzzi. Once you’ve burnt your calories, flop down into a comfortable cabana or shady sun lounger, and call a friendly waiter over to bring you something refreshing.
Breakfast & Dinner Buffet at Planter’s
There can’t be many better ways to start your day on Langkawi than a buffet at Planter’s, the charming restaurant with a verandah overlooking the pool. I say “buffet”, I mean “banquet” — this spread is fit for a king. And there’s champagne on ice!
(I decide that two coffees cancel out two champagnes, and so I definitely don’t have a problem with drinking alcohol at 9 am.)
The breakfast buffet has Continental and cooked dishes from all over the world, plus an a la carte menu for tableside ordering. There’s everything you need for a classic Western fry-up, and you can order eggs any number of ways. Looking for something spicier than your usual cereal? Try something from the Indian selection, or order a fresh dosa or roti canai. From French toast to Chinese dumplings, from pastries to pancakes and sweet or savoury porridge, it’s all here, and it’s all delicious. We suggest arriving early, grabbing a spot with a good view, and giving yourself plenty of time to work through a few courses (and some bubbles).
The dinner buffet is equally extravagant, and there’s an extensive a la carte menu and decent wine list, too. The Head Chef is doing the rounds of the floor, personally inspecting every serving dish and greeting his guests. The menu features high-quality classics from the Western, Malay, Chinese or Indian Kitchen selections with plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options. There’s even a meat-free burger. The open kitchen adds to the atmosphere and ambience. And although it’s a big, bustling space at peak times, the high ceilings and comfortable seating still preserve a sense of intimacy. This certainly isn’t a noisy food court …
There’s also the option of The Danna’ Langkawi’s outstanding Italian restaurant, The Terrace, to which we highly recommend and have dedicated a separate article here.
Exceptional Service
Timeless charm, stunning surroundings and luxurious furnishings are all well and good (and boy, they are good here) — but it’s the service that really makes a five-star hotel. And from the first shoulder rub to the last goodbye from the private airport drop-off, the service at The Danna Langkawi is absolutely excellent; attentive, responsive, and genuinely warm.
As always, it’s the little things that make a big difference, right down to the complementary sunglasses cleaning and a cold face towel by the pool. Everyone goes about their duty with a smile on their face, whether pruning bushes or preparing cocktails. The staff are happy to make any number of recommendations or even reservations for eating out or other activities across the island. They’re also happy just to have a friendly chat. Some guests have been surprised with a birthday cake that they didn’t ask for. The concierge staff will regularly check in with you, without being at all intrusive. They just really care about making your stay as comfortable as it can be.
Refurbished Rooms & Suites – The Danna Langkawi
Like I said — all part of the “experience”. And a stay at The Danna Langkawi is one heck of an experience. Refined, and relaxing; serene, and very sophisticated.
Discount for Readers of The Yum List
Use the promo code THEYUMLIST for a 15% discount when booking directly through The Danna website.
Reasons to visit The Danna Langkawi: a luxurious stay in a grand colonial-style hotel, beautifully refurbished rooms & suites with modern amenities; absolute comfort and luxury throughout; beautiful grounds and private beach with a stunning swimming pool; outstanding service; excellent F&B options – we highly recommend Terrace.
Refurbished Rooms & Suites at The Danna Langkawi
Telaga Harbour Park Pantai Kok
07000 Langkawi, Malaysia
+6 04 959 3288
[email protected]
www.thedanna.com
Find more recommendations for travel to Langkawi here and stay updated with the latest gourmet happenings in Malaysia here and here.