The Andaman-a Luxury Collection Resort,Langkawi.

I always know we’ve found a gem, when I really want my own house to resemble the hotel room we’re staying in. But at the luxurious The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort in Langkawi, the word ‘room’ is a sad understatement to describe the executive pool suite we called home for two days. Having undergone refurbishing, the suite now contained less heavy wooden furnishings, indictive of Malay design, and was replaced with lighter wood, brighter design and a modern layout which I loved. Grey couch, turquoise cushions, a big bath and an amazing bed looking out over the ocean were just some of the elements which I’d love in my own home. Best of all was definitely having our very own pool. Once we pulled aside our bedroom doors, views of Datai Bay, the pool loungers and an outdoor shower awaited.

It really was one of those suites we didn’t want to leave. Aside from food, I really felt content just to stay there, swim, laze in the sun and enjoy sunsets from the deck. I love hotels which offer an assortment of things to do whilst there and being on one end of the island with most things far away, this suited us perfectly. Some of the great activities they offer includes sunrise yoga, coral transplanting,reef project, guided snorkeling, rainforest walks, spa and kids club for the visiting parents. Being pregnant at the time, there was only so much I could do everyday else I would’ve tried everything.

My highlights of The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort.

Coral Transplanting

When the Tsunami hit the western coast of Thailand and Malaysia, 90% of the reef was destroyed. The Andaman was lucky to survive in part but a vital part of the ocean was ripped away. With the help of Marine biologist, Dr. Gerry Goden, the Andaman started a project to recycle, replenish the coral that was lost. Gerry believes his generation was one which consumed and polluted too much, leaving generations to come with a broken planet. And now we all have an obligation to do something to save the ocean and our planet.

He explained that coral plays the role of a central processing unit to the ocean and while it makes up 10 % of the ocean, it supports 25% of the species. Coral is the oldest living animal on the planet and is made up of colonies of animals. When coral was broken off the reef, the animal living inside the skeleton of limetone died and left behind the ‘bones’. After the Tsunami 100’s of thousands of this limestone calcium carbonate was left behind in the trees and on the ground.

Together with volunteers, families and companies, who come here to help and do CSR projects, Gerry recycles them and uses it to help the coral grow faster. The process of transplanting is simple but beautiful. He glues small bits of coral onto brick or onto a dome-like fish shelter and places it into their natural pool. Thereafter it will start to spread slowly growing at 1cm per year. Once the coral is placed in the ocean, their smell atttracts fish and crabs, who in turn make a noise which attracts more swimming coral to the reef. The ball is rolling and it’s not long before fish families move into the fish shelters built as they provides a safe home for their young.

This was an incredible learning experience for me and I’m fascinated at the great role coral plays in the ocean but also it’s ability to be recycled and to regrow. We can definitely all do more to save the ocean, so visit the coral nursery and sign up to volunteer in a group or individually.

The Coral Nursery

Recycling Coral.

V Botanical Spa.

Being a lover of massages, I’ve visited spas all around the globe, but this spa had the best views by far. From the hotel lobby, a driver took me up via golf car to the spa nestled on the side of the hill overlooking Datai Bay. It was late afternoon and the sun illuminated a sparkling ocean below while I sunk into the couches sipping my welcome drink and waiting for my treatment. Instead of a massage, I chose a revitalising lip and eye treatment to perk up my skin and keep my skin supple. The treatment was great but the true beauty of a treament here is the location and being able to enjoy a treatment in an open air room with glorious views.

Our living space.

Because the hotel has so much on offer for guests, if you wanted to, you could fill up your day with exciting activities, but the executive pool suite really offered us a space that we didn’t feel the need to leave. It was light and airy and great for us to write in, we could enjoy beach views and sunsets right from the deck and our bed and just outside our back gate was a path that led down through the trees and onto the beach. Food was possibly the only reason we even left.

One thing that can be improved.

We only visited two of their four restaurants, Tepian Laut and The Restaurant, but both times the food didn’t blow us away. Breakfast at The Restaurant was incredible but the main meals we chose for lunch and dinner somewhow fell short given the spectacular location and pure luxury of this hotel.