Built on the edge of a marina and backed against cascading hills of lush rainforest, The Danna is an elegant & luxurious getaway perfect for couples.
After an hour flight from Penang, we had arrived in Langkawi, Malaysia and wow…what a difference an hour can make. Instead of being surrounded by glorious visions of street art, run down buildings and the smells of Indian food, we were now surrounded by lush tropical rainforests, bright blue skies and the quiet sounds of Langkawi. Again I stress, what a difference an hour plane ride can be.
Incredibly different yet equally appealing as Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi is a lesser known beautiful island in Malaysia. Looking back now, I can’t believe I never knew Langkawi existed or even had it on my radar. It was by accident that we came here and now I can’t wait to go back. From the beautiful beaches, the stunning tropical scenery and the exotic animals Langkawi stole a piece of my heart.
Our first stop in Langkawi was at the beautiful colonial style hotel, The Danna. We were greeted at the airport by a few members of the staff, who whisked us away in a private car and refreshing cool towels to freshen up with. After a quick 15 minute drive we pulled up to The Danna, which felt more like we were entering a private mansion than a large hotel.
The Danna stands out amongst the green lush rainforest, with its tall grand colonial style facade and white umbrellas elegantly lining the infinity pool. Surrounded by breathtaking views and the bright blue waters of the Marina, it felt as if we were in the middle of nowhere, in a completely untouched area. The tall ceilings, muted tones, elegant ambiance and extremely friendly staff made us instantly feel at home. We couldn’t wait to settle in and start exploring our new home!
The Experience
Little details in the design, is what you’ll notice first. The lobby is grand and modern, yet echoes an era of colonial times. In other areas, dark wood and rich leather chairs define the space, where as the next room will be flooded with natural light, large plush couches and a design that can only be described as “antique chic.” The mixtures and details some how all come together, to create this elegant atmosphere and makes wandering around a pleasure.
The trend of classic and modern elegance, continues on into the suites, where each space has a balcony and either looks over the gardens, the Marina or the pool….or if you’re staying in corner suite, you get a bit of it all. We stayed in a Viceroy Suite which was elegantly styled with a wonderful large balcony overlooking the large pool area and beach.
Clean, modern lines and neutral colors reinforced the peaceful atmosphereand the large floor to ceiling windows offered more spectacular views. Our bathroom was as large as our bedroom and came complete with a large tub, his and her vanities, walk in shower and great large closets. It was the perfect space to relax in after long days in the sun and the balcony was perfect for before (and after) dinner drinks.
“Surrounded by breathtaking views and the bright blue waters of the Marina, it felt as if we were in the middle of nowhere, in a completely untouched area. ”
Views & Cocktails at the Pool
The majority of our days were spent cooling off in the beautiful infinity pool, located directly in front of the Marina. It’s hard to beat the view, as you have lush tropical rainforests on one side and yachts and sailboats leisurely gliding by at the Marina. You could find us lounging on the chairs, drinking margaritas or popping in and out of the pool.
I loved the attention to details at the pool area as well! Some of the lounge chairs were partially submerged in water, so you wouldn’t get too hot and every so often, members from the team would walk around with snacks! Warm samosas never tasted so good! There is also a fantastic happy hour at the pool bar that lasts for a few hours, so make sure not to miss it.
Amazing Meals Being Served at The Danna
The food at The Danna was absolutely amazing. Between their two main restaurants, Straits & Co and Planters you will be very well fed and your tastebuds will thank you! For breakfast we would head to Planters, where an appetizing breakfast buffet waited for us. With options like egg white omelettes, fresh fruit and typical Malaysian dishes we were in heaven.
Daily lunch was at Straits & Co where we feasted on dishes that encompassed all the melting pot flavors of Malaysia. One day it was fresh salmon with samosas and other days was fresh pasta and hamburgers. If you need a snack in between lunch and dinner, the high tea at Straits & Co is delicious! Of course you get tea, but the trays of delectable sandwiches and pastries are the best.
Dinner was always a special occasion. We would make reservations at Planters for late in the evening and just indulge in the quiet ambiance and excellent cuisine. This is a great place to try a Tiffin meal, which is essentially a tiered lunch box filled with delicious Malaysian and Indian curries. Another standout dish was their grilled steak, expertly prepared with delicious vegetables drizzled in sauce. If you’re not sure what to order, trust the waitress and go with their recommendations. You won’t be disappointed.
Couples Massage at the Spa
Our last day, we managed to pull ourselves away from the awesome poolside happy hour, to indulge in a couples massage at the spa. Located on the top floor (and yes with more great views) The Danna Spa has a variety of treatments to choose from, ranging from body scrubs, facialsand massages to traditional rituals. After a quick discussion with the Spa Director, we decided that a traditional Malay massage would be in order.
After the gentle and soothing touches of our foot bath, our masseuses started our hour massage. Convinced I would appreciate the views of the harbor during my massage, we made sure to book a couples room with a view. However after about 10 minutes of pure relaxation from my massage therapist I was out. I didn’t fall asleep, but I feel into that heavy oblivious feeling you get when you’re half asleep. You know that moment when you can still hear whats happening, but your body is just so relaxed it won’t move. Yup that was me, staying still, completely oblivious to the beautiful scenery in front of me. Our massage was fantastic and we left completely relaxed and invigorated. Definitely make sure to book a service during your stay, you’ll be so happy you did!
The Sky Bridge is a Must!
Only a 5 minute taxi ride away is the stunning Langkawi Sky Bridge, which you absolutely have to do! Where else are you going to walk across a bridge suspended 660 metres (2,170 ft) above sea level and get panoramic views? It’s a once in a lifetime adventure and completely worth the visit. The weather can change instantly, so even if it’s a bit cloudy on your way up, don’t worry, because chances are you’ll be rewarded with clear skies eventually. If you’re scared of heights, these views just might cure you.
For more information about The Danna make sure to visit their website: