FOREST HIDEAWAY — THE ART OF ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRATION

Historical Feature | Belvedere Magazine (1994)

In the July/August 1994 issue of Belvedere, writer Martin Weslake captured the beginning of a new era for Langkawi with his feature "Forest Hideaway." His focus was on the revolutionary design of The Datai, a property that would eventually become a global benchmark for environmentally sensitive luxury.

A Seamless Blend with Nature:
Weslake highlighted what remains the most outstanding feature of the resort: its profound integration into the surrounding 10-million-year-old rainforest. He gave "full marks" to the architects for their wise choice of building materials and elegant tropical styles, which managed to magically blend the man-made with the natural world. This philosophy of minimizing the human footprint while maximizing the appreciation of the wild is the very foundation upon which JungleWalla’s guiding services were built.

The JungleWalla Perspective:
While the architecture of the "Forest Hideaway" provides the frame, it is the life within the forest that provides the story. For over three decades, our naturalists have worked alongside these iconic properties to provide guests with a deeper understanding of the biodiversity that surrounds them. The "magic" Weslake observed in 1994 continues to thrive today through careful conservation and professional interpretation.

This archive serves as a reminder that when architecture respects its environment, nature becomes the ultimate luxury. We invite you to experience this harmony through the eyes of the naturalists who know this forest best.

EXPERIENCE THE RAINFOREST