Your calls always answered within 5 rings.
We were not expecting to have to pay for entertainment on a seven-hour flight on Fly Dubai, which offered very limited service in cramped conditions.
My only criticism is that the DAF team should have had better info about Singapore Airlines A380 business class seating, which is seriously awful and frankly a disgrace for the money.
We have been looked after by Kylie for over 25 years. Simple or complicated travel, she has always helped to craft our holidays beautifully
Jade Williams who planned our trip was amazing, friendly and very professional.
Everything worked to plan - lovely hotels and transfers excellent. Weather in Langkawi was disappointing but that’s nothing you could Influence!
Everything worked out perfectly for our twin centre trip to Malaysia, from flights, all transfers to resorts and airports. Holiday overall was great including both hotels. Would definitely go again. Thanks to all at DialAFlight.
Everything went smoothly, very impressed with Arthur's communication. It was our first time using your company but won't be the last.
Lee is always very quick to respond and very helpful.
Great trip and well done Ashley and Alex for all your help, would recommend and book again through DialAFlight.
Keely was brilliant - we had some issues with the flights which were not DialAFlight's fault and she was very helpful
Fantastic people to book with. You speak to an actual person and they don't mind you asking silly questions. Also much cheaper than going to travel agents. Great to deal with and will definitely use again.
Always responded promptly with any queries. Our holiday ran very smoothly with everything going to plan. Thank you.
Very impressed with the service and attentiveness from Marco and the team. We had a great trip with the reassurance of support if needed. Well done!
First Class Service as always - thanks Finn
Ross was brilliant in every way. We have already booked again with DialAFlight.
A good deal
Saf Patel - brilliant!
Been using Stuart for over 10 years and I would never change him! Great support, reliable, friendly and always an outstanding 12 out of 10 service!
Fantastic service! Always keeping me updated and fully informed. I felt that Amelia was on holiday with us, making sure that we had the best possible experience at all times! Thank you so much
The visa entry form on arrival at Singapore is lengthy and not easy to complete on a phone. Why not advise clients in advance of the need to complete AND that it has to be completed every time you enter the country?
Everything worked out well and it was nice to receive emails from DialAFlight just to confirm everything was on track
Really great holiday and Jonathan has been very helpful throughout
Great job Vinnie! A fantastic trip brilliantly organised by DialAFlight!
Robert organised everything for a special birthday present for my husband. I gave an idea of which hotels and places we'd like to visit and Robert came back with amazing itinerary and price. Kept up to date on every aspect even when away. Service and support is outstanding and highly recommend using DialAFlight.
Excellent, personalised service.
Fantastic recommendations on hotels and structure of flights. Really happy with our holiday and we will use you again.
As usual Stacey was fantastic. Another unforgettable holiday!
Everything worked like clockwork
You are the best - that’s why we keep coming back for all our holiday needs.
Overall our flights and holiday were excellent. The arrangements for transfers put into place by DialAFlight took place without a hitch and the drivers were professional. The only change I would have made was our hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The Ritz Carlton is very much in the business district of the city and consequently taxis were needed to visit the various places of interest. Whilst taxis are very inexpensive in KL the traffic is congested most of the time! However, an excellent holiday and we will be booking again with DialAFlight
Many a tropical paradise has snakes in the grass – figuratively, if not literally. Maybe there are jet-skis in the bay or biting insects.
You think you've found heaven – but there's a chance of disappointment.
However, The Datai is perfect. This five-star resort is set in lush rainforest on the north-west corner of the Malaysian island of Langkawi, an hour's flight from the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
An impressive place
There are a total of 121 rooms, suites and villas. The main building stands on a steep hill. Below lie the individual villas, hidden among trees that descend a quarter-mile to the beach.
The hotel has recently had an extensive renovation - but under the supervision of the same architect who worked on the original construction in 1993 to make sure the unique 'Datai DNA' was retained. So all the rooms and villas have been delightfully refreshed and there is a new nature centre to underpin the resort's focus on sustainability. And there's also a new health club right by the beach.
We are visiting this fine retreat for the second year running. Nothing is less than wonderful. At The Datai, every day seems better than the last.
What to expect
The weather, outside the rainy season, which starts in April, is hot but not humid; a breeze keeps the sun's effects in check. High season runs from Christmas to the end of March, then resumes in August.
The private beach is one of the most beautiful on Earth, and runs for a third of a mile below the loungers of the beach club, where we sip cocktails and savour seafood linguine for lunch.
There are four restaurants, in which 60 chefs produce a range of European, Malaysian and Thai food which is never less than delicious – and they also have a good children's menu. And there is the Lobby Lounge for light snacks.
Perhaps to celebrate a special occasion, or just if you feel like it, The Datai can also create a personalised candlelit dinner on the beach for you.
Penny, my wife, accuses me of committing genocide on the local prawn population – but my, they are superb, served with a range of spicy sauces that never get boring.
I pig out on scallops and octopus slices, served on a bed of celery puree with tamarind sauce, followed by lobster medallions and... well, I could go on endlessly.
Penny and I are the world's worst golfers, but play a couple of times a year. The Datai course must be one of the loveliest anywhere, with the sea almost lapping some of the greens. Others lie beneath a towering virgin mountain. I lose more balls than I can count by smiting them into the neighbouring rainforest – but recover plenty by wading into streams where other players have not bothered to retrieve them.
Blissful days
We swim a lot. We collect shells. One evening, we embark on a sunset cruise aboard the hotel's delightful replica Malay sailing vessel.
Penny's favourite active outing is our attempt to circle the bay while standing upright on a paddleboard.
Both of us decide this is pretty good going for a 70-plus-year-old. All around us, young things are falling off their boards. Not that I am any better. My giraffe-like frame cannot hold its balance for more than ten seconds.
Many of the guests are British, many of whom have been holidaying here for years. One-third of the hotel's business is repeat, which is always a good sign – and many of the 420 staff have worked at the resort for more than ten years.
Most visitors stay at least a week, and linger for as long as a month.
Penny strolls to the beach and has the thrill of seeing a big sea otter only a few yards distant, up a little creek. The butterflies are fabulous, too, and the hotel offers guided nature walks as part of its package.
A reason (or two) to return
Fantastic food, natural beauty, stylish simplicity and blissful comfort are the selling points of The Datai. The Malaysians are wonderfully friendly hosts and nothing is too much trouble.
I will not be popular with our fellow guests when we return next year – as we certainly will – for whispering The Datai secret. But we love the place, and it seems mean to keep it to ourselves.
I have stayed in few resorts where we have experienced such contentment, and that sensation is worth a king's ransom.
First published in the Mail Online - November 2018
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