It was late afternoon when I checked in to my executive pool suite, on the quieter fringes of Datai Bay. Generously furnished, the dark wooden interior featured a separate living room with its own outdoor terrace and sunbeds, and a bedroom with a king-sized bed piled high with luxurious pillows that vie with seascape views, the very scene behind the sliding doors to a private pool.

Between a rainforest shower and free-standing bathtub in the marbled bathroom, I opted for the latter, and a pre-dinner Nespresso coffee from the minibar.

Dinner at Jala, the resort’s signature restaurant dedicated to sustainably-sourced seafood, was a full-on feast for the senses (shoes optional). We picked our dinner from the day’s catch laid on a bed of ice and had them cooked and seasoned the way we wished. From the fluffy warm bread with a trifecta of dips to a dreamy coconut cremeux with mango and passionfruit dessert, we savoured top-class dishes. None could compare to the sweet succulence of the whole snapper we picked, grilled with yellow curry and lemon butter sauces.

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Each morning for breakfast, The Restaurant serves a buffet laden with fresh fruits, juices and salads, an egg station and build-your-own western breakfast, with a section dedicated to sweet pastries too. For lunch, sunbathers and families convene at Tepian Laut, where contemporary Malaysian delights shine – the satay ayam Gamelan and rusuk kambing bakar (oven baked lamb) are signature orders.

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No stay at The Andaman is complete until you’ve booked a spa session at V Botanical Spa. The secluded hillside spa is outfitted with open air treatment rooms with picture-perfect vantages of the Datai Bay’s sparkling azure sea and mossy slopes. For 3 hours, my body was enveloped and kneaded into relaxation and bliss, over a V Signature ‘Song of the Malay Rainforest’ massage.

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My favourite part was a relaxing traditional Malay massage, followed by a gamat (sea cucumber) body wrap, infused with medicinal herbal blends. I walked out, rejoicing in my brand-new body and mentally energised.

If there’s one occasion to get out of bed for, make it the guided nature walks. As they say, the early bird catches the worm, and at 7am, it is sensational to smell and feel the fresh forest air as a guide enlightens the naturalist in you. The educational 2-hour-long walk will enlighten both young and old, as they discover rare tropical flora and fauna camouflaged in their natural habitat. The trail also makes for a scenic introduction to the leafy compound for new arrivals.

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Estimated at 8,000 years old is a delicate reef, The Andaman is guardian of an underwater rainforest. In protecting this gem, the resort started a unique coral conservation project open to guests, who can take part in a coral transplant activity that goes returns into the nursery. We highly recommend the guided snorkel tour of the purpose-built attraction, which gives visitors a peek at marine habitats found on the reef.

Though short, the island getaway provided a much-needed sojourn from the city. Long, leisurely stays would be the ideal indulgence, but this midweek break proves that one can sneak in an express break and not miss out on the luxuries and natural beauty at The Andaman Langkawi.

Book your stay or find out more at theandamanlangkawi.com.