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Hotels & Resorts: Dash Resort Langkawi
Dash Resort Langkawi: Making a run for the best in hospitality
Text & Images by LILY RIANI
That seemed to be the frequently asked question whenever anyone sees my photos of Dash Resort Langkawi. The resort setting is simply perfect - nestled in the cove of Pantai Tengah, with the breeze from the Andaman Sea gently kissing one’s face as the bright blue sky greets holidaymakers happily. Although the whitewashed buildings with the blue hue décor exudes the famous Santorini feel, the vibrant colours and the Dash bunny that pops up around the grounds certainly gave it an idiosyncratic touch. When asked on the resort concept, the answer was simple: Alice in Wonderland, whimsical with a colonial charm. Dash designers have carefully incorporated the culture and intrinsic qualities of the hotel’s surroundings to ensure that all aspects of the hotel perfectly blend in harmony.
Stepping into wonderland
Established resort Adding to the property’s sense of theatre, guests will find themselves catwalking on the checkered runway all the way to the purple front desk where the friendly Dash employees readily attend to them. Don’t be surprised with the arrays of pastries and tarts available for guests to sample at The Mad Tart Patisserie located next to the front desk. Bringing the Alice in Wonderland theme alive means guests are also greeted by the blue Dash bunny at the courtyard, with themed garden chairs for those who want to chill with the bunny while taking in the grandeur of the property’s colonial architecture.
The hero in Dash
Despite being the newest kid on the block, Dash Resort Langkawi knows how to create an impact on this legendary island. This is evident in its décor – to stand out in this legendary island, quirkiness is key. Hence the paintings of superheroes dressed in Elizabethan outfits spread across the premise. You’ll get to hunt for Superman, Batman, Spiderman and not forgetting Darth Vader and Chewbacca – the winner is the ‘hero’.
Into the rabbit hole
Jump into the Rabbit Hole Spa to pamper yourself and resurface with a new persona. A variety of scented oils that resonate with different moods and energies are available, each with the aim to relax and revive the body, mind and soul. The main focus of The Rabbit Hole Spa is to spoil guests with indulgent massages and beauty treatments by experienced masseuses and therapists.
The house of Dash rabbit
Unlike other stores located within resorts, dashoppee retail store offers Dash’s very own collectors’ item from Dash’s hotel chain in Malaysia and Indonesia. Guests may start collecting the Dash red rabbit from Dash Hotel Seminyak in Bali, green rabbit from Dash Box Hotel in Cyberjaya, and Dash Resort Langkawi’s turquoise blue rabbit. There are also several Dash hotels currently in the pipeline to enchant travellers, with different coloured Dash rabbits, each representing different Dash property.
A beach club by the infinity pool
Next to the serene infinity pool is the Dash Beach Club, which consists of MYA Kitchen & Cocktails and The SHACK. Considered as the most Instagram-worthy spot in the resort and set to be the coolest beach club in Langkawi, this is the place where guests can enjoy a swim while having a meal, do yoga, chill away or simply enjoy the sunset. Furthermore, guests can also walk over to the popular Pantai Cenang for watersports activities.
Room with jacuzzi that looks over the sea and giant purple ant
Being welcomed by the Dash rabbit in the white furnished hotel rooms certainly puts a smile on you. Every room has its own surprise in terms of décor – the detailing of the Studio Room, which is the resort’s lead-in category, is already astounding; I recommend that guests opt for the Garden Room that comes with an adorable replica of a giant purple ant and jacuzzi facing the sea. Villas are available too for those who value their privacy. For Dash’s standards, nothing is too flamboyant, sexy or over-the-top, making your stay in Langkawi memorable and extraordinary.
About the launch of Dash Resort Langkawi and Ri-Yaz Hotels and Resorts …
The Dash Resort Langkawi was launched by Yang Amat Berhormat Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Langkawi Member of Parliament on 25 November 2018. In conjunction with the launch, the company managing the hotel Ri-Yaz Hotels and Resorts – a wholly-owned Malaysian business entity – also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alphanam Real Estate Vietnam for the group to manage the Altara Residences Quy Nhon and Altara Suites Sa Pa in Vietnam.
Dash Resort Langkawi, Dash Box Hotel Cyberjaya and Dash Hotel Seminyak Bali are fully managed by Ri-Yaz Hotels and Resorts, besides the Altara Suites Da Nang in Vietnam. There are a few more Dash hotels to be launched this year, namely the sleek Dash Hotel KLCC that will serve as the Ri-Yaz group’s new headquarters, along with the historic Dash Heritage Penang and the opulent Dash Oriental Malacca.
“Dash is built with uniqueness in mind, offering guests the opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind stay. This is represented in the scenic setting, to the extravagant storybook design and the hospitality and service that is uniquely ‘Dash’, aiming to set it apart from other hotels on the island. This approach has proven successful for Dash Resort Langkawi as it was recently recognised by the prestigious 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards as the Best Designed Resort, the first ever to be won by a property in Langkawi,” said Datuk Seri Mohammed Shaheen Shah Mohd Sidek, Founder and Group Managing Director for Ri-Yaz Hotels and Resorts.
Ri-Yaz Hotels and Resorts’ core strength lies in consultancy and solutions for the hospitality industry. Its expertise ranges from hotels and resort services to education, food and beverages, and retail. Having a deep understanding of traveller’s needs from years of experience empowers the group to effectively implement seamless total customer experience in all of its properties.
For more info, look up http://www.dash-hotels.com/langkawimalaysia/ and http://www.dash-hotels.com/.
