The Andaman

Where? Overlooking the gin-clear waters of Datai Bay on Langkawi, a pristine island off the Malaysian peninsula.

Sounds seductive: Surrounded by virgin rainforest teeming with giant hornbills, lizards and monkeys, the Andaman is a luxury bolt hole where the busy world is completely hushed.

Crusoe with Krug? Indeed. Built in the traditional Malay style, with pointed roofs and airy salas, the hotel's grand-scale architecture, earthy colours and proliferation of pillars give a rich sense of abundance.

Tell us more: Each of the 188 rooms has a lush ensuite bathroom and a raft of amenities, such as satellite TV, electrical adaptors, weighing scales and binoculars. Decor-wise, the look is no clutter, but deeply comfortable.

Examples, please: Deluxe rooms have gleaming wooden floors, Oriental furniture and a pale exotic palette. Executive suites mix masculine furnishings with coffee and chocolate tones. The Japanese and Malaysia suites combine authentic furnishings with bang-on modernity.

Who goes there? Racing drivers Michael Schumacher and Moritz Habermann, plus Hollywood celebrities, such as Jodie Foster, who love the Jamu Nature Spa, where treatments include after-sun aloe, papaya and nut wraps.

What else is there to do? Guests can take their pick from activities such as golf, tennis, sailing, diving and waterskiing. Then, there's jungle trekking (perfect for living out your Lara Croft fantasies), river-rafting and island-hopping by boat.

And the cuisine? Corking. Marvellous Malay dishes are available from the award-winning Gulai House. Equally good Mediterranean fare is served at the Restaurant. Sushi lovers can chow down at Kamogawa, and there's a poolside pizzeria.

Deluxe Rooms from RM900 (HK$1,850); Suites from RM1,950. PO Box 94, Jalan Teluk Datai, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia, tel: [60] 4959 1088, www.slh.com