The Datai Langkawi Debuts Padel Experience with LUX Tennis
The Datai Langkawi has teamed up with LUX Tennis to bring Langkawi's first padel courts and bespoke racquet-sport coaching to its rainforest resort. Beginning this month, guests can book private or group sessions led by resident pro David Rodriguez, join complimentary clinics, or reserve the new courts for self-play. The move aligns with the resort's strategy of pairing active pursuits with nature-immersive luxury, giving travelers another reason to venture beyond the beach-and cementing The Datai Langkawi's position as a market leader in Malaysian sports tourism.
Key Points
- Why it matters: First padel courts on Langkawi raise the island's sports-tourism profile.
- Partnership pairs iconic Malaysian resort with global racquet-sport specialist LUX Tennis.
- Programs include one-to-one coaching, free clinics, and "Beat the Pro" challenges.
- Resident coach David Rodriguez brings international tour experience to every lesson.
- Court bookings come with rackets and balls, simplifying play for leisure travelers.
Snapshot
Set amid 10-million-year-old rainforest beside the Andaman Sea, The Datai Langkawi now offers two purpose-built padel courts and upgraded tennis facilities at The Els Club Teluk Datai. Guests can choose tailored lessons, small-group clinics, or friendly matches, all while surrounded by towering meranti and hornbill calls. The partnership with LUX Tennis-whose portfolio spans 40-plus luxury resorts worldwide-adds fresh sporting cachet to The Datai's wellness, nature, and culinary pillars. Packages through UK operator Red Savannah start at £2,945 per person for five nights, breakfast, daily lessons, flights, and transfers. Soft-launched in July, the full program rolls out in August.
Background
Padel-often described as a hybrid of tennis and squash-has surged across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia thanks to its social format and shorter learning curve. Until now, Malaysian travelers had to fly to Kuala Lumpur or Johor for dedicated courts. By installing Langkawi's inaugural facility, The Datai taps a growing demand among luxury travelers for experiential fitness that complements spa and gourmet offerings. LUX Tennis, founded in 2017, curates on-property racquet programs, supplies ATP-caliber coaches, and stages celebrity exhibitions. Its entry into Langkawi extends a Southeast Asia footprint that already includes properties in Bali, Phuket, and the Maldives.
Latest Developments
World-Class Coaching in the Rainforest
David Rodriguez, a Spanish-Venezuelan former tour player fluent in English, Spanish, and French, heads the new academy. His curriculum pairs biomechanical analysis with match-play drills, ensuring both beginners and seasoned athletes gain tangible improvements within a single stay. Complimentary clinics each morning introduce grip, footwork, and basic tactics, while paid private sessions focus on strategic patterns and shot selection tailored to individual goals. Guests seeking a playful challenge can sign up for the weekly "Beat the Pro" tie-break; winners earn an extra coaching hour.
Bookings and Packages
Court reservations, available from sunrise to 10 p.m., include premium rackets, pressurized balls, chilled towels, and hydration stations. For travelers planning a sports-centred getaway, Red Savannah's five-night package bundles daily 60-minute private lessons, leaving afternoons free for spa treatments, nature walks, or a round at the Ernie Els-designed golf course next door. Direct bookings through the resort's website unlock a 10 percent discount on additional padel or tennis sessions booked on-property.
Analysis
The Datai Langkawi's pivot toward active luxury mirrors a broader Asia-Pacific trend: high-end resorts adding niche sports-from surf academies to aerial yoga-to diversify revenue and lengthen average stays. Padel's relatively low barrier to entry makes it an ideal add-on: two hours' coaching lets novices rally confidently, encouraging repeat court bookings and ancillary spend on gear, spa recovery, and healthy dining. For Langkawi, long positioned as an eco-retreat, the courts create a year-round fitness draw that offsets low-season lulls tied to monsoon rainfall. Partnering with LUX Tennis also mitigates operational risk, outsourcing coach recruitment, equipment procurement, and programming creativity to a specialist, while allowing The Datai to market the service under its own brand umbrella.
Red Savannah's early adoption suggests wholesale partners see commercial upside, particularly among UK travelers seeking winter sun paired with structured activity. Given padel's explosive growth-more than 25 million global players, according to FIP-other Malaysian resorts are likely to follow, intensifying competition for affluent sports travelers. By moving first, The Datai secures a valuable head start and positions itself as Langkawi's de facto training ground for a sport poised to pursue Olympic inclusion in 2032.
Final Thoughts
By blending rainforest scenery, five-star hospitality, and professional coaching, The Datai Langkawi transforms a simple game into an immersive, wellness-forward adventure. Early demand will signal whether padel can replicate its European success in Malaysia, but the resort's head start should resonate with travelers eager to combine fitness and nature. For now, Langkawi's first padel courts belong exclusively to guests of The Datai-a compelling incentive to book a stay anchored by the new padel experience at The Datai Langkawi.