This is tragic. The Andaman is a Marriott Luxury Collection Resort in Langkawi, Malaysia. The hotel has sustained extensive damage after two major fires.
In this post:
The Andaman Langkawi catches fire… twice
The Andaman has dealt with two fires in the past day. Malay Mail reports that the first fire started shortly after 4PM on Tuesday afternoon. About 40 firefighters were called to the scene, and by 10PM the fire was brought under control.
However, shortly after 1AM firefighters received another call for the same hotel, and had to rush there again. That fire wasn’t put out until daytime on Wednesday (today).
At this point reports suggest that:
- The fire started in the kitchen of the hotel, though an investigation is ongoing; one certainly has to wonder if the first fire wasn’t actually controlled, or how there were two back-to-back fires
- It’s believed that everyone was evacuated from the hotel safely, though there are concerns about the fires having damaged the nearby rainforest, given the location of the property
The hotel issued the following statement following the fire:
We can confirm that a fire broke out at The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi on Tuesday, 12 January 2021. As soon as we were aware of the incident, we informed the authorities and moved swiftly to evacuate the hotel.
As an additional safety precaution, all guests have been relocated to our sister property while investigations are ongoing. Our utmost priority is to ensure the safety of our guests and associates.
We are working closely and in cooperation with the fire department to determine the cause of the fire. As this matter is under investigation, we are unable to provide further information.
Will The Andaman Langkawi reopen?
This fire just happened, so we don’t know for sure if/when the property will reopen, given that damage is being assessed. One thing is for sure — the damage to the hotel is really extensive, and this hotel won’t be reopening anytime soon. The hotel has closed reservations, so there are no rooms available even when booking a year out.
Below you can see a video.
Andaman di Langkawi sedang terbakar. Nasib baik dapat gerak guests ke Datai. Ada yg cakap ada politician PH di sana. Hopefully dia ok. pic.twitter.com/QvrnOcl9il
— Sembang Tepi (@sembang_tepi) January 13, 2021
For context, below is what the building looked like before the fire.
It’s my understanding that only one “block” of the hotel burned, so perhaps that’s a silver lining. However, this is also the block with some of the public facilities, so it’s the hardest to operate without.
If The Andaman does reopen, I think it’s safe to say that it will be a while before that happens.
Bottom line
The Andaman Langkawi has suffered significant damage after two fires in the past 24 hours. An investigation is ongoing, but it’s believed that at least the first fire originated in the kitchen.
Fortunately it’s believed that no one was seriously injured, though this is still tragic. Only time will tell if the property reopens.
Has anyone stayed at The Andaman?
(Tip of the hat to Jocelyn)
So sad to hear.
Have stayed here on 2 separate occasions and each time had exemplar service with some first class facilities.
I do hope that one day it will reopen, very fond family memories.
Oh no this is tragic. We stayed here for our honeymoon in 2016 in one of their private pool suites. Am gutted to see this- our memories of that place are so special. The staff were all amazing. Really hope they can re open one day but so so sad to hear.
The Andaman was an eyesore. Externally the appearance of the hotel was totally unsympathetic to its rain forest environment while internally the hotel looked like a second rate city business hotel. So the fire may be a blessing if they demolish it and build something more in keeping with the very special Datai Bay environment,
We are staying at The Datai and we walked down the beach today. The resort is completely over run by the rainforest. It will have to be completely rebuilt from the ground up.
So sad ...My dream is to take a small vacation to Andaman Hotel Langkawi...cos you wont believe i am one of the first hotellier when the hotel open in 1996 ..the hotel was not 100 percent operational then but we are lucky ..when my contract after two years finished i promised my self to comeback and visit it a guest not worker...Hope this 2023 will be opening soon..
I have stayed at this hotel in 2012 so 10 years ago now. I wanted to book for for my anniversary. I kept thinking why does it never come up on expedia. I now know why. Its very sad. The hotel, the service, the staff and the area was amazing. I hope it opens soon.
Sorry to hear about your devastating fires,! Many happy memories of a great hotel and great stafff. Thoughts are with you.
Having had a wonderful stay at the Andaman in 2019, we were thinking of visiting the Datai when tavel opens up (and until the Andaman is rebuilt) but, having read @mkcol post, I'm not sure that we will bother.
We stayed at the Andaman in 2016 as part of our honeymoon, this is incredibly sad it's a stunning hotel.
This is very sad. We are currently in lock down and I googled the Andaman to make me feel better. My family enjoyed a very memorable holiday at the resort in the summer of 2017-2018. I hope this beautiful place reopens and is bigger and better than before. My prayers go out to all of the lovely staff at the Andaman. I hope this magical destination reopens soon.
I only heard about this via an email from The Datai next door, confirming basically that "they're alright Jack" - I don't even recall a single expression of sorrow for what had happened next door, or offer of help, just thanks for guests checking that they're okay at The Datai.
Kinda puts me off The Datai.
Ah this is really sad. My partner and I stayed at the Andaman back in 2018 and had a wonderful time there. One of my best trips ever. My sympathies go to all the staff. I really hope the wildlife and the rainforest, and the marine conservation facilities in the hotel weren't badly affected.
It's funny how something so far away - geographically and as a point in time - can make you feel emotional....
Ah this is really sad. My partner and I stayed at the Andaman back in 2018 and had a wonderful time there. One of my best trips ever. My sympathies go to all the staff. I really hope the wildlife and the rainforest, and the marine conservation facilities in the hotel weren't badly affected.
It's funny how something so far away - geographically and as a point in time - can make you feel emotional. It's brought back happy memories of good times when we had the freedom to travel and enjoy the world, and now I'm sad.
Hi Ben,
I was staying at Andaman Langkawi during the fire, as a matter of fact I was the one who reported the fire to the Andaman team as the fire started on roof and was not in a position to be realised by people under the roofs, being one of the merely 20-+ guests in hotel (due to Malaysian MCO -movement restriction order- to be in place just the same night to curb...
Hi Ben,
I was staying at Andaman Langkawi during the fire, as a matter of fact I was the one who reported the fire to the Andaman team as the fire started on roof and was not in a position to be realised by people under the roofs, being one of the merely 20-+ guests in hotel (due to Malaysian MCO -movement restriction order- to be in place just the same night to curb the covid) I was able to detect the smoke/flames from the beach and called in 5min to four and reported..
Have the most amazing shots at minutes hours before the fire..
As a member of airline & tourism industry player and most importantly an enthusiastic guest at that time, I still feel very emotional & connected with the staff of Andaman and I just wish&pray that no one from the team would have losses upon this major destruction...
So sorry Andaman. My favourite bit of paradise. It is tragic- anyone who has stayed there will know their deep connection with the wildlife that you are at one with during your time there. Hoping those Colugo's and and Dusky leaf Langurs made it to the safety of the forest.
Very sad to hear that. We visited in 2019. It was one of the most beautiful resorts we have ever been. The nature walk conducted was. The bat's and the flying squirrel and gecko were living there for centuries. Hope they all survived the fire plus those ancient trees. Prayers to all.
Dont stress guys, there are lots of nice hotels in Malaysia and Indonesia . As nice as this one . But countries still closed to tourists .
No, nots lots as nice as this one.
How sad! We also have special memories from this amazing property. I hope we will return some day!
I was there in May 2019. So beautiful. Very tragic for the staff's livelihood.
It so sad to hear about the loss. We were in Andaman from 12/12/20 till 15/12/20.
We loved the place and it was our 5th time there
We were married here in 2014. This is so sad, but maybe a reason to go back when it does reopen. We can go back to support this beautiful and one of a kind place.
We have stayed there six time, our last stay was for Christmas and New Year 2020 (i.e. two weeks ago). Wonderful place with the most wonderful staff! From the bottom of my heart I do hope that they will be able to rebuild and reopen. One of the world's greatest escapes would otherwise be lost...
This is tragic. Nicely designed hotel in a great location.
@stogieguy7
Huge THANK YOU for succinctly writing up what many of us are thinking. What a putz that guy was. I’m still searching for my painkiller.
One of my favourite hotels in Asia, very well established with a great team of staff and a stunning location. I hope that the staff are looked after and their efforts to look after the surrounding coral can somehow continue whilst they rebuild and reopen (which I am sure they will)
Yes! I stayed there in January 2017. I loved the long, narrow swimming pool that faced all the ground-floor rooms. What a pity!
Much prefer the Datai next door. It along with the Datai is in the best part of Langkawi though.
Stayed there once and The Datai 4 times when I lived in Singapore. Quick weekend break.
Sad news though. Malaysia has just implemented huge restrictions again I believe due to COVID.
Stayed there for our honeymoon in April, 2006. Have been back twice since. It is such a breathtaking location with spa huts on a cliff that overlook Datai Bay. This is heartbreaking.
Very disappointing. I am thinking about Langkawi for a trip after getting vaccinated and was considering Andaman if I did book a trip.
Hopefully they rebuild better than ever.
@Bob, did anyone call a language cop? No, no they didn't. There's nothing wrong with what Ben wrote and he's entitled to word statements as he pleases.
Using the term "check your privilege" actually is tragic....for those of us who get headaches from rolling our eyes so hard over it.
No, a luxury hotel burning with no deaths or injuries is absolutely not "tragic". Come on - check your privilege.
Something fishy about this tragedy... insurance purposes perhaps
My family and I went there twice, and adored our stays. The staff was wonderful, the scenery stunning. We were hoping to return there once travel became safe again.
This truly saddens me.
I’ve stayed there many times. A great hotel in a superb location. I hope they rebuild. It’s a wonderful place.
Oh no! I stayed there a year and a half ago and loved it! It was one of the more secluded options on Langkawi and was beautiful and understated. Hope they rebuild - I would be happy to come back.
I work in the media in Malaysia and have been to Langkawi many, many times and have stayed at The Andaman, as well, most recently in September. It's a lovely hotel, one of the first eco-resorts in the country dating back to the mid-1990s. I know several of the staff there, so this is a major blow coming on the heels of a year of unprecedented challenges. The resort is one of Langkawi's most beautiful...
I work in the media in Malaysia and have been to Langkawi many, many times and have stayed at The Andaman, as well, most recently in September. It's a lovely hotel, one of the first eco-resorts in the country dating back to the mid-1990s. I know several of the staff there, so this is a major blow coming on the heels of a year of unprecedented challenges. The resort is one of Langkawi's most beautiful areas, right on Datai Bay... it was insured, according to the owners, so hopefully it will be completely rebuilt and restored.
another view of it from https://www.facebook.com/100000186279648/videos/4230516416964526/
It's for the Insurance Claim ^_^ , have you ever heard about the Titanic before ?
Yeah that's for sure, why they need to spend thousands of ringgit for renovate purposes when there is free solutions : claiming from insurance
Stayed there twice, one of my favourite hotels in the World and send many clients there.