Hidden in the hills of Koh Tao, The Place Luxury Boutique Villas is a quiet escapist fantasy. All nine of the villas here are refined and elegant, featuring large infinity-edge plunge pools on the decks, kitchenettes and stocked picnic baskets (which are most welcome as there is no restaurant on the premises), and huge bathrooms with glass-roof showers. More important, perhaps, is the fact that each villa is completely separate, surrounded by trees, and looks out to the sea. The resort doesn't have any facilities so to speak of, not even a restaurant, but most guests come here for privacy and romance, and are content to spend most of their time lounging on their private deck.

Koh Tao Cabana is a quiet upscale property located on pretty Sai Ree Beach near the island's main strip. With a secluded setting, intimate restaurant, and a spa with treatments for two, the hotel caters mostly to couples and honeymooners, though there are family-friendly amenities like a playground for families. The 33 cabanas range from charming to sharp, with rustic-chic decor and modernist touches, plus open-air bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Guests looking for other upscale room options should consider The Place, where all of the rooms have private infinity pools and kitchen facilities.

Monkey Flower Villas is a unique villa property with intimate 24/7 service and great ocean views. Its four upscale villas were built (over more than a decade) by artist Lincoln Kroll as his personal residence and music recording studios. All villas come with gorgeous ocean and jungle views, as well as free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and electric kettles. Some villas have kitchenettes and most have private pools (all of The Place's elegant and pampering villas come with both perks). Like The Place, Monkey Flower Villas is all about the rooms -- there is no gym, shared pool, or restaurant on-site. For those, consider Koh Tao Cabana, which has a beachfront Thai restaurant, a relaxing spa, and two pools.

With a hilltop location at the end of Chalok Baan Khao Beach, View Point Resort certainly lives up to its name. Great views are a guarantee here, though so is the steep stroll down to the beach and restaurant (features not found at The Place or Monkey Flower). Note that entry-level Garden View Cottages are plain, but the Pool Villas are an entirely different experience. They have open bathrooms and completely private pools and decks with knockout sea and sunset views. They're pricey, though -- even pricier than the villas at The Place or Monkey Flower. However, those two properties are not directly on the beach, so the Pool Villas at View Point's proximity to the sea will make their cost worth it to some travelers. 

Built into a hillside, this 17-room boutique resort overlooks the beautiful sea and Nang Yuan Island below. It's a fabulous romantic getaway, with views from the infinity-edge pool that are hard to top anywhere on Koh Tao. The resort's Ocean Lounge is as romantic as they come, perfect for sunset cocktails and gourmet candlelit dinners. Rooms have attractive (if not quite luxurious) Thai decor and free Wi-Fi; some have private pools. The small size means that guests can expect plenty of personalized staff attention. Just note that Aminjirah is not on the beach and doesn't have easy access to one. For that, consider View Point.

Haadtien Beach Resort is a rustic-luxe getaway located on Koh Tao's best beach -- the gorgeous, white-sand Shark Bay. The remote locale means there is no village within walking distance, and the resort takes full advantage of this by charging relatively high prices for food and drink. Housed in standalone wooden structures, the elegant villas and bungalows have charming, rustic interiors; plush white king-size beds with mosquito netting; and private balconies with outdoor furniture. Also provided are LCD flat-screen TVs and DVD players, robes and slippers, stocked minibars, and free Wi-Fi. 

For those looking for a secluded spot to get away from it all on Koh Tao, Jamahkiri Resort & Spa is hard to beat. The resort is hidden on a hillside overlooking beautiful Shark Bay and Haad Tien Beach. (Unfortunately, actually getting to the beach requires a short boat trip.) Some of the rooms look a bit worn, they all are nonetheless pleasant, featuring wood floors, stocked minibars, traditional Thai decor, and balconies or terraces overlooking the sea. Overall, though, rooms are a bit plain for the price. Unlike our first five picks -- all of which are similarly secluded resorts with great views -- none of the rooms have private plunge pools. And compared to Haadtien Beach Resort, Jamahkiri's rooms aren't as charming and its beach is small and manmade. Still, this is one of the few Koh Tao resorts with full facilities, like a large pool with sea views, a fitness center, a pampering spa, and a dive center. 

Sensi Paradise feels rustic, but it's only a 10-minute walk from Mae Haad town. Lodging options here include eco-friendly wood-and-stone bungalows, villas, and three-bedroom family houses, all of which have polished wood interior walls and decor featuring traditional Thai motifs. Rooms tend to be dimly lit and the surrounding jungle means they don't get a lot of natural light, but they do have big, furnished private decks. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, gauzy mosquito netting, stocked minibars, and coffee facilities. Note that some rooms have only fans, not air-conditioning. Travelers looking for more features might prefer Haadtien or Jamahkiri, both of which have spas and dive centers.