The Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is in a class of its own, with traditional Malayan-style pavilions on a tropical property and a beautiful one-mile-long beach. Luxurious Malayan beachfront villas feature lovely wooden designs, outdoor terrazzo bathtubs, verandas, and private pools. Romantic endeavors include intimate beach dinners, spa pampering in waterside cabanas, and swimming in the adult-only pool. Personalized service is the norm at the Four Seasons Resort, from the general manager to staff tending the gardens, who are known to stop to say hello. The white sandy beach is not crowded, but boats speeding close to the shore can disturb the quiet.

Due to its slightly removed location, the beachfront Danna Langkawi, Malaysia has an upscale and relaxed atmosphere. The grounds are lush and well-manicured, the three-tiered infinity pool is breathtaking, the spa is upscale, and the oceanfront view is the cherry on top. The design is a mix of colonial and Malaysian which makes for a luxe look with high ceilings, and elegant decor. The 125 spacious rooms feature four-poster beds, balconies, and marble bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. Couples are the main clientele, but with plenty of kid-friendly amenities like a kids' club and pool, families do come here too.

Nestled in an ancient rain forest along Datai Bay, this 178-room luxury resort is an oasis for nature lovers. Monkeys, hornbills, lizards, and flying foxes are common sights, especially on the educational nature walks. The hotel's simple, elegant rooms have a traditional Malayan style and balconies or terraces, minibars with free bottled water, coffeemakers, turndown service, and bathrobes and slippers. Suites have hot tubs on their terraces, and some have pools. Tropical foliage surrounds the outdoor pools, and the spa overlooks the sea. The modern gym comes with personal trainers, and a kids’ club is also available. Numerous restaurants and bars -- which are pricey -- offer international cuisine and beachfront dining.

The 136-room Tanjung Rhu Resort is a stand-out property for its sleek, contemporary design, and stunning setting along a wide stretch of beach with views of the Andaman Sea. Since the hotel is well-removed from the town center and surrounded by lush grounds, most guests are seeking a quiet place to relax. There are still ample facilities to keep guests occupied, however, from the three impressive swimming pools and spa, to the water sports and dining venues. Pristine rooms have minibars, coffeemakers, and furnished balconies -- some with lovely sea views -- plus spacious bathrooms separate soaking tubs and showers, dual vanity sinks, and bathrobes.

The 355-room Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi is a traditional Malayan-style luxury property on the beach in Pantai Cenang. The rooms are stilted one- and two-story wood Malayan chalets with lovely patios overlooking the gardens, pools, or sea. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free bottled water, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibars, bathrobes and slippers, and free Wi-Fi. Windows with blinds let light into the modern bathrooms, which have showers and bathtubs along with strikingly veined large marble vanities and sleek gray and stone tiling throughout. In addition to a clean and sparkling public beach, Meritus has two lagoon pools and a hot tub, plus two restaurants and two bars. Note that the airport is close by, so noise from low-flying planes can be an issue in guest rooms and throughout the property.

The 34-room Casa del Mar is an upscale Spanish-style property -- near shops, restaurants, and bars -- offering its guests beachfront picnics and romantic candlelit dinners. The restaurant and bar serve Mediterranean fare by the beach, outdoor pool, or hot tub. Spa pampering and water sports rentals are available on-site, and the gym offers a shower for guests checking out late. Pleasantly furnished suites include four-poster canopy beds, and some balconies offer sea views. Casa del Mar is centrally located on busy Pantai Cenang beach, so the area gets crowded.

This eight-villa Bon Ton Resort is a rustic-chic boutique in a quiet setting a 20-minute walk from the beach. The stand-alone villas are 100 years old and have the appearance of a traditional attap house, but with modern amenities such as air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and stylish furnishings. The four-pearl hotel is also an animal lover’s dream, as there are resident dogs and cats and a portion of proceeds go to an on-site animal shelter. Quality features include a small pool, whirlpool, and Sunset Deck for cocktails, along with a renowned restaurant serving fusion fare and free breakfast delivered to rooms the night before. The grounds are tropical and secluded, but the beach is a 20-minute walk and there is no spa or gym.

The 412-room Berjaya Langkawi Resort - Malaysia is an upscale property with a private beach and tropical landscaping surrounding the outdoor pools and swim-up bar, hot tub, and full-service spa. The bustling atmosphere extends throughout several international restaurants and bars. The secluded forest location is near the Langkawi Cable Car, with access to mangrove paths, sports facilities, and various outdoor activities. Chalets, Suites, and Studios have earthy decor and balconies overlooking the forest or sea, and some have whirlpool tubs. The property is significantly less expensive than others in its class, though many rooms and facilities could use a refresh.

The 115-room, mid-range Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa is a family- and eco-friendly hotel along quiet Pantai Tengah beach. While a bit removed from the action, it's a quick 10-minute walk to Cenang's restaurants and shops. Rooms are contemporary if a bit underwhelming, equipped with flat-screen TVs, kettles, mini-fridges, and bathrobes. A solid list of on-site facilities includes multiple swimming pools, spa offering indoor and outdoor treatments, and a restaurant serving free hot and cold breakfast spreads. There is a gym, but it's tiny, and Wi-Fi is limited to public areas. Daily free eco-walks around the property are available to learn of the hotel's sustainable practices.