Luxury Resorts in Langkawi, Malaysia

The Andaman Langkawi's natural setting creates an ideal backdrop for a tropical vacation: nestled between Gunung Mat Cincang and the Andaman Sea, the Andaman Langkawi sits beside an ancient tropical forest. A location like this simply can't be wasted, and the Andaman delivers with activities like nature walks, mangrove cruises, reef walks, and watersports.

The Andaman's 186 rooms and suites offer secluded accommodations with a Malay design sensibility, offering a choice of views, looking over the Andaman Sea or the rainforest abutting the mountain. The onsite restaurants and bars serve up Malaysian dishes and international delicacies, along with a healthy cuisine menu for particular guests. Other hotel amenities include a spa, a kid's club, games room, gift sop, gym, and hair salon. A nearby 18-hole golf course and tennis courts are also accessible by Andaman guests.

• Star Rating: ★★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
• Address: Jalan Teluk Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia
• Phone: 60-4-9591088

The Sheraton Langkawi offers 238 guestrooms and suites; all accommodations have full-length French doors and spacious balconies with a choice of views (garden or sea view). Guests who want direct access to the Sheraton's private beach should book a Sea Front room, and guests seeking the ultimate in luxury ought to try the spacious executive suites.

The resort is set amidst 38 acres of tropical growth; guests enjoy close contact with rare Asian animals like hornbills and flying lemurs. Guest activities take advantage of the natural surroundings: diving classes, snorkeling trips, mangrove tours, and island-hopping activities can be booked at the concierge.

Other resort amenities include the Chavana Spa, a fitness center overlooking Teluk Nibong, and a number of mouthwatering F&B outlets: Feast, Chime, Spice Trader, and the Captain's Grill.

• Star Rating: ★★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
• Address: Teluk Nibong, Langkawi
• Phone: 60-4-95 51 90 1

The Four Seasons' 91 air-conditioned guestrooms are clustered in individual pavilions inspired by native Malaysian kampung, or villages - each of the living spaces features high ceilings, timber floors, and verandahs overlooking either the manicured tropical gardens or the Andaman Sea.

The rooms don't stint in luxury, with iPod docking stations, beds with triple sheeting, and hypo-allergenic bedding available upon request. Each individually furnished and decorated room comes with separate dining areas.

Other amenities include a holistic spa and fitness center, two outdoor pools, and a selection of recreational activities geared towards the adjacent forests and stunningly scenic Tanjung Rhu beach.

• Star Rating: ★★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
• Address: Jalan Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi
• Phone: 60 4950 8888

Tanjung Rhu Resort's location provides unparalleled access to Langkawi's unique natural attractions: 1,100 acres of untouched rainforest encroach on one side of the resort, facing a private, 2.5km beach overlooking the Andaman Sea. With nature so close by, guests can enjoy activities like hydrobike, sea kayaks, windsurfing and sailing.

The Tanjung Rhu Resort offers 136 guestrooms and suites with a choice of views (garden, sea, or forest). The rooms come with timber floors, expansive windows, and Asian-inspired décor. All rooms come with LCD TVs, DVDs, private bars, and oversized baths in the bathroom en suite.

The resort's All Inclusive Package covers all ala carte meals and non-alcoholic beverages ordered either via room service, taken from the minibar, or from one of the resort's F&B outlets: the Sands, Saffron, and the Rhu. (Read about all inclusive resorts.)

• Star Rating: ★★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
• Address: Mukim Ayer Hangat, Langkawi, Malaysia
• Phone: 60-49-591 033

Choose from any of the Westin's 202 guestrooms and 20 villas for a pampering experience: modern décor sets off the views from the windows, and the rooms boast other luxurious touches like rain showers in the bathrooms and the signature Heavenly Bed.

Outside the rooms, guests can indulge further in a number of ways: from relaxing at the Heavenly Spa in front of a private beach, to lounging at one of the Westin's four pools (try the Rock Pool, which is made up to look like a rock garden), to enjoying one of the resort's watersports activities, there's plenty to do and see when staying at the Westin.

The Westin is quite close to Kuah and its many shopping and dining activities; if the food at the hotel is too pricey for comfort, just take a taxi ride into town and have a go at the restaurants there.

• Star Rating: ★★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
• Address: Jalan Pantai Dato Syed Omar, Langkawi
• Phone: 60-4-960 8871

The tropical rainforest surrounding the Datai Langkawi is estimated to be about 40 million years old; the resort uses it to great effect as a backdrop for their simple but luxurious accommodations, and as a setting for the resort's nature walks, jungle treks, and wildlife watching tours.

The Datai Langkawi's 110 guestrooms are ensconced in one central hotel building and several free-standing villas, all connected through meandering footpaths within sight of the jungle. Other hotel amenities include two swimming pools, two tennis courts, a health club with a plunge pool, and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ernie Els.

All rooms come with free high-speed internet access and DVD players; suites come with CD players. The interiors are done up in red balau timber, white marble, and black granite- creating an interesting play of contrasts.

• Star Rating: ★★★★★ (compare rates|buy direct)
• Address: Jalan Teluk Datai, Langkawi
• Phone: +604 959 2500