The Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, Taling Ngam

With just 21 rooms and villas spread around sprawling beachfront grounds, the Sunset Beach Resort & Spa feels relaxed, intimate, and welcoming, an atmosphere only accentuated by its modern, Balinese-meets-Thai style. The lobby sets the stage: an open-air pavilion with limestone floors, a soaring thatched ceiling, geometric furniture made from local materials, traditional and modern artwork on the walls, and views out over the lush, tropical gardens and the villas' sloping rooftops. The gardens are criss-crossed by limestone pathways, lined with indigenous trees and tropical flowers, and Balinese sala pavilions, set over lotus-filled ponds, offer shady resting spots. All the common areas feel similarly serene and romantic -- even though children are allowed -- from the lounger-lined pool to the pristine beach, filled with just enough seating to accommodate guests. Thanks to its somewhat removed location, this isn't a resort for those looking to party; rather, guests here are looking to relax and experience a more laid-back and romantic Koh Samui.

The Sunset Beach Resort & Spa is located about a 40-minute drive from Koh Samui's airport -- and from the nightlife and tourist hot spots of Chaweng and Lamai -- on the island's southwestern coast. The surrounding area is similarly quiet, filled with local fishing villages and only a handful of tourist-aimed businesses. There are a few good restaurants within walking distance along the beach, and the closest shop is a couple miles away. Bicycles can be borrowed and motor scooters and cars can be rented from the hotel, but if you're planning to explore the island independently on a regular basis, you'd probably be better off renting a car at the airport for the whole trip. The hotel's concierge can help arrange excursions and day trips, from scuba diving to jungle hikes. Note that there is little signage on the main road for the hotel, which is located on a quieter side road. The hotel offers free parking. Airport transfers can be arranged upon request.

Lodgings at the Sunset Beach Resort are divided into Jacuzzi Rooms and Pool Villas, all of which are decorated similarly in a modern, Thai-inspired style of open-air floor plans, hardwood floors and natural wood accents to keep things simple and elegant. Orchids and bright pillows add pops of color. The Jacuzzi Rooms have private balconies with cushioned wooden loungers and views over the resort to the beach. Garden Jacuzzi Villas have semi-open-air bathrooms with tropical plants lining the edges and abundant natural light, as well as walled private garden patios with sitting areas, lounge pavilions, and small hot tubs. The even more decadent Beachfront Pool Villas each have an airy sitting room, large outdoor bathroom, and an even larger private garden -- with a sitting area, lounge pavilion, and private plunge pool -- one side of which opens straight onto the picturesque beach. The bathrooms in all have limestone floors, granite vanities, walk-in rainfall showers, and soaking tubs with jets; for toiletries, the hotel only provides a three-in-one shampoo-conditioner-body wash and a body lotion.

All rooms also have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, minibars with alcohol, bathrobes, slippers, umbrellas, tea- and coffee-making facilities, beach baskets with beach towels, and plug-in insect repellent. Two bottles of water are refreshed daily and a fresh fruit platter awaits every guest upon check-in.

In addition to its pristine, quiet beach -- with a beach bar during the day and romantic beachfront dining by private arrangement at night -- the Sunset Beach Resort & Spa has a large, palm-fringed, lounger-lined pool with a limestone deck and raised hot tub. The pool bar also serves food throughout the day and has table seating. The included breakfast is served at the main Restaurant L'Ananas, which serves gourmet Thai and Western cuisine throughout the day and late into the evenings. The hotel's Sunset Spa is serene and relaxing, with an extensive treatment menu and over-water salas acting as picturesque outdoor treatment rooms, in addition to the indoor treatment rooms. There's also a sauna complex with a hot tub, steam room, and ice room. The fitness center is especially memorable, less for its equipment -- which is perfectly adequate -- than for its floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the treetops to the beach from its second-floor perch.

The resort also has a snooker room, a clothing and souvenir shop, and an internet corner with a book and DVD library. Non-motorized water sports -- including kayaking and snorkeling -- are included in the rates, Wi-Fi is free, and there are bicycles available to borrow. Children are welcome, but not especially catered to, although babysitting can be arranged through the hotel. Activities like cooking classes and Thai boxing lessons can be arranged through the hotel as well. All guests are greeted with a welcome drink.