Maisy - many thanks , think its called Casa del mar.... i have so many choices am totally confused. Still undecided.
I need to do a pro's and cons list of:
Bon Ton
Datai
Meritus
Casa del Mar

Datai and Andaman next door are lovely hotels but, as you say, pretty remote. Someone else mentioned the Pelangi, it's not as luxurious, but it's pretty, v comfy, has its own beach and a nice feel to it. The staff are excellent too. Also, the road it's on has plenty of other hotels/bars/restaurants - you can even walk along the beach to them. Bon Ton is nearby, if it's full you can just go for a meal and a drink in the fabulous converted Chinese shop thingy. Personally, I liked having cats all over the place.

thanks Graham.
For some reason i am still really struggling to decide. Although have narrowed it down and decided against Casa del mar.
I do love cats, so that wont be a problem. I also dont want to kick myself and think "should have stayed at the Datai" but 45 mins from everything else!!!!

Smeagol, small world! We lived in Brindleyplace, Birmingham for around ten years.
Penang is definitely worth a visit. The old town is great to wander around China town Little India etc. and there are some really great (&cheap!) restaurants - especially the hole in the wall type places. A few interesting temples as well. Having said all this I did actually prefer Melacca.
BTW the E&O hotel looked really nice!

Hi Smeagol,

I'm new here, will be going to Langkawi in October (am Malaysian but living in Australia). Have been there before but have not stayed in any of the hotels you mentioned. Planning to stay at Meritus Pelangi as there's a great romance package on offer. Look up: http://www.langkawi-resorts.com/pelangi/rates.htm
http://www.pelangibeachresort.com/index.htm

If money is not an issue, I'd certainly pick Datai or Bon Ton. Casa Del Mar gives more of a mediterranean feel, which to me simply defeats the purpose of visiting Malaysia (in my opinion anyway).

If your BF enjoys golf, he'll certainly love Datai...my husband will have a round of golf there, but staying there is just beyond our budget. So you're very fortunate!!

Regardless of where you decide to stay, it's advisable to rent a car to get around the island. Taxi is expensive & less flexible.

If you still can't decide, just pick 2 resorts & stay 2 nights each

If you have any questions on Malaysia, do email me at [email protected] (I don't visit the forum regularly)

All the best!!!

After all my to-ing and fro-ing i have plumped for Bon Ton. I am really excited to be staying here as i think it does look unique and special. I did have a reservation at The Datai (which of course looks spectacular) but i was put off by the remote location and i felt like i "should" be staying the Datai , rather than wanting to stay. I am sure it really is a world class establishment and i hope i dont regret it, but we are staying at several 5* hotels on this trip and i wanted something a bit more "malayasian.
I booked the Palm villa and am also looking forward to seeing the animal sanctuary too (i LOVE cats)
Thanks to everyone for your advice it really helped.
Smeagol

I have been in Langkawi and stayed at the Pelangi Beach Resort. to tell you the truth the resort is nothibg special, a regular 4* resort. Beach isn't anything special either.

But I had a delicious dinner in Bon Ton. The food was awsome but i wouldn't stay in the resort. Away from the beach and everywhere, lovely but a very small pool.

I went to the north and visited the Tanjung Rhu area. Much much nicer than the Pelangi area, the beach is fabulous!!

My sister in law was in the Datai and the Four Seasons last year with the kids and she loved both and is planning to return this year. If money is no problem to you choose the Tanjung Rhu area and have a couple of meals at the Bon Ton!

Thanks Tere, think i will stick with BT now as i think its still closer to the other island restauarants than the datai. Not too bothered about the beach, as the pesky sand gets everywhere...
Glad you had great food at the Bon Ton, can't wait to try it out!!!