Woodlawn Villas is a budget property featuring clean rooms and standalone villas on lush tropical grounds, and an outdoor swimming pool, but little else. The 18-room hotel is located on the southwest part of Koh Tao, a 10-minute walk from Chalok Baan and a 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach. Rooms are bright and airy, equipped with modern amenities, and include balcony seating areas, though they're somewhat dated. Villas range from one- to three bedrooms and feature open-plan living spaces with comfy lounge areas and equipped kitchens. Guests should note that the hotel doesn't include a restaurant or serve breakfast, and there isn't a full-service reception staff. Those wanting to stay closer to the action should check out In Touch Resort & Restaurant, which is located right on Sairee Beach.
Woodlawn Villas is a budget property featuring clean rooms and standalone villas on lush tropical grounds, and an outdoor swimming pool, but little else. The 18-room hotel is located on the southwest part of Koh Tao, a 10-minute walk from Chalok Baan and a 15-minute drive from Sairee Beach. Rooms are bright and airy, equipped with modern amenities, and include balcony seating areas, though they're somewhat dated. Villas range from one- to three bedrooms and feature open-plan living spaces with comfy lounge areas and equipped kitchens. Guests should note that the hotel doesn't include a restaurant or serve breakfast, and there isn't a full-service reception staff. Those wanting to stay closer to the action should check out In Touch Resort & Restaurant, which is located right on Sairee Beach.
In Touch Resort & Restaurant is a stylish budget hotel with a range of 26 modern suites and rustic bungalows. The hotel is set along the scenic white sands of Sairee Beach, and there are tons of nightlife spots, restaurants, and shops within walking distance. Rooms are clean and most are equipped with air-conditioning and mini-fridges. The hotel offers little in the way of facilities, featuring only a simple beachfront restaurant serving Thai and Western favorites. Snorkeling gear and kayaks are available for rent, plus the hotel's affiliated dive center, Koh Tao Divers, is conveniently located next door. The hotel doesn't offer a swimming pool or spa. For more features, consider the Seashell Resort Koh Tao, which is also on Sairee Beach and has two swimming pools, a dive center, and a full-service spa.
In Touch Resort & Restaurant is a stylish budget hotel with a range of 26 modern suites and rustic bungalows. The hotel is set along the scenic white sands of Sairee Beach, and there are tons of nightlife spots, restaurants, and shops within walking distance. Rooms are clean and most are equipped with air-conditioning and mini-fridges. The hotel offers little in the way of facilities, featuring only a simple beachfront restaurant serving Thai and Western favorites. Snorkeling gear and kayaks are available for rent, plus the hotel's affiliated dive center, Koh Tao Divers, is conveniently located next door. The hotel doesn't offer a swimming pool or spa. For more features, consider the Seashell Resort Koh Tao, which is also on Sairee Beach and has two swimming pools, a dive center, and a full-service spa.
Taatoh Resort & Freedom Beach Resort is a barebones two-pearl hotel located along Koh Tao’s sleepy southern coast, a 10-minute drive from Mae Haad Pier. The only highlights are the beaches, with two stunning white-sand bays that rival even those found at some of the island’s luxury resorts. The 50-room property is perched along a jungle cliffside (difficult climbing and unsafe pathways) and offers fan-only bungalows, plus concrete seafront dwellings with air-conditioning. Rooms are rundown, with numerous issues like bugs, shoddy construction, and terrible bathrooms, though most have spectacular ocean views. Facilities include a restaurant, two bars, beach volleyball, and kayak rentals. As an alternative, Koh Tao Tropicana Resort has nicer rooms and low rates in nearby Chalok Baan.
Taatoh Resort & Freedom Beach Resort is a barebones two-pearl hotel located along Koh Tao’s sleepy southern coast, a 10-minute drive from Mae Haad Pier. The only highlights are the beaches, with two stunning white-sand bays that rival even those found at some of the island’s luxury resorts. The 50-room property is perched along a jungle cliffside (difficult climbing and unsafe pathways) and offers fan-only bungalows, plus concrete seafront dwellings with air-conditioning. Rooms are rundown, with numerous issues like bugs, shoddy construction, and terrible bathrooms, though most have spectacular ocean views. Facilities include a restaurant, two bars, beach volleyball, and kayak rentals. As an alternative, Koh Tao Tropicana Resort has nicer rooms and low rates in nearby Chalok Baan.
The Jamahkiri has been around for awhile and shows its age in places. However, if one is looking for a secluded spot to get away from it all on Koh Tao, it's hard to beat. Hidden on a hillside on the southern coast of the island, the resort overlooks beautiful Shark Bay and Haad Tien Beach. Unfortunately, the resort is not on the beach (unlike the nearby and similarly priced Haad Tien), and requires a short boat trip to get to white sand. The rooms feature nice wood floors, rain showers, tubs, and private balconies, and the resort does have a lovely swimming pool, but getting anywhere involves lots of steep steps, and trips to the restaurant and spa can be exhausting. Staying way out here can be costly too, as the prices are high and there's nothing within walking distance.
The Jamahkiri has been around for awhile and shows its age in places. However, if one is looking for a secluded spot to get away from it all on Koh Tao, it's hard to beat. Hidden on a hillside on the southern coast of the island, the resort overlooks beautiful Shark Bay and Haad Tien Beach. Unfortunately, the resort is not on the beach (unlike the nearby and similarly priced Haad Tien), and requires a short boat trip to get to white sand. The rooms feature nice wood floors, rain showers, tubs, and private balconies, and the resort does have a lovely swimming pool, but getting anywhere involves lots of steep steps, and trips to the restaurant and spa can be exhausting. Staying way out here can be costly too, as the prices are high and there's nothing within walking distance.
The Place is a perfect getaway for those looking for a tranquil escape. Hidden in the hills of Koh Tao, it only has nine private villas, each completely separate and surrounded by trees, looking out to the sea. Elegant, rustic-luxe rooms all feature elegant wood floors, kitchen facilities, and large plunge pools on the decks. Once checked in, the staff basically leave guests alone, but provide mobile phones they can use for food delivery and taxi pick-ups. 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 the deck.
The Place is a perfect getaway for those looking for a tranquil escape. Hidden in the hills of Koh Tao, it only has nine private villas, each completely separate and surrounded by trees, looking out to the sea. Elegant, rustic-luxe rooms all feature elegant wood floors, kitchen facilities, and large plunge pools on the decks. Once checked in, the staff basically leave guests alone, but provide mobile phones they can use for food delivery and taxi pick-ups. 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 the deck.
While it can be crowded and chaotic, Ban's offers a vast selection of rooms located smack in the center of Haad Sairee's tourist zone. The restaurant on the beach is always a scene, and the resort's diving instruction programs are arguably the best in the country. Keep in mind, though, that this longtime Koh Tao mainstay is almost like two different properties, consisting of the more elegant upper zone -- with updated rooms, a pool, and quiet spaces -- and the older wing by the beach, which is of more limited value.
While it can be crowded and chaotic, Ban's offers a vast selection of rooms located smack in the center of Haad Sairee's tourist zone. The restaurant on the beach is always a scene, and the resort's diving instruction programs are arguably the best in the country. Keep in mind, though, that this longtime Koh Tao mainstay is almost like two different properties, consisting of the more elegant upper zone -- with updated rooms, a pool, and quiet spaces -- and the older wing by the beach, which is of more limited value.
The Koh Tao Simple Life Resort is a good place for young partiers. It's not on the beach, but it's conveniently close to Sairee's dining and drinking spots and has its own pizzeria and bar that stay open late. Clean, mid-range rooms are simple but not without charm, and higher-end rooms have lovely terraces. This is also one of the only resorts right in Sairee with a decent pool. While many guests are more interested in taking diving lessons at the on-site school than in partying, plenty are interested in both, so it may be a bit rowdy for those looking for a quiet vacation.
The Koh Tao Simple Life Resort is a good place for young partiers. It's not on the beach, but it's conveniently close to Sairee's dining and drinking spots and has its own pizzeria and bar that stay open late. Clean, mid-range rooms are simple but not without charm, and higher-end rooms have lovely terraces. This is also one of the only resorts right in Sairee with a decent pool. While many guests are more interested in taking diving lessons at the on-site school than in partying, plenty are interested in both, so it may be a bit rowdy for those looking for a quiet vacation.
The Sensi Paradise has a rustic back-to-nature feel but is only a 10-minute walk to Mae Haad town. Lodging ranges from smaller bungalows to large family houses with three bedrooms, all with Wi-Fi. The wooden structures have plenty of authentic charm, and beds have gauzy mosquito netting. There's also a large multi-tiered swimming pool, which provides a brighter alternative to the small sandy beach that doesn't get much sun. A seaside restaurant rounds out the charms, although for Koh Tao, prices are on the high side. It might also be worth considering the Chintakiri and View Point resorts.
The Sensi Paradise has a rustic back-to-nature feel but is only a 10-minute walk to Mae Haad town. Lodging ranges from smaller bungalows to large family houses with three bedrooms, all with Wi-Fi. The wooden structures have plenty of authentic charm, and beds have gauzy mosquito netting. There's also a large multi-tiered swimming pool, which provides a brighter alternative to the small sandy beach that doesn't get much sun. A seaside restaurant rounds out the charms, although for Koh Tao, prices are on the high side. It might also be worth considering the Chintakiri and View Point resorts.
The adults-only Koh Tao Bamboo Huts is set in a gorgeous location, right on a small white-sand beach. Bungalows here come with outdoor showers and some have their own pools. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms although service is not always reliable, and there are a few dining options, including the romantic Starlight, a dinner spot with beautiful sunset views. Visitors should be prepared to do a lot of walking, as the resort is spread out and getting from spot to spot often requires steep trudges. Rates are a bit hard to justify when the more upscale Haadtien costs about the same (or less).
The adults-only Koh Tao Bamboo Huts is set in a gorgeous location, right on a small white-sand beach. Bungalows here come with outdoor showers and some have their own pools. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms although service is not always reliable, and there are a few dining options, including the romantic Starlight, a dinner spot with beautiful sunset views. Visitors should be prepared to do a lot of walking, as the resort is spread out and getting from spot to spot often requires steep trudges. Rates are a bit hard to justify when the more upscale Haadtien costs about the same (or less).
This mid-range property offers rustic bungalows and a scenic back-to-nature location, but with some major flaws. There is no swimming pool, and while rooms may look charming upon first glance, their poor construction means guests can expect bugs and possible maintenance issues (such as lack of hot water or broken air conditioners). With a location hidden in the forest right next to the sea on a good snorkeling bay, the Charm Churee does offer privacy, a romantic outdoor restaurant, and access to nearby Mae Haad for eating and drinking. The pretty private beach with a massage hut, bar, and free snorkeling equipment is an upside, but loungers here could be nicer. It may be worth considering the pricier Haad Tien Beach Resort for a pool and fun beach bar, or the slightly cheaper Chintakiri, which offers a small pool with great views.
This mid-range property offers rustic bungalows and a scenic back-to-nature location, but with some major flaws. There is no swimming pool, and while rooms may look charming upon first glance, their poor construction means guests can expect bugs and possible maintenance issues (such as lack of hot water or broken air conditioners). With a location hidden in the forest right next to the sea on a good snorkeling bay, the Charm Churee does offer privacy, a romantic outdoor restaurant, and access to nearby Mae Haad for eating and drinking. The pretty private beach with a massage hut, bar, and free snorkeling equipment is an upside, but loungers here could be nicer. It may be worth considering the pricier Haad Tien Beach Resort for a pool and fun beach bar, or the slightly cheaper Chintakiri, which offers a small pool with great views.