Coral Island, Ko He, Thailand | (251) 219-4428
Set on a small, picturesque island with a gorgeous beach
Charming, Thai-style accommodation includes bungalows right on the
beach
Great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving
Lagoon-like outdoor pool with lounge chairs
Breezy outdoor restaurant and bar with stunning views
Massages on the beach available
Free boat shuttle to Chalong Pier
Free Wi-Fi in the lobby
Can be noisy due to speedboats and parasailing during the day
Rooms are fairly basic
Frequent power cuts
Salt water showers
No fitness center
The 64-room Coral Island Resort is a mid-range hotel located on the small island of Ko
He. The beach is stunning and the water is perfect for scuba diving and
snorkeling -- both of which are on offer at the hotel. The no-frills rooms are pretty
basic but the beachfront bungalows offer fantastic views. There is a lovely lagoon-like outdoor pool surrounded by lounge chairs. The island location
does have its downsides: power is run from a generator and there are
frequent power cuts, meaning there's no hot water, lights, air-conditioning, or
Wi-Fi during that time. It can also be noisy at the resort due to the large daily
influx of day-trippers visiting the island. Those looking for a peaceful island
retreat should compare it with By The Sea, which is a small, beachfront property
in a more tranquil setting in Cape Panwa.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A charming, no-frills resort with a Russian influence
The Coral Island Resort is a basic beachfront resort that has plenty of Thai charm. The breezy, open-air lobby has a pitched wooden beamed ceiling and wooden reception desk, along with simple, functional furniture. There
are lots of trees around the resort, making it blend nicely into the
surroundings. This isn't a party hotel or a business destination; most guests are couples enjoying the picturesque surroundings, along with a few families. A large number of the hotel's
guests are Russian, and the resort does tend to cater to them, so the signage
around the resort is in Russian, as are the menus, the music, and TV channels,
which feels a little strange in a Thai resort.
Location
An island resort with a stunning beach, but lacking tranquility
The resort is in Chalong Bay on Ko He island. It’s 15 minutes by
speedboat or 30 minutes by ferry from Chalong Pier (the hotel runs a free boat shuttle). It’s a fairly remote location and there isn’t much to see or do
nearby, so this property is suited best for those who want an island retreat. The resort is surrounded
by beautiful forest and beaches. The sand is white and the sea is crystal clear
on most days -- making it perfect for diving and snorkeling, and there are lots
of tropical fish. It’s worth noting that the location isn’t as tranquil
as many guests might expect, as large numbers of people come over to the
island for day trips, making it busy, especially on the weekend. Although the hotel has a private
stretch of beach, the area next to it can be noisy with people parasailing and
speedboats coming in and out. Previous guests have complained of strong
gas smells on the beach from the speedboats.
Rooms
Simply decorated rooms with furnished terraces and some spectacular beachfront options
The Coral Island Resort offers four room types: Superior, Deluxe, Beachfront Deluxe,
and Family. Every room is air-conditioned and has a minibar, safe, flat-screen
TV, and a private terrace. The pleasant rooms are basic with simple decor in light,
neutral colors and functional furniture. Some of the rooms and bathrooms do feel a little outdated. It might be worth paying a bit extra for a Beachfront room, as they have incredible,
uninterrupted views of the sea and beach, and are ideal for watching
spectacular sunsets. The resort has limited fresh water, so the showers use
salt water, which is not to everyone’s liking. The hotel does supply two free bottles of water a day in each room.
Features
Outdoor pool, massage, scuba, and dining on the beach
The Coral Island Resort has a lovely outdoor lagoon-like pool with plastic loungers that is surrounded by trees (and is often quiet as most guests head to the beach). Guests can dine alfresco at the hotel’s restaurant which is right on
the beach. There are comfortable tables and chairs, and shade provided by the
trees. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves
authentic Thai food, some Russian dishes, and fresh seafood. The bar is next to the restaurant, offering a gorgeous spot to enjoy a local beer. During
the day, ice cream can be bought from Ice Cream Corner, and there's also a
poolside service for drinks and snacks. Drinks are fairly expensive to buy in
the resort, and guests are not allowed to bring in their own from outside. Activities available at the resort include air hockey and table tennis, and
there’s a dive center for those who want to try scuba diving. There’s also a massage
hut on the beach. Plastic beach
chairs and loungers are provided around the pool and on the beach. The hotel
has free Wi-Fi in the lobby.
