53 Moo 3, Tanote Bay, Koh Tao, Thailand | (618) 248-8274
Beautiful, semi-remote beach with snorkeling
Resort provides cross-island transfers
Only resort on beach with swimming pool
Only resort on beach with shop
Free Wi-Fi
Dive shop and courses on premises
On-site kids' playroom
Older property that hasn't been spruced up
Rooms average in decor and overpriced
On remote side of island, far from towns and facilities
Limited choice of eating and drinking options
Located on the island of Koh Tao, Montalay
Beach Resort is an ideal spot to escape the crowds and get to one of the area's
most beautiful, hard-to-reach beaches. While the rooms and facilities here
really aren’t much to write home about, the general location is lovely, and the
resort has the only swimming pool on Tanote Beach as well as a diving center. Spa and massage services are
available as well. View Point and Chinatakiri Resorts have nicer rooms often for similar (or just slightly higher) prices, but some may prefer to stay here for easy access to a gorgeous stretch of sand and some of Koh Tao's best snorkeling.
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Scene
Mellow and casual, a beach hangout away from the crowds
Families and couples flock to the Montalay, as it is the only place on the beach with a swimming pool and shop. An open-air
reception area flows into a property with plenty of foliage and a trail that
organically blends into the surroundings, which include a fishpond. Casual is
the mode of operation here, as most folks are in bathing suits or shorts during
their stay with a focus on hanging in the water. The plain restaurant also isn't
going to inspire anyone to dress up. A separately run beach bar sits right in
front of the hotel. Those who come here aren’t looking for a party but rather to enjoy diving opportunities, peace and quiet, and the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Location
On the beach under steep mountains on Koh Tao's remote east coast
The Montalay sits at the end of Tanote
Beach, one of Koh Tao's most remote locations. The resort sits right on the sand, with its gardens and cottages stretching back up into the hillside.
Getting here either involves taking a long-tail boat from town or else crossing
the mountains and dealing with a very steep and rutted track via 4WD pickup. Visitors should be particularly mindful if opting to drive around the
island, as the hotel website itself provides cautionary advice about the
treacherousness of roads.
Rooms
Simple standalone cottages can be small, but Modern Rooms are bigger and nicer
Found in
both the garden and on a hillside, the resort’s cottages are rather worn bungalow-style units that look far more charming from the outside. They are generally
small, dim, and overpriced; the cheapest lack air-conditioning and share outdoor bathrooms with a neighboring unit. The big private decks with water views in the Tree Top units are a high point, though. Of better quality are the updated, terraced Modern Rooms (including Superior Rooms and Suites),
which are bright, airy, and minimalistic with modern showers tiled in royal blue. However, these units are also overpriced, lacking views and that extra charm. Still, all rooms do come with free Wi-Fi access and
flat-screen TVs along with perks like kettles and bottled water. It may be worth comparing rates with the more appealing View Point and Chinkatiri resorts -- though some may prefer to stay here for the wonderful beach.
Features
Only swimming pool and shop on Tanote Beach along with small spa and basic restaurant
The
Montalay has several small facilities for guests, including a spa area with
massage rooms and a herbal sauna in a cave. The resort also owns the only shop
on the beach, which sells everything from underwater gear to sunscreen. The
on-site diving center offers an array of courses and experiences, from beginner’s
scuba-diving lessons to advanced certifications and tours. The swimming pool, flanked by
a concrete deck and a few wooden chairs, is the only one on Tanote Beach. And the
on-site restaurant has wooden, open-air seating with average food; still,
one will be hard-pressed to find much better in the area. For families, a kids' playroom is available with a variety of games and toys.
