Sensi Paradise Beach Resort, Koh Tao

During my first visit to Koh Tao, I stayed at this resort, but we're talking 1997 or such and a few things have change! Back during my visiting days, it was not the luxury resort it is nowadays!

The location is still the same, about a 5 minute walk from Mae Haad, where the ferries arrive, on a hill overlooking the bay into Mae Haad, with some spectacular views.

There are family houses, romantic suites and beach bungalows catering to all kinds of guests and there's a big pool now.

There are a few big and spectacular boulders lining the small beach in front of the resort. Keep in mind that the resort is build upon a hill, so some walking to the rooms may be involved.

A quiet location but within walking distance to the shops, bars and restaurants of Mae Haad. A nice and relaxed location.

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Guest room

Guest room

Guest room

Swimming pool

View from the restaurant

Dusit Buncha Resort, Koh Tao

Dusit Buncha Resort, Koh Tao

This is one of the nice resorts on Koh Tao that is well hidden and far away from all the hustle and bustle that Koh Tao has to offer on Sairee Beach and Mae Haad.

On the Northern tip of the divers paradise of Koh Tao lies this eco-friendly resort.

Dusit Buncha prides itself on being the only solar-powered resort on the island, with most bungalows equipped with solar panels. You will feel very much a part of the island at Dusit Buncha, since they made sure the buildings are blended with the surrounding environment.

It's nice and romantic and also secluded. As with almost everywhere on the island, electricity can be a problem, but this seems part of the adventure that Koh Tao or 'The Rock' is.

Prices at the Dusit Buncha are in the medium range and if you like nature, this will suit you fine.

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Guest room

Balcony/terrace

Exterior

View

Swimming pool

Jamahkiri Spa & Resort, Koh Tao

Jamahkiri Spa & Resort, Koh Tao

This luxury resort is located at the far end of the Koh Tao dive site that I know by the name of Ao Leuk and almost opposite Shark island or Red Rock. The nearest beach is Sai Daeng Beach.

This South part of Koh Tao is offering a lovely and beautifully quiet location and the resort offers not only a picturesque location but excellent amenities as well . It's well known for it's Spa treatments and they're part of the resort experience, something that can only be highly recommended to participate in.

The resort lays claim to being the only property on the island to now offer clean water all year round, with the desalination system in place. Jamahkiri Spa & Resort makes for the perfect destination for a honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

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Guest room

Guest room

Swimming pool

View from a balcony

Beach front

Charm Churee Villa Rustic Resort, Koh Tao

Charm Churee Villa Rustic Resort, Koh Tao at Jansom Bay

During my many stays on Koh Tao for diving or work on Koh Tao during PADI IE's I get to know the island relatively well.

One very nice discovery is the Charm Churee Villa Rustic Resort south of Mae Haad on Koh Tao.

The hotel is set in Jansom Bay, one of Koh Tao’s most beautiful areas, with views of the beach and the crystal-clear waters. Set in a secluded spot, this resort is the ideal place to get away from the stresses of modern life. There are two restaurants on site serving a variety of Thai and international dishes, as well as a range of cocktails. This is a great place to visit during your trip to Thailand.

The beach is exclusive to the resort which makes it even more desirable to stay there. On the down side, elevators are a big no no on Koh Tao so be prepared for some stairs walking in order to get to the room or anything else on the premises.

To get away from it all for a reasonable price, this is one of the places in Thailand to be and direct access to all the great dive sites Koh Tao has to offer.

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Deluxe Room

Panorama terrace

View from a sunset room

Sunset over Koh Tao

View of the exclusive beach and the bay

Montra Resort & Spa, Mae Haad, Koh Tao

Montra Resort & Spa, Mae Haad, Koh Tao

The brand new Montra Resort & Spa in Mae Haad on Koh Tao is finally completed and it looks beautiful. It's a nice upscale boutique resort next to the Seatran pier on Koh Tao, just a 2 minute walk and on it's the other side is Sairee beach, just a 10 minute walk away, a beautiful scenic walk.

Montra resort is specially designed to pamper the needs of indulgent leisure travelers. The hotel is also popular among water sport enthusiasts who can indulge in scuba diving and snorkeling very nearby. The June Juea Beach, Ao Leuk and Thian Og Bay are some of the other unspoiled tourist spots within close proximity. Accommodation options are varied and there is something to suit every budget ranging from deluxe rooms to suites and all are equipped with cable TV and private balcony. The restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine and the poolside bar is a nice place to relax.

The pool is gorgeous but you may find a few divers in it, as they are hard to avoid anywhere on Koh Tao.

If that's not enough, within a few minutes walks the Mae Haad and Sairee beaches offer plenty of excellent food options, covering a wide range of tastes and budgets.

At the moment of writing this review, the Montra Resort has a special offer which is very tempting. If you're looking for comfort and some luxury in a central location, the Montra offers just that.

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Deluxe room

Deluxe room

Superior room

Exterior view

Relaxing at the pool with a view on the beach

Mango Bay Grand Resort, Koh Tao

Mango Bay Grand Resort, Koh Tao

As a diver living on Koh Samui, see my dive blog for my dive adventures, I've been diving Mango Bay and Koh Tao since I arrived on these shores, in 1999. Mango Bay was a popular spot for it's shallow but beautiful waters. It's always been a snorkelers paradise and for entry level dives it's an excellent training location.

Over the years this beautiful bay on Koh Tao has seen a bit of development and one of the results is Mango Bay Grand Resort. The bay can be reached by long tail boat by means of a free shuttle service or when weather conditions won't allow this, by an unpaved road and from the parking lot it's just 400 steps down to the resort!

Similar to the resort, all building materials had to be brought in by boat!

The views here are spectacular and you can literally drop from the mooring point into the clear water.

Things to keep in mind that it is very isolated, so bring all you need (cash, books etc) and electricity is only available from 6 pm to midnight, so it can get very hot and sweaty in your room. Back to the basics on Koh Tao!

Rooms are fairly priced and if you're looking for a (very) quiet and relaxing environment, this may be it!

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Room with fan

Bungalow with aircon

Bungalow on the slopes


Sea view

Sea Lodge, Koh Tao

Sea Lodge, Koh Tao

This is the place where I usually stay when I'm on Koh Tao and I'm there quite a lot, for work when I accompany my IDC candidates for moral and logistical support for their their PADI IE's. Possibly I'm there 5 or 6 times a year at least. After Koh Samui where I live since 1999, this must be the place in Thailand where I spend a lot of time.

The Sea Lodge only has 4 rooms, a family room with 3 beds, accommodating 4 people, a room with 2 beds and 2 rooms accommodating two people, one room with a twin and one room with a double bed.

Breakfast is optional but all rooms are fitted with air conditioning and ceiling fans, hot water shower, mini bar, 40 channel satellite TV and free wifi.

The location is excellent! Coming off the Seatran ferry, it's straight ahead, 50 meters from the pier, the building you will be facing walking off the ferry, smack downtown Mae Haad, so to speak. Plenty of good restaurants in walking distance and all dive boats leave within a 100 meters from the Sea Lodge.

Convenient and easy if you're diving on Koh Tao or just for a couple of days on business or a short breakaway.

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The family room

Sunset on Koh Tao viewed from the Sea Lodge