Ko Tao Hotels

Princess_Emily
Reviews: 181

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Montra Resort: Koh Tao

Great pool with a swim up bar. Would say there are more resort guests than poolside chairs. Nice to go for a fresh water swim after a days diving in saltwater.

Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Related to: Beaches, Diving and Snorkeling, Family Travel
Written August 29, 2009

Montra Pool

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Princess_Emily
Reviews: 181

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Montra Resort and Spa: Koh Tao

Resort provides free transfer from pier to resort. Had to wait while room was being made up but that was NO inconvenience, gave us time to explore the resort lobby area and chat with very friendly staff who helped us sign up for a snorkel trip. Yes i would recommend this resort to all travelers.

Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Related to: Family Travel, Diving and Snorkeling, Water Sports
Written August 29, 2009

Lobby area

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SuperDave420
Reviews: 3

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

2.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Coral Grand Resort: Dive Resort

At the far north end of Sairee beach, the next resort to the north considers their beach "private". The location is fantastic. A 5 minute walk to Sairee village by road, or a nice stroll down the beach to King Rama V Rock. But it is also very quiet at night. The staff is very friendly and the scuba center, individually run, has one of the best reputations on the island.

Their secret is the Treasure Rooms. They are run by the dive shop, so they are not on the website. They are basic hotel rooms, 800 BHT for fan, 1200 for air-con. The air-con rooms have better amenities. They do not have hot water. But even though I was in the cheap room the staff treated me like anyone else. And you get a third off your room rate for every day you dive.

I planned on staying 7 days there, but after I sprained my ankle, I extended my stay to 12 days, because they were so accomadating and I loved the Island too much.

And, by the way, the Islanders will waive the no shoe rule if they see that you are injured. Not only at Coral Grand, but all of the shops that I went to with a bandaged ankle. The proprieters would come out to the sidewalk and tell me that it was OK for me to come in wearing my shoes. I never had to ask.

Foot cleaning and shower station by the pool.
Excellent restaurant.
On the beach.
Quiet.
23 1/2 hour electricity. They service the generators between 5:30 and 6:00.
Internet access.
Safety deposit boxes.
Friendly personnel.

Opinion of Price: about average
Written December 6, 2008

diver9
Reviews: 1

1 out of 5 stars User Rating

Ban's Diving Resort: Ko Tau's worst diving school.

I stayed at ban's & did a divemaster course for 2 months & I have to say it was one of the worst experiences of my life.

I spent 2 months being verbally abused by the pack of dogs that they call instructors who jealously guard their patch by deliberately putting off up & coming instructors who they feel may be a threat to them. It started with physical threats & continued with constant verbal abuse for the entire 2 months.

On top of this... none of the instructors have legitamate work visas & are all working in Thailand illegally (question their insurance status), they manage to get away with it because the school is owned by the island's local "mafia" (I was regailed with stories of the school's main Thai instructor bringing his gun out at New Year parties & letting off shots)

Ban's Diving school uses Divemaster Trainees as free labour & encourage/force the "divemasters" to tell customers that they are fully fledged PADI professional divemasters while they're being forced to lead the customers around the local dive sites whilst charging the customers for "professional dive leaders"

This is a diving factory where money comes first. Classes are as close to the PADI maximum as they can manage & divemaster trainees are used here illegally too as "professionals" in order to increase the maximum number of students per class. The certify more students than any other school in South East Asia but the level of teaching is extremely poor. I personally witnessed one instructor shouting "You must be bloody thick mate!" at one student who didn't grasp a skill at the first attempt. I listened to other instructors saying "Those 2 ***es are too fat to be diving anyway, no wonder they're complaining"

If you're considering taking a course at Ban's, do yourself a favour & take a strolll down the beach, there are some very good schools on Koh Tau, just stay away from this one.

Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Related to: Budget Travel, Backpacking, Diving and Snorkeling
Written September 22, 2008

iljambonsen
Reviews: 3

4 out of 5 stars User Rating

Seashell resort: Excellent dive school and decent resort

The Seashell is an excellent place to dive and a fair place to spend the night. The fan-bungalows are small, have no warm water, no air-co, look cute and are pretty cheap(550 Baht in July 2008 while you get a 50Baht discount for every fundive you make). The concrete bungalows are a lot more expensive (I thought like 2400Baht including airco and TV).

The downside is the problem with bills: the check for the breakfast each morning or the final check for the stay, it's always a problem. I'm still not sure whether it is a problem of calculus or personal integrity. However, while the problem was big in 2007 (none of the bills was correct), most of the bills in 2008 were correct. However, this should not stop you from staying here. This problem has nothing to do with the dive school where I've had no problems at all.

Great view, nice location at the beach (see picture), excellent dive school, close to town.

Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
Related to: Budget Travel, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
Written August 9, 2008

The small fan bungalow

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kenningst
Reviews: 529

2 out of 5 stars User Rating

SBC Resort: SBC Resort

After the first night I stay my remaining 6 nights here. The offerings are the same with Prick Tai but for only 300bht per night although the room is not as new as the former

Opinion of Price: least expensive
Written June 18, 2008

kenningst
Reviews: 529

3 out of 5 stars User Rating

2.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Prick Tai Resort: Prick Tai Resort

I stay here on my first night for a small wooden bungalow with ensuite toilet, bath room, 1 queen size bed and fan for only 400bht per night.

Opinion of Price: least expensive
Written June 18, 2008

feety
Reviews: 11

2 out of 5 stars User Rating

aow Leuk Bungalows: needs a good clean

i was surprised at how dirty the place was. there was litter all over the place on the beach the grassy areas under and around the bungalows. which is a pity because it is such a beautiful beach. the bungalows are very very basic and the bathrooms are filthy. the floor hadnt been cleaned in months, i bought my own cleaning stuff and gave it a good scrub down. the bed linen was also dirty, i had to ask then to change the bed linen. the snorkeling at aow leuk is probably some of the best on the island but it is obvious that one of the 4 resorts is pumping their sewage into the sea as there was a stinky brown sludge washing up
in places along the beach and i saw some poo floating in the sea while snorkeling (no, it wasnt a sea cucumber!). after 1 night i moved to the resort next door, (sun & son Bungalows)its very small with only 3 bungalows but immaculate and clean and with great food. admittedly aow leuk bungalows charge 450 baht per night and Sun & son charge 800 Baht
but the difference was well worth it.

Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
Related to: Diving and Snorkeling, Fishing, Singles
Written March 31, 2008

Ivansight
Reviews: 3

5 out of 5 stars User Rating

2.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Bhora Bhora resort: Bhora Bhora friendly and cosy place

I stayed in Bhora Bhora resort for 8 nights and its a wonderfull place. I am very satisfied with it. Its a huts style resort with great views on Cha Lok Ban Kao. Very clean and cosy place with friendly staff. Prices starts from 300 - 1500 Baht . You can call for reservation if you wish on tell: 077456045 ask for "Oak" or "Pin"
Fell free to say that i recomended it :)

Hut style, open bathroom, relaxing eran, great views on Cha Lok Ban Kao, very romantic ,Clean and cosy.

Opinion of Price: about average
Related to: Beaches, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, National/State Park
Written November 30, 2007

feety
Reviews: 11

1 out of 5 stars User Rating

Sai thong resort: disappointed

i have stayed at this bungalow resort on two previous occasions and really enjoyed it. this time was a great dissapointment. they are under new management and the spa is no nonger in use, they dont service the rooms anymore, the internet/library/wifi room is closed. when you go for dinner you have to put up with raucus loud rock music. they no longer sell anything at the reception desk (mosquito repelent, torches, etc) and they no longer show movies in the dining area. the rooms are not being maintained and are starting to look really tatty and worn out.

Opinion of Price: about average
Written November 25, 2007

Our Members Say

Montra Resort: Koh Tao

Montra Resort and Spa: Koh Tao

Coral Grand Resort: Dive Resort

Ban's Diving Resort: Ko Tau's worst diving school.

Seashell resort: Excellent dive school and decent resort

SBC Resort: SBC Resort

Prick Tai Resort: Prick Tai Resort

aow Leuk Bungalows: needs a good clean

Bhora Bhora resort: Bhora Bhora friendly and cosy place

Sai thong resort: disappointed

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