This guide will allow you to select a the best hotel or resort in Koh Tao based on your preferred activities. Whether you are a solo travel, just married, senior adult or with your family, I give you 5 possible hotels and resorts for each category, carefully attending to your specific travel style.
One of the most important things to fully enjoy your vacations in Koh Tao is to select the right acommodation in the island. Depending on your travel style, I have chosen a list of the best hotels and resorts in Koh Tao, based in my own experience and opinions.
First, we need to differenciate the areas in the island based on the orography and beaches with possibility to locate there. Some areas are easy accessible once you arrived to Koh Tao and other will required private transportation.
Koh Tao areas
I will explain you the main areas in the island and you can find if it will fit your travel style.
Northeast area
This is the most remote area as is surrounded with mountains, narrow roads and a couple of beaches which is better to reach by boat. Some of the famous ones are Mango Bay, Lighthouse Beach and Ao Hin Wong.
The only area with accommodation is located around Ao Hin Wong, in the east part of Koh Tao. Therefore, my recommendation is to visit Mango Bay and Lighthouse just by boat.
Ao Hin Wong can offer you a relaxed stay, remote location and few bars located around the beach as well as an snorkel an diving area. Have in mind that you will be located out of the main city (around 15 min. away) and the acccess by motorbike or scooter is through dangerous and uphill roads mentioned by the locals and you might expect few stairs to reach the only available accommodation.
For this reason, I only recommend the area to be visited by boat or if you decide to stay there, have a light backpack (better to avoid suitcases) imagine you are a solo traveller or you go with your group of friends looking for a very calm stay and wild nature surroundings.
Southeast area
Tanote Bay, Aow Luek Beach and Shark Bay. Definitely with more facilities (restaurants, more hotels selection, snorkel areas and yoga activites) and better access from the city.
Shark Bay is amazing area to find baby sharks and turtles who goes to eat around the corals there. The activities as snorkel, paddleboarding and kayak will allow you to explore the depths of the bay easily. Tip: to sightseeing the baby sharks, better to go early in the morning. You can reach Shark island too to avoid the crowds from daily boat tours.
Tanote Bay have similar activities plus jumping rocks! Fifty meters from the sand, you will find some rocks where you can climb and jump to the sea or if you are not that adventurous, see others jumping. Titan triggerfishes have been seen in the area too, so be careful with sharp rocks, never walk on the corals and the fishes around them.
This area is recommended for families, group of friends, couples, pet owners and just married couples.
Chalok Baan Kao
Situated at the west side of Shark Bay, facing Freedom Beach, Taa Toh Lagoon Beach and with road access to Aow June Juea and Sai Nuan Beach. Chalok Baan Kao will offer you the longest beach and residential area after the main city.
As in the southeast area, you have access to restaurants, diving facilities, snorkel areas and high-end wooden bungalows and resorts with magnific views. The main roads from city or the port are in good state but as you get closer to beach areas can get slightly narrow and worse and not to forget the up and downhills (but not as intense as in northern areas). Be extra careful if you are driving a motorbike always or arrange transportation first.
The suggested public for the area are couples and families (with or withouth pets), honeymooners, group friends or solo travellers. Senior adults can enjoy this area too as it has more services than northern and west areas and a calm environment withouth the croud of the city.
Mae Haad
Sairee Beach
Koh Nang Yuan
Here is the exhaustive list to the best hotels and resorts in the paradisiac island of Koh Tao.
Complete guide to the best hotels and resorts in Koh Tao
- For families
- For couples
- For groups of friends
- For solo travellers
- For pet owners
- For senior adults
- For just married couples
Best hotels and resorts for families in Koh Tao
If you review my suggestions of areas, you will find suitable hotels from each area as this ones:
- Southeast area:
Tanote Villa Hill offers spacious family villas with stunning sea views. Families can enjoy the infinity pool, snorkeling in clear waters, and the on-site restaurant. It’s a safe, tranquil environment, making it an ideal spot for unforgettable family vacations.
Haadtien Beach Resort offers family villas in tranquil Shark Bay. Families enjoy a private beach, pool, spa, and activities like snorkeling, kayaking and pick up from port. With a kid’s club and on-site restaurant, it’s the perfect retreat to relax and enjoy with family.
- Chalok Baan Kao
Koh Tao Resort Paradise Zone nestled in Chalok Baan Kao, it features a serene beach, on-site dining, and various activities. Perfect for families seeking relaxation and adventure in a stunning area. Family apartments available.
