Thipwimarn Resort Koh Tao

We chose this hotel as it looked to nice on the screen and had good reviews. But the reality couldn't have been further from the truth. We got off to a bad start as the hotel failed to pick us up at the port as agreed. To make things worse we couldn't call them because their phone was out of order. When we eventually arrived we were shown into our room (Ocean Infinity). It was so awful - drab and falling apart - that we asked to move. We ended up in the Ocean Mystery room - less than half the size and apparently the same price! Most of the furniture in this room was also broken and everything badly marked, but it was slightly more cosy. The rooms summed up the hotel as it was clearly in a state of disrepair and heading the same way as the hotel next door which is derelict and gradually falling into the sea. But in spite of there being so much wrong with this hotel, no one seemed to care - the staff just sat around talking and the manager played on her phone. Breakfast was no better - very plain and very ordinary. Beware that the hotel is a 20 minute uphill walk from town, but no homeward shuttle is provided and Koh Tao taxis are shockingly expensive. Finally, the one good thing - the views from the hotel are absolutely stunning - but they will be from many other hotels along the coast, all of which must surely be a better bet than this place.

After reading rave reviews on Tripadvisor, I booked my first 2 nights on Koh Tao at Alayana Resort. Thank goodness I only booked 2 nights, as it turned out to be a disappointing choice. Firstly, it would be helpful if the resort communicated transfer options to their guests before arrival. One is bombarded by taxi touts when stepping off the catamaran, and it is surprisingly expensive to take a taxi to this resort. Some prior information would have made the landing a bit softer. Regarding the room, it is spacious and well laid out, but in need of refurbishment. There is a massive crack in the wall, the front door does not fit well in the door frame, and the shower has virtually no water pressure. Although there is a kettle and cups in the room, there was no coffee or tea. Luckily I had my own. And although there is a tv, the resort does not have cable, so the only option is to get a Netflix stick, which comes at a hefty $63 deposit. Lastly, the resort does not use duvet covers, but rather sheets above and below the uncovered duvet. This arrangement comes undone during the night, which does not seem to be a hygienic solution. After my arrival, I was keen to have some coffee in the hotel’s restaurant. Firstly I was put off by the dirty tables, and then could not find the bar tender. He eventually emerged from beneath the bar counter, in no mood to serve customers, and promptly informed me that the restaurant only served coffee in the morning. This was my last attempt to order anything from the resort, and I was happy to walk to town for refreshments and meals. By the way, it is probably a good idea to have your own transport when staying at Alayana, as it is a steep slog up the hill from town. They have a transfer service to town 3 times daily, but you still have to make your own way back, and taxi’s on Koh Toa are outrageously expensive. The views from my room and the swimming pool are superb, but this property feels sad and neglected. Rather than mention even more negative comments, suffice it to say that I will not be sad to move to a different hotel tomorrow.

We chose this hotel because of trip advisor, but boy did we get surprised. We are a regulary family from Denmark, not expecting special treatment at all! This place has no smile at all. No one ever smiles to you or says sawasdeka like everybody does here. And with that no service. The staff doesn't speak any English, so everything seemed to be a problem (not for us). Everything was worn out, broken or simply not existing. Electric installations were dangling from the walls, the toilet did not work, the drain was leaking all over the floor, and though we told the reception, nothing happened. Breakfast (which roughly consisted of self made toastbread, filter coffee and days old juice) should be served at eight in the morning, but every morning this angry looking "chef" was not ready before eight fifteen. The pool should open at nine, but was not ready before nine thirty every day. Maybe small things, but in the whole just adding up to our annoyance. Pool area was dirty with cigarette stumps and greasy from old drinks