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Sai Daeng Resort is a private eco boutique resort perched on a peninsula in the Gulf of Thailand. Our hillside resort is located on the southern tip of Koh Tao Island in Surat Thani Province with exclusive views of the iconic Shark Island. We created this property with the intention of keeping nature untouched. Each villa is surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation that provides relaxation, tranquility and privacy. Indulge in luxury accommodations, stunning panoramic views of the ocean and authentic Thai cuisine. Just steps from your villa, explore the underwater world of snorkeling and scuba diving at famous Hin Ngam Bay and Aow Leuk. Take a relaxing swim on the smooth waters of Sai Daeng Beach or seek adventure in a kayak to Shark Island. With our beautiful views, we have a lot of stairs, our sandy-floor restaurant is also on the beach. Join us and embrace the slow life at Sai Daeng Resort.
46/9 Moo 3 Sai Daeng Beach, Koh Tao 84360 Thailand
Name/address in local language
Sai Daeng Resort
4.2 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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Sai Daeng Resort has won the hearts of many guests with its tranquil atmosphere and scenic location close to pristine beaches. The unique design and comfort of the rooms, complete with stunning views, often receive high marks, though there are occasional remarks about room size and upkeep. The resort's private beach and snorkeling are standouts among its amenities, which also include a pool, yoga, and a training room.
While the staff's friendliness is frequently commended, service can sometimes be hit or miss. Cleanliness throughout is generally praised, yet some travelers question the resort's value, pointing to steep prices and unexpected charges.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Serene
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Pristine
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Well-appointed
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We have just finished 4 days at Sae Daeng. The staff were great, location stunning, but it just needed a little bit more. Simple things could really improve the experience. The snorkelling is really good - once you get in the water. A simple jetty on one side would save getting cut on the rocks getting in and out. The room had a great big balcony but only a couple of tiny chairs and tiny table. A couple of loungers, maybe a proper table a chairs, which would mean you could have a nice dinner at your room. The bit that spoilt it for us was leaving. They send someone to check your room before you can check out - I must spend 70 nights a year in hotels and don’t ever recall having someone check the room before I can leave. They had a nice beach basket in our room (as do lots of hotels here). Ours had a small hole in the corner when we got there. When checking out they wanted to bill us for it. They said we should have reported it when we got there…a beach bag. Really? They did charge for a glass that was cracked 100b for a 20b glass. Such a shame departure from a beautiful place was spoilt by pettiness. If you stay, and there is a lot to commend it, check everything in the room and report anything not 100%! You don’t want to get stung on exit!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Check everything when you get there and report anything not right!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nick Roch, Marketing at Sai Daeng Resort
Responded 25 Aug 2023
We are so happy you enjoyed your stay with us at Sai Daeng Resort. We apologize for the check-out experience, and appreciate your feedback. We are a small family resort so our check-out requirements might be a little different from the big chain hotels. We hope you had a great trip and think of us again when you visit Koh Tao. 🙏
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My husband and I stayed a week at the resort. Such a well laid out resort on the tip of the peninsular. The rustic charm suited us down to the ground, such a great spot to unwind.
The staff, especially Oscar at the pool bar, showed up every other resort and hotel we stayed at afterwards on the same trip.
The food was very tasty, rooms well laid out with an extremely comfortable bed. We rented mopeds on site, or staff could drive you round if needed at a good rate.
We both saw Turtles while snorkeling, and on most days had a couple of curious Black Tip Reef Sharks checking us out. Very cool!! Definitely worth another visit. Thanks for a great stay Rob Camden, NZ
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nick Roch, Marketing at Sai Daeng Resort
Responded 29 Nov 2023
We are so glad you and your husband enjoyed yourselves at our resort! And we appreciate the shoutout for Oscar at the pool bar. We informed him and he was very happy, he said he remembered you guys. 🙏 Thank you for your kind review and we hope you visit us again soon!
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We stayed at the resort for four nights in april. When we arrived we were assigned to a beach front room close to the sea, but unfortunatly the design of the room made it impossible for us to use the shower due to the low celing, we asked to switch rooms. This was done immedeatly and we got a room high up with great view and a balcony. So nice of the staff.
The resort is build on several hills, wich means this is not the resort for those who have problems with health issues, cause my oh my its hilly and ALOT of steps. We counted over 120 stairsteps from the beach and breakfast up to our room. And with 35 degrees celcius we thought we were going to die. At least we got our steps in.
The breakfast was the most dissapointing during our stay. Very little options, almost nothing more than jam to put on the bread, no fresh juices. This should be reconsidered by the resort and upgraded regarding the price it costs staying here.
The sunbeds were alright, but they might consider to have umbrellas available in addition cause the sun is SO hot.
We saw babysharks EVERY DAY on the beach. You could litteraly just stand in the water and they swam right across your feet. It was the hightlight of our trip to Koh Tao. Bring your own snorkeling mask, as they charge 100 tbh to rent each day.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Be prepared for alot of steps
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nick Roch, Marketing at Sai Daeng Resort
Responded 29 May 2024
We are happy to hear that you enjoyed seeing our baby sharks every day. And we're glad we were able to accommodate your needs during the busiest time of year. We are always working to improve our resort so please join us again and see what we've done! Thank you for the review. 🙏
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Starting from the beginning; absolutely beautiful views. And that’s the only thing beautiful about this place. And by saying that, this place itself is not beautiful in any way shape or form. We checked in at the reception center, which is outside, while they advertised public areas are air conditioned, which it’s not. They then give you a bike ride to our villa. The villa minibar offers a limit of two small bottled waters and nothing else free of charge. The provided toiletries are q-tips, shower caps, and nothing else free of charge. If you want to go somewhere, you’ll have to pay for their free shuttle service, as well as hike up and down a mountain to get to the pick up area. And once you get back, they offer to bike your goods that you bought back to your room, but you are not allowed on the bike because they say it’s not safe, even though they gave you a ride before when you checked in, anything after that first ride is not safe anymore. The shower drips, so you’ll hear the dripping all day and night while you sleep. They advertise all employees are masked, while I haven’t seen a single employee masked. They advertise social distancing, which doesn’t happen either. They advertise a full kitchen in the details of the villa listing, yet it’s only a refrigerator that’s provided. The power/electricity goes out multiple times per day, as many as 6 times in one day that we experienced. Once you are ready to shower, you can dry yourself off with a worn out and frayed towel. The listing advertises a hot tub, but there isn’t a hot tub, or a tub at all. Another thing, the power went out at 9pm while I was walking to the bathroom; which caused me to slip and fall from walking into the counter causing me to try to grab onto something/nothing in the dark and resulting on me falling pretty hard. Now I’m injured because of this place. All this on day one. Day two, we had the breakfast buffet, which has an extremely limited selection, that seemingly as far as taste has been sitting there for the entire breakfast period, as well as doesn’t get refilled if something runs out; at least for the 5 days I stayed there. Had a massage; it was ok, but I wouldn’t pay for it if it was offered to me again. Nor would I be a repeat customer even it being free. Also went on a kayak ride, that was free and good, no complaints there. The mask and snorkel cost money to rent for the day, and was a little small for my head (I’m 6 foot/182cm tall), they were acceptable quality, but small for a “tourist” and as for the quality I would expect it to be free. Ordered room service; the first bento box we ordered had sour tasting chicken, we called in and they said they might have bad chicken that day. The next day ordered the chicken sandwich with cheese and egg, but they forgot the egg. All in all, I’ve been in hotel and resorts all over the world; when it comes to cost/value/quality/service/amenities provided, this was one of the worst places I have stayed. This place really needs to open their eyes and review what they advertise in comparison to what is actually true and provided.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed in an expensive Deluxe ocean view room for 4 days, w after attending my daughter’s wedding in koh Samui. There were 30 of us. The room: views were amazing and the room and bathroom were large. AC was adequate and the room was clean and quiet. However, it’s a bit dated, there’s no where to hang long clothes( like dresses), the bathroom doesn’t have glass windows but wicker, so subject to mosquitoes and horrendously hot as no AC. No dressing table and drinking water is charged ( where most hotels water is complimentary.) The standard rooms also had great views but were very small with poor hanging space. Hotel: Friendly, helpful staff, good breakfast but it is in the beach restaurant which means walking on the beach. Ok unless it’s raining! Very hilly. So not suitable for young children or any mobility issues. Pool is pleasant with nice swim up bar and happy hour. Small, but clean beach, with good snorkelling, free equipment and kayaking. The hotel is a bit remote unless you hire a moped. ( it’s hilly and lots of pot holes so beware) They do provide a courtesy bus twice a day to the town and taxis are freely available. My biggest issue is the hotel had a 60 person wedding taking place whilst we were there. We were kept OFF the entire beach during the wedding and cleared out of breakfast early so they could set up. We were not told when booking that this event was taking place which may have affected our decision to book. The night before the wedding we received a note telling us the restaurant would be closed the next dat but no mention of our ability to use the beach. Given this is an expensive remote beach hotel the lack of information and access to the beach was utterly unacceptable! The noise from the wedding went well into the night and could still hear the disco at 1am. Again, no notification of this was given and it seems unreasonable for a hotel with other guests to disrespect the guests in this way. Seems to me the hotel wanted to have their cake and eat it! Overall, I would not recommend this hotel.
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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It started a bit badly when we repeatedly tried to get hold of them on Mail and Facebook without a reply. We would like some clarifications before arrival, but that was not possible. When we called it was difficult to get an answer due to poor English from the receptionist.
Apart from this, the rest of the stay was good. When we arrived at the jetty in the center there was a nice driver from the hotel waiting (we hadn't booked a pick-up, so this was a shuttle for everyone in Sai Daeng)
The slopes up to the hotel are wildly steep, both up and down! In return, the view when you get over the crest of the hill is absolutely beautiful. The hotel is located approx. 10 minutes from the nearest centre, and it is definitely recommended to rent a scooter for maximum flexibility. This is easily done at the reception.
The rooms are fresh, with a nice view of the sea and the beach. We had read on previous reviews that there could be insects/small animals in the room - but we saw nothing of this! The minus was that the aircon made a lot of noise and pointed straight at the bed. The bathroom was also a bit oddly designed. The shower is inside the toilet, so if you have showered it is a small pool on the floor for many hours. There is no squeegee available and the drop to the floor is not steep enough to remove.
As we both sleep a bit restlessly, we had asked for two single duvets. Unfortunately, it turned out that the hotel only had double duvets, which we thought was a bit special.
Breakfast is served at the beach bar belonging to the hotel. It's perfectly fine! Plus for omelette station, minus for lousy coffee that tastes a bit like washing-up liquid. Otherwise, there is enough selection on the buffet for a perfectly good breakfast. The lunch here was tasty, reasonably priced and served reasonably quickly.
The pool area is not that big, but there was a nice swim up bar with delicious drinks and a very nice service. There were always some free sunbeds - despite the fact that there weren't that many of them. The sunbeds were also comfortable.
A huge bonus was a brand new training room! This was not on the hotel's website so it was a pleasant takeover. There is not much equipment yet, but enough for a good session. I expect they will fill up here as it is fully up and running.
There is morning yoga available every morning, free of charge for hotel guests. This was also a very good experience, with a good instructor who adapted the program to the level of those who attended.
All in all a good stay!
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:* Lei scooter for å komme dere rundt
* Merk at en må kjøre alle plasser, enten selv eller med...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a wonderful stay at Sai Daeng Hotel. The location is truly unbeatable, with a private beach perfect for relaxing or snorkeling right at your doorstep. The rooms are uniquely designed and offer a cozy, personal touch that reflects the family-run charm of the property. While the service was a bit slow at times, the overall experience was still very positive. The serene atmosphere and the natural beauty surrounding the hotel make it an ideal place to unwind. If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat with direct access to the ocean, this is the place to be!
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Pool bar with Oskar was the nicest due to the weather
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sai Daeng is located on a peninsula offering a double bay, one with a sandy beach and the other,beautuful corals and fish where we spotted a blue spotted stingray, turtle and many many fish! A baby shark swam by whilst eating breakfast which was an added bonus. We had a room on the beach with a partial view of the sea and direct access to the beach with a private seating area to ourselves. Breakfast was excellent. There was also regular breakfast options too. The location was perfect for us as the beach wasn't crowded at all. We hired a moped which gave us a lot more freedom to discover places in koh tao. I think it would be difficult to stay here without one as I understand taxi rides are 400 baht per trip and you need to pay for the hotel transfers so it isn't very cost effective unless you hire a moped at 350 baht a day. Koh Tao is very hilly so be prepared there are many hills to climb. Resort is nice but a little overpriced. It was unfortunate aa they were refurbishing the pool which looked v. Nice as it was overlooking the sea with a bar in the pool. Thank you for a very pleasant stay!
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:We were able to park our moped at the top of the stairs away from the beach which was helpful
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful resort perched on a lush hill. Large and stylishly furnished rooms. The bathroom then, a gem - huge and very beautiful! They also provide kimono type bathrobes, really nice. We went here because we like snorkelling and it is surrounded by coral and colorful fish. We also saw 2 sharks. It is one of the places where the boats that tour the island stop and the seabed is actually beautiful, although unfortunately many corals are losing color or are already dead. Scenic swimming pool overlooking the bay. However, I do not recommend either the pool bar (all-water cocktails) or the restaurant (the only time I had a bad meal in Thailand sigh.. but average prices). Buffet breakfast, good, varied. Quite a few stairs to go to the restaurant, which is on the beach. Service a little slow, but that's okay. The wi-fi works well throughout the hotel. The structure is far from the town, we had scooters and it wasn't a problem, but without considering that to get around you either use the shuttle at fixed times (included) or you pay 400 baht for a taxi. To rent scooters, it's best to go to the town (170 baht per day, compared to the 300 offered at the hotel). A nice place, relaxing, creating atmosphere - more recommended for couples looking for privacy than for a group of friends.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Il ristorante vende sigarette ma molto care (200 baht, contro i 75 in paese).
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I spent 4 days staying here while exploring Koh Tao.
The location is good, with a beach on one side and some great snorkelling on the rocky side. You will likely need to rent a scooter to get around the island easily - which you can easily rent straight at the resort, starting at 250 Baht a day (just be aware the hill down is rather steep, but easily manageable). Some nice views from the room (could watch sunrise from my bed). And pickup/dropoff from the port was appreciated too.
As others have said there are lots of hills/stairs, so probably not ideal if you aren't able to walk easily.
Food was decent for the price, but a scooter ride into town for more food options wasn't too far.
It did feel like it was in need of a refresh/minor renovations (which is understandable after likely a couple of years without many customers), but could see some renovations/construction already going on in places. I did notice not all rooms were in use, so are probably still getting back into fully operating again.
But overall was a good stay and staff were friendly and helpful.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nick Roch, Marketing at Sai Daeng Resort
Responded 29 Aug 2022
We are glad to hear you enjoyed your stay with us at Sai Daeng Resort. We are a very hilly resort, so if you're not able to use the stairs, it will be difficult to get around the property. Taking scooters to get around the island is great advice, but also advise caution as the hills are very steep throughout the island. Covid has affected us just like everyone else around the world. We are rebuilding our resort and updating it so that our guests can enjoy the resort even more than before. We appreciate the kind review and hope you think of us again for your next trip to Thailand. Thank you! 🙏
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Hello! Thank you for contacting us with your questions. Our resort is on the southeast side of the island and has great sunrises. You can see the sun set from the Eagle's Nest Villa best, but the sun still sets behind a mountain, not along the horizon. The best sunsets are at Sairee beach.
And we don't have any treadmills yet, our fitness should be open by December 2023. The resort has a lot of stairs, and if you are up for a run to the top of the street, it is hilly but definitely good for running in the mornings before it gets too hot. Let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks.
Hello! The resort has a free shuttle for guests checking in and checking out. If you can coordinate timing with those shuttles, you can get a ride into town, otherwise we will have to call you a taxi... And kayaks are complimentary, the snorkel gear are 100 Baht/day. Thanks!
Hello! There are trees in front of the Beachfront Junior Suite... you don't get an unobstructed view of the ocean. The Deluxe Ocean View Villas have great views of the ocean. Or our Eagle's Nest and Honeymoon Pool Villas have amazing views as well.
There are more places to choose from in the Koh Tao area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$204 - AU$334 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
ThailandSurat Thani ProvinceKoh Tao
NUMBER OF ROOMS
70
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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