So you’ve read all my gushing posts about Koh Tao, you’ve found yourself daydreaming of your own palm-fringed beach days, you’ve looked up flights, and now you’re island bound. But where to lay your head at night? It’s one of the most frequent questions that lands in my inbox!
The vast majority of my time in Koh Tao is spent in long-term apartments, which means that for a long time I didn’t have much advice to dole out. But that’s changing. Last year, I reviewed Aminjirah Resort in North Sairee. Today, I’m giving you a big ‘ol virtual tour of Thalassa, a mid-priced, modern boutique hotel in the heart of Sairee Village.
Rooms
I stayed at Thalassa this year for five nights when I was apartment hunting after first landing back on the island. The clean, minimalist but stylish rooms with amenities like hot showers, air-conditioning, and a mini fridge made it the perfect place to land. Rooms are also stocked with two bottles of water per day, though as a palm-tree-hugger I’d implore you to find more eco-friendly options.
My biggest concern about staying at Thalassa was the noise, as it’s literally on the main drag of the island’s main village. Amazingly, whatever soundproofing the hotel used worked and we slept soundly even on the busiest nights at the bars below.
The hotel’s twenty rooms are spread over three floors and divided into two simple categories — standard twin and king and superior twin and king. Like most — all? — hotels on Koh Tao, there is no elevator, so request a room on a lower floor if you have mobility issues or stay elsewhere entirely if stairs are not an option as it will take at least one flight of them to reach the first set of rooms.
Superior kings are larger than their standard counterparts and boast a futon that can be converted to a bed for a third guest. Prices vary by season and availability but plugging several dates into Agoda revealed the average range is 1,280-1,640B ($36-46US) for a standard room and 1,850-2,350B ($52-66US) for a superior.
Grounds and Amenities
Thalassa is smack in the middle of one of Sairee’s busiest streets, and the entire first floor of the hotel is dedicated to the onsite restaurant and a small reception desk. Hence, the only public space is the undeveloped rooftop.
However, the biggest perk of staying at Thalassa? You’re smack atop one of my absolute favorite restaurants on Koh Tao, Kusto! If you come to Koh Tao without eating at this amazing tapas and wine bar, you’re simply doing life wrong. I’m a regular there no matter where I’m staying. Bonus? All hotel guests get a free glass of wine voucher at check in.
Breakfast is also served downstairs and included in the room rate, served a la carte, and consists of three choices — french, english, or healthy.
Favorite Features
Thalassa is extremely central and literally the perfect location for those who don’t want to rent a bike or walk much — a request I hear often. Being walking distance from everything is a serious perk!
Room For Improvement
I would love to see the hotel’s rooftop developed into something usable. Signage around the hotel indicates there were once plans to establish a rooftop bar, but I’m not sure what derailed them. Even some simple lounge furniture would make it into a nice bonus shared space for a hotel that is lacking them.
Final Word
I love Thalassa, and have been recommending it to friends since long before I stayed here — so I’m glad my positive hunches about the place were confirmed!
While there’s no pool or lush gardens that many are seeking on a tropical vacation, for mid-range and flashpacker travelers who are planning to spend their days on beaches, dive boats and hiking trails, the clean, modern and stylish rooms are the perfect place to come home to. And the location is ideal without any of the anticipated noise pollution issues. Thalassa simply represents great value when it comes to Koh Tao accommodation.
Let me know if there’s another type of accommodation you’d like to see reviewed next!
Many thanks to Thalassa for hosting me so I could write this review. As always, you receive my honest opinions regardless of who is footing the bill.
This place looks awesome to stay in, and definitely well priced. Is it close to the beach?
Indeed! It’s close to everything! Probably about a four minute stroll to the sand π
Mmmm! The food looks amazing plus wine and tapas would be such a treat after months of (albeit delicious!) Thai food. Seems like a great place to stay.
And like most food in Thailand, even if they are tapas, they are Thai inspired π Lots of fresh beautiful ingredients to enjoy!
Looks great! I must admit I am always staying at Baan Talay or their dive school accommodation on the other side of the island – I love being so far from everything and life there seems to be even slower. Then again I love popping over to Sairee beach once in a while so I will definitely check this out because noise was one of my main concerns on this part of town.
Me too — I stayed at Lotus Resort once for a night or two when I first touched down on the island and vowed never to stay on the beach again! This is a great alternative.
I’m convinced that some of the best value in Thailand lies in mid-range accommodation and dining. All that for no more than $60 a night?! You can’t get a roach motel room in some parts of Canada (where I live right now) for less than $75 CAD a night!
Agreed! I always say Thailand has the best value luxury in the world. Mid range, too, it seems π
It’s a nice hotel, though it’s not as beautiful as some of the other hotels you’ve reviewed. I guess this one would fit my budget more than the others though ?
Indeed, I love this hotel for being a modern, stylish option at a mid-range budget!
I’m always ready for clean and cheap! Especially if I can walk everywhere — luxury is highly over-rated. I used to belong to Hostel International, but at this age, I no longer want to share a dorm with college kids. So this sounds perfect. And a glass of wine to boot! FYI, I do wish you could put captions on your pics. They are beautifully done, but sometimes I’m just not sure what I’m looking at. Especially the food!
Sometimes I don’t even remember what I ate π I do know the mysterious dish in this post however is a chicken quinoa salad… because I have it all the time! Yum!
Is that the thing in the goldfish bowls? Or the pink patty-looking thing? π
The pink thing! (It’s beetroot.) The goldfish thing I’m not sure what it is other than it contains fish so I didn’t eat it π
You had me at free wine voucher! The prices also seem amazing for what you get! You don’t often get half of that in the same accommodation level over here (Canada). It would be nice to see if they do something with the rooftop; you’ll have to let us know if you hear!
Will do! I’d be thrilled if they turned it into a swank cocktail lounge or something I could frequent π
T___T Where was that sagely advice on eateries when I needed it a few months back? I literally passed-by Thalassa countless times looking for a good place to eat!
I definitely need to do a “Where to Eat” update post!
Hey Alex… I’m coming in January for a couple weeks, and would like to know which Scuba Certification School(s) you’d recommend in K T…
Thanks !
Hey Andrew! That’s awesome! You’ll find a review of Master Divers in my archives, and I have a post coming up about Sairee Cottage. Both are awesome! Good luck!
This place looks great! if I were coming for a whole month could you recommend somewhere for that long? would an apartment be better or is that more long term? π
Hey Yolanda! For a month, you might be able to find an apartment, though most landlords will look for a more long-term tenant. There are a lot of Thai guesthouses that don’t have websites however that rent nightly, weekly and monthly!