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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!
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!
Source: alexinwanderland.com