Baan Talay Resort & Yoga

The family-run place has a relaxed, down-to-earth feel, without being pretentious or touristy. The views are beautiful, especially from the yoga pavilion, and the food was delicious. Snorkeling was fantastic, though I’d come in a wind-free month because choppy water makes getting in and out difficult. One gripe: the beds felt like rocks. Softer mattresses or toppers would help. If you’re driving, be aware the road down to the resort is steep.

We tried the ice baths and sauna, and the yoga was amazing. There are activities for the whole family, including an art workshop for kids. The restaurant was a pleasant surprise for a family-run resort, and the food was tasty and reasonably priced. The room was clean, nicely decorated, and the view was great. We really enjoyed the secluded feel of the place.

The team and family at Baan Talay have made a gorgeous oasis, and we’ll always love coming back. It’s on the quieter side of Koh Tao, with a beautiful view across the turquoise bay. From the resort’s ocean access, you can go straight into a lovely underwater world. Our bungalow was beautifully furnished and had an amazing view, and the yoga Shala is stunning too. There are wellness activities every day, and the team makes fitness fun. Kruu Dev is an especially experienced yoga teacher. The restaurant is a lovely place to spend time from breakfast through dinner, with homebaked cakes and bread and good food and drinks all day. Thank you to everyone there.

The view is stunning, easily the best part of the property, but the stay fell short of what I expected for the price. The location is remote, so you’ll generally need a taxi or scooter. Koh Tao’s steep, challenging roads could feel unsafe if you’re not an experienced rider. I did appreciate that the hotel tried to help with the mattress by bringing a topper, but it was so thin it barely changed anything. The bed was like a wooden board, and after two nights my back hurt badly. I’m not usually sensitive to mattresses. Noise was another problem: the windows and doors weren’t properly sealed, and the terrace door wouldn’t shut all the way. I woke up with 12 mosquito bites after the first night. The grounds seemed untidy, with clutter and items left around. Restaurant service was disappointing too. The waiters often seemed more interested in sitting at a table and looking at their phones than attending to guests. The bathroom had heavy limescale and felt unclean. The kettle was worse, with old water still inside and dead mosquitoes in it, which was disgusting. Most staff didn’t seem especially friendly or welcoming, and often came across as unmotivated. The exception was the receptionist, who was genuinely kind and helpful and always did her best for me.