Koh Tao View Cliff Resort

The resort badly needs an upgrade. There are no parasoles by the pool, so it’s almost impossible to lie there in the afternoon without burning. Such a shame with that stunning view. Just adding some parasoles would help. The location and staff are supreme. They’re kind, wonderful and helpful, always greeting you with a big smile and trying to accommodate our needs.

The staff were kind and friendly throughout, and they even offered to decorate the bed as a birthday surprise for my husband. We really enjoyed our stay at the Simple Life Cliff View Resort, especially the beautiful view from our room, 202. We paid quite a significant amount for five nights, which likely got us a higher-tier room. We noticed reviews mentioning disappointing rooms, so our experience may not reflect what guests in standard rooms get. The room seemed poorly isolated from noise. We heard people talking in the adjoining room, doors slamming elsewhere in the hotel, the bay window creaking in the wind, and some distant music. Breakfast was poor quality, so we only tried it on the first day and didn’t go back for the rest of the stay.

The staff were the heartbeat of the place: incredibly kind, helpful and welcoming throughout our stay. We also tried the restaurant’s pizza and were pleasantly surprised, it was excellent. Breakfast was simple but fresh and tasty, with unlimited coffee, fried eggs, rotating Thai dishes and fresh fruit. It might not have every Western staple, but we found it perfectly adequate despite seeing negative reviews. The location and views are stunning. The resort sits in a small bay beside the beach and local action, but is still an easy walk from the ferry port. The pool has a panoramic sea view, and we enjoyed watching the sunset. The lower-level sun terrace is a highlight for sunbathing, though there’s almost no shade during the day. Please add some parasols. The place is showing its age, with peeling paint in our room, no hot water in the shower, salt stains in the pool and broken walkways. Everything was technically functional, but the wear and tear is hard to ignore at this price. Some care and fresh paint would go a long way.

The breakfast was awful, with very poor quality and little choice. Mosquitoes were everywhere, in the room and around the property, and loud music every night made it impossible to sleep properly. Room 107 was clean, but extremely dated, especially the bathroom, which looked as if it hadn’t been renovated in decades. The property also seemed badly maintained, and calling it a “resort” felt like a disgrace. It wasn’t relaxing at all. The front desk women were lovely and welcoming, but that couldn’t make up for the poor facilities. Save your money and stay elsewhere.