Hello seasoned travelers,

We are going to Phangan and Tao in May staying about 5 nights on each Island. I was wondering if anyone has stayed at Chills Bay Resort on Phangan or Sensi Paradise Beach on Tao. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

A while since I was on Koh Tao, but here is a link with lots of recent comments about Sensi which always seems to have a good reputation and good value, don't panic, I just glanced and reviews are good

http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/kohtao/sensi/reviews/

Sorry haven't heard of Chills, maybe if you check on yahoo for reviews you might get something.

The Lomprayah Bus/Catamaran service from Bangkok or Hua Hin to Koh Tao is a good way to get to Koh Tao, they also go twice a day to KPG from Koh Tao with High Speen 'Jet-Cat', Catamaran

Thanks JamesA

Just to add as may be of help, the 'Jet-Cat' Catamaran boat takes the following time:

Chumphon-Koh Tao: 1hr 30
Koh Tao-KPG: 1 hr
KPG-Samui: 30mins

Their Express a/c bus takes 7 hrs from Bangkok to Chumphon and 3 hrs 20 from Hua Hin.
These are their promotion fares:
BKK-Koh Tao inc bus/Jet-Cat: B 650 ($16)
BKK-KPG: B 900 ($23)
BKK-Samui: B 1,000 ($25)

Fares from Hua Hin same as from Bangkok

Stayed at the Sensi last year. The rooms are spread out and some are quite a distance. The rooms are ok and the resort is one of the more upmarket on the island and is reasonably close to the restarants , bars. IMO it is expensive for what you get Would I return? No! I first visited Koh Tao for the diving 5/6 years ago when it was a quiet, relatively unspoilt, island catering mainly for divers. I was quite shocked to see massive development that taken place. The number of people (& motorbikes) on the island is now a real problem. Having said this, my 18 year old son spent a month of his gap year there and loved it. Perhaps I am just getting old!!

Thanks again JamesA and crellston. Our plan is to spend 6 days in BKK then fly to CM for 3 to 4 days. From CM fly to Samui stay for 3 to 4 nights then boat up to KPG for 3 nights. Then to Tao for a week, as we are just looking to relax for a bit. We may bag KPG. Although we have read that it has some beautiful beaches. We are looking for nice quiet locations/beaches but would like to be able to walk to a bar for a drink or place to eat a night or two. So we are torn. Any suggestions or critiques would much appreaciated. We are so looking forward to our first trip to Thailand!!! Thank again