The lush and sprawling Haadtien Beach Resort has exclusive access to Koh Tao's best and most beautiful beach: the remote and pristine white-sand Shark Bay. While the beach is technically public, the resort is private, so non-guests can only access the beach by boat. (Tours do stop by, however, making the beach less exclusive than it could be.) Shark Bay has turquoise waters and some of the island's best snorkeling; it's possible to snorkel right off of the beach, though kayaks are available to rent for those who want to go out farther and see bigger fish. A PADI dive center offers courses and excursions and a beach bar provides cocktails and snacks. The 70 rustic-luxe, bungalow-style villas have plenty of romantic appeal, and property dotted has a chic, ocean-view swimming pool and a (pricey) spa. In all, Haadtien is easily the top beach resort in Koh Tao, where many hotel beaches are small and manmade. 

Koh Tao Cabana is a laid-back, romantic hotel directly on pretty Sai Ree Beach. Although secluded and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the property is just a short walk from a popular nightlife and dining area. There is a certain romance to the property -- its 33 standalone villas pepper the tropical landscape and the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand lap at the beach. On the hotel's stretch of white sand, there are several wooden loungers and a couple of nice spots for snorkeling, and guests can borrow snorkeling gear and kayaks at no extra charge. Ocean views are available throughout the property, including the beachfront Thai restaurant.

Sensi Paradise is a quiet and subdued resort in the jungle along the coast, just outside of Mae Haad Town. The hotel's sandy beach has attractive rock formations, but it is small and remains shaded throughout much of the day -- it doesn't compare to Haadtien Beach Resort's gorgeous strip of sand, but really, no other hotel beach on the island does. Free rentals of snorkel masks, fins, and life vests are available, and the hotel's pretty multi-tiered pool gets a bit more sunlight than its shore. The property also organizes excursions, such as boat snorkel trips around the island. The overall ambience is casual, and while the beachside restaurant can get lively at night, the atmosphere is relatively calm. Lodging ranges from smaller bungalows to large family houses with three bedrooms, all with Wi-Fi, beds have gauzy mosquito netting, and plenty of authentic charm. 

The mellow Montalay Beach Resort is a casual beach hangout at the end of Tanote Beach, one of Koh Tao's most remote locations. (Getting here either involves taking a long-tail boat from town or else crossing the mountains and dealing with a very steep and rutted track via 4WD pickup.) But once you're there, Montalay is an ideal spot for escaping the crowds. The resort sits right on the sand, with its gardens and cottages stretching back up into the hillside. Its pool is the only one on Tanote Beach and its basic, open-air restaurant offers sea views. There are also a diving center with courses and a privately-run beach bar. Sensi is certainly more accessible (it's just around the corner from busy Mae Haad Town and its ferry pier), but some may prefer to stay here for easy access to a gorgeous stretch of sand and some of Koh Tao's best snorkeling.

Pinnacle Koh Tao Resort is a contemporary, well-priced stay right on the beach. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from Mae Haad (free hotel shuttles head there three times a day) and has a decent set of features, such as a lovely outdoor pool with a pool bar and sun deck overlooking the sea and a restaurant/bar with Thai food and international specialties and sunset views. The private beach occupies a small cove with large rocks, and the popular on-site dive center provides diving itineraries and certification, and has its own speedboats to go to amazing dive locations. 

They say that location is everything, and in the case of Charm Churee Villa, it's the real highlight. The resort sits on quiet Jansom Bay, right next to Mae Haad beach and town. One has to drive up a very steep road in order to reach Charm Churee by taxi (making for pricey transport charges), plus property sprawls along the cliff and seaside, meaning it's a 10-minute walk on steep ground from reception to rooms, from rooms to restaurant, and so on. (At least you will be in shape during your stay here.) Charm Churee charges non-guests to access its private beach (and great snorkeling bay), and in doing so, helps guests keep this slice of paradise for themselves. Unlike Pinnacle, there is no pool, but Charm Churee does have a bar and massage hut on the beach and on-site PADI dive shop.

View Point Resort is a romantic and peaceful spot for couples with excellent views of Chalok Baan Khao Bay and the beach. A hilltop location ensures those great views, but it also means it's a steep walk down to the beach (true for Charm Churee, as well) and atmospheric restaurant, which is set at the bottom of the hill next to the sea. Especially nice are the beanbag loungers set on the lawn for sunset cocktails; the scene is about as chilled-out as it gets in these parts. View Point's cottages and villas are spread out, so guests have plenty of space and privacy. Cottages have charming, rustic Thai stye, but note that cheapest cottages are plain and overlook the gardens; you'll have to upgrade for sunset views over the sea. Rates for these can cost three times as much as Charm Churee's top-tier rooms.

While it can be crowded and chaotic, Ban's Diving Resort offers a vast selection of rooms located smack in the center of Haad Sairee's tourist zone (and in the epicenter of the Koh Tao party scene). The beachfront restaurant/bar always happening, and the resort's diving program is one of the best of the country. Just note that the beach, like the resort at large, can be packed and noisy, and the beachfront disappears during high tide.