The vibe at the Ko Tao Resort is laid-back and casual, and it attracts families, groups of friends, and vacationing couples. There's a spacious semi-enclosed main lobby but it lacks proper seating areas. The design of the resort encourages guests to lounge outside, and there are a few natural wooden benches and lounge chairs throughout the property. 

The sprawling property is divided between a main area, on the beach at Chalok Baan Khao village, and the newer Paradise Zone, which sits atop a steep mountain. The lower area is right on the main road down the island, and is set close to all the restaurants, bars, and shops that make up Chalok Baan Khao. The upper area requires use of the resort's shuttle buggy to reach, and is a long, steep, and hot walk up sans transport. The drive from the resort to the main ferry pier in Mae Haad takes under 15 minutes by car. 

Standard Rooms are small and simple and have tube TVs, minibars, and kettles, as well as plain wooden furniture and equally uninspired bathrooms. Deluxe Rooms are bigger, brighter, and have prettier decor, with colorful cushions and bedspreads. The best rooms are those in the mountaintop Paradise Zone; these are larger and have balconies with panoramic views and tubs in the bathrooms. The only downside is that this section of the hotel, while beautiful, is up a steep hill and requires a long walk or use of the resort's buggy to get to the main part of the hotel and the beach. All rooms have air-conditioning.

The Ko Tao Resort has three swimming pools. The one in the Paradise Zone is the best, offering astounding panoramic views of the area, while the main pool sits right next to the beach in the lower section of the resort. There's also a small shallow pool suitable for kids. The on-site dive center offers PADI certification courses and diving and snorkeling trips. The Chalok Baan Khao Harbor Restaurant on-site serves breakfast (included in room rates) and is a popular spot for lunch, dinner, and drinks, thanks largely to its beachside location.