1

Didn't stay in either resort, but did visit both places last year. Hat Salad was a lovely beach (we stayed at Salad Hut which was very good) but not much in the way of snorkelling. Water a long way out at low tide (but our hotel had a pool). Plenty of variety for restaurants. On Ko Tao we didn't actually stay in Mae Haad (it looked like a horrible busy, dirty little town) - instead we headed across to the quieter side of the island - would particularly recommend Hin Wong Bay if quiet/remote/basic & great snorkelling are your thing (but no sand at all - only rocks) no posh restaurants, massages or movies; actually, forget it, I'm thinking that may not suit you re-reading your post :-)

2

1. How's the snorkelling from the beach ?
not so great from Cookies.. move around to Ko Ma and Mae Hat Beach area and further up and around to the east and it gets better..
Hire a boat, go on a tour, rent a bike and explore.. the east coast is the go for snorkeling but not easy to get to..
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2. Is the sea deep enough for swimming ?
not at cookies at low tide.. if the tides are too big, that is.. You would be best to find when the movement in tides is at its least, then you will always have lots of water for swimming.
Its the same for all the islands, they are all subject to big tides.
You can walk to Ko Ma, at low tide from Mae Hat Beach, when a sand bridge gets exposed, for example.
If you want to get serious about tides and times (i do and I know you love your snorkeling ) then here is where you get all the info...
http://www.saltwater...tide-charts.htm
or
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/523120-samui-tide-tables-2012/

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3. Sand quality ?
not good, gritty... only "real" sand is on Haadrin..
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4. Selection of good eateries nearby ?
there is some nearby Cookies but a motorbike will be handy to explore from Si Thanu to Chalaklum where lots of good eateries are found... hard to walk it !!!
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5. Are other beaches within walking distance ?
yes and no.. depends on level of fitness and how keen you are.. better beaches like Mae Hat Beach are a short bike ride away.
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6. Any hikes to waterfalls etc ?
check out this map http://www.maps-thailand.com/map-koh-phangan.php as you can see theres a few waterfalls inland.. good for a days hike.. or more.
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7. Massages and movies on the beach ?
lots of massages not so many movies but..
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8. Best rooms in each ?
not stayed at cookies, sorry.
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9. Any better resort recommendations ?
I can recommend Seaflower near to Si Thanu on Chao Pao Beach, but possibly not your style???
http://www.seaflowerbungalows.com/home.htm

3

We stayed in Sensi a few years ago and loved it. In fact I am heading back there in a few weeks and they have since built a pool so looking forward to trying it out. We loved Sensi and found it very rustic and there are a variety of rooms. It is rather expensive but don't expect 5 star treatment. The beach out front is not very good at all, lots of dead coral in the water. There is a sandy beach just to the right but it is very shallow.

You are best to walk or longtail around to Jamson Bay and spend a few hours snorkelling there or travel out to Koh Nangyuan. You can swim at Sairee beach which is walkable but not close.

As we had young kids with us we found staying in the main harbour handy as we were able to walk to different restaurants and do a little basic shopping when the kids were restless. Not sure about waterfalls but you can get a ride or hire a motorbike to travel to other beaches or look around. Movies on the beach? Don't think so but there is a nice restaurant and from memory they had some games available.

Hope this helps.

4

Stayed at Sensi Paradise in 2005 - loved it.

Stayed at Sensi Paradise in 2011 and hated it - The noise from bars down the beach is horrendous.

My personal view is that the owners of Sensi Paradise have made every effort to create a fabulous environment within their resort but that their efforts have been wasted on account of the uncontrolled developments and night life along the beach.

Despite having frequently recommended Sensi Paradise here on TT (on the basis of our first visit), I'll never set foot in the place again.

5

Thanks for all your replies. PNP if it were me then I'd also head for the East coast of Tao, I've heard lots of good things.
Unfortunately my husband has no time so I offered to take a travel partner with me. Travel partner is a first-timer to Thailand, turns out doesn't need/want remoteness and basically wants to enjoy Thailand as you see it on picture postcards which is why I'm looking only at resorts with pools and other creature comforts. I might even have to leave the snorkelling out all together. Looks like Sensi is a no and Cookies a maybe. Back to the drawing board, blimey I'll think twice before I do someone a favour.
Doctornono I know you but can't place your face, thanks for the detailed report.
PNG and garyandkat I wonder if you stayed at the same place !!

6

OP, no questions about the 'sensi'?

7

PNG and garyandkat I wonder if you stayed at the same place !!

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Almost certainly we did - read what we both say, we stayed there in 2005 and loved it. Garandkat stayed there a few years years back and loved it.

We've since been back and had an awful time due to changes outside of Sensi Paradise (noise from bars etc) - Garyandkat are planning to go back.

I wish them luck, but would advise against them doing so.

If I'm proven wrong I will be delighted to hear the environment around SP has improved, but this is Thailand, the environment never improves where there's Baht to be made.

8

We stayed in 2007 so I will be interested to see the changes. We have already booked so not going to cancel now. There are still plenty of very positive reviews on Trip Advisor so I will make my own review upon my return.

9

@keirsek, my questions were for both places, if you can add anything about the Sensi that would be great. I'm worried about PNPs remark about the town being a horrible, busy and dirty town. Didn't expect that.

10

Mae Haad: I may have been a little harsh, but the area around the ferry 'terminal' and main drag were definitely not attractive and extremely busy during the day when boats were due in/out (the only time we were there). On out departure day it was so busy the ferry we wanted to catch (and had tickets for in advance) was way way over-subscribed and we had to wait for the next one (missing our train to Bangkok in the process). The beach area may be much nicer a little way north or south . . .

11

Koh Tao is a filthy, dirty mess. The locals don't have a clue about refuse management and that's a crime these days considering the amount of tourist dollars that go through the place..
The only real reason to go to KT is to do some diving to see some small sharks.IMO.
The island is much too small and it struggles with all the rubbish generated by the mobs of tourists who arrive. I'm usually on KPG and meet lots of people who have just returned from a few days on KT and most people comment on the rubbish in the water..

not good, so easy to fix.... dumb greed !!!

12

After googling a bit more, Had Salad looks a bit like Hat Yao West looked like when I was last there 9 years ago - some nice resorts with pools but not totally built up.
Hat Yao now looks to be totally occupied beach front but does appear to have a lovlier beach. ie. whiter, wider and longer.
As I remember from 9 years ago, the snorkelling off Hat Yao was sufficient to impress a first-timer, I would imagine it's similar off Had Salad.
Are my conclusions correct ?

Also looking at Ko Samet now, white (ish) beaches there.

13

"@keirsek, my questions were for both places, if you can add anything about the Sensi that would be great."

I was trying to be funny in #6. Sensi, meaning Sensimelia is basically herb, weed, Marijuana. With a funky name like Sensi, it seems that's probably on the menu too, me thinks.

14

Sorry keirsek for missing your joke but it's a serious business wheedling out good accomodation.
I'm sure everyone else got it !