Viewpoint Resort Koh Tao Reviews & Ratings

I spent two fortnights there in 2003, in February and May, visiting my son who was living on the island at the time. My wife and I had two trips there in 2004. We loved the friendliness, casualness and generally laid-back feel of the place, and the generally 30+ sea and land temperatures. I did not find the place dirty, neglected or a slum in any way - remember, many of the people who go there are interested in the diving and the diving tuition. My god, why do so many people aspire to 3, 4 or 5 star luxury, and want everywhere to be like that - I would go back there anytime, but, alas, a further trip will have to wait.

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The privacy/views and the restaurant's food were the only good things about our stay. Our shower didn't work at all, the fans were faulty, there was no pick-up service despite being assured that transfers would be covered, and there was no bedding or drinking water provided. There were plenty of staff hanging around, but none of them could be bothered serving us. Hire of snorkelling gear was very expensive and the grounds were filthy and smelly. I liked the remoteness of the setting, but not when you have to wade waist-deep through a sea polluted with rubbish at high tide carrying your suitcase over your head and wander through several bars and residential kitchens to get to the place. The rooms have these great balconies overlooking the bay, but no chairs to sit and enjoy the view. Snorkelling in the bay was poor overall, with a half-decent strip around the edges but the bulk of the bay has been absolutely hammered by boat traffic, anchors etc and was a lifeless desert. I was stunned that this island is marketed as a pristine, natural diver's paradise when it is little more than a dirty slum with poorly-managed natural resources. Both the government agency responsible for natural resource management on the island and the operators of ViewPoint really need to improve their game.

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