A huge resort on Sairee Beach with four pools, a gym and one of the world's best-known dive centres - but the difference between a room near the beach and one high up on the hill is enormous.
Review based on research and guest feedback
We took the photos in this article ourselves when we visited.
Good to know before you book: this is a huge property with about 270 rooms. Some rooms are close to the beach and the nightlife, others are high up on the hill - with a steep climb and stairs. Check where the room you are booking is.
Traveller scores · October 2026
On Tripadvisor many of the reviews also cover the dive courses, so the rating does not reflect the accommodation alone.
Ban's Diving Resort is one of the largest and best-known resorts on Koh Tao, with a central location on Sairee Beach, four swimming pools, a gym, restaurants and a professional dive centre. The property stretches from the beach up into the green hills behind it and offers a wide range of places to stay, from simple rooms to luxurious villas with a private pool. But the resort's sheer size, the distance of some rooms from the beach and the lively atmosphere around the bars create big differences between one stay and another. Before you book, it is important to know which part of the property your room is in.
Ban's Diving Resort opened in 1993 and over the years has become one of the best-known dive centres in the world.
The resort operates as a professional PADI training centre, with beginner courses, advanced certifications, guided dives and dive instructor training.
But over the years it has grown far beyond a dive school.
Today it is a sprawling resort that stretches from Sairee Beach up to the wooded slopes behind it.
According to the official website, the resort has about 270 rooms and villas, four swimming pools, a gym of about 100 sq m, restaurants, bars, shops and other facilities.
The property is laid out like a small holiday village.
The lower part holds the beach, the dive centre, the restaurants and the bars. Higher up, rooms, bungalows and villas are scattered among trees, gardens and tropical planting.
This mix means the stay can suit different kinds of traveller, but it also creates big differences in comfort and accessibility.
Ban's Diving Resort is in the middle of Sairee Beach, the busiest tourist area on Koh Tao.
Beach access is one of the resort's main advantages.
From the lower part of the property you can walk straight onto the sand, to the beach restaurants and to the bars.
Close by there are cafes, shops, massage places, dive centres and bars.
It is an especially convenient location if you prefer to get around on foot rather than hire a scooter.
You can start the morning in a cafe, head out for a dive lesson, come back to the pool and carry on in the evening to a restaurant or bar without needing transport.
This is one of the most important questions to ask before booking Ban's Diving Resort.
The hotel is on Sairee Beach, but not all of its rooms are near the sea.
Some units are up the hill, in a wooded area.
Getting to them can involve a steep climb, stairs and a longer walk from the lower part of the property.
The resort runs golf buggies to take guests between different parts of the property, but their availability can vary.
So a room up the hill may be quieter and greener, but less convenient if you want to go down to the beach, the restaurants and the shops several times a day.
Ban's Diving Resort offers a wide range of room categories, and the differences between them are very significant.
There are standard rooms, Superior and Deluxe rooms, jungle-style units, bungalows up the hill, poolside rooms and luxury villas.
The design varies between areas. Some rooms are in Thai style with wooden furniture, while others have a more modern look.
The standard of maintenance, the room size, the view and the distance from the beach are not consistent either.
Superior rooms are an option if you want a fairly comfortable air-conditioned room on the property without booking one of the expensive categories.
Some rooms have a private balcony, a double bed or two singles and a bathroom with a hot shower.
The design is fairly simple, with wooden furniture and the basics for a comfortable stay.
The main advantage is access to the resort's facilities and Sairee's central location.
That said, check the room's position relative to the beach and the pools.
The Deluxe Garden View categories offer fairly spacious rooms, in some cases about 30 sq m.
The rooms have air conditioning, a private bathroom and a balcony.
Their surroundings are greener, so they may suit you if you prefer a calm part of the property.
That said, a garden view is not necessarily an open sea view, and the distance from the beach varies with the location.
These are among the more interesting rooms if you love spending time at the pool.
According to the official website, the rooms are close to three of the property's pools and next to the gym.
They have air conditioning, a hot shower, a fridge and tea and coffee facilities.
Their advantage is easy access to a pool without having to come down from the higher parts of the resort.
They can be a good choice for couples who prefer to spend a large part of the day on the property itself.
The options also include rooms and bungalows set among the resort's greenery.
The surroundings are particularly green, with trees, paths and tropical gardens.
This area may be quieter than the part near the beach, but it is further from the main facilities.
Some units have fairly dated furniture, and being close to the vegetation means insects and small geckos may also turn up around the rooms.
If you like staying in the middle of tropical nature, you may enjoy the atmosphere.
But if quick, easy access to the restaurants and the beach matters to you, the higher rooms are less suitable.
Ban's also offers more upmarket categories, including family villas and hillside villas with a private pool.
These categories are for people who want more space, privacy and the option of spending a good part of the holiday in the villa.
Some villas have seating areas, wide balconies and views of the greenery or the sea.
That said, the higher up the room is, the more important it is to check the way there and the availability of transport within the property.
One of the things that sets Ban's Diving Resort apart is its large number of pools.
There are four swimming pools, in different parts of the resort.
Some of the pools are also used for dive activities and training, while others are mainly for relaxing and swimming.
Spreading them across the property means guests can usually enjoy a pool fairly close to their room, depending on the room category.
Not necessarily.
Because Ban's is an active dive centre, some of the pools are also used for dive practice and lessons.
So if you plan to spend long hours at the pool, check which pool is near your room and whether training sessions are held there.
The big advantage is that there are several pools on the property, so not everyone ends up in the same place.
That said, at busy times and during periods with lots of dive courses, some areas can be particularly lively.
Ban's Diving Resort is associated first and foremost with diving.
It is a large PADI training centre, offering Open Water courses for beginners, Advanced Open Water courses, guided dives and professional training.
The property has dedicated facilities for dive training, practice pools and professional equipment.
If you are coming to Koh Tao specifically for a dive course, being able to stay on the same property is a significant advantage.
There is no need to travel to the dive centre every morning, and you can combine your lessons with the pool, meals and rest.
The resort also advertises special room rates for dive course participants and active divers.
In some categories the nightly price is lower when you book your stay as part of your diving.
But check the terms: the discounts may only apply to the nights on which you are taking part in the activity.
Yes.
Despite the name, Ban's is not only for divers.
The resort also suits couples, families and travellers looking for a central hotel with pools, restaurants and beach access.
That said, diving is a significant part of the place's character.
If you are looking for a small, completely quiet boutique resort, you may prefer another hotel.
Ban's Diving Resort is right on Sairee Beach, so access to the sea is especially easy from the lower part of the property.
The beach is fairly long, with sand, palms, restaurants and boats anchored in the bay.
Because it faces west, the sunsets are one of the loveliest sights in the area.
You can sit in a restaurant or a bar on the beach and enjoy the changing light over the water.
That said, remember that many parts of Sairee Beach are fairly shallow, and swimming conditions change with the tides.
For snorkelling and longer swims, it is worth visiting other bays on Koh Tao too.
One of the advantages of Ban's Diving Resort is the range of places to eat and go out within the property.
The beach restaurant serves meals facing the sea and is also one of the resort's main social hubs.
Its position lets you enjoy a meal by the beach, with a view of the bay and the sunset.
Fishbowl is one of the liveliest beach bars in Sairee.
It combines drinks, music and a social atmosphere, and particularly suits people who like to go out in the evening.
But being close to the bar is also something to factor in when choosing a room in the lower part of the property.
The music and late-night activity may be noticeable in nearby rooms.
The property also has the Barracuda at Darawan restaurant, which serves modern Thai-style cuisine with international influences.
It is an interesting option if you prefer a more elaborate meal within the resort.
There is also a cafe, other dining areas and convenience stores.
This means you can spend a whole day on the property with hardly any need for outside services.
Ban's serves breakfast on the property, and with some categories and rates it is included in the price.
It is usually a buffet, with Western and Thai options.
The sea-facing setting is one of the best things about breakfast here.
The choice can be fairly varied, but the quality of the food, how hot the dishes are and how busy it gets depend on how full the resort is.
Because this is a large property with hundreds of rooms, at certain times the breakfast area can be very busy.
If you like to start the day quietly, find out when the peak times are.
Ban's has a gym that is fairly large by Koh Tao hotel standards.
According to the official website, it covers about 100 sq m and has free weights, resistance machines and other fitness equipment.
That is an advantage if you want to keep up your training routine while on holiday.
There are also convenience stores, a dive equipment shop, ATMs and other services on the property.
The range of facilities makes Ban's one of the more self-contained properties on the island.
Cleanliness and maintenance at Ban's Diving Resort are fairly good on average, but bear in mind that this is a large property with rooms of different types and from different periods.
Some rooms are spacious and well maintained, while others show their age in the furniture and bathrooms.
In certain rooms there are differences in water pressure, the standard of fittings and the comfort of the beds.
In some of the more remote bungalows, the dense vegetation can bring insects and geckos.
This is not necessarily a sign of neglect but part of the tropical setting; still, if you prefer a sealed, modern room, factor it in.
Look at recent photos of the exact room category, rather than relying on photos of the expensive villas or the public areas.
Ban's is a large and fairly well-organised property, with infrastructure designed to serve a large number of guests and divers.
One of the advantages is the transfer service from the ferry pier, which makes arriving with suitcases easier.
Golf buggies also help you get to the higher rooms on the property.
But at a resort like this, remember that the service is not necessarily as personal and intimate as in a small boutique hotel.
At busy times, especially when dive groups arrive, there may be waits at reception or for transfers.
So if you prefer personal attention and complete quiet, you may find the place a little busy.
The answer depends very much on where your room is.
The beach area has restaurants, bars and activity hubs, so some of the rooms close to them may be exposed to music and guests coming and going.
In the higher, greener parts of the property, by contrast, you can find a fairly calm atmosphere.
But a higher room also means a steeper climb to get there.
It is a trade-off worth understanding in advance.
If you want a central location and nightlife, you may prefer a room in the lower part.
If you want calmer surroundings, you may prefer an inner or higher room, provided the walking and getting around suit you.
Ban's can suit couples, but it is not a classic romantic resort.
Its strengths are the beachfront location, the pools, the restaurants and the range of room categories.
A couple who choose a private villa or an upgraded room in a quiet area can have a very pleasant holiday.
But the resort's overall character is social and lively, with dive groups, families and travellers who come to have fun.
If you are looking for a particularly intimate couple's holiday, with few guests and quiet throughout the day, you may prefer a smaller resort.
Yes. The property has family rooms and suites, several swimming pools and restaurants.
Being able to walk to the beach and the shops is a significant advantage for families.
The range of resort facilities also lets you spend part of the day on the property.
But it is important to choose a room in a convenient area, especially with young children.
A room high up on the hill may be less suitable for a family with a pushchair or children who tire quickly from walking.
It is also worth checking whether the pool nearest your room is used for dive training.
Travellers coming for a dive course: the combination of the dive centre, the rooms and the facilities is very convenient.
Anyone who wants to be in the heart of Sairee: the beach, the restaurants and the shops are within walking distance.
Families: the range of rooms, pools and restaurants gives you plenty of options during your holiday.
Anyone who loves large resorts: the number of pools, the gym and the restaurants let you spend a lot of time on the property.
Travellers who enjoy a social atmosphere: the bar, the dive centre and the public areas draw travellers from all over the world.
Ban's is less suitable if you are looking for a small, intimate resort with very few guests.
If you are very sensitive to noise, avoid rooms close to the bars and nightlife areas.
If you find climbs and stairs difficult, check the room's position carefully.
And if you prefer consistent, modern design in every room, you may find the differences between room categories less convenient.
Value for money depends on the room category and on whether you are coming to dive.
For travellers combining their stay with a dive course, there are packages and special rates.
Even if you do not dive, access to four pools, a gym, restaurants and the beach can justify the price.
But it is important to check exactly which room you are getting.
An old room up the hill is not the same as a new villa or an upgraded room by the pool.
When the price is high, compare it with other hotels in Sairee and consider whether the location and facilities really matter to you.
Ban's Diving Resort is one of the largest and most varied resorts on Koh Tao.
It offers an excellent location on Sairee Beach, four swimming pools, a gym, restaurants and a dive centre with an international reputation.
Its main advantage is being able to combine a wide range of activities and facilities on one property.
But its size is also one of its drawbacks.
There are big differences between the rooms, some are up the hill, and some areas are close to the music and nightlife.
Ban's Diving Resort is an especially good choice if you are coming to dive, love resort facilities and want to be in the middle of Sairee. If you are looking for a quiet, intimate couple's holiday, compare it with smaller resorts in the area too.
Information on the rooms, pools and facilities was checked against the official Ban's Diving Resort website and its official facilities page. Ratings, room differences and accessibility were also checked against Booking.com, Agoda and Tripadvisor.
The resort is at 3/1 Moo 1, Haad Sairee, Koh Tao, on Sairee Beach.
Yes. The property reaches down to Sairee's strip of sand, but some rooms are up the hill, a walk away from the sea.
According to the official website, there are four swimming pools on the property. Some are also used for dive training.
No. The hotel is also open to non-divers and offers a range of rooms and facilities.
Yes. There are special room rates in some categories for dive students and active divers, subject to terms.
Yes, especially in the upgraded rooms and villas. That said, this is a large, lively property, not an intimate boutique resort.
Yes. There are family rooms, pools and restaurants, but check where the room is in relation to the hill and the facilities.
Yes. The resort has a gym of about 100 sq m with strength and training equipment.
It depends on where your room is. The beach and bar areas are livelier, while some rooms on the hill may be quieter.
The hotel offers transfers from the pier, as well as golf buggies for getting around certain parts of the property. Arrange it in advance.
The room's position relative to the beach and the hill, the type of pool nearby, the standard of fittings and maintenance, exposure to noise and whether to book your stay together with a dive course.
Same level of comfort and price - hotels we stayed at
Also on Sairee Beach with pools and a dive centre, a smaller property
Also in the heart of Sairee, close to the nightlife
