Simple bungalows right on Sairee Beach, with balconies facing the sunset and a central location - but basic rooms, uneven maintenance and night-time noise in some units.
Review based on research and guest reviews
We took the photos in this article ourselves when we visited.
SB Cabana Bungalows is a simple place to stay on Sairee Beach, Koh Tao, where some of the bungalows are just a few steps from the sea. Private balconies looking over the bay, beautiful sunsets and a central location near the restaurants and shops are its standout advantages. But alongside the experience of sleeping on the beach, the rooms are basic, maintenance is uneven and some units are exposed to noise at night.
One of the things that draws travellers to Koh Tao is the chance to stay in a small bungalow just a few steps from the water.
Not every holiday on the island needs a luxurious resort with an infinity pool, a spa and a chef's restaurant. Sometimes a simple room with a balcony facing the sea is exactly what you are after.
SB Cabana offers that style of stay.
The property is on Sairee Beach, in a particularly central spot, with small units at different levels of comfort.
Some of the bungalows are right beside the beach, while others are set a little further back.
The location is the place's main strength, and the differences in price and comfort between categories let you choose between basic, relatively cheap accommodation and an air-conditioned bungalow facing the sea.
However, it is important to understand from the start that this is not a luxury resort, but a simple place to stay where you are paying first and foremost for being close to the beach.
SB Cabana is in one of the most convenient areas of Koh Tao for travellers who prefer to get around on foot.
Sairee Beach is the island's main tourist hub, with restaurants, cafés, shops, bars and dive centres.
The property is next to the sand, and from some units the water is only a few dozen metres away.
Being this close means you can leave your room in the morning, walk along the beach, stop at a café and carry on to the dive centres or shops without using any transport.
That is a real advantage compared with hotels on hills or in remote bays.
Being close to central Sairee also has a downside.
The area is busy throughout the day, and in the evening some of the bars and nightlife spots play music until late.
The SB Cabana bungalows are close to the paths down to the beach, and in some units you can hear people passing by even at night.
Especially in the bungalows next to paths used as public access to the beach, privacy and quiet may be limited.
So it is worth distinguishing between a location that is excellent for access and one that suits a quiet holiday.
If you love Sairee's lively atmosphere, you may really enjoy being close to the action.
If, on the other hand, you are sensitive to noise or looking for a secluded romantic holiday, you may prefer the quieter northern end of the beach, or another bay on Koh Tao.
SB Cabana offers several types of bungalow, so it is very important to check which unit you are booking.
Some categories are basic rooms with a fan, others air-conditioned bungalows that also work for three people.
The design is simple and functional, with a bed, a private bathroom and, in some units, a balcony with a seating area.
These are not especially stylish rooms or rooms with a high standard of finish.
The aim here is to offer somewhere to sleep on the beach, without all the facilities that make a stay at a big resort more expensive.
Agoda lists fan bungalows of about 12 sq m, designed for two people.
This is a small, simple unit that mainly suits anyone looking for a place to sleep who plans to spend most of the day outside.
The significant drawback is the lack of air conditioning.
On Koh Tao, where the weather is hot and humid for much of the year, a room with only a fan can be less comfortable, especially at night.
You may also feel the humidity in your clothes and bedding, and in rooms with limited ventilation the air can feel heavy.
So if you are sensitive to heat or find it hard to sleep without air conditioning, think carefully about whether the saving justifies the compromise.
Another option is an air-conditioned bungalow for up to three adults.
According to the category details on Agoda, it is about 17 sq m with a double bed and a single bed, a private bathroom and air conditioning.
This can suit a couple who want a bit more space, or three travellers looking for a simple place to stay near the beach.
Even so, this is still a fairly small room.
When three people share about 17 sq m, factor in how much space is left for suitcases and gear.
The most interesting category is the sea-facing bungalow.
Its big advantage is the private balcony and being able to watch the beach and the bay straight from your seat.
From some units you can step out of the door and be on the sand almost immediately.
But not every bungalow on the property has a direct view.
Before booking, check whether the room is in the front row, whether it has a balcony facing the sea and what lies between it and the beach.
| Bungalow type | Size | Cooling | Suits... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fan bungalow | About 12 sq m | Fan only | A couple who spend most of the day outside and do not mind the heat |
| Air-conditioned bungalow | About 17 sq m | Air conditioning | A couple who want more space, or up to three people |
| Sea-view bungalow | Depends on the unit | Check before booking | A balcony facing the sea and the sunset - make sure it is front row |
Sairee Beach faces west, so the sunsets are one of the most beautiful sights in the area.
When you book a sea-facing bungalow, you can enjoy the view straight from your balcony.
That is hard to find in the same way in rooms in a large hotel building, especially when you have to go through a lobby or public areas to reach the beach.
At SB Cabana, the balcony is a central part of the stay.
You can sit outside with a coffee, read a book, enjoy the breeze and watch the boats anchored off the beach.
Towards sunset the bay changes colour, and the view opens out towards the sea.
If you prefer a simple holiday with lots of time outdoors, this can be a real strength.
Bear in mind, though, that the balconies close to the beach may be exposed to people passing by.
So an open view does not necessarily guarantee privacy.
Cleanliness and maintenance at SB Cabana are not consistent between units.
The rooms are simple, and some show signs of age in the furniture, bathrooms and finishes.
There are also differences in the state of the floors, the cleanliness of the bathrooms and the quality of the fittings.
In some categories the rooms are fairly well kept and clean, while in others the maintenance needs improving.
One thing to check in particular is the state of the bathroom.
In a simple place on the beach, decent water pressure, good drainage and a door that seals properly can make a big difference to comfort.
It is also important to check the state of the bedding, the mattress and the ventilation.
If you expect a new, modern, well-finished room, you may be disappointed, even if the bungalow's location is excellent.
The bathrooms at SB Cabana are basic and do not offer the fittings you would expect in newer hotels.
There are differences between units in how well the showers work and in water pressure.
Low water pressure can be a real nuisance after a day of swimming in the sea, especially when you want to shower and get ready for an evening out.
So check in advance that there is hot water, decent water pressure and good drainage.
If these details matter a lot to you, choose an upgraded unit or compare with other places to stay in Sairee.
The answer depends mainly on the bungalow's position and the type of room.
On the one hand, a unit close to the sea can have a very pleasant atmosphere during the quiet hours of the day.
On the other, being close to the nightlife areas and public paths may affect the quality of your sleep.
In some bungalows you can hear music, talking and laughter from people coming back from the bars at night.
In rooms with only a fan, the heat and humidity can also make sleeping harder.
So if a good night's sleep is one of your main considerations in choosing a hotel, check the room type and position carefully before booking.
SB Cabana is not a large resort built around pools, a spa or a range of leisure services.
Its main advantage is being right next to the beach.
Booking sites list different services depending on the unit, but there is no basis for assuming that every service shown in a particular listing is available to all the bungalows.
For example, the listing for the air-conditioned bungalow also shows facilities and services such as a restaurant, a bar and a spa, but check that they are available and actually belong to the unit you choose before booking.
If you prefer to spend hours at a pool with a bar alongside, SB Cabana is not the obvious choice.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a simple bungalow from which you can walk straight onto the beach, you may not need any other facilities.
One of SB Cabana's advantages is being in an area with plenty of places to eat and go out.
Along Sairee Beach and the nearby streets there are cafés, Thai restaurants, Western restaurants and bars.
You can go out for breakfast facing the sea, come back to the beach at midday and carry on to a restaurant or bar in the evening without relying on transport.
That is a big plus if you do not want to rent a scooter.
Even if the accommodation does not offer a full breakfast, the location lets you choose a different place to eat every day.
SB Cabana is next to the sand at Sairee, so getting to the beach is especially easy.
But remember that swimming conditions vary along the beach.
In many parts of Sairee the water is fairly shallow, and the tides affect the depth and how easy it is to get into the sea.
In some areas there are also rocks, coral and boats.
So being close to the beach does not guarantee that every spot is suitable for a long swim.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a beach for walking, sunbathing, sitting by the sea and watching sunsets, the location is very convenient.
SB Cabana can suit couples looking for a simple beach holiday, especially if they choose an air-conditioned bungalow with a balcony and a sea view.
Being able to sit together facing the sunset and enjoy the beach without any travelling can be very pleasant and romantic.
But it is important to distinguish between a romantic location and a luxury stay.
The rooms are basic, maintenance is uneven and in some units privacy is limited by the paths nearby.
Night-time noise can also affect the atmosphere.
So the place will suit couples who prefer simple accommodation by the sea better than those looking for a quiet, pampering boutique holiday.
Anyone who wants to sleep right on Sairee Beach. Being a few steps from the sea is the biggest advantage.
Travellers who prefer to get around on foot. Restaurants, cafés, shops and dive centres are all close by.
Anyone looking for simple accommodation on a limited budget. Especially if you find a price that matches the level of comfort.
Anyone who loves a balcony facing the sea. The beach-facing bungalows offer a lovely place to sit with the view and the sunset.
Travellers who spend most of the day out of the room. The place suits anyone looking for a convenient base by the beach rather than a resort with lots of facilities.
SB Cabana is less suitable if you are looking for modern, stylish rooms, a large pool and full resort services.
If you are sensitive to noise at night, consider quieter alternatives in north Sairee or in remote bays.
If you find it hard to sleep without air conditioning, avoid booking a room with only a fan.
Travellers who place great importance on meticulous cleanliness, new bathrooms and a high standard of maintenance should compare the place with other hotels before booking.
One of SB Cabana's advantages is the chance to get an excellent location by the sea at a price that may be lower than at better-equipped resorts.
But value depends very much on the room category.
A fan bungalow without an open view and with very basic fittings is not the same as an air-conditioned bungalow right on the beach.
When the price is low and most of your time is spent on the beach and on activities, the place can be good value.
If, however, the bungalow's price is close to that of an air-conditioned room in a better-maintained hotel, consider the alternatives.
The location is a significant advantage, but it does not necessarily make up for every problem in the room.
SB Cabana Bungalows offers a very simple stay in one of the most sought-after locations on Koh Tao.
The bungalows close to the beach let you enjoy the sea and the sunsets almost from your doorstep, and being close to Sairee's restaurants and shops makes the stay especially convenient.
But there is no pampering resort experience here.
Comfort and maintenance vary between units, some rooms have only a fan, and in some bungalows noise from the nightlife areas can disturb your sleep.
SB Cabana mainly suits anyone looking for a basic bungalow on Sairee Beach who would rather spend on location than on hotel facilities. To enjoy your stay, choose the room type carefully and make sure the price matches the level of comfort you get.
The property is on Sairee Beach on Koh Tao, right next to the beach, restaurants and shops.
Some of the bungalows are a few steps from the beach, and some categories have a balcony with a direct sea view.
No. There are fan-only units as well as air-conditioned bungalows.
Yes. One of the air-conditioned categories has a double bed and a single bed and sleeps up to three people.
Not necessarily. Some units are exposed to noise from the nightlife areas and to people passing on their way to the beach.
A swimming pool is not listed as a confirmed main facility of the property.
Yes. The location in Sairee lets you walk to restaurants, cafés, the beach and dive centres.
Yes, mainly for couples looking for simple accommodation by the sea. For a quieter, more pampering holiday, compare other hotels too.
The type of cooling, the state of the bathroom, the bungalow's position, the view from the balcony, the expected noise level and recent photos of the unit.
Same level of comfort and price - hotels we stayed at
Also simple bungalows in the heart of Sairee, in a tropical garden
Also simple bungalows on Sairee, in the quieter north
