Basking in a turtle's garden

Clean and simple, each room has a fan or airconditioner, hot shower and private balcony

Recommended by travellers' bible "The Lonely Planet", Koh Tao Tropicana Resort is a big favourite with divers and holidaymakers on the island. Its setting is a tropical garden on the southern shoreline.

Check in, and within a heartbeat you'll find yourself on a pristine, serene beach stretching out by a turquoise sea. With only a few resorts on the same beach line, it's pretty much a private swathe of sand. If the sun's too strong, take refuge under the leafy trees in the garden, or lie in a hammock with a book. Or there's Thai massage to be had at a reasonable price in the pavilion in the middle of the garden.

Clean and simple, each room has a fan or airconditioner, hot shower and private balcony. An ATM, convenience store, restaurants and bars are not far away. The resort's restaurant also serves tasty Thai and western fare as well as seafood. It's also a stone's throw from diving centres, meaning divers shouldn't have to wake up too early for their first dive.

Room rates run from Bt500 for a single fan room to Bt1,300 for an airconditioned triple; it's Bt1,000 for an airconditioned single or double. Those prices don't include breakfast. Booking is a must during high season and the latest booking is 24 hours before arrival, via website or phone.

Xtra

Shell out and dive in

Tropicana Resort, Chalok Baan Kao Bay, Koh Tao, Surat Thani

Call (077) 456 167, (077) 456 3045 or visit www.koh-tao-tropicana-resort.com.