The Tarna Align Resort

Tarna Align Resort is an elegant hillside property that's removed from scenic Sairee Beach and its buzz. While it provides gorgeous ocean vistas, the 15-minute walk back is uphill. Up a circular ramp, the modern lobby features lofty vaulted ceiling, a wave-shaped reception desk, small library, scuba desk, and wicker sofas and tables. While rooms are all stylishly designed, public areas are more bland, albeit contemporary, with simple wicker furniture and few decorative accents. The laid-back atmosphere of the resort appeals to couples, families, and groups of friends who want to stay a bit away from the backpacker party scene of Sairee Beach. Travelers with mobility issues should consider other options, as the resort is up a steep hill and has a lot of stairs. 

Tarna Align Resort is located on a hill, a 15-minute walk (five-minute drive) from the restaurants, bars, and shops of the happening Sairee Beach. To reach the property, most guests fly into the neighboring Koh Samui and take a ferry to the pier at Mae Haad, which is around a five-minute drive from the property. The resort offers a frequent shuttle service to Sairee Beach and the pier. 

Rooms are stylish and contemporary, outfitted in a blend of Thai-inspired decor and neutral-tone furnishings in various textures. Expect cement walls, wood floors, intricately carved wooden wardrobes, shell-shaped light fittings, and wave-shaped sliver headboards. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows or sliding glass doors, but unfortunately, entry-level rooms lack outdoor spaces and some overlook a building and can be rather dark. Upgraded units have furnished outdoor spaces -- some with hot tubs and direct pool access. All rooms feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, electronic safes, minibars, free Wi-Fi, beach bags, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Open-plan bathrooms lack privacy, but they're modern and have rainfall showers, bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries. 

Though the resort is not directly on the beach, it offers two swimming pools, the larger of which is often used for diving courses. The smaller pool is more laid-back, with guests often seen relaxing on the floating bean bags and the surrounding sunbeds. Chic Diving, the on-site dive center, offers scuba-diving courses, as well as fun dives for more experienced divers. On the downside, there are no spa or fitness facilities here.

Two restaurants are on-site, Tarna Restaurant and Sushi Mania, and they're located on the resort’s top floor, offering breathtaking sea views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sushi Mania serves Japanese lunches and dinners, while the all-day Tarna Restaurant specializes in Thai and Western dishes. Guests praise the free breakfast buffets, which have a variety of quality hot and cold items.