Welcome to Checking In, a review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best luxury hotels based on a rigorous—and occasionally tongue-in-cheek—10-point system: Each question answered “yes” gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.
Describe the hotel in three words: Sun-kissed tropical getaway.
What’s the deal?
Minor Hotels is the hospitality outfit behind the Anantara portfolio, and the local group, headquartered in Bangkok, scouted a secluded, verdant sliver of land between popular beach destinations phu*ket and Krabi in the south of Thailand to create a nature-swaddled beach escape, fringed by forested hills, the Andaman Sea, and a constellation of limestone rocks that jut out of the waters on the horizon. Nestled on a tranquil coastline on Koh Yao Yai—the “Big Long Island” in Phang Nga Bay and neighbour to Koh Yao Noi—Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas sits on a former coconut palm plantation measuring 11 hectares, with a collection of 148 luxurious suites, pool villas, and penthouses to its name.
Accommodations, in sprawling low-rise buildings facing the ocean or grass-roofed structures that blend into the green landscape, are encircled by tidy lawns, curving pathways, and an assemblage of palm trees, bestowing that distinctive tropical atmosphere that seasoned travellers to Thailand are no doubt familiar with. In the rooms, the interiors lean towards modern minimalism, punctuated by charming heritage décor and panoramic views. Parents with little ones in tow will be pleased to know that Anantara Koh Yao Yai is family-friendly, with facilities, amenities, and some suites specifically designed to please young guests.
The best room?
Many would say the 366-square-metre Sea View Pool Penthouse or the same-sized Crystal Sea View Penthouse. Both are spread over two storeys and come with infinity-edged rooftop pools, spacious sundecks, daybeds, and private cabanas that overlook the beachfront property and enchanting seascape beyond, perfectly balancing indoor and outdoor living. A fun detail of the Crystal Sea View Penthouse is the glass window on the ceiling of the duplex’s lower floor that allows you to gaze up into the pool from the living room—neat.
We found no fault with our one-bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa; it felt suitably private, and comes with a garden, private pool, deck terrace, and outdoor rain shower, as well as direct access to the beach. Full-length glass sliding doors in both the bedroom and living room open up to the pool deck, so rise and shine and splash around to your heart’s content.
Does the hotel have a standout perk?
Anantara Koh Yao Yai is the first international resort hotel on the island that it is named for, so travellers seeking rural, picturesque, slow-living experiences away from urban tracts heaving with the usual brand of tropical overtourism have come to the right place. Water sports, island-hopping trips, sunset cruises, and snorkelling and diving are among the discovery programmes that Anantara Koh Yao Yai offers to its guests.
One of the most interesting activities that you can engage in is the sidecar adventure, a motorcycle excursion that meanders around the island through rubber-tree plantations, lush forests, and local settlements, making stops at Hin Kong bridge to watch fishermen haul in their fresh catches, Laem Haad beach for a leisurely stroll along the sandbank, and a boutique batik workshop, where you can try your hand at the handicraft.
Did they greet you by name at check-in?
You bet. Check-in was a leisurely affair, all smiles and warm welcomes, and conveniently handled in the lobby. Guests who book the penthouses can benefit from in-villa check-in—a much-appreciated perk, after a land and speedboat transfer from either phu*ket or Krabi.
Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived?
Yes, a refreshing coconut water coloured and flavoured with butterfly pea flower and a snack of coconut pancakes were swiftly served during the laid-back check-in process.
Private butler for every room?
Almost. Individual villa hosts are available to those staying in the Grand Family Seaview Suite room category and upwards, which means that villa and penthouse guests can enjoy the same attentive services, too. Villa hosts are assigned to travellers upon their arrival and these friendly, helpful folks will take care of everything—from making restaurant reservations and spa appointments to organising off-resort activities, sharing dining menus, and sending reminders for items on your itinerary. Our villa host, Anna, made sure we didn’t miss a thing.
Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?
It’s an even 300 across all room categories. Anantara Koh Yao Yai sources its bed linen from Ply & Poem, an upmarket local brand. For penthouses, villas, and the Grand Family Sea View Suites, and the hotel and resort adds an extra mattress topper into the mix.
Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet?
No need for a heated floor in this tropical paradise, but there are bidets in the bathrooms. Of note too, in the one-bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa that we stayed in, is the capacious stone bathtub in the master bathroom. Sunken into the floor with carved ledges on a secondary level, it can easily accommodate two bathers, with room to spare. Sprinkle in your choice of lavender, lemongrass, or ylang-ylang soaking salts—or create a potent, fragrant mix of all three—and let your body melt against bubbling jets while taking in views of the gardens.
Are the toiletries full-sized?
Yes—the toiletries are full-sized and Anantara-branded. Aside from the standard rotation of scented shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion, Anantara Koh Yao Yai also stocks pump dispensers of after-sun care in the bathrooms—what a thoughtful detail.
Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use? How are the spa and gym?
Yes. Penthouses and villas are generously appointed with their own private pools, while guests in other room and suite categories can avail themselves of the shared pool facing the beach. Guests with children can keep their little ones entertained in the family pool.
Meanwhile, the spacious fitness centre is excellently fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities—think Technogym machines, weight stations, and a yoga studio with aerial yoga hardware. A rotating programme of activities, available to guests seven days a week, will feature a line-up of stretching classes, beach volleyball, sunrise yoga, Himalayan sound baths, aqua aerobics, beach football, Muay Thai and Thai boxing sessions, and more.
Over at the Anantara Spa, four treatment suites, experience showers, a sauna, steam room, meditation room, Moroccan-style hammam chamber, and outdoor hydrotherapy pool with cabanas await, and the menu of available wellness treatments is similarly extensive. Eastern and Western healing traditions are combined into signature facials and massages, singing bowl therapies, thermal detoxification and relaxation rituals, revitalising body scrubs, and even cooling wraps to soothe sunburnt skin. Pamper yourself with the Yao Yai Jamu Radiance Ritual, a treatment inspired by local bridal beauty traditions, or the remedial Thai herbal compress massage. While most spas tend to be child-free zones, Anantara Koh Yao Yai actively welcomes young guests to join their parents in a family wellness experience.
Is the restaurant worth its salt?
With more than one restaurant to choose from, the culinary programme at Anantara Koh Yao Yai ranges from local specialities and international flavours to Japanese dining.
Tomi Sushi Bar acts as a sister restaurant to Bangkok’s same-named omakase experience, so expect tasteful seafood presentations and modern takes on familiar Japanese dishes while watching the chefs in action from front-row counter seats.
Main restaurant Pakarang is the all-day dining destination, with live stations for breakfast, and à la carte selections for lunch and dinner—sate your cravings for tod mun goong deep-fried shrimp cake, larb moo spicy minced pork, yum som-o poo nim pomelo salad with crispy soft-shell crab, pla neung manao steamed sea bass fillet with herbs, khao soi gai chicken curry with yellow noodles, gaeng phed ped yang red curry with roasted duck, and the like from a long list of delicacies. Alfresco tables get snapped up fast here.
Beach Restaurant takes care of international comfort foods and grilled dishes, with a twist—the Yao Yai Caprese salad is reimagined with roasted coconut and a homemade pesto, the Yao Yai pizza is topped with local anchovies and calamari rings, and so on.
Under the “Designer Dining” umbrella, private dining experiences can be arranged, with exclusive venues ranging from an intimate sandbank and a quiet stretch of beach to a secluded rooftop—perfect for those extra special moments for couples or small groups.
Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?
Sure—will it be the Pakarang Bar in the lobby, the Beach Bar by the lawn and sand, or the swim-up Pool Bar? All the bars at Anantara Koh Yao Yai look out across the Andaman Sea, so gorgeous sunset views are part and parcel of the experience, no matter where you choose to post up. Well-stocked with the usual co*cktails, mocktails, spirits, brews, juices, and soft drinks, the menu highlights global producers, as well as a few local brands such as Lanna vodka, Saneha gin, and Chalong Bay rum. One thing that you will assuredly not find elsewhere is the petite selection of Anantara private-label rosé, Chenin Blanc, and Shiraz-Cabernet wines, produced by a winery in Khao Yai on the Thai mainland.
Would you buy the hotel if you could?
Not a bad idea. Waking up to the soft swishing of waves gently lapping the sandy shore and blush-pink and tangerine sunrises that look like Impressionist landscapes is worth the price tag.
Score: 8
What Our Score Means:
1–3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here.
4–6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch.
7–8: Very good. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms.
9–10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?
All images courtesy of Anantara Hotels & Resorts.
