Haad Yao Bayview Resort & Spa

Haad Yao Bayview Resort is perched along a steep cliffside property overlooking an idyllic and tranquil white-sand bay. The beach is the most attractive feature on offer, as the hotel's facilities are underwhelming and a bit disjointed. Though the hotel is set along the beach, it doesn't include a sectioned off area with lounge chairs on the sand. Instead, there's a cement platform with a handful of chairs and a rarely manned cabana bar. The main pool and restaurant are clumped together in a small space. Guests have to walk past diners to get to the pool and there are no loungers laid out. There's a small rooftop swimming pool which features panoramic views of the bay, though it takes a steep hike to get up to it. The hotel is most frequented by families and couples.

Located along Haad Yao Beach, a picturesque white-sand bay dotted with hotels and a few simple beachfront restaurants. The coral reefs in the bay make the area a popular site for diving and snorkeling. Reefers Diving is within a five-minute walk of the hotel. Overall, the area is quiet and somewhat isolated, with few dining options and shops walkable, and little in the way of nightlife. Guests should note that the hotel doesn't offer a free shuttle service into town, so taxi transfers can add up. Srithanu Beach is a 10-minute drive away and features a vibrant health and wellbeing scene, with plenty of yoga centers, healthy restaurants, cultural learning centers, and shopping. Thong Sala Pier is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Haad Rin, the island's nightlife hub with full moon parties, is a 45-minute drive away.

A wide range of room options are available from no-frills Standard Rooms to Beach Front Bungalows with hardwood interiors to Supreme Deluxe Sea View Rooms with Jacuzzis. All rooms, except Standard Rooms, feature balconies and sea views. Bungalows have classic stylings, wood floors and furnishings, plus spacious balconies with seating. Standard and Seaview Rooms feature underwhelming interiors with tile floors, plain white walls, and some tacky decor like artificial flowers. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, TVs, free Wi-Fi (unreliable connection), mini-fridges, kettles (only in higher-tier rooms), safes, and bottled water. Bathrooms are basic. They come with a small freestanding sink and mirror, and a hot water shower, though pressure is poor and the showers flood the whole bathroom space during use.

Overall, rooms are well due for an update with highly worn interiors and old amenities like tube-style TVs. Numerous past guests also report problems with the air-conditioning. It should be noted that the steep cliffside setting means plenty hiking between the rooms, beach, and facilities. Beach Front Bungalows are recommended for those not able or wanting to deal with the challenging climbs.

The hotel's facilities could do with a facelift. On the ground level is the central outdoor swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant, a simple cabana bar, a beachfront massage hut, and a small spa. There isn't all that much else on offer except for a small rooftop swimming pool on the upper level of the hotel. The restaurant serves Thai and Western favorites, and a daily breakfast buffet (for a fee). Many guest reports complain about the poor quality of the meals and limited breakfast selection. The hotel has its own convenience store which sells beach essentials, souvenirs, snacks, beverages, and toiletries, located adjacent to the lobby. There is also an ATM on-site and a full-service tour desk offering transport arrangements and motorbike rentals. Wi-Fi is free, but the connection can be slow and unreliable.