Koh Yao Yai Village

The resort is spread across a fairly wide area, and is well laid out so that even at capacity, it rarely feels crowded. The buildings are traditional Thai thatched-roof bungalows and villas and local, natural materials are used throughout. The lobby is a charming, open-air space with a circular roof, and curved wooden reception desk. The decor is rustic and charming, as in the villas, and there are chunky solid wood stools and benches for guests to use with cushions in hot pink and orange fabrics. A cluster of lanterns hangs in the center of the ceiling. Koh Yao Yai has a secluded, away-from-it-all vibe that carries over to the hotel, though guests should expect prices to reflect that fact. The property mainly attracts couples, including plenty of honeymooners, though families do pass through as well. The majority of the guests are from Europe. 

Koh Yao Yai Village is set on the east coast of Koh Yao Yai. It has a private beach with lovely views of Phang Nga Bay and the karst islands that jut out of the turquoise waters. It's worth noting that most beaches on the Koh Yao islands are prone to dramatic tidal fluctuations, and at low tide, mud flats filled with sea life are exposed for hundreds of feet from shore. The area is fairly unspoiled -- it's one of the last few islands that hasn't been overrun with high-rise development and backpackers -- and the resort is surrounded by rubber trees and forest. Within a 10-minute walk there is a cafe, two convenience stores, and a massage center, but that’s it -- otherwise, there's not much easily reachable on foot. Moped rentals are a popular way to get around, and it's about 20 minutes by moped to one of the two tiny communities on the island's west side, which has a beach that's swimmable all day, a clutch of beachside seafood shacks, and stunning sunset views of Phuket across the bay. A speedboat from Phuket takes around a half hour to reach the island, and the resort is around a 15-minute drive once guests have arrived at the pier. The hotel runs a shuttle that collects guests from the pier. It is fairly expensive though, and previous guests have found it much cheaper to take a taxi. From Krabi, the boat takes 40 to 60 minutes. The Krabi Airport is a 30-minute drive from Krabi's Ao Nang pier.

The 67 villas at the Koh Yao Yai Village are available in plenty of categories, some with multiple bedrooms that make them a smart choice for families or groups of friends. Don't expect anything fancy -- the rustic look of the lobby carries over into the rooms -- but they do have some attractive details. Expect to see woven bamboo pitched ceilings, lots of hardwood construction, glazed concrete floors, and accents in knotted rope and rattan. Colors skew soft, with sea greens and pink in the soft furnishings, complemented by Southern Thai folk art plus quaint drying racks and light fixtures that add a handcrafted element to the style.

Each villa has a large balcony or terrace furnished with sun loungers, a traditional Thai thatched roof, and amenities including air-conditioning, mini-fridges, tea- and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free mineral water, and free Wi-Fi. The two-bedroom villas have a separate living room. All the villas are extremely spacious and light. The en-suite bathrooms are likewise spacious, with toiletries and a hairdryer provided, plus an outdoor rainfall shower. 

As one of the larger properties in the area, there are a number of features on offer at the property, though everything is still quite low key. Kayee is the main restaurant at the property, and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has great views over the infinity pool and the bay. Authentic Thai cuisine is served, as well as Western food such as pasta, burgers, soups, and salads. Light meals and drinks are also available at the Krachang Bar and Grill, which is an open-air restaurant with beach views. There is also the more casual Jakrajan, next to the pool, which serves sandwiches, pastries, fruit smoothies, and milkshakes. Many of the dishes served on-site use organic ingredients grown in the resort’s garden. Private dining can also be arranged on the beach, among the rainforest, or on the villa’s private balcony. It's worth noting, though, that not all restaurants are open year round.

The hotel has an excellent spa that uses natural ingredients like cashew nuts, lemongrass, aloe vera, coconut, cucumber, and herbs in its treatments. Some guests have noted that treatments are pricey compared to spas found elsewhere on the island. There are also two stunning infinity pools at the hotel with excellent sea views. Activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and walking and bike tours can be arranged by hotel staff. There’s a small fitness center and a shop at the property that sells drinks, ice cream, snacks, toiletries, swimwear, flips flops, and souvenirs. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.