Koh Yao Yai Village

The pools and outdoor spaces were the highlight for us, tucked into the jungle and beautifully done. There are two pools, plus bars serving good quality happy hour cocktails that felt well worth the price. One staff member from Indonesia was especially attentive and remembered our names and orders. We were also impressed by the fresh, generous breakfast. We tried one of the hotel's restaurants for dinner; the service was brilliant, though the food wasn't really to our taste. The room was lovely, with his and hers basins and thoughtful decoration. After Krabi, we were surprised by how few bugs or other wildlife we found inside. They left plenty of drinking water, snacks and fizzy drinks for us too. Getting there was easy, with a private transfer from the island arrival and a golf buggy ride to reception and our room. The staff were consistently friendly and helpful. We'd worried a small island might have little to do or few places to eat, but we were wrong. Three nights didn't feel long enough, and Koh yao yai village felt like a little piece of heaven. We were sorry to leave and hope to return. One small snag came with a private sunset boat tour we'd booked. We needed a taxi at 5:45 for a 6am start, arranged through the front desk, but it didn't show up as planned and caused some stress. Sommai did a lot to sort it out, checking with the taxi and front desk and helping us communicate with get your guide. That let us push the private boat trip back to 7:00am. We missed most of the sunrise, but still made the trip thanks to Sommai helping get hold of the taxi. When we got back, the front desk listened to our feedback and understood what had gone wrong, which we appreciated.

We felt so comfortable on the snorkeling trip arranged through the hotel. Our guide stayed with us all day, answered every question and took care of the details, from leaving the hotel to the diving stops, meals and beach loungers. We could just relax and enjoy it, and would recommend the trip. The hotel itself is in a beautiful spot, and the villas are lovely, especially the ones with private pools. We had good food and found the staff helpful and kind. We felt great there.

The place was peaceful and relaxing, and worked really well for a stay with children. A golf cart was always available to get around the hotel. Our cabin had an open-air bathtub, and the sea was as warm as a jacuzzi. We also loved the spa, with great massages and beautiful, austere décor. The jungle cabins were clean and comfortable, with nature sounds all around. Breakfasts were wonderful, especially the tea made with ten fresh herbs and flowers. The staff were incredibly friendly, and Mai, our hotel guide, was fantastic on trips to and around Hong Kong Island. We also recommend the lobster dinner on the beach, it was a unique experience. This was the Thailand we'd dreamed of. Thanks for a lovely seven days, we'll definitely come back!

We had a fantastic three-night stay. The hotel is beautiful, and the service was great throughout. Maicoal made the island tours especially memorable. Having a professional guide show us spots we wouldn't have found ourselves made a huge difference. Thanks to the whole team for the memories! Loredana&Francesco