Koh Yao Yai Hillside Resort

Our top room had an amazing view, like something from a movie. It was a nice, safe room, and the pool was great, with warm water rather than the freezing pools I’ve been in elsewhere. The pool lights made the evening atmosphere really nice. I’d recommend staying here in koh yao yai.

We booked a trip to Hong Island through the hotel and got a private boat, which made for a great day and good value. The staff were the most helpful and friendly we had on our whole trip of six hotels, and they also sorted taxis and connecting transfers. The views were amazing. There were fewer mosquitoes in our room than anywhere else on the trip, though plenty of lizards and frogs around. The shop is a 10-minute walk, which feels far compared with Bangkok or Phuket, but we didn’t need to leave the hotel since it was so reasonable and good quality.

The rooms and washrooms were spacious and very good, and the place is near the beach. We also booked our island tour through them. It was cheaper than with external providers and still good.

The beaches are very shallow, with mangrove sand, so having a private pool to relax in was a lovely bonus. The little resort is beautiful, the rooms are clean, and all the staff were friendly and accommodating. Laundry is priced by the kilo and very reasonable, unlike most resorts charging per item. The food was amazing too, with generous portions and great flavour, though a little pricier than a local restaurant. It felt worth it, especially with that beautiful view. And the Brownie is worth getting! We loved our stay.