Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas 

Find your happy place

This leafy beachside resort on one of Thailand’s quieter islands provides a luxurious haven for guests of all ages.

The moment you step off the speedboat on to the private jetty, the sense of peace at Anantara Koh Yao Yai will envelop you. Flanked by tree-clad hills overlooking a powder-soft beach, the modern low-rise buildings almost melt into the landscape and the freeflowing curves of the swimming pool make it look like a natural feature. It’s a supreme example of quiet-as-a-whisper luxury, where the (delicious) food is often authentically Thai and almost always farm-to-fork, and the accommodation is as thoughtful as the activities on land and sea. If you can drag yourself away from your romantic pool villa or a spacious suite complete with stylish bunk beds for the children, there are jungle trails to explore, motorbikes with sidecars for vintage-style meanderings and all manner of tailored island-hopping possibilities.

Why we love Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas

  • It’s in a gloriously tranquil setting, with greenery-clad hillsides to one side and stunning islet-studded vistas of Phang Nga Bay to the other

  • The food is super-fresh, seasonal and always delicious, whether it’s authentic Thai in the main restaurant or seafood on the sand

  • There’s a family pool and both kids’ and teens’ clubs for younger guests, and an excellent spa and sunset yoga for the grown-ups

  • Customisable experiences range from Thai cooking classes to longtail boat trips to snorkel sheltered reefs off stunning nearby islands

5 stars
Jan - Apr
Phuket 14 hours
On the east coast of Koh Yao Yai, beside a tranquil stretch of golden sand with views of craggy limestone islets
Approx. 75 minutes' road transfer and boat from Phuket airport or 70 minutes’ transfer and boat from Krabi airport
Luxury, Suitable for children, Villas

Rooms

Facilities

  • Restaurants & bars
  • Board
  • Spas & wellness
  • Activities
  • Diving & Watersports
  • Sustainability
  • Families

The resort’s seven restaurants and bars cover the ground from a laidback beachfront grill to elegant Japanese dining, with an appealing focus on authentic Thai flavours. With 24-hour room service and various private dining options, there’s something for all moods, tastes and occasions.

Pakarang
The main restaurant is the venue for a generous globally themed buffet breakfast, with several live stations for freshly prepared dishes, while lunch and dinner are distinctly Thai.

Japanese Restaurant
This chic and intimate dinner spot is the place to come for a set menu of exquisite Japanese dishes based on what ingredients are at their best on the day.

Beach Restaurant
Next to the sand, this relaxed venue has a menu of international flavours. Lunch on sushi or freshly grilled lobster and return later for a perfectly cooked steak under the stars.

Pakarang Bar
Head to the lobby bar for a pre-lunch coffee, Thai-influenced afternoon tea or an aperitif before dinner, with sea views to savour.

Beach Bar
Enjoy a perfectly mixed cocktail or glass of fizz and exquisite snacks from the comfort of a beanbag on the sand at this laidback venue.

Pool Bar
From 11am to 7pm, you can graze your way through a menu of sandwiches, Thai light bites and the like without straying from your poolside lounger.

Family Bar
By the family pool, this child-friendly snack bar has healthy bites and treats for all ages, including fresh juices and ice-cream sundaes.

Anantara does private dining brilliantly, whether you opt for a seafood lunch on a tiny sandbank or a candlelit dinner on the beach.

What's included

Breakfast at Pakarang

Upgrade options

Half Board • Breakfast and dinner at Pakarang
Full Board • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Pakarang

At the soothing spa, ancient wellness techniques take centre stage. There’s a Moroccan hammam, a hydropool, sauna and steam rooms, and signature treatments based around natural local ingredients. Ease aching muscles with a Thai acupressure treatment or still your mind with a session of Himalayan sound therapy.

There is a state-of-the-art gym with Technogym equipment, weight stations and free weights. Yoga classes are held in the fitness area’s studio space or outside on the beach or a hillside looking out over the sea.

Join a Thai cooking lesson or take a tour of the island by sidecar. Options for active types include cycling or running on local trails, volleyball and football on the sand, or a guided nature hike through the jungle.

As well as a large infinity pool right beside the beach, there’s also a family pool with a shallow section just for toddlers. Non-motorised watersports include stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or Zayak bodyboarding, which lets you see underwater without getting wet. With a reef just off the beach and others off nearby islands, snorkellers will be in their element, while experienced divers can arrange outings to the Andaman Sea’s best dive sites. Finally, deep-sea fishing and trips with local fishermen can also be organised.

The fresh fruit, vegetables and spices used in the restaurants come from the resort’s organic farm. Any kitchen waste is composted, other types of waste are reused or recycled, and there’s a focus on only buying products that are hard-wearing, able to be repaired and recyclable.

The kids' club looks after children from the ages of 4 to 12. There are plenty of educational and environmental activities from batik painting to mangrove planting. The Teens' Club arranges organised sports and excursions along the beach. The Toddlers' Zone takes care of the 1 to 4 year olds. Activities here include baby yoga to help with balance and coordination.

Thoughtful family entertainment includes s'mores on the beach and cycling around the island. The family pool comes complete with waterslides and a smoothie bar and is also the spot for evening movies.